The Beginning of NOLA Social Ride (2010)
of Nola Social Ride
On a hot Thursday evening in October 2010, about 20 people gathered on the Cabrini Bridge over Bayou St. John to talk about creating something magical in New Orleans. The idea was simple but powerful: a social bicycle ride that wasn’t owned or managed by any one person, but instead existed as a collective—people working together to create an inclusive, joyful cycling community.
That night planted the roots of NOLA Social Ride (NSR). The concept had been floating around for a month or so, but this was the first official ride—the spark that started one of the most influential New Orleans bike rides in the city’s history.
From the beginning, NSR was envisioned as a collection of rides on different days, open to all bicycle riders in New Orleans. But one ride would quickly become the heart of the group: the Thursday Night Social Ride, now widely known as “Happy Thursday.” It was designed to be the ultimate bicycle social party in New Orleans.
Thursday Night Social Ride (“Happy Thursday”)
The original idea behind the Thursday ride was bold and joyful: a free bicycle ride with costumes, music, and community, growing into a rolling party on wheels. Riders from different neighborhoods would lead rides through their own areas, showcasing parts of New Orleans that both longtime residents and newcomers might never have seen.
The goal was to get people out of their routines, help them discover new neighborhoods, and do it all with positivity. Just as important, the ride was meant to be socially conscious cycling in practice.
Rather than adopting the confrontational style of Critical Mass rides in other cities, Happy Thursday positioned itself as the anti–Critical Mass. The philosophy was simple: you don’t win people over by demanding space on the road—you do it by giving them a reason to want to ride with you. A party on wheels was the answer.
The early Thursday Night Social Rides quickly grew in size and popularity. Weekly rides became the norm, and costume themes—always encouraged—became a defining feature.
Around this time, riders reached a consensus to officially name the flagship ride “Happy Thursday.” The name was inspired by Boulder’s Cruiser Ride, which itself shared roots with Austin’s Thursday Night Social Ride. The cheerful greeting perfectly matched the spirit of NSR—friendly, welcoming, and respectful of the city and its streets.
It’s important to note that the Thursday Night Social Ride already existed in nearly its modern form before the name was adopted. After years of use and the distribution of more than 5,000 Happy Thursday cards across New Orleans, the name became permanent. Happy Thursday was here to stay.
As the flagship New Orleans social bike ride, Happy Thursday has always been run as democratically as possible. A rotating planning group meets periodically to select costume themes and improve the weekly ride experience. Ride leaders rotate frequently, ensuring that no hidden streets or neighborhood gems are left unexplored and that each ride has its own unique character.
Happy Thursday is not an exclusive club. It’s an open, inclusive mix of riders—beginners and veterans, casual cruisers and road cyclists, young and old, locals and transplants—all coming together for a relaxed, fun, and welcoming bike ride. Custom bikes, music trailers, and creative cycling contraptions are always welcome, and the pace is intentionally accessible so that anyone can keep up.
These elements together are what make Happy Thursday one of the most iconic weekly bike rides in New Orleans:
- Costumes
- Music
- Rotating ride leaders
- Inclusive pace
Wednesday Rabid Ride: Fitness Cycling in New Orleans
The Wednesday Rabid Ride was the second official NOLA Social Ride, founded by Tyler Heath. This ride focused on fitness cycling and speed training, earning its appropriately intense name.
The route typically consisted of fast-paced loops around City Park and Lakeshore Drive, areas with light or nonexistent traffic where riders could safely push their limits. Paul Rossnagel later carried on the tradition, leading a loyal group that met weekly at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) to build endurance and cycling strength.
The founders of the Wednesday Rabid Ride eventually went on to form the Semi-Tough Cycling Club. Over time, the ride transitioned to new leadership and evolved into the Fitness Ride, which is currently on hiatus.
Tuesday Music Ride: Bicycles and Live Music
Founded in April 2013, the Tuesday Music Ride perfectly captured the soul of New Orleans. Created by Old Man River of WWOZ’s Spin Cycle, this ride blended social cycling with live local music.
Each Tuesday at 6:00 PM, riders met at Congo Square, a cornerstone of New Orleans’ musical and cultural history. From there, the group pedaled through the city, stopping at live music venues for a series of free performances.
Despite being the newest weekly NSR ride, the Tuesday Music Ride quickly became a favorite among cyclists and musicians alike. Some artists welcomed riders into private practice sessions, while others joined the ride as participants. Although the ride is now defunct, it remains one of the most memorable music-focused bike rides in New Orleans.
Additional Social Bike Rides in New Orleans
In the years following the founding of NOLA Social Ride, numerous pop-up, ad hoc, and transient bicycle rides emerged under the broader NSR umbrella.
When NSR began, it was the only public, open social cycling group in New Orleans, though private and neighborhood-based rides certainly existed. Since then, many new rides have formed—operating on different days of the week, in specific neighborhoods, across the greater New Orleans area, and even outside city limits.
NSR has always encouraged riders to explore and support these other rides as part of a growing and interconnected New Orleans cycling community.
The Present and Future of NOLA Social Ride
The legacy of NOLA Social Ride lives on through its founding principles. Anyone with an idea for a bicycle ride has always been welcome to organize one, and NSR remains committed to cross-promoting social cycling events throughout New Orleans.
This open approach helps unite diverse groups of riders, introduce new cyclists to the community, and strengthen the city’s bike culture. Structurally, NOLA Social Ride has always been—and will always be—a collective. Anyone who wants to contribute is welcome.
Happy riding.
NOLA Social Ride may be defunct, but its spirit lives on through Crescent City Riders and the broader New Orleans social cycling scene.