Good ride, nice route. A little short, but I guess that's OK. The SCF ride-by was an inspired idea on someone's part. The farmers and supporters looked pretty psyched to see a couple of hundred bicyclists cheering them on.
So, um, what was the deal with all those people suddenly stopping for the red at around 5th and Hill? They weren't at the front of the ride.
Thanks Daniel! I missed the Hill/5th hiccup, but it was probably due to some shortage of corkers combined with jittery first-timers. I know that coming down Glendale Boulevard up to a redlight under the Beverly overpass I overheard a group of young'uns expressing concern about whether they should stop or not and I just told 'em to ride on.
If you're at the literal front of the ride, you stop for reds.
If you're in the middle, and the front of the ride has already gone through the intersection, keep going. Corkers should already be in place. If not, and if you know how to handle your bike, and if you're riding on the outside of the pack, congratulations--you qualify to be a corker. Look behind you so as not to cut anybody off, get in front of the cars, and stop there until the group passes.
If you're straggling in the back, either ride faster to catch up, or accept that you've been dropped and stop for all lights.
Actually, the Fifth and Hill stop was caused by a cop on bicycle. I didn't see where he came from, but I was maybe 100 feet or so back from the intersection when he suddenly popped out almost perpendicular to the direction of the Ridazz and came to an abrupt stop in the intersection (the light was red), almost like an "anti-corker". The sight of this made me and the Ridazz around me come to a complete halt, either out of fear of a ticket or suspicion that something unstoppable was coming along. It was kind of miraculous that it didn't cause a huge pile-up, but I only saw one Rida hit the ground. Once the light turned green we all continued on.
i was righ up front when that cop showed up... saw the kid go down... there were actually a few cops on the side too... they were not going to stand for letting us go... someone would have ended up in trouble and that would have spoiled the entire ride as we kept running into cops all along the route... once you piss a few off... it goes to central and the ghetto birds come out etc....
the ride was way fun, but wow... a shit ton of falls. that turn south of downtown that crossed the tracks? the one with the free standing curbs? i saw at least five bikes hit those full speed... ouch.
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11 comments:
Good ride, nice route. A little short, but I guess that's OK. The SCF ride-by was an inspired idea on someone's part. The farmers and supporters looked pretty psyched to see a couple of hundred bicyclists cheering them on.
So, um, what was the deal with all those people suddenly stopping for the red at around 5th and Hill? They weren't at the front of the ride.
Oh...and nice photo set, too.
Thanks Daniel! I missed the Hill/5th hiccup, but it was probably due to some shortage of corkers combined with jittery first-timers. I know that coming down Glendale Boulevard up to a redlight under the Beverly overpass I overheard a group of young'uns expressing concern about whether they should stop or not and I just told 'em to ride on.
Here's how to do it, newbies:
If you're at the literal front of the ride, you stop for reds.
If you're in the middle, and the front of the ride has already gone through the intersection, keep going. Corkers should already be in place. If not, and if you know how to handle your bike, and if you're riding on the outside of the pack, congratulations--you qualify to be a corker. Look behind you so as not to cut anybody off, get in front of the cars, and stop there until the group passes.
If you're straggling in the back, either ride faster to catch up, or accept that you've been dropped and stop for all lights.
Actually, the Fifth and Hill stop was caused by a cop on bicycle. I didn't see where he came from, but I was maybe 100 feet or so back from the intersection when he suddenly popped out almost perpendicular to the direction of the Ridazz and came to an abrupt stop in the intersection (the light was red), almost like an "anti-corker". The sight of this made me and the Ridazz around me come to a complete halt, either out of fear of a ticket or suspicion that something unstoppable was coming along. It was kind of miraculous that it didn't cause a huge pile-up, but I only saw one Rida hit the ground. Once the light turned green we all continued on.
Ah...tactical mistake, then, in the heat of the moment. It would have been better just for everybody to go around him.
Yeah, maybe . . . of course once the folks at the front had stopped, we all had to stop to avoid running into them.
i was righ up front when that cop showed up... saw the kid go down... there were actually a few cops on the side too... they were not going to stand for letting us go... someone would have ended up in trouble and that would have spoiled the entire ride as we kept running into cops all along the route... once you piss a few off... it goes to central and the ghetto birds come out etc....
the ride was way fun, but wow... a shit ton of falls. that turn south of downtown that crossed the tracks? the one with the free standing curbs? i saw at least five bikes hit those full speed... ouch.
great job all... thanks again...
a35mmlife
was a great first experience..will be back next year..didn't see any crashes or bikes..feels like I'm missing out..haha.
Nich
Didn't see any bikes? You must not have been looking too carefully.
wow..I meant cops..and I'll be back next month*
derr..
nich
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