Twenty four hour block party people

A nice story about my neighborhood (that could very easily be a nice story about your neighborhood too)

Jul 28, 2026

Four years ago, when this newsletter was much smaller, I tried my best to articulate why I loved the silly marathon bike race that takes place in my neighborhood every year. Looking back now, that essay marked one of the first moments I started writing and speaking publicly about the puzzle of community— what it really takes, how we know when we’re building it, why it matters. Fast forward a few years and that now feels like the work of a lifetime.

This past weekend, my neighbors came out again. One more silly bike race, as transcendent as all that preceded it. And once again, I had an epiphany or two, this time about how bystanders are transformed into co-organizers. This time around, I shared those thoughts first on Instagram, a platform about which I feel all sorts of ways, but which at the very least has challenged me tell stories both narratively and visually at the same time.

I decided to bring those images back here (cleaned up and edited), because it feels like a story worth sharing beyond the limits of a single platform. There’s no way to fully immerse you in the sights, smells and sounds of a neighborhood come alive—bacon and French toast sizzling on outdoor grills; Hamms tall boys spilled on the concrete during an exuberant bear-hug; a drummer keeping beat on a trap kit while being pulled on a bike trailer; bouncy kids with water blasters shouting “yes or no?” as sweaty cyclists ride past. My hope, though, is that this helps welcome you into my neighborhood, at least a bit.

A single bike race can’t change the world, nor does it automatically transform a city for the remaining 364 days a year. But sometimes events are more than the sum of their parts. Sometimes they’re alchemic. Sometimes they inspire neighbors to wake up the next day and realize that they, too, have something to offer their community.

Here’s a story about an event like that.

"I'd like to tell you about the best thing that happens in my neighborhood, and what it teaches about how to seed more community builders."

"It's called the Riverwest 24 and it's a twenty four hour bike race and neighborhood party in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I understand if you hear that and think "well that sounds nice, but my city has plenty of block parties and races too." But here's the thing.

"Yes it's a bike race, and yes, there are a lot of parties, but it's actually this beautiful Russian nesting doll of community.

When we say we want community, what we're really saying is that we crave spaces that are safe and fun, that makes feel like we belong and are loved, but most of all where we feel like we are needed. The reason why this particular bike race/festival feels different is that the organizers have made a really intentional set of choices to set the tone for what this space is and isn't."

One big choice (which matters both practically and philosophically). Not closing streets (so that buses, emergency vehicles and neighbors going to work can still get through). Also: capping the number of riders and not just pursuing growth at all costs. How do you make that work? With a small army of pool noodle waving volunteers, not directing traffic but making bikers and cyclists aware of each other."

"Another tone setting choice: both through messaging, accountability and race design, organizers communicate over and over again that the point isn't individual achievement or aggro hotrod ding. It's having fun, being silly and meeting your neighbors. Speaking of which, let's talk bonus checkpoints."

"Throughout the race, riders are strongly incentivized to get off their bikes and do so me sort of fun activity hosted by groups of friends, cool organizations and local businesses (this was a "beat the billionaires" carnival in an alley at 2:00 AM).

"And here is a fence of truths from a backyard truth or dare checkpoint. other bonuses my team did this year (a very partial list): "Name that tool" at a neighborhood tool library. HBCU step show lessons at a Black owned sports bar. A "burn your resentments" bonfire at a sober living home. "Decorate a rock" hosted by a bunch of neighbors who must ike rocks.

"Adult riders are also encouraged to pause their race and volunteer for/cheer on the big and little kids during their respective races on Saturday afternoon."

"Speaking as a parent whose kids have grown up with the Riverwest 24 as the highlight of their summer, it gets me so damned choked up having ga cultural institution that is at least partially for grown-ups communicate its love for all our citys' kids so clearly and intentionally."

"But back to the Russian Nesting Doll of Community idea. Because the organizers created an overarching vessel with a clear set of values (in essence: fun over competition; get to know your neighborhood assets; we all keep each other safe; don't be a jerk) and because they do a great job of asking for help, here's what happens."

"The vast majority of what you'll experience in the neighborhood during the event (like this pancake breakfast) isn't "official." It's the product of neighbors who feel loved by this space being inspired to contribute to it."

"So for 24 hours, it's just a flood of love: people giving out insane amounts of free food and drink, kids shooting you with water, nonstop dance parties, movie showings weird art stuff, fundraisers and just generally delightful ideas."

"That's what we do, as human beings, when we realize that a space isn't trying to make money from us, or cynically use us as a means to an end, but instead wants us to experience what it means to be a neighbor. We say thank you by adding to the party."

"Remember what I sad about this being an event that intentionally loves and respects kids? I've watched those kids grow into teens who also spent the weekend coming up with ideas for how to contribute to the peace (throwing out candy, serving pancakes, making buttons).

"if you've read this far, you likely aren't surprised that, fairly regularly, neighbors get married at the Riverwest 24, making their ceremony just one more bonus checkpoint and inviting the whole neighborhood to share their love."

"So yes, it's fun to dress up in my seasonally inappropriate Bluey costume and my always appropriate Abolish ICE jersey and ride bikes with my neighbors, to eat free hot dogs and pancakes, to do goofy checkpoints and accept beer from (and offer beer to) strangers, to watch my kids have the time of their lives, and see a million people I know and a million I don't, that's not the point."

"The point is that 'community' is a buzzword right now, and it's easy for it to lose its meaning or become commodified. But at its core, it's a practice of saying: welcome to this space, we're so glad that you made it, here's what we are trying to do and here's how we teach each other as we do so... want to help? And like all communities, this one isn't perfect. Though organizers have made strides, it still doesn't reflect the full diversity of our city. Sometimes folks do still get ago out there, or don't respect their neighbors. All the dynamics that exist in the world exist in this and every community space."

"But at that wedding on Saturday, the couple concluded their vows by saying "I like you and I love you, let's ride bikes." And I realized that's what all my neighbors were saying to each other the entirety of the weekend."

"Because here's what you deserve: a space that loves and accepts you and wants you to have a good time, but that also reminds you that you too are a community builder. I've felt it, but not because my home is special. If it can happen in my neighborhood, it can happen in yours too."

End notes:

Learn more about the Riverwest 24 here (including details of how my team, “Take The L” did in the race— the answer is “just fine, thanks for asking.”). Maybe you want to hang out in our neighborhood next year?
I apologize if it’s tiresome that I always end my essays with a request to either share my work and/or upgrade to a paid subscription, but here’s why I do so. I am so lucky that I get to do this (spread the good word of community) as my job, but it is still a job and I can only keep doing it with your support. As just about any newsletter writer can tell you, when times are tight for a lot of people, subscriptions are the first thing to go. But even as everything else in the world has gotten more expensive, I’m committed to keeping subscriptions at $50 a year (it is a cliché to say that comes out to a beer or fancy coffee a month, but it’s true). In that time, I’ve also added rather than taken away perks (free merch? yes, free merch). So that’s to say, if you’ve wondered whether you becoming a paid subscriber helps, oh buddy does it ever, especially now. Thanks for considering.
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Speaking of spreading the good word of community across the country, we have had an incredible run of Interdependence Relay events this past month (trans movie club in Utah, Burrito Brigade Mutual Aid in New Mexico, Tucson POWER dinner in Arizona and the Denver Omelets Breakfast Club in Colorado. I’m still working on getting all the event reports up on our website, but stay tuned (and check out the great reports already up there). Next up, Nebraska, with a really beautiful event. Dr. Debora Basler Wisneski was a legendary leader in the Omaha early childhood education community up to her passing last month. In her honor, the Playful Learning and Community Engagement Team is putting on a COMMUNITY PLAY EVENT on the UNO campus (August 1st, Roskens Hall, 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM). Omaha families, come by and play!
And then, next Thursday, the relay box comes to Helena, Montana for a potluck celebration of migration and diversity. Text your RSVP to 406 594-2104 for details (including location and potluck instructions).
The application deadline for relay hosts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio is THIS COMING FRIDAY, JULY 31ST at the end of the day. Reach out with any questions. You’ll get stipends, lots of celebration of your community group and all the support you want/need. Apply here.

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