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this is the real deal! all the street cred of wp all city without having to feel bad about running reds and cutting people off! i'm scheduled to be out of town that weekend but if not i'll roll thru.
i don't know how i'm getting there or getting home if i do go, though. metro blue line is not gonna be running at 3am, and don't like the idea of leaving my car near dodger stadium the day of the marathon.
i'm coming out on my mtn bike...... can we have a category for mountain bikes? because i will definitely win :D i'm sad we have to cut out dodger stadium to tangs though :[ two of the coolest miles in the route
You guys don't seem too psyched about this as I thought you would. A lot of people from our of town are coming to this. It's gonna be the biggest race of the year. All I'm gonna say is that the Dog Tags have to stay in LA. I hear the MASH team is coming down and Austin Horse is flying from New York just for this race.
Get your ready for the gnarliest street race you'll ever do in your life.
Also I got a bunch of sponsors so people can get some cool prizes.
Orange 20
Incase
Transient Bags
MASH
Cadence
Outlier
Swrve
BLOCK
If you dont wanna race but you wanna help out, be at Tangs at 3am. I could really use your help.
it would be really cool if WPH threw a 2 am crit on the Acura LA Bike tour course..........
la duderina
03.24.09 - 1:17 pm
reply
oooooh me likes that idea.... not a crit but a straight 26.2 mile race through the course at 2AM? is that possible? will they have it all closed off by then?
Roadblock
03.24.09 - 1:49 pm
TOL ya it was my idea. and give me a break on the crit...I posted this back when I knew nothing of road bikes or what a crit is. lol (mtb > road)
but of course Sr. Hern gets all credit for making this shit happen!
Hopefully the cops won't throw down the kybosh on this and let us do our thing... and how stupid of the Marathon coordinators to throw the bike tour to the side like dirty laundry.
Once they realize how much $$$ they are loosing from the thousands, yes thousands of riders that legitimately sign up for this and forcing us to do this, Hmmmm lets do the math.
5,000 riders (about what they had last year)
x $35 entry fee (Yes I legitimately signed up)
They already need to have all the infrastructure set up for the marathon. How much extra can it cost to let bikes ride the course before they let the runners loose?
outerspace responding to a comment by shotgunBOOMBOOM
03.14.10 - 10:34 pm
and then what, have 5,000 bikers, most of whom not from LA, 26 miles away from the cars at the start? The bike tour has always been a loop, ending where it starts. I am pretty sure the marathon course has always differed from the bike tour course.
It's OBVIOUS that it's not financially worth it for them to do the bike tour, otherwise it would be happening. I mean come on people, we're in America. This is how shit works here.
I just did the course with the Wolfpack hustle. The gates at the VA hospital might be closed during the race but the side doors are open. Get off your bikes and go through them. Also, once you get on ocean stay in the middle of the street. James (one of my team mates for the Wolfpack All City race 3) didn't see the curb on the side and front flipped like 20' away from the curb going like 30. No disk wheels or TT set ups please, they do make you faster but in a big pack of people it will sketchy, just regular set ups please. If your bike looks like a fucking space ship i won't let you race.
I will need as many Volunteers as I can. If you don't wanna race but you wanna watch/ride the course I would really appreciate your help. Just look for me at Tangs at 3am
This race is gonna leave every one talking and wanting more. You'll have a lot of fun even if you are not planning on winning or being competitive. Just go as fast as you can for as long as you can and meet us at the finish line.
Gentleman leave your vaginas at home, and ladies, please ignore this last sentence.
Have the bike portion loop the 26.2 mile course = 52.4 miles. Have the start/ finish line a mile ahead of the runners start point. start it @ 3am, sweep the stragglers to an alt route back. Problem solved. I guess that would have been too logical.
have you done the bike tour before? have you seen the people that do the bike tour? 80 percent of them can barely make the 26 miles. 52 is totally out of the question for most people.
They'll probably have the gates open before the race. If not, I'd propose that you tweak the route a bit. Take Ohio past the VA all the way down to Federal, right turn, and watch the hill sort out the men from the boys. Federal turns into San Vicente at Wilshire, so keep taking Fed/San straight and you'll be back on the course.
Still pissed that I'll be out of town for the race. I was planning on holding on to Prof. Fate's wheel for dear life the entire time, then attacking at the final sprint. Because I am a sneaky, sneaky motherfucker.
BMFW responding to a comment by xlilxhernx
03.16.10 - 8:41 pm
I was just kidding. Trying to get people worked up about the ridiculousness of driving to the start and not being able to ride back.
Was hoping for more anger.
Lil Hern, I'd like to volunteer.
I live near the 405 & 10. I can meet up @ 3am @ tangs then truck people & gear(if needed) to the finish line, or I could just go straight to the pier. Let me know, what is best.
getgern at gmail
Party Summit Gold Sprints (the California State World Gold Sprint Championship of the Universe, the biggest race that has ever happened)
Wolfpack Hustle Marathon Crash
Thus Climbed Zarathustra
will score swag from Echo Park Cycles, Swrve, New Belgium and a few others. Raffle style, not keeping track of time or place or anything. The grand prize is a $100 bike tattoo from Adrian at Incognito (dude who did Jack's pistons). Seriously. It will rule. Tattoo of your choice, yes: it's your choice, can be bigger than $100, you have to tip.
Let me know at the California State World Gold Sprint Championship of the Universe, the biggest race that has ever happened who you are and then check in with me at the other races.
So the meet up is at Tang's and the marathon starts at Dodger stadium, are you riding to the Stadium after Tang's or dropping on to the route at mile 8 (near Tang's) and adding in the 8 miles somewhere else to make it a full marathon?
Hey Guys, and Girls, Just a quick side note. Last year the volunteers were on course at 4:30 to help setup the water stations and tables, etc.. So Even though the streets will be closed off, remember the following:
Vehicles will be transporting equipment, i.e. tables, water, and other supplies for the many water stations that will be on course.
Volunteers may be arriving at various locations to help setup so don't be alarmed if you see teenagers/adults out on the course walking around.
In other words, if you're racing, get your A game Eyes ready. See y'all later.
What up Roadblock.The Westside Spokesmen,Big City Spokesmen and Zulu Dawn will all be present...Just look for the Black clouds over your shoulder.I the name of Marshall "Major" Taylor we will own this and the DogTags!!!
PNUTS responding to a comment by Roadblock
03.20.10 - 9:04 pm
Great race alot of people that didn't know the directions got dropped. Kept up with the fast pack until the first big hill from there on it was chill pace. Made it to the beach at sunrise. Awesome race
The chain ring bent out of fucking no where all by itself, so I snapped that shit off, tried to run the race in the big ring, but something was making a horrid grinding noise so I made the executive decision to save the equipment. Went home and cried.
The bike gods didn't want me riding that race. I think it was a blessing in disguise. Considering some of the stories I was told at the finish line, something really bad could have happened. I'm lucky to have come out unscathed. I could only imagine what might have happened had this come to fruition at race speeds under full power.
At least now I know what that fucking clicking was.
Yeah, at first I was angry at my bike. I thought it had turned it's back on me. I lamented and cried to the heavens, "Saint Matthew*, why hast thou forsaken me?? I keep your frame clean, your chain lubed, your tires are never low!! I never lock you up and you are always stored indoors! Why? WHY? What have I done??"
And the bike gods responded to me through a wise messenger that Saint Matthew had not forsaken me. No, quite the opposite. He broke at the safest possible moment where no harm would come to me and prevented what could have been something much worse.
But still, I wondered, why on this morning? Why not a different day?
And the wise messenger responded simply: "Because that's racing."
Thus, my first road race ended before it began, but thanks to loyal Saint Matthew, the Shotgun shall ride again.
*I call my bike Saint Matthew, because it is a Bianchi San Mateo
I'm glad I did this again..I surprised myself , hustled,cramped,wanted to take it slow but did not and kept up with upper , upper half of group..hit Denny's,jumped on bus..
Today was a good day..
that was nuts so much fun!!...i got a lucky 5th because I happened to come out front of the cluster fuck of a turn from san vicente to ocean. I was behind john at the beginning of ocean and I was stupid enough to try and keep up with his sprint. he dropped me then a few others past...that guy is not human though so its alright
thanks for a fun and (relatively) safe race. congrats to all participants and those who placed. extra props to my boy BUD for bringing the WP dogtags to LBC!
I met people from SF, Vegas, all over the place. Talk about bringing people together!
I already knew how fast the winning riders and their pack would be, but I was surprised to see how many fast riders there were! The turn-out was huge, hundreds, and pretty much everyone (who didn't quit) was faster than me. I'm very impressed. Props to everyone. Unreasonably fun.
Thanks to the folks who generously pulled me through some sections, and those who I paced without permission. ;] One girl noticed me pacing her, she got pissed and tried to mash away from me but it tired her out and I kept up. We were flying! San Vicente was amazing, I've never ridden my bike that fast before (was still slow to you guys, I'm sure). I'm just glad I showed up for this, and glad I was able to finish. Thanks to everyone who made this happen!
I can honestly say that this race was more fun and exciting than the actual bike tour. I was just going to ride the course this morning solo, and I was shocked to see what seemed like hundreds of riders flying down Sunset. I got in around mile 5, so I wasn't really in the race, but I had fun just the same.
None of us in the back knew when we left Tang's that the race had started so we were cruising easy. We thought tthere'd be a regroup at Tang's or the Stadium or something. Oh well...
I forgot to reset my computer so I have no idea how long I took or how far I went including getting lost.
I will still be slow when the time comes, but I'm looking forward to All City!
Great race, just wish i had more rest...had been up since saturday morning and went to glow ride. finished the race then rode back to my car in crank mob park when Pfff i got a flat so ended up walking abt 2 miles because i had given my spare tubes to some friends who had gotten flats on the glow ride. but still no regrets
I was watching reruns of the marathon, and there were dozens (maybe hundreds) of cyclists riding with the marathon during the race, on the course. What is the deal with that? Who were they? How did they get to do that? I know people who might be interested in that. (I would be if I didn't want to be in the race.)
I looked for it but nothing yet. They'll update it sooner or later. Either way it's a good thing the dog tags are safe in the hands of people that roam the streets of LA.
palucha66 responding to a comment by BoneCrush
03.21.10 - 11:31 pm
I think the only info is on the twitter section. It Only lists the three winners. Im looking for the full comprehensive list. So I can make fun of people I know for how badly they did (even though I didnt go, and probably would of done horribly)
buckchin responding to a comment by BoneCrush
03.21.10 - 11:32 pm
but i must say that even though Bud got first place fixed gear division, the 2nd and 3rd finishers were Dylan from SF and Austin from NYC. reason for concern???
Here are the 1st Place dogtag winners! Once I get the full names of everyone Ill go ahead and post the other winners in the description. Good job to everyone that participated and the people that helped out!
http://vimeo.com/10341921
ricardo_ responding to a comment by Jakuta
03.22.10 - 12:35 am
That shit was off the hook. That front group was faster than I'd ever imagined, but I loved every minute of it. Thanks to everyone who rode smartly and safely.
Props to everyone who stayed late at the Party Summit and didn't sleep before this. That was too much fun.
Oh and the seven epic riders who did all three races in 15 hours:
Carla [there's prob only one]
Jacob [Bredeinbach mountain]
Mark [don't know his last name]
Rich [Venice]
Matt [bikepunk]
Michael [Morrill]
Mike Sz [Pure Luck heart throb]
damn i had so much fun last night....i did 100+ miles....all worth it....did not know we were racing for the first 8 miles and got lost for 1 would not do 1 thing differently....thank you wolfpack
Soooo was anyone in your crew in the top 10...?check out 8th fixed...ah ha!Next year...?All Bullshit aside this was by far the most AWESOME experience on a bike.Big ups to TheWolfPack!!!
"PNUTS" W/S Spokesmen
PNUTS responding to a comment by Dedicated818
03.23.10 - 11:12 am
i hope the mother fuckers on san vicente that didnt do the real course arent fucking claiming finishing spots cause they cause REAL RACERS TO CRASH!!!!
STUPID MOTHER FUCKERS!! STAY OUTTA THE WAY IF YOU ARENT IN THE RACE!!!!!!
Jakuta responding to a comment by Gav
03.26.10 - 4:00 am
Real racers? I don’t think any of us have pro contracts so making the claim of being a “real” racer is highly questionable.
The bottom line is this was an unlicensed street race. People shorting the course, cars, pedestrians, cops, barriers, red lights, etc are all part of the challenge and intrigue of an event of this nature.
I mean if we wanted to eliminate all the B.S. we could just line up, measure our VO2 max and crown the winner based on the highest score. But that’s not racing is it?
And really, dealing with riders who short a course is not much different than dealing with lapped riders in a criterium; it’s part of racing.
Plus who really gives a shit if they are claiming places or not? The Alpha Wolf crossed the line first.
So…STFU+GTFO
John responding to a comment by Jakuta
03.26.10 - 6:34 am
U are the alpha john... lay the law down... stupid behavior shouldn't encouraged
There is normally a bit of respect and looking out for each other in the the PACK.. call traffic, doors, random shit in street, etc... you don't get in the front packs way and take out those guys front wheels when you haven't EARNED a spot with that "alpha" pack by keeping up!
Jakuta responding to a comment by illy
03.26.10 - 12:31 pm
Dang John, have a heart. Even if idiocy is par for the course it's still annoying when it directly harms you via *pushing your bike into a curb*. I seem to remember a number of occasions when you let an errant motorist have it during WP, or you fussed when someone breathed at your bike, where's your inner hippie in those instances?
And lapped racers in a crit aren't allowed to try to merge into the pack, they get pulled :p (not that I'm claiming that comparison is very useful in this case)
I’d think you would know by now that my heart is cold and black.
You do realize I crashed after hitting a cone in the first mile of this event correct? It was a direct result of someone crowding me on my left and right. I could have banged bars with them and knocked one of them to the side but I was hoping I could just plow my way over the cone and keep rolling. Well I was wrong. Am I mad at anyone? No. Why? It was my front wheel. You know whose obligation it is to protect my front wheel? Mine.
So what does a “real” racer do if they find themselves in a situation with unsafe riders?
They sack up, stop sucking wheels and blow the riffraff out the back with a hell spawned acceleration. It’s a street race on public streets. We can all be there. It is the obligation of the strong to keep themselves safe.
As for my abuse of motorist, well the truth is I hate them. As for my bike, the only person I’ve ever given a hard time to is DUIwarrior and that’s just because he’s a dipshit.
And one last thing professor, you clearly need to spend a shit load more time in school. During my vigorous youth I lapped the field in numerous crits. They do not pull the field.
So for you to my friend…STFU+GTFO
John responding to a comment by professor fate
03.26.10 - 8:15 pm
I punked out and changed my mind at the last minute not to show.
As I listen to my premonitions now days, I was getting a bad feeling
about the race, maybe because I knew it would be amature hour with
all the rookies in attendance. After all I have raced every type of cycling
event in my 30+ years of racing and have nothing to prove. Figure I'll
save my risk taking for the sanctioned events. But who knows I could have
road unscathed and missed out on some fun.
Every time I have rode with John he has struck me as a class act.
You did indeed miss out on some fun and a unique experience. Sanctioned events are awesome but this is one of a kind. And with that come the variables and responsibilities that John spoke of. If you want out of the shenanies you have to be out front but know that you are subject to anything out there. I was in mid stream taking a wiz when the race started. First thing I did was get myself to the front before Elysian. I only dribbled on my shorts a little...
Ive heard so many people complaining that it wasn't fair and that inexperienced riders fucked it up for the better ones. shit I am the definition of amateur hour that was my first race and i was with the lead pack the whole time and even got a decent place but the way everyone was talking about the race afterwards made me feel like I didn't earn it...but now that I've read this...fuck haters... cant wait for next year
meaning that weaker riders than yourself have no right to a safe race? I'd thought mankind had graduated from the days where the old and feeble were left to fend for themselves and the rights of the infirm were trampled under the boot of the strong. I bemoan that the curriculum at my university didn't cover criterium racing, but I take some small solace that it did at least touch on the rise of civilization.
many people didn't know when the race actually started. many people didn't know the route and perhaps unknowingly took short- (or long-) cuts. this isn't like the all-city race where route was a variable. we were all supposed to race the same course and many people (including myself) missed turns here and there. not sure there is anyone to blame for this. the race was fun, hectic, and epic, but don't say it was fair.
tfunk408 responding to a comment by Jet-son
03.26.10 - 10:14 pm
I’d think you would know by now that my heart is cold and black.
I have trouble believing this when you would try to " plow your way over the cone and keep rolling" rather than shove them to the side. You seriously thought your puny, feather-light road bike could plow over a cone? You're either stupid, or you were actually too scared to take your line. We both know it's the latter.
And you think you could take me on a BMX track? ha.
i never said it was fair.....anyways I felt the wolf pack ride the next day was more of a hustle then the race was. That ride is black and white its easy to tell who is a stronger rider than I am, no missing turns or avoiding barriers to give me an advantage there.
Jet-son responding to a comment by tfunk408
03.26.10 - 10:33 pm
i remember the speeches u gave at the beginning of almost every ride!
you didnt want to see anyone hurt... you wanted everyone to ride safely and respectful of eachother, to watch out for each other but at teh same time push it to the limit....
NEVER WOULD YOU HAVE APPROVED OF WHAT HAPPENED!
go on saying "good words!" WPH has changed for the worse in my eyes if this is what you preach now.
Jakuta responding to a comment by Roadblock
03.26.10 - 11:57 pm
Racing and riding hard in open traffic is inherently dangerous. We all ride our own bikes. The best way to keep it safe is to accept responsibility for our own fate.
Don is the biggest worrier when it comes to people’s safety. So Jakuta don’t come up in here talking stupid shit about WPH changing for the worst. Perhaps the only thing WPH has become is a ride you can’t hang with.
Jakuta you’re making assertions about who belonged in the lead pack and who didn’t. You’re trying to present this as “real talk.” Here’s some real talk for you. Nobody belonged in that lead pack. You were allowed to be there. I knew exactly what was going to happen at the finish and I wanted as many witnesses as possible.
Lindsay you privately asked me to play nice and I accommodated. Yet here you are resorting to pointless insults that aren’t funny or clever. This thread is for people who completed the race and want to discuss it. It wasn’t broken equipment that cost you the race it was a broken will.
All I am saying is that Jakuta is right. I may not have completed the race, but I heard the stories from people who did. The type of riding that went down, just blatantly stupid and dirty riding, would never be condoned or encouraged by the organizers of Wolfpack. And if that type of riding is going to be condoned and encouraged, then god help Wolfpack.
why do people keep harping on the actual course versus whatever route others took?
The reality is that unless you memorized the course (i think only one lead group did), nearly everyone in first 50 or so participants made a wrong turn at some point. Everyone at the end stated they made a wrong turn.
The only talk I heard was about a lead group that stayed on course the whole time. Well, big fucking deal!!
There was one dude in red letting off some steam at the end about crashing or some shit, and it was like, "fuck, okay let it go, did you NOT have fun?" You started to even hear people complain about Hern not doing this or that right, about the course not being blocked off everywhere, even making suggestions for next year.... fuck, did anyone have even sense to appreciate what had just happened?
Now speaking of fair...
Fair: did the winner cross the line first?
Fair: did the winner ride the "correct" course?
Fair: did everyone have access to the correct route?
Fair: did everyone possess the mental capacity to remember the route or write down the route? (i know this is debatable)
Fair: did some people have more of handicap towards being hit by riders coming in the wrong direction, or was this in the hands of chance?
Fuck this stupid fairness talk. The only thing unfair about the race was that 300+ riders showed out a nation of millions. Props to NYC, Broakland, Oregon, and L.A. and everyone who just flat out appreciated the ride.
No complaints. Shit like this should be considered special.
markd responding to a comment by John
03.27.10 - 10:07 am
And John, I told you we didn't have to play nice. I just thought you were legitimately trying to change your ways after I told you being a non-stop asshole gets old.
That guy in red had reason to be pissed. Racers who got off course cut into the lead group unsafely and shoved him into a curb. This is not ok.
There was no way for Hern to enforce any of this. None of this is the organizers' fault. Yes, cars, pedestrians, etc are all typical things one must deal with at any Wolfpack ride or event, but dirty riding should not be one of them.
If people get off course, fine, but there is no excuse for unsafe riding and taking each other out.
"there is no excuse for unsafe riding and taking each other out"
--i agree, and dont take my previous post as suggesting he hand no reason to be mad. Its just that its still in the thread... which is like... didnt he already get at the dude about it? That was my point. Sorry if it came across different, but there seems to be more complaining than anything...
Maybe were just a little spoiled.
markd responding to a comment by shotgunBOOMBOOM
03.27.10 - 11:00 am
I don't know, maybe I read his words wrong but what I got out of his comment was that ultimately you have a responsibility to yourself to ride defensively and to do what you can to avoid unskilled riders. That you can't expect everyone to have skills at all. I you see a shaky rider or situation you get out of their space. A big part of the Hustle is keeping your space, anticipating a rider's moves and getting away from the squirrely ones while at the same time encouraging them to hold their line.
I don't condone John's all out shit talking though... But he knows that...
This race was freakin awesome! If you expect a riding code and high experience levels then this probably isn't the place. It's just the nature of the beast. What is great about a race like this is it's "natural selection". If you were caught out back with some shady fools then you best get hustling on Monday nights. Learn to ride with a group better and get your fitness together. Personally I think all the "variables" is what makes it exciting. When I saw John upside down right before the start point at Elysian I thought to myself, "Holy shit! This is how this race is starting? Woooooooooo! This is gonna be insane! Let's fucking go! What's going to happen next?".
I think RB does a great job of stressing safety the best he can for an event of this nature and I know he is sensitive to everyone's well being.
Also this was the first one and much was learned. The course was not "closed" as we thought it would be so the route was not well defined. Maybe next year people will take the time to learn the route better. I could have got away a few times b/c I knew the route but I waited for my second group that didn't totally know it to catch up.
I say let's keep WPH gritty and underground while respecting other riders and their safety. All these personal jabs at each other here is making me sad.
well said Warren and thanks for waiting up. i must confess i had zero idea what the course was. i was hoping cones would define it, no such luck. So when i realized you knew what it was i was pretty happy.I guess if you do a race it helps to know the course :P
Don you didn’t read it wrong. I think I’ve stated it several times in this thread; if you take responsibility for your own behavior the whole group benefits. If everyone who can ride defensively does then the situation becomes as safe as possible. When I said it is the responsibility of the strong to keep themselves safe that doesn’t mean fuck the weak, it means don’t expect the weaker rider to take charge of a situation and make it safe. It means if you’re strong step it up and string it out. Very few crashes occur when a field of riders is single file.
But also realize when the pace is getting pushed the pain sets in. When the pain gets severe poor decisions can be made. And that’s exactly what happened in the lead up to the finish. The screws started getting turned heading down San Vicente and the wheels stated coming off some of the racers. You could see it in their form. They were on the rivet and they perhaps made some erratic moves as they started to blow. There was no dirty racing, just some errant maneuvers at a point of excruciating pain.
Jakuta if you’re such a real racer you would have seen it happening and moved up and out of the way. You think it was purely coincidence I moved to the front only moments before that last crash happened?
Sure some of the guys to start to lose it first where the ones that shorted the course and jumped in with us. But who cares. We were on our trip, they were on theirs. It just so happened that our trips had some overlap. You know for the short time they rode with us they were stoked to be there. Not because they wanted to win something that in the big picture really doesn’t matter but because they got to share in the excitement of the event with us.
You have to understand we are artists. Our brushes are our bikes and our riding is the art that we create. Sometimes art is messy and painful. But in the end it is almost always beautiful. This was a fucking beautiful experience. If you don’t see the beauty in it don’t bother coming out.
haha. awesome... arrogant asshole with a soft, artist, sentimental side... some one who truly does care about the well being of his fellow riders, and sets an example of being safe on bikes by emphasizing the importance of looking out for number one?.......nahhhhh!!!
Jet-son responding to a comment by John
03.27.10 - 3:27 pm