Watts Happening Ride
Thread started by
Agent Orange at 02.4.12 - 12:31 pm
The
first Watts Happening Ride I organized five years ago was a simple there-and-back to Watts Towers from the Cornfield downtown, spurred on by the lamentable fact that as a native angeleno I had spent my whole life to-date never having been to the true treasure that is the amazing, inspiring and enduring work of Simon Rodia.
In its various editions since (
the last one taking place in 2010), the Watts Happening Ride's destinations have grown well beyond the iconic towers to include a variety of landmarks involving people, places and events in and around South Los Angeles.
The 2012 incarnation of the Watts Happening Ride will be departing from Silver Lake on Saturday, February 18 at 9 a.m., and will include the addition of a couple locations I've recently found. So if you're not heading out of town for the long weekend and have a hankering to get your bike-riding discovery on, I hope you'll join me.
For the latest info and any updates, the ride's Facebook page is
here.
When: February 18, gathering at 8:30 for a 9 a.m. departure
Start/Finish: Silver Lake's Happy Foot/Sad Foot sign (northwest corner of Sunset Boulevard & Benton Way)
Distance: 32.95 miles (
route map)
Pace: Casual
Terrain: Flat
Weather: In the event of rain that morning, the ride will be canceled and rescheduled to a later date.
Approximate Time: 5-6 hours
Optional Partial Ride: If doing the full route isn't feasible, consider joining the ride at approximately 9:30 a.m. downtown on Spring Street (anywhere between 2nd & 9th streets) for the roughly 9-mile portion to the Watts Towers. The 103rd Street Blue Line station is near to the towers and can be an alternative to get you back into downtown.
Things You'll Need (in no particular order): A functioning bicycle; $7 for the half-hour optional tour of Watts Towers; snacks and water for along the way; money for a late lunch at King Taco.
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If you have never seen these magnificent structures, you need to be on this ride. Simon Rodia was D.Y.I. before there was a name for what he constructed. The tour is worth the price, and the money helps keep the Towers Center running.
Creative Thing02.4.12 - 2:32 pm
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You should team up with the East Side Riders for this:
http://www.facebook.com/EASTSIDERIDERS
They're doing a ride/skate event on 2/11 that might be worth checkingout.
JB02.5.12 - 10:36 pm
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Rides by Agent Orange are a cut above. You will experience awesomness on this ride. Like CT said, watts towers are from and era when DIY was the norm.
Roadblock02.6.12 - 9:06 am
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I am not sure why, but Eula Love came into my thoughts on Saturday morning as I was riding around... which got me thinking about this particular ride and if you will be hosting another one soon. Unfortunately, I will be out of town for this one but thanks for putting these together.
Kakihara02.6.12 - 10:16 am
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I went on the first one, and I recently listed it as one of my favorite rides. You should go.
tern02.17.12 - 5:41 pm
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Best ride I've been on in a long time!
Thanks for all the research and prep you put into making it so informative and enjoyable, Will.
Creative Thing responding to a
comment by champagne
02.18.12 - 3:40 pm
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Good ride!!!!!!!!! I stand by my statement that Fred G. Sanford's Ficticious address stop was the best on the ride... I had no idea until you pointed it out....
Will knows his history..well planned...This ride should have had all you mofo's there....
barleye02.20.12 - 11:14 am
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Thanks CT! And Barleye I'm with you on the Sanford and Son stop across from the nonexistent 9114 S. Central Avenue.. It's the only one that comes equipped with its own theme song (and my favorite evar). Let's go to the Funkyard again, this time with the full version of Quincy Jones' "The Streetbeater":
http://youtu.be/T5DnqW3F57E
Agent Orange responding to a
comment by barleye
02.20.12 - 2:56 pm
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Here's the timelapse vid of the first 20 miles of the 33-mile route. I'll need to get a bigger memory card next time if I want to capture the whole thing:
http://youtu.be/c1vTnuk5WEk
Agent Orange02.21.12 - 11:27 am
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Ridazz Roulette!
