Unsanctioned Fiesta Cruiser Run Draws Hundreds of Cyclists
Santa Barbara County Public Health’s Pleas to Not Participate in Annual Bike Ride Fall on Deaf Ears
Despite last-second efforts by county public health officials to cancel this year’s annual Fiesta Cruiser Run in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several hundred bike riders still made the bipedal celebratory trek on August 9 from the base of Stearns Wharf to Goleta Beach and Isla Vista. This was the 40th year the Sunday ride has taken place as a gonzo-spirited, unsanctioned punctuation mark to Santa Barbara’s more established Fiesta revelry.
Police estimated the ridership at 200; event organizer Rex Stephens — who has now participated in 30 Cruiser Runs — said he counted 500 riders at Goleta Beach. This year’s ride was significantly smaller than last year’s, however, which weighed in at 2,500 riders.
Police maintained a low-key watchful presence throughout, neither escorting the riders nor issuing any citations this year. The ride precipitated only one call for service.
