General: San Diego Bike-o-Rama

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- CommentAuthort.e.d
- CommentTimeMay 28th 2011
GREAT tag. Awesome pic. No idea where it is, but really like it.
- CommentAuthorSam
- CommentTimeMay 28th 2011 edited
Love the tag and I know where it is, but I just back from an exhausting bus ride, so I'll see if anyone else gets it before I hop on my spare bike to get the tag tomorrow.
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 28th 2011
I am with Ted - have NO idea where it is, but love the image: Sam, go get it!
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeMay 28th 2011
Just sayin' if your bike doesn't have a bike stand and there's nothing around to support your bike - use your helmet.

found this on Ecovelo's blog
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
markphilips:... use your helmet...
...or, if you rock toe clips, your shoe.
- CommentAuthorHMeins
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011 edited
- CommentAuthort.e.d
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
Tag locations are to be revealed AFTER the next tag is placed.
- CommentAuthorSam
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011 edited
Haha!
- CommentAuthorHMeins
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
Sigurd:San Diego cyclists now have their own "Tag-o-Rama" game!

A tag isn't really an actual tag - it is just a picture of your bike in an interesting or well-known location, perhaps with some hints if you think seekers need it. Members here will figure out where the tag is, and go out to take a picture in the same location, with their own bike in a similar position. The finder is then the new "it", and he gets to place the next tag: Continue ad infinitum!

Here's a custom Google Map over most of the tag locations to date.

For now, check out the rules:

#1: If you're "it", find somewhere relatively easy to place a tag - the game is about getting people out on their bikes (see #2), not about Googling: Somewhere scenic, well known or for some reason special or interesting will do. Take a picture (no file or recycled photos, or Google Street View, allowed - again, this is about riding your bike!) of your bike in the tag location. Post on SD BIkecommuter.com (you will need an account with a hosting site such as Photobucket, Picasa or Flickr to host your photo).

#2 The first finder (the one who posts a picture of his bike in the correct location) is the new "it", If you are not first (you have been "Bruced"!), post your photo, anyways (see #3).

#3: As "it", you have 48 hours to place a new tag. If you don't, the honor of being "it" transfers to the second finder/poster. In short, if you don't have the time or inclination to place a tag, don't grab it in the first place!

#4: You need to ride your bicycle to and fro, and include it in your tag photo!

#5: To keep the tag moving, pls. limit yourself to the City of San Diego: Even then, placing a tag in San Ysidro or Rancho Bernardo may be funny, but not fun!

#5: No whining!

#6 (edit): The photo needs to be physically posted to the board - a URL to it is not sufficient for a catch. A new "tag" photo has to have been taken after your "claim" photo - no file photos of any kind allowed!

Get it? If not, read this thread for how it is done, and then ask here!
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
Good one, WP. And Sam - too bad about the Bruce.

I think the rule about when to reveal the tag location is written as a clarification in a subsequent post, and reiterated many times throughout the thread. I will, however, edit the rules in Post #1 so that this clarification is written into the rules.

Now - waiting to see the new tag (and find out where the old one was!).
- CommentAuthort.e.d
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
I didn't want to assume that folks had kept up with the whole thread and payed attention throughout.
- CommentAuthorShady John
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
Sorry if I've missed a debate that was held earlier...what is wrong with revealing the location when posting the "find"? Maybe this was explained earlier somewhere? I can see that revealing the location could spoil the tag in case somehow the first person to post the find is disqualified. But this is not likely to be common. On the other hand, posting the location with the "find" photo might have the effect of inspiring people to go out on a Bruce ride. There is no active tag probably 50% of the time (i.e. we are often waiting for the next one to be posted). Also, for many of the tags, the location is a total unknown for many of the readers of this thread. If they are given the location at the time of the "find," then they might take a ride to visit the most recent find and explore a new place, while waiting for the next new tag to be posted. Also, posting the location along with the find is much less confusing for people looking back through old tags.

Another thought: I understand the requirement to take a separate ride for the new tag--it gets people out on their bikes more. However, this often means that there is a 1 day lag between "find" and "new tag." If we allow the new tag to be from the same ride, then it will go up at the same time as the "find", meaning no lag. An additional upside is that this can give a bit of a clue to those who would otherwise be clueless. For example, if the "find" is the fountain in Balboa Park, and the new tag goes up at the same time, at least I know the new tag is accessible on the same ride as the fountain in Balboa Park. Yes, this could be seen as a downside, but it could be up to whoever is "it" to decide how to post the next tag--from the same ride or from a different ride.

Of course this is not my thread, and I'll continue to obey the rules-- I just think it could be even better.

Shady
- CommentAuthorthom
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
It is my understanding that you don't have to take a separate ride to post the new tag, just that you have to post the new tag within 48 hrs of grabbing the previous tag. I take the new tag photo while I'm out getting the previous tag.

My understanding of the "don't post the previous location until you post the new tag" rule is that it makes sure the game is fair for everyone -- that is, every potential player has to figure out the location for her/himself.
- CommentAuthort.e.d
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
The reason that you don't name the location with the catch is that until a new tag is placed (within 48 hours) the tag is still "live" and if the catcher fails to place the new tag within 48 hours, another person can post their photo and claim the catch.
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011
ShadyGaga: I can see that revealing the location could spoil the tag in case somehow the first person to post the find is disqualified. But this is not likely to be common.
This is exactly the purpose of having a system with tag "backups" (Bruces) - in case the original claimer fails to meet the requirements of the game - notably by failing to post a new tag within the 48hr. limit - the first Bruce (and so on) advances to tag owner by default. The idea is that all Bruces have identical information about the location of the tag as the first claimer.

I don't disagree with you about the down time when we are waiting for a new tag - it would be nice to have this reduced or eliminated somehow (see below).

ShadyGaga:...it could be up to whoever is "it" to decide how to post the next tag--from the same ride or from a different ride.
There is no requirement that the new tag photo is taken on a separate bike ride: The photo could be taken on the same ride, just later in the day then the claim photo: You could claim a tag at the Velodrome and ride straight up to the Fountain at BP and take a new picture, and post both images concurrently (but with the new tag in a post after the claim photo post: There is no requirement that you go home, eat lunch, take a nap, do the laundry (you get the idea!), and then go out again to place a new tag at some much later time (or day).
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 29th 2011 edited
Ted and Thom - you said it much more precisely than I managed to!

Earlier in this thread we discussed a "hyper variation" (about one third down the page) version of the game: In this variation a tag is still considered live until a new tag is placed: This means that a Brucer could become the new tag owner if he is able to post a new tag before the first claimer does. The hyper variation would be much faster paced and would just about eliminate the waiting time between tags, IMO.

Downsides to the hyper variation include that it further tilts the game to the advantage of those with super-phones, and might discourage quality tag locations in face of the time pressure to post the new tag in order to "win" it.
- CommentAuthorShady John
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
Thanks for the clarifications. I had misinterpreted the idea of "later" in an earlier comment to mean "on a later ride."

Another option to cut down on the waiting would be to have more than one active tag. The cleanest way to do this would probably be to have separate threads for each active tag (SD-A thread, SD-B thread, etc), but that means having to check each individual thread (which is the situation now for people who are following both the SD and north county coastal tag-o-rama threads).

I think the hyper option could work. I think you'll still get quality tags, but each tag will tend to be spatially closer to its predecessor than in the current game variant. To negate the smartphone advantage, we could ask people to complete their rides before posting (on the honor system). This would have the added benefit of cutting out that 20 minute mid-ride downtime while fighting with the phone (at least for me).

Shady
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
At over 500 posts and 11,000 page views, this thread has become one of the most popular threads on this forum. And it has only been in existence for less than three months!

I think that there is plenty of demand for this type of activity, as evidenced by the fact there have been as much as 200 page views for every tag (~60 tags and ~11,000 page views) placed. We could meet this demand by modifying or tweaking the rules of this game, run a "dual game" (A and B) set up, or establish new variations (e.g., hyper variation, permanent variation - both discussed in detail above).

When we started the game, the requirement was for re-tagging within 72 hours of a claim. This was quickly reduced to 48 hours, with no apparent issue for anybody. In order to meet the pent up demand, I will with effect from the next claim modify the rules to a 24 hour limit, and furthermore strongly encourage same-day tagging: Shouldn't be too hard as one is out on one's bike with a camera, anyways!

#3: "As "it", you have 24 hours to place a new tag. If you don't, the honor of being "it" transfers to the second finder/poster. It is highly encouraged to post the new tag on the day of your claim.

ShadyGaga:Of course this is not my thread...

It's everybody's thread!
- CommentAuthorSam
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
I am in favor of posting the location when the first poster gets it...I think it would be really funny if 500+ of us from the boards kept showing up at the location and taking photos of our bike and then waiting for the first one to post the new tag or fail to post so the tag can get passed to second or third or even fourth. I can imagine passersby wondering what sort of weird trend is taking place, "honey, I saw 500 cyclists taking a photo of their bike posed in front of some ducks...is this the new planking or teapotting?"

Whatever rules discourage giving fancypants phone users an edge, I'm completely in favor of it.
- CommentAuthort.e.d
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
Seems to me like the above changes would REALLY give "fancypants phone users" an edge as they can snag any photo and upload it to the forum within a matter of minutes. As a user of one of these devices, I'm fine with that. I also think it's interesting, especially from a sociological perspective, to watch the game evolve and mutate as more people play.
- CommentAuthorOld Knotty Buoy
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
I'm starting to evolve and mutate as I wait for the next tag!

Just sayin'.

OKB
:face-devil-grin:
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
Please note at the only change made to the rules is the new 24hr limit as well as a "strong encouragement" to post the same day.

You can still use whatever phone you want and from wherever you are capable of posting from. This means that those with phones made from wood and running on steam (such as mine!) need to be a little smarter and ride a little faster!
:face-monkey:
- CommentAuthorHMeins
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011 edited
clue: this bike has no brakes

Edit: The last one (ducks) was in the alley behind the Farm House Cafe on Adams Ave. west of Mississippi St. I saw an example of such an addition after the fact earlier in the thread, so don't relegate me, ref! I was pushed over the centerline, but I came right back in without advancing my position.
- CommentAuthorAlanKHG
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
wpstoll:

clue: this bike has no brakes

Must be at the hipster bar, then!
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeMay 30th 2011
I know where the current tag is located but I don't think I can get to that location until Tuesday afternoon. Somebody may get to it by then.:face-crying:
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011 edited
AlanKHG:
wpstoll:clue: this bike has no brakes
Must be at the hipster bar, then!
Must be somewhere on 30th...

:face-devil-grin:

markphilips:I know where the current tag is located but I don't think I can get to that location until Tuesday afternoon.:face-crying:
I was planning for tomorrow, but will almost certainly get Bruced, then.
- CommentAuthorAmandaLovesOkapis
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011
So where are the ducks? Did someone tell us already?

I'm still waiting for the combination of good timing and a location I recognize, but every time I ride I'm keeping an eye out for potential new tags for once I finally catch one :)
- CommentAuthort.e.d
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011
Location should have been posted with the new tag.
- CommentAuthorHMeins
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011 edited
Looking back through this thread there appears to be some inconsistency. There are examples of identification of the location on the same tag when it is found and also examples of tags the location of which are never identified. In both cases the poster was not warned by the referees or pointed out by other players. Hopeless retards such as myself are easily confused. Since we seem to be writing the rules as we go, should we follow this format:

1. post tag
2. within 24 hours post new tag with the wording "Last one was..." underneath the photo?

Establishing a template for future posts should discourage undesirable behaviors.
- CommentAuthort.e.d
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011
That's how I understand it. Just post the location of the tag that you caught with the new tag that you're posting.
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011
wpstoll:Looking back through this thread there appears to be some inconsistency.
The only thing consistent is the inconsistency with which we have revealed tag locations: Too early, too late, not at all - you name it. No big deal if we don't do it right every time - we are just trying to get better at it, a little at a time - that's all.

wpstoll:1. post tag
2. within 24 hours post new tag with the wording "Last one was..." underneath the photo?
That's pretty much how we would like it do be done!
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011 edited
Got it.

Taken later that evening at the Velodrome.
- CommentAuthorHMeins
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011
Your turn!
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeMay 31st 2011 edited
There is a fork half-way up (or down) this trail and this is the next tag location

If you have Mozzila Firefox browser, right click on the picture, then select "view image," then CTRL++ to zoom in.

Notice the bright lights just above the trees? It makes it easier to hit balls back and forth in the evening.

That black speck on the steep hill is a cyclist trailing the red car
- CommentAuthorbossvoss
- CommentTimeJun 1st 2011 edited
I just joined the fun on the North County thread and today I recognized a San Diego tag close by my work. Good excuse for an early lunch.
When I arrived, Sigurd was already there to show me best place to take the shot (his bike on the right, mine on the left). Even though he beat me there, he was quite the gentleman and offered that who ever posted first won.

(Forgive my crappy cell phone camera. My next tag will be with a real camera - but that means I have to get home first to upload it. Due to Bike-o-rama, my digital camera has now become an essential piece of bike gear)

Dave Voss
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeJun 1st 2011 edited
Good enough for me. I always wondered if anybody rode that trail to get to the top or bottom of the hill instead of taking the adjacent busy road that shall not be named until the next post is entered.

I enjoy climbing that trail as it is the only technical/ rocky/ switchback hill that I love to tackle.
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeJun 1st 2011 edited
Oh noooo -- as I had anticpated -- Bruced! Perhaps I should feel slightly less smug about having kicked the iPhone habit?!

Just as I was setting up for my photo shoot, pretty confident that I would be the winner, this - oh, horrors! - other rider came up the trail. It was immediately clear to both of us what errand the other was here in. So we introduced, agreed that the first to post would be the winner, chatted for awhile, and went on our separate ways. Nice to meet you, bossvoss!

This must be the third time or so that two riders have arrived at a tag location at the same time - the more the merrier, as it proves the game's popularity.

I am glad I didn't read Mark's edited hints - I thought I knew where the lights came from , but with his additional info about balls or whatnot I would have started to doubt that I knew this location after all.
- CommentAuthorShapps
- CommentTimeJun 1st 2011
Looks like the two of you snapped the photos at the same instant too. Car on the street in the background seems the same and in the same position.
- CommentAuthorbossvoss
- CommentTimeJun 1st 2011
Last Tag was a trail off of Park Blvd, overlooking the intersection of Morley Field Dr and Florida. The street in view is Morley Field, looking East

Here's the new one:

Dave Voss
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeJun 2nd 2011 edited
Got it.
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeJun 2nd 2011 edited
Ahoy matey!

Last post was the "Childhood totem" located at the intersection of Grape and Harbor drive along the MUP.
- CommentAuthorthom
- CommentTimeJun 2nd 2011 edited
Assuming that Mark places the next tag "legally" in the North County game, he will have gotten and placed both tags in the North County AND the San Diego games!
- CommentAuthorbikingbill
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011
... as have I.
- CommentAuthorthom
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011
Simultaneously?
- CommentAuthorSigurd
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011 edited
This one has zero chance of surviving this evening!
:face-devil-grin:
- CommentAuthorbikingbill
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011
thom:Simultaneously?

Didn't get that from your post. That IS impressive.
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011
Note that the last tag and current tag were taken at lunch hour for this thread. The other thread photos were claimed much later in the afternoon on the way home.
- CommentAuthorthom
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011
I could have been more precise with my wording -- in any case, it is impressive.

I think we should name this maneuver after Mark, but I can't think of anything clever right now.
- CommentAuthorbikingbill
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011
Double Mark!
- CommentAuthormarkphilips
- CommentTimeJun 3rd 2011
At work there is a reason why they call me Mr Fantastic!

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