Dark Century VII
Thread started by
ridetime at 12.1.09 - 3:31 pm
Dark Century VII
Saturday, January 9th, 2009
Meet at Union Station 6:00 pm
Roll out at 7:00 pm sharp
Total distance will be around 103 to 104 miles.
This ride will have a moderate pace of about (avg. 14-18 mph) and at times will Exceed the average speed. There will be a few gradual climbs but there will be no mount everest on this ride.
We will have four scheduled stops, and The only reason we will stop any other time will be for technical problems. We will ride as a group, but if individual riders cannot keep up, there will be 2 bail-out points. 1 while still in L.A. and the 2nd in Duarte which will be dubbed "The point of no Return".
This ride will finish at the Denny's behind Union station for a post ride breakfast.
Special notes to century ridazz:
100 miles at night on a bike is never an easy ride. No matter how fit you are, it will be a major effort. If you have never ridden 100 miles in a day, and have not ridden 70 miles comfortably within the last two months, this ride is probably not for you.
We especially love first timers, but please, be prepared. We welcome everyone and we will not leave anyone behind, but for the sake of a good pace for the majority of the ridazz, seriously consider your ability to do this before committing yourself.
This being a winter ride, you will need to dress in layers. It’s better to bring too much clothing than not enough because when its 2 am and you’re shivering so much you can’t grasp the handlebars it wears on you. Bring two full water bottles. We will make stops where you can buy more water, Gatorade and food, but plan to be self contained. There will be a few stretches on this ride where we will have no access to stores or services. Please Bring food with you as you will need to eat regularly during this ride. Bananas, Powerbars, PBJ sandwiches, cookies, snickers are all good.
Make sure you Eat a good meal before the ride but We will stop at a grocery store in Duarte for a food break at about the 40+ mile mark.
Make sure your bike is in good working order. If the tires are a little thin, buy and install new tires. Lube the chain. Adjust the brake pads. Tighten all fittings. In other words, Make sure your bike is in good working order!
Road bikes with gears work best on rides of this distance. Many have done this ride fixed, but I do not recommend you bringing out your mountain bike for this ride. There will be a few short climbs but nothing like a Sepulveda. Climbs or no climbs please remember it's a long ass ride.
Other items to bring:
Two extra inner tubes that fit your wheels
A foldable extra tire that fits your wheels.
A working pump and/or enough co2 to fill two tires. The pump is the better option.
A patch kit (make sure the kit has fresh patches and the tube of glue is not dried up).
Pry bars and a multitool
Money for food stops and breakfast afterwards.
Route slips will be available at the start for each rider and everyone who finishes the ride will receive an amazing spoke card designed especially for the Dark Century VII by renowned Artist & fellow rider, Creative Thing who's had the privilege of riding every Dark Century to date.
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it's official, http://www.midnightridazz.com/viewStory.php?storyId=3999
ridetime12.1.09 - 3:48 pm
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doh! i'm out of town that week. you guys have fun!
tfunk40812.2.09 - 12:59 am
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No worries man, there will be plenty other Dark Century rides.
ridetime responding to a
comment by tfunk408
12.10.09 - 11:20 pm
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Less than a month to get yer miles in for this.
Think Tern will hitch hike out for this?
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by ridetime
12.11.09 - 8:17 am
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Hey, chief....before you jump the shark....give me a call or an email.
tern12.14.09 - 4:06 pm
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I thought this was Tern's ride... now it seems he didn't know about it. I'm confused. Please explain.
frumble12.15.09 - 3:22 pm
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Tern is the founding father of the Dark Century but whilst he is away, we keep the spirit alive.
ridetime12.15.09 - 11:28 pm
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well, it appears that tern announced his intention to "re-boot" the dark century in this thread
dark century
and you may have stepped on his toes by announcing one in january.
but that's a casual observation
cassidy responding to a
comment by ridetime
12.16.09 - 1:15 am
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Thanks for not inviting me to the ride. I didn't even know about it until the day before yesterday. I gave the ride to Leslie until I come back. Leslie never told me there is going to be a ride. How in the hell am I supposed to arrange the time off and pay for a short notice ticket...plus pay for the transport of my bike on such short notice?
Wayne...I think you have been an awesome part of the DC crew. Don't get me wrong. But bide me well: I am somewhat perturbed about the recent developments.
tern12.16.09 - 4:20 pm
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There will be another Dark Century in late April and Tren is planning to be at that one.
If you're not ready for 100 miles in early January, start training now for late April.
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by tern
12.16.09 - 5:03 pm
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I talked to Leslie...and I understand his reasoning for the ride. I understand why he couldn't get in touch with me to tell me that he had okayed the ride.
I hope the ride goes well, unfortunately I am in a position where I cannot do both the april ride and the January ride because of the short notice I received.
Have fun...fill me in on the details.
I'll be out in April for the DC after next.
tern12.16.09 - 5:24 pm
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Wow!
Not even sure how to answer this. Especially when I tried to reach out to you on Fbook, here on Midnight ridazz and via email and not once did u ever hit me back. At which point I then turned to the Man you turned the ride over too for his insight as to when we should schedule a Dark Century ride.
Interesting.
ridetime responding to a
comment by tern
12.16.09 - 7:01 pm
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It's all good, ride time. I almost never look at facebook. Sorry if I snubbed you. If I did, it was unintentional. Have a good ride. I hope it goes well.
I was a bit worried from what I saw. You had been through two training rides (at least that is the info from the post) before I ever had a clue about the ride.
But, I talked to Leslie, and I understand the logistics.
Make it a good one Ride Time....if I were able to get the time off...I would go.
Tell me how it goes--and thanks for your enormous help on the rides you've attended.
tern12.16.09 - 7:15 pm
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Saturday: 12/19/2009
where: Coffee Bean at Wilshire & Western
time: 9a.m.
Ride: 9:30a.m.
Route
ridetime12.18.09 - 4:54 pm
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Good ride today...Next week we roll a metric century On Sunday, 12/27 at 9:30a.m.
If your sipping hot chocolate and eating doughnuts by the fire. You have 3 weeks left before the Dark Century.
Merry X-mas to all
ridetime12.19.09 - 6:53 pm
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Glad it was a good ride! How many people came. Any funny stories?
tern responding to a
comment by ridetime
12.20.09 - 5:53 pm
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3 rolled 30 miles. The funny story is Coffee at the coffee bean is 4 dollars....dammmmm. That's an expensive habbit. But at least you can fill your water bottle for free.
ridetime responding to a
comment by tern
12.20.09 - 9:10 pm
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By chance, I was at that shop Saturday afternoon (attending a concert at the Wiltern). I got a small coffee for 1.70.
WHAT size did you buy, R.T.?
Guess you needed a big jolt for the ride, ha ha!
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by ridetime
12.21.09 - 8:45 am
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I don't drink coffee. I was just checkin out the menu and realizing how expensive different types of coffee can be. Wow!
ridetime responding to a
comment by Creative Thing
12.24.09 - 7:38 pm
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If anyone wants to ride the Metric Century on Sunday, I'm leaving from the coffee bean on Wilshire/Western at 9:30a.m.
This will not be a speed ride, but more of an after x-mas chill/semi scout ride.
Not gonna post this on the ride Calendar.
ridetime12.24.09 - 7:54 pm
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Wish I could join you.
I'll be with the family.
I did ride 43 miles today FYI!
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by ridetime
12.24.09 - 8:54 pm
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wish i could make it for the training ride...doing the fam stuff. have fun!
nancine responding to a
comment by ridetime
12.25.09 - 1:14 am
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@Nancine & Creative..No worries. All I did today was scout parts of the ride anyway.
ridetime12.27.09 - 7:23 pm
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One week.
One week!
ONE WEEK!!!
Who's in?
1.Ridetime
2.Creative Thing
Creative Thing01.2.10 - 7:49 am
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I think I'm going to wait for the true dark century in april not the hijacked one in january
crossbones01.2.10 - 8:11 am
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I wish I could be there to ride with you guys. To crossbones...this is the next dark century. I am fully about this ride. There was some miscommunication in the beginning...and I felt a bit snubbed. I talked with creative thing and ride time, and it was just a lapse in communication. I should have never taken my original grievance to the mr forum. I hope the ride turns out as awesome as the last one that creative thing hosted. Good luck everyone!
tern01.2.10 - 9:14 am
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Trust me, u will not be missed on this ride.
ridetime responding to a
comment by crossbones
01.2.10 - 1:34 pm
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You're a drama queen. And even though my initial reply was just a political response I wanna make sure you understand that i'm not a politician. You wanna sabotage a ride from x thousand miles away, then it's clear u need a hobby. Maybe try riding your bike in the state you're in. how about that for a novel idea.
Meanwhile, back here in Los of Angeles, we will ride. whether you cry or not, show up or not.
ridetime responding to a
comment by tern
01.2.10 - 1:38 pm
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Oh by the way, there's a good chance of rain and rain cancels this ride. wouldn't Mr. Drama queen(Tern) Love that.
ridetime01.2.10 - 1:39 pm
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anyways...sorry I can't make the January ride, but who is going on this one?
tern01.5.10 - 3:57 pm
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1. ridetime
2. creative thing
3...
4...
5...
6...
more!
tern01.5.10 - 3:59 pm
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I've been planning on it but now have other obligations. Next time.,
frumble01.5.10 - 4:50 pm
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Its not going to rain Saturday night.
We're rolling, if we have 2 ridazz or 200.
(I only made 24 spoke cards)
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by frumble
01.5.10 - 7:31 pm
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2 days and a few hours left before(in echo voice) #7, VII, SEVENNNNNNNNNN.
I'd Like to thank Creative Thing for all of his support and artistry.
I'd Like to thank Tern for providing us with such spirited concern about his Dark Century Ride.
I'd also like to say that at 7pm this Saturday, 1/9/2010. we ride with the Camaraderie and spirit that has been represented in the previous 6 Dark Century rides.
1. We welcome all RACES
2. We welcome all Genders
Any rider who feels they are capable of completing 100 miles at night on a Road Bike, or a Fixed Gear bike will be welcomed and given the support and courage needed to complete this DARK CENTURY or any DARK CENTURY forthcoming.
Hope to see you all on Saturday Night.
See Saturdays Route here:
Dark Century VII Route
ridetime01.7.10 - 1:38 pm
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Another epic ride!
I continue to be impressed by the great attitude and strength and determination of the ridazz who come out for this grueling rolling party.
This time, 15 started and 13 finished.
Creative Thing01.10.10 - 3:54 pm
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Awsome! Glad it went well.
tern responding to a
comment by Creative Thing
01.10.10 - 5:03 pm
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my bike smells from when that skunk sprayed us its been outside all day haha
ima have to give it a good cleaning tomorrow.
Dean453701.11.10 - 1:06 am
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Highlights:
All the ridazz brought their Hustle
Wayne's creative route
The Belmont Shore sharrows/green lane
The post-ride breakfast!
Carlos entertaining us at the stops
Lowlights:
Four flats
A broken toe clip on a fixie before 50 miles
A car(!) driving fast on the L.A. River bike path WITH THE LIGHTS OFF at 5 am
3 ridazz sprayed by an angry skunk
Riding behind those ridazz at any time after they got gassed
Man, I'm looking forward to the next one with Tern in April!
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by Dean4537
01.11.10 - 8:00 am
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Good turnout
Good group
Good Weather
Just an all around really Good Dark Century VII(7).
I can't wait for DC VIII(8).
ridetime01.11.10 - 11:42 am
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To those riders who finished 100 for the first time....Awesome Job.
To the guy on the Fixie, mad props.
To Carlos, Way to recover man.
To Sara(the only female rolling in the group) you go grl. She made this 100 look like a walk in the park.
To The skunk brothers(just kidding) that sucks, but you guys get mad props for pushing through.
To the guy riding the Rose Royce of Bikes, i'm still drooling.
See y'all on the next one.
Oh Wait, how could I forget this....To Creative Edge aka Mr. Creative. AWESOME SPOKE CARD.
ridetime01.11.10 - 11:58 am
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Wow - I wonder what the story was behind the car driving down the bike path.
Congrats to all who attempted, let alone finished! Hope to do the next one.
Yoshiyahu responding to a
comment by Creative Thing
01.11.10 - 1:20 pm
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The thought that entered my mind was they were running from someone or tweaked out of their minds!
I'm just glad they didn't hit anybody.
One other high/low light was stopping at Gustavo Ramirez's memorial in Long Beach.
Candles were still burning at 4:00 am. R.I.P., brother.
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by Yoshiyahu
01.11.10 - 1:27 pm
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