Bicycle Second Line on October 7!!

Ready to cruise New Orleans

A second line is a kind of informal parade native to New Orleans.  People march behind the first line.  

What is the first line?  It is a band of musicians who lead the parade and the people who hired the musicians to provide musical accompaniment while they march through their neighborhood.  What is the second line?  It is everybody else who joins in.  The second line can stretch for blocks and blocks.

There is going to be a bicycle second line during Gentilly Fest on October 7, 2012.  It is sponsored by Bike Easy, an organization that promotes safe bicycling in this fair city of New Orleans, LA.

New Orleans is the kind of city that is made for bicycles.  It is flat.  Around every corner is a fresh surprise.  Traveling New Orleans streets by bike is the best way to experience the cityscape.

We have ridden in a number of Bike Easy's second line parades.  It is always a good time as an armada of bicycles wend through the streets ringing bells and waving to everyone who comes out on their front porches to shout encouragement.

The best way to get around the city

There is a donation required to get some official swag, but in the spirit of second lines, everyone is welcome to join.  When we first moved to New Orleans, and participated in our first bicycle second line, we corresponded with Jamie Wine, Bike Easy's executive director and a gentleman of the velocipede.  He said that anybody can join the parade, donation or no.  "It's New Orleans.  It's a second line, for goodness' sake," he said.  Naturally, we encourage donations to this fine organization to support their good work and to get a nifty tee shirt and admission to the after party.   

La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast currently has four bicycles in its fleet, available free of charge to guests who would like to pedal about the streets of New Orleans.  If you haven't forgotten how to ride a bike, this second line parade is an excellent way to enjoy some New Orleans culture and camaraderie firsthand, and to enjoy Gentilly Fest.  Gentilly Fest runs from Friday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 7.  The music promises to be great.  Pontchartrain Park, where the festival is held, is about a half-hour picturesque bike ride from the 2200 block of Esplanade Avenue.

The men's model in front of our fountain

If you are looking for a unique experience flavored by a thriving community, consider La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast to attend Gentilly Fest.  We will provide the bicycles.  New Orleans will  provide the memories.

The ladies' model on the other side of the garden

A votre sante.