This is a post where I really wish I had a digi camera.
Friday, I was supposed to meet my friend to go on a ride with the Midnite Ridazz. It's a group that's an offshoot of the Bicycle Kitchen. The bicycle kitchen is a community place where people can go to work on their bikes and learn from others.
The Midnite Ridazz meet every 2nd Friday of the month at 9:30 at the Pioneer Chicken on Echo Park Blvd. near Sunset. A different member leads the group and researches the predetermined route. I had never been on a ride with this group, so I didn't know what to expect. I thought it was going to be a small but visible and harmless ride much like the LA branch of Critical Mass.
I was surprised that about 60 people showed up with bikes of all kinds. There were a lot of single gear track bikes, a lot of old steel frame bikes. Even a folding bike. Some had monkey bars. A lot of interesting helmets ranging from those that were simply decorated ornately to motorcycle helmets from the 70's. The green sparkley one stood out the most, but most riders did not wear helmets at all. Many of the riders were younger 20ish year olds. Most did not wear bicycle specific attire but instead contemporary punk/slacker wears. One girl was wearing a skirt and frankenboots on her old cruiser. Very cool.
We started out at 10 going west on Sunset. It soon became apparent that the group was somewhat lawless as we ran a red lite en masse, thus stopping the intersection. Some riders would actually dismount and bock cars as traffic enforcement. This quickly became a common event.
Later, there would be a few incidents where a driver would get really upset, yelling and honking their horn. In such instances, a group of 8-10 cyclists would begin riding in circles around the car. This would provide both for comedy and the potential for disaster at the same time. I'm not sure if this does more to raise awareness of cycllists as having equal rights in traffic or further reinforcing any pre-existing resentment to non-auto traffic by silly angry drivers.
We started heading towards downtown via Glendale blvd. My friends, Ann & Jeff from the AIDS ride, were amazed to see other riders passing vodka drinks back and forth while riding. They also realized that with the rough routes, they should probably take their mountain bikes next time instead of their fancy road bikes.
We made it to a business complex at 3rd & Fig. We entered and began circling around a fountain while a couple sat at a table eating and were really amused to see 60 cyclists show up from out of nowhere with crazy lights and making lots of noise whooping, hollering, rining bells, and honking horns.
A security guard emerged who simply stood in one place helplessly saying, "This is private property" over and over which soon was repeated by the cyclists.
We quickly dispersed and took a trip through the parking garage at the World Trade Center. Keep in mind that there are people doing power slides, bunny hops, and jumping off curbs the whole way. One guy received a round of cheers when he 'limboed" by crouching down on his bike and rode below the arm of a parking gate.
We made our way up to the courtyard at 7th & Fig and we then carried our bikes down three flights of stairs to the bottom of the complex. Everyone then exited to the parking garage and exited at 8th street. There was almost an incident with a car because all the riders had stopped to wait for a rider with a flat. While leaving the parking garage, some riders were in the way of a driver who was trying to get on the onramp for the 110 north. He was seen swearing while being circled until the pack had safely passed.
Next, we rode up the back way to the loading platform at the Los Angeles Convention Ctr. We only stayed very briefly as a nice woman in a minivan informed us that we weren't allowed up there even though it wasn't secured off.
Next, we moved into the heart of the city. A lot of riders got freaked out by the oncoming Blue Line train, but we did, in fact have a green light. I think the anxiety came from not looking at the lights at all and suddenly realizing their value.
A number of turns through dark alleys followed and we saw the sights of the garment district and skid row including Santee Alley and junkies shooting up. Try to avoid riding through strange puddles. The group broke out into laughter as a bunch of people on the sidewalk yelled at us to give them money.
There was one nasty crash that took place near me. Some young girl went down in the middle of 5th & Main. A complete utter faceplant. I think she was more embarassed than harmed. A foamy beer was part of the matter that went flying and some riders questioned whether the beer was thrown at her by someone on the sidewalk. I'm certain she crashed trying to open her beer. The people found on the sidewalk of Main street on a Friday night don't waste good alcohol. Since 20 people stopped to help, I decided the was rider was being attended to and continued pedaling.
We finally made it to our destination; Pedro's Cantina on 1st. I had no idea we were going to a pub and had neglected to bring my wallet. Ann was kind enough to buy me a Midnite Ridazz patch, which I have since proudly safety-pinned to my satchel.
After talking to the other riders and learning more about the Bicycle Kitchen, I started to get cold so we headed back to Echo Park down Sunset.
The Midnite Ride was the first "organized" ride I've been on since the AIDS ride. The almost complete disregard for safety was alarming at first, but I have to admit it adds to the excitement. You just don't know what's going to happen. The potential for a nasty crash, incarceration, or road rage drivers is apparent. The Midnite Ridazz are the "adult" version of your childhood bike gang from hell. I am not sure if they are doing anything to further cycling in the city, but you definitely have one of two reactions when you encounter them; 1) You are completely annoyed and find them to be a nuisance 2) You are amused and maybe even think about joining.
I will plan on going again next month, but I'll bring my wallet and maybe a camera.
Friday, I was supposed to meet my friend to go on a ride with the Midnite Ridazz. It's a group that's an offshoot of the Bicycle Kitchen. The bicycle kitchen is a community place where people can go to work on their bikes and learn from others.
The Midnite Ridazz meet every 2nd Friday of the month at 9:30 at the Pioneer Chicken on Echo Park Blvd. near Sunset. A different member leads the group and researches the predetermined route. I had never been on a ride with this group, so I didn't know what to expect. I thought it was going to be a small but visible and harmless ride much like the LA branch of Critical Mass.
I was surprised that about 60 people showed up with bikes of all kinds. There were a lot of single gear track bikes, a lot of old steel frame bikes. Even a folding bike. Some had monkey bars. A lot of interesting helmets ranging from those that were simply decorated ornately to motorcycle helmets from the 70's. The green sparkley one stood out the most, but most riders did not wear helmets at all. Many of the riders were younger 20ish year olds. Most did not wear bicycle specific attire but instead contemporary punk/slacker wears. One girl was wearing a skirt and frankenboots on her old cruiser. Very cool.
We started out at 10 going west on Sunset. It soon became apparent that the group was somewhat lawless as we ran a red lite en masse, thus stopping the intersection. Some riders would actually dismount and bock cars as traffic enforcement. This quickly became a common event.
Later, there would be a few incidents where a driver would get really upset, yelling and honking their horn. In such instances, a group of 8-10 cyclists would begin riding in circles around the car. This would provide both for comedy and the potential for disaster at the same time. I'm not sure if this does more to raise awareness of cycllists as having equal rights in traffic or further reinforcing any pre-existing resentment to non-auto traffic by silly angry drivers.
We started heading towards downtown via Glendale blvd. My friends, Ann & Jeff from the AIDS ride, were amazed to see other riders passing vodka drinks back and forth while riding. They also realized that with the rough routes, they should probably take their mountain bikes next time instead of their fancy road bikes.
We made it to a business complex at 3rd & Fig. We entered and began circling around a fountain while a couple sat at a table eating and were really amused to see 60 cyclists show up from out of nowhere with crazy lights and making lots of noise whooping, hollering, rining bells, and honking horns.
A security guard emerged who simply stood in one place helplessly saying, "This is private property" over and over which soon was repeated by the cyclists.
We quickly dispersed and took a trip through the parking garage at the World Trade Center. Keep in mind that there are people doing power slides, bunny hops, and jumping off curbs the whole way. One guy received a round of cheers when he 'limboed" by crouching down on his bike and rode below the arm of a parking gate.
We made our way up to the courtyard at 7th & Fig and we then carried our bikes down three flights of stairs to the bottom of the complex. Everyone then exited to the parking garage and exited at 8th street. There was almost an incident with a car because all the riders had stopped to wait for a rider with a flat. While leaving the parking garage, some riders were in the way of a driver who was trying to get on the onramp for the 110 north. He was seen swearing while being circled until the pack had safely passed.
Next, we rode up the back way to the loading platform at the Los Angeles Convention Ctr. We only stayed very briefly as a nice woman in a minivan informed us that we weren't allowed up there even though it wasn't secured off.
Next, we moved into the heart of the city. A lot of riders got freaked out by the oncoming Blue Line train, but we did, in fact have a green light. I think the anxiety came from not looking at the lights at all and suddenly realizing their value.
A number of turns through dark alleys followed and we saw the sights of the garment district and skid row including Santee Alley and junkies shooting up. Try to avoid riding through strange puddles. The group broke out into laughter as a bunch of people on the sidewalk yelled at us to give them money.
There was one nasty crash that took place near me. Some young girl went down in the middle of 5th & Main. A complete utter faceplant. I think she was more embarassed than harmed. A foamy beer was part of the matter that went flying and some riders questioned whether the beer was thrown at her by someone on the sidewalk. I'm certain she crashed trying to open her beer. The people found on the sidewalk of Main street on a Friday night don't waste good alcohol. Since 20 people stopped to help, I decided the was rider was being attended to and continued pedaling.
We finally made it to our destination; Pedro's Cantina on 1st. I had no idea we were going to a pub and had neglected to bring my wallet. Ann was kind enough to buy me a Midnite Ridazz patch, which I have since proudly safety-pinned to my satchel.
After talking to the other riders and learning more about the Bicycle Kitchen, I started to get cold so we headed back to Echo Park down Sunset.
The Midnite Ride was the first "organized" ride I've been on since the AIDS ride. The almost complete disregard for safety was alarming at first, but I have to admit it adds to the excitement. You just don't know what's going to happen. The potential for a nasty crash, incarceration, or road rage drivers is apparent. The Midnite Ridazz are the "adult" version of your childhood bike gang from hell. I am not sure if they are doing anything to further cycling in the city, but you definitely have one of two reactions when you encounter them; 1) You are completely annoyed and find them to be a nuisance 2) You are amused and maybe even think about joining.
I will plan on going again next month, but I'll bring my wallet and maybe a camera.
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
Cool. Thanks for the statement of truth. Nice to meet you.