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Yeah that's the problem with her, her drug addictions have eclipsed her talent. Its a shame.
Anyways back to bikes:
I've decided to go Pro next year because of Wolfpack. BMX that is. Do you realize how much ASS I will kick? A whole hell of a lot after a few months of this ride...
With literally no cycling experience at all, I came out for the first time three months ago not knowing what I was getting myself into. I did not know of wolfpack's reputation of "club worthy" speed. I was a new face in the cycling community so I hadn't had the slightest idea, the name just sounded cool. Since then I have never missed a week.
Wolfpack made me a better person: physically and mentally... i never knew I could go so fast on a two wheel contraption called a bicycle. The fastest I've ever done on one before was nothing more than 15 mph. I never knew I had the ability to push myself so hard in anything that I've done in my life before until now.
My <3 for cycling has grown simply just because I wanted to catch those fading tailights in the night... lol.
I will forever ride with these crazy ass maniacs until the name is no more... then when my grandchildren will one day ask why I am still oh so sexy, I'll tellem that I used to play with wolves every monday night ;]
Damn roughdraft, I must have gotten a lil dust in my eye excuse me for a minute.....
...... ok yeah I feel that way about this ride too. I can't explain it quite so poetically but its addicting. This is literally one of the only things that is keeping me in smelLA.
Anyway, thanks to everybody that came out to the century. Saw some old faces and new faces. Loved it. Wow. Still having flashbacks about the front pack dropping me in the dirt and the long cold ride lookin "fo ma dawgs"......
My respect for the Wolfpack and what it has done for me got me through the last 25 miles of the century, cold and alone. I looked back down Colorado and saw that huge moon and it just seemed right, like I couldn't stop. Tangs is the den, and though I haven't been riding for as long as most, it feels like home. Had to make it home. I now know this city like I never could have when trapped in the stupefying isolation of a car. There is no petty fixed vs. free vs. gears nonsense, just a group of people pushing as hard as they can....so to all the Hustlers, thanks. H Sense
i live for the WPH. heal yeah. year 3 i comin back strong! wait til i get a fucking grupo for my columbus steel tubing merckxx strada from the fucking early nineties. oh yeah it's on in 09.
ye RIDAZZ beware
crushing death of great
to the streetpassing thief
ye RIDAZZ beware
drinking beer of great
with the SIRENS is a feat
ye RIDAZZ beware
we entice you to come out
though you will not know our route
nor where we shall RAID
listen and hear for our SIRENS' call
ye RIDAZZ beware
our voices are heard
by that which is large and at times blue
where the foam of the deep
spills over onto the sand
where once he was a boy
his name is that of a man
ye RIDAZZ beware
traveling west on Venice
is a good clue
for which is the giant water named
this is all us SIRENS will give to you
I hope you sirens do it large. Boggles the mind that more females aren't out there on bikes riding strong.... you ladies should roll out on a monday soemtime soon.
thanks for the invite.. we will..... one Monday. we got your number, know the ticket, TANGs where you be for we can promise this much, but you won't know when the SIRENS will show...................
I found a white large Polar water bottle on Washington during the Century ride. If you lost it or know whose it is or want it worse than me, speak up and I'll bring it to a ride.
The air is getting better by the minute.
I'm torn about coming out.
If I do ... I may roll with a bandana ... but that sounds like a sweaty proposition in this weather.
Turns out South East LA < ahref="ftp://ftp.aqmd.gov/pub/globalist/FcstMsg.pdf ">has the cleanest air of anywhere in the city who would have expected that?
I couldnt really push myself last night. maybe it was mental but I felt my eyes burning and we were all coughing and sniffling....
hey how about that security guard at the bev center with the big long menacing metal pole? like he was going to run it through someone's wheels and shit?
I really need to start writing down the directions. I got all kinds of lost when we went in to downtown...I ended up going over some bridge and shit I still dont know where the hell I went and I can never remember where you guys say you're going. fuck.
Last night sounds pretty serious.
Sorry I missed it, but my lungs aren't.
Yea.. I've been abducted by the dirt people.
It is the only drug I'll ever need.. that and herb.
In fact I'm gonna go out right now and ride the Santa Monica Mtns.
Mountain biking at night in the dark woods = sublime.
MiNew LED light = best purchase ever.
See all you nutters next week.
So do I gotta earn one of those spokecards I rescued from the gutter for my new "hot-shit" model custom TonyZ wheelset or what? ps Cole's bike sounds like a wind chime when his cables snap. A really fast and evil wind chime. See you Monday.
is it just me or is da duderina bumping super old posts with anything with the word wolfpack in it? kinda cool to see nothing but "wolfpack" on recent forum, hah.
i might have to miss wolfpack for the first time... ffffffuuuccckk. came back from the ER due to some respiratory complications.. hopefully i'll be fine by tomorrow night. Since my first ride i swore i wouldnt miss a day unless i was bedridden or just cant get on the bike. its just too damn addicting.
Come on out FF. Since the first Hustle ride Denmothers have been involved in this.... there's no reason females should be afraid. Dare I say it but someday someone might even rival our very own National Champion She-Wolf..... nah I didn't say that.... nah... did I just say that? I didn't mean it Beatriz... I swear... please don't drop me.
I read about her on these threads and on the WP website! She's actually the one that gave me the guts and the inspiration to try it out. I'm a big fan!! She kicks ASS!!
p.s. I have got some shit to learn about road riding. This was emphasized by reading all those old threads last night. So I am saying right now...if I'm doing something wrong TELL ME! Just yell at me HEY you're being an idiot do it like this, and I will correct myself.
oh yeah and FF, its not as hard as it seems. When you are rolling with the pack...its really no work at all. You kind of just drift along with them and being a girl actually benefits you because you are smaller and therefore can easily draft anyone on this ride.
and I have yet to finish a ride but I'm on my 4th ride tomorrow and apparently that means I will make it. Let's see if RB's guarantee rings true.
If I can do it, anyone can. So come on out ladies!
Congrats Lindsay! You made your first Hustle Ride.... nice long route too. 43 miles with 2 stops... cannon at the sanmo pier, the coliseum/7-eleven and back to tangs.
THANKS!! I'm super stoked. Although this morning was pretty rough. lol I puked in the parking lot at school. Oatmeal. it was pretty gross. guess I need to drink more water?
Also, special thanks to the guy (sorry didn't get your name) who stopped and helped me when I threw my chain. Also to the guys who helped me tighten it at the beach! I gotta throw the tensioners back on there fa sho..
Highlight for me was definitely flying down SM blvd with the dude riding fixed..teamwork! yeah that was fun. Meeting Beatriz!! She's cool as shit..and making it all the way back to Tang's of course :)
I'm continually surprised at how little we have to stop for lights on these routes towards the end of the night. not because we're running red, it just seems like we are paced at traffic light speeds...
I just realized that was the farthest I've ever ridden a bike. EVER! at one time anyway.
I just think non-cyclists are so funny. When I went to Long Beach and visited a friend she couldn't believe I rode from the blue line to csulb and then to her house. She was seriously shocked. It was like 5 miles. lol!
or people at school are going down the street for lunch and they're like, do you need a ride? all pity-like. They just don't get it.
It's crazy how riding a bike everywhere completely changes your conception of distance. anyways! I got a fucking train to catch
Duderina is a Hustler....you were spinning high rpm's most of the ride from what I could tell....maybe a bigger chainring would make horse sense since I've seen you fly up hills but spin out a bit on flats. Good work and props on stepping up and making it back to the den.
great ride, i have to work on my pace line riding. its a little hard to totally commit to someone's wheel. and losing some weight should help too. i will definitely will come out again. great route! bling bikes too!
I took your advice and threw a 43 tooth on there, up from 42. Now I'm running 43-16. I was scared to jump up to 44 (considering that 42-16 was so nice on hills), but I'm putting gears on ASAP anyways so yeah. Also I'm putting 175 cranks on there over my break that should help too. I have 170s now.
@ Junior
you're awesome! Very last leg of the ride it was me, James and Junior:
James: "You want to just go back to Tang's from here or around the reservoir?"
just a little advice: 175mm is really, really long for your arms and will present an issue around corners/turns as you will likely have to stop pedaling so you wont drag them. also, if you want a geared setup, a 2 or 3 speed crankset with a single speed rear hub is a great way to keep it simple and effective. maybe a 38/42/48 front ratio paired to a 16t freewheel? the 48 will come in mad handy as you can upshift on downhills and spank ass!
Valid points, Gian. But longer cranks also give more leverage and therefore more power for less effort. having to stop pedaling in a turn is not a big concern of mine. I do it now anyway. habit I guess.
Who's/where's the guy who was telling me he's got the same bike I have (bianchi brava) with the gears? We need to cut some sort of deal if you're still down homes!
Ok now I'm wondering how much longer crankarms increase perceived load...is there an equation where one could use crankarm length, chainring, and cog as variables with power output in something universal like joules or ergs or horse(sense)power...? James
longer cranks really just make it easier to spin. i dont know I'm just going off what I know from mtn bikes and bmx. It could all be entirely different for road bikes. like I said before, I don't know what I'm doing with these fancy skinny tired things.
...Yeah I'm 6'2" and I use 172.5 crank arms. I like pedaling through turns and whipping out with more speed, like riding a rollercoaster. A multi-speed drivetrain would be the ticket, in my humble.
OK so I did a little research. This is what I found:
"if you feel more comfortable turning big gears at lower cadences, you'll like your crank arms a little longer. But if you prefer to spin at a higher cadence go with shorter crankarms."
...and I'm a girl who likes her gears!
I'm 5'6 by the way. but remember, girls are built differently than men and are usually longer in the leg. I know I'm about 6 inches shorter than my dad, but my legs are almost as long as his.
ok so we're talking 43/16 with 175 arms to spin slower and gain more leverage without going with a bigger gear. i retract previous statements. with a 43, 175's wont be bad.
umm I might I would have to check, which I will do for you. Next time I go to mo val I'll see what I can get rid of, take pictures and post them. how's that. that way you can make sure it will fit and all.
what time does Wolfpack usually end? i want to do my first hustle, but i'm out on the westside. although, I figure Wolfpack is about half as long as ROOT, so i should be able to get home to Mar Vista by midnight?
Wolfpack is kinda unpredictable that way.
You can always break off if you need to get home early.
Even doing a part of WP is still my toughest workout.
If Wolfpack goes long, it could be getting back to tangs at 1 am or later.
I live about a mile from tangs and I usually get back after 1am...
Although I usually grab a donut and shoot the shit shit for 20+ minutes before pedaling home.
sounds cool. I don't know if I can commit to being so far from home tonight, but maybe next week. who plans the routes, and where can I find out ahead of time?
zombie that route looks really niiiice! hang on to that one. I might not be able to make it tonight, I'm fighting off a cold but I want to do that route!
good ride last night. loved the too tall paparazzi running across hollywood blvd. Alpine was a tone of fun. i had dreams last night of a wolfpack crit that included sunset to alpine to the street just before santa monica.
um, I've seen people without helmets. I sure as hell wouldn't do this ride without one though. But that's only because I value my life, and I've invested too much money in my brain to have it splattered on the street.
YEAH Alpine is the kind of street that gives me gear-envy.
Andorkappen: 90% of us wear helmets and 10% of us like the feeling of almost dying every monday night
That route ZombieFiesta posted looks cool; we sure haven't explored to the east very much. It does look like a serious haul though (45mi). Im up for it, next week maybe?
my first 4 rides.. i did it without a helmet.. but after riding with these guys for awhile and finally being able to hang around the front pack.. i wouldn't do this ride without a helmet either.. unless you have godlike reflexes to dodge any type of incoming danger... Also since its your first.. im pretty sure you are going to be A LOT more focused and preoccupied on keeping pace or closing the gap than watching your enviornment keenly.. thats if you don't want to get dropped.. im just saying all of this from personal experience.. not to be mean.. none the less.. come out helmet or not... :)
on another note.. im going to finally miss my first wolfpack since i started riding 4 months ago :((((( No money for tires = no go x____X I hate buying obligated Xmas presents...
I havent spent a monday night in my room in forever... its scary...
so who else is coming tonight?
im bringing go, if anyone wants to play after our presumably short ride. I always see those guys playing when we get back. If anybody wants to learn it is really simple.
from my experience and from what i see what other WP riders are using on their bikes I'd say mavic make pretty bombproof wheels for the most part. I'd say for the bang of your buck you can go with Mavic Open Pros, great value i believe.. but i dont know much :p Or you can go a bit further and try the lower end spectrum of the Mavic Kysriums line.. I've seen from equipe to SLs and people <3 them. I, myself have had a pair of Mavic Ksyrium SLs since the beginning of this year and have never had to true them once yet, even after 2 (non-auto related) crashes I've had this year.
On my my fixed I have Mavic Open Pros and i really abuse those.. still spin true.. for durability and lateral stiffness for the front wheel I went with 32 spokes 3x laced.. doesnt look uber pretty and light like those low spoke count front wheels, but its damn functional~!
Man... I hate missing wolfpack. Specially 2 weeks in a row.
I just started working downtown as a messenger so 8 hours in the rain is enough for one day. If it don't rain tomorrow night, I'll be there. :)
no way!
I've been a messenger for a few weeks now actually. I try to get 'em to come out on mondays but I guess they've got the syndrome. "I ride enough during the day" is the usual response. lame.
I think I'm now officially man enough to make it out to one of these.
This is mainly due to the fact that if I do get dropped a few times, I know most of the main parts of the city well enough to get back to the 18-bus-stop on 6th.
Now the only thing holding me up is my tweaked out excuse of a work-schedule.
hey if u dogs come southwest i will most definitely run with you guise... if u need help planning out routes in inglewood, culver city, torrance area let me know
it was fun rolling with you.
I think one or the other of us would had died on sunset on the bumber of a mercedes had we not been riding that strip together.
Those fucks are CRAAAAZY.
(we even got flipped off by a passenger).
for reals!! haha seriously that was fun! I was going to give up right then and there before you rolled up to me on Sunset. So I'm glad you showed up when you did cuz that road was pretty fun, minus the nut job assholes.
On the way back I stopped on Wilshire to help a guy who cramped up. Then I just realized fuck I'm already on Wilshire I'm just gonna go home. ha. It was not a good night for me.
When I first started riding, wolfpack (not knowing it was as fast as it is) was my second ride ever. I got dropped after 4 blocks. Since then I've wanted to come back to prove to myself I could bop it if I really tried. I'm for sure going to push myself and start heading out. Fuck that. If I get dropped again I just have "mas ganas" for next time.
@Tarmonster
Did you get on someone's wheel and draft last time you came out? It can seem a little crazy at first but you will literally get pulled along by the vacuum created by those in front of you. The trick is this pocket only lasts a second, so you have to really ride that persons ass! Let us know when you are coming out next and you can sit on my wheel for the first leg or two (I've been laid out with flu like bs for a couple weeks, I don't know if I'll be there this Monday).
H. Sense
Come on out. I'm always humored by how intimidated people seem to be by wolfpack. Like I always say, its not about speed its about endurance. If you can get to the break spot you will do fine at your speed.
Also, since wolfpack hustle is open invite, the crowd that shows up dictates the overall speed. We wait at the breaks for 10 minutes or so. That's enough time to bridge the gap for the slower people.
my motivation is due to the fact that i do not know LA at all. If I get dropped, I will be lost. The streets look all the same to me and I have a horrible sense of direction for a cyclist. I have yet to get a flat (knocks on wood) on the ride, but if i do... yea... im done for, haha.
I may hold the all time record for last place finishes for Wolfpack
so here are my Top 10 Suggestions for finishing a Wolfpack Hustle: (not in any order)
1) DRAFT!Hang on to the pack. If you fall off the pack you will fall behind very quickly. Stay focused on staying in the group for as long as possible. The difference between being 2 feet behind the pack and 10 feet behind the pack is huge.
2) When you get dropped, find another person to work with, if you draft off each other and pace each other you will get back to Tang's safer and faster.
3) Pump up your tires.
4) Eat a good dinner.
5) Dress properly - don't come in a fleece hoody it will be soaked by 11 pm. (Zipable layers work well)
6) Tune up your bike. If your bike is on the verge of being broken the streets of LA will break it. Oil that chain, get that shit running smooth.
7) Wear a helmet (may not help you finish but may help you finish alive).
8) Come prepared: Bring water, food, cash, snot rag, tools, etc. Any thinking you might need if you were 20 miles from home on a bike. (balance necessity vs. weight).
9) Stay Focused - pay attention the the directions, to the pack and to the road.
10) Don't give up.
I hope this brings out more slow people so I have somebody to ride with in the likely event that I get dropped.
Come Hustle!!!
I love Wolfpack because it is a ride where people are focused on RIDING their best, not LOOKING their best....
and Bentsrider, please give it a rest with the "if you ride this bike, your a pussy" rap, or at least drop it on some other ride. Lots of people on this ride have worked hard and saved up for amazing high performance bikes. Yeah I know you're probably kidding but I can tell you from experience that when you hit a 7 mile incline 90 miles into a century, it's nice having a light bike. Peace
No, I don't think we've met, and I'm no warrior, though I did get an awesome (and cheap) Katana this summer, and used it to cut the weeds in my back yard....
I just think it is strange when some is looked at as "hoity toity" when they have a $1000 dollar or more bike, while no one thinks twice if they buy a $3000 p.o.s. car. I personally love high performance machinery of all sorts, and things like index shifting and efficient power transfer are important and beneficial to how I ride. If you want to ride around on a Flying Pigeon, that's cool too, but anyone who invests time and money in a bicycle is making a good choice.... and please I don't mean any disrespect. I see that these boards are rife with silly schisms. peace
It's all good then, I guess still harbor some resentment from my earlier days when everyone at the bike rack made fun of you for not having a mountain bike.
My stepdad let me use this ancient, Nishiki 10-speed to roll around after my Wal-Mart special got jacked from me when I was 13.
At the time, I felt like a complete jack-ass when seen on that thing.
Well, I ride over there whenever I need toiletries, I see nothing wrong with that store aside from the unfavorable labor practices.
But store-employment is jack-shit, the real money to be made with Wal-Mart is either as a distribution center employee, or a company-driver with their house-fleet!!!!
lol. I've seen Wise pull up in his $300 down tube shifter early 90's specialized and smoke everyone about the same as when he is on his carbon fiber (which he brings out every once in a while.) I've also seen lackflag Mathiew blow me away on his even clunkier $200 roadbike. neither one of them are pussies regardless of the bikes they ride.
I have noticed that people are uping their game and equipment though it's true. I have. I can no longer ride my 88 canondale on this ride. I have to have my racing bike in order to even hope to keep wise's and crew wheel... It's definitely become more of a fast ass ride. but thankfully for me a bunch of dedicated regulars and hopeful new people still come out that I can play "catch up to the front pack" with when I inevitably fall from it. its no less fun to be in the middle pack to be honest
most important is that there are no "pussies" on wolfpack. we don't compare each other. we cheer just as hard if not harder when a "mistakenly thought to be dropped rider" finally rolls back to tangs, sweaty and with a tired smile on their faces.
PS the All City Team Race 2 video is in it's final cut by Mr. Bicykiller Lee himself and it does not disappoint. we're gonna be world premiering that coupled with movie night soooooooon. My friend James suggested we show "The Bicycle Theif" I havent seen it, what you guys think?
oh yeah and fuck walmart precisely because they have fucked up labor practices and their predatory competitive presence kills off local small businesses. I would rather pay the extra 1.50 cents and be able to have a neighborhood with small mom and pop shops then walmart.
i think i will do this tomorrow. definitely not sure if i can keep up. some people say i can. i dont mind getting dropped so it's ok. i want to try. woooo excited.
See you tomorrow! For some reason people are really pumped right now and just wanna do this, I've been hearing from a few that they are gonna come out. MIH.
Hey, by the way, how does one dress for a fast ass paced cold ass ride? For an average ride, dress very very warm, but if you're riding fast you'll get hotter quicker. Advice? Gloves?
full fingered gloves, something to keep your ears warm, but most of all, LAYERS. preferably something thats sweat wicking, so youre not standing around drinking water at a 7-11 in beverly hills covered in sweat and freezing in the cold night air once you start riding again.
its important to keep your knees warm when youre exercising in the cold as well, so if you have some knee warmers or some spandex leggings then def go for those.
As for helmet and snot rag, those are mandatory and a must no matter where or when. Hah.
I heard that when layering for riding, the best first layer to use is silk and not cotton because of the sweat- freezing factor (which recently killed me.)
yeah I use those long sleeved spandex things. and then a t shirt over that. works pretty well.
my main problem is my toesies. They fucking freeze. so last week I wore three pair of softball socks. When I got home, the bottom half of my legs were WHITE (whiter than they already are anyway) and the top half of my legs were red - they had been cutting off the circulation the whole time. So that wasn't as good an idea as I thought. lol
You know what, I can't even find where I read that. I had bookmarked a page and it mentions nothing about silk. Coulda sworn I read that and thought it was a little funny but completely believed it. Freudian slip in reading? Hah.
my only advice is to wear some sort of wicking layer underneath something heavier that you can unzip - when you are pedaling like a madman you don't notice the cold, but when you stop it is a bitch
but if you are hardcore: there is this one guy who has been on 4 or 5 rides recently that just wears a fucking t-shirt ~ !
yeah layering is all well and good but you need to be sure to not cut your circulation off.
The best combo is some sort of mid-weight top, like polyproplene or fleece or wool or something that covers your arms, and then put a wind layer over that. A rain jacket will work, but will trap moisture in and be uncomfortable.
A fleece or polypro top should wick moisture away so itll keep you warm even if its wet.
your most important layer ontop for bike rides is some sort of wind layer. Youll never last without it.
On bottom, if youre wearing jeans, put on long underwear underneath. If you have some type of long insulated biking pants then definitely wear them.
wear some sort of mask or hat thatll cover your ears and the side of your head. I wouldnt worry about covering your face, because its really not that cold and it just makes it hard to breath.
And finally gloves, it doesnt take much, just something to block the wind as your hands will more than likely create enough heat for the ride. Something like pipe gloves or driving gloves will work.
The important thing to remember is, clothes do not magically warm you, they just keep what heat your body is creating in. So if you are cold in this weather its because youre not moving around enough. If at stops you find you still get cold, KEEP MOVING. do jumping jacks, pushups, whatever.
Push ups.... haha!
I remember my first wolfpack when I finally rolled up to the first stop, some dudes were in the middle of a push up contest!!!
I must agree that DRAFTING is THE most important thing. Not only does it "suck" you in, but also keeps wind off of you to an extent. BUT, be very careful when you're drafting... hold your line and don't make any sudden moves because moving in a tight pack at a high speed is a beautiful and dangerous thing... especially if you're riding brakeless fixed. Save the fancy skids for the kids and throw on a front break.
okay, no one knows the route... but what about the time... if i am able to hang on with the group which i dont know since this would be my first ride.... what time does this generally end? also, what type of bike is recommended... i have a fixed, is a geared bike better? what is the average speed?
also, what is drafting and how do i accomplish this?
Dayone
Drafting is when one rider utilizes the slipstream created by the rider in front of him. Wind resistance increases exponentially with speed, so when riding at 20 mph (a reasonable and likely avg. speed) or so it will save a ton of energy. It's riding fast and tight together. You'll see.
It is good form if one is feeling strong, to take turns at the front, or pull, but don't worry about that for a while....
As for time, get to Tangs at 10. Then don't worry about when it will end. It will be late and you will be tired... the routes can vary from 35 to 60 miles, so it can be late or later, to say the least.
Whatever bike you got, bring it. Read posts here from the last week and you will see the most important thing to bring is YOUR HUSTLE!!!
doing wolfpack fixed in my opinion is silly. i know hayden does it every single week hes out there, as well as a few other people, but i kind of pretty much hated coming down from the observatory brakeless at night while trying to keep up with everyone else. if i was on my road bike i would have had no problem. but ride whatevers comfortable to you. depending on how far you ride, youll probably get back to tangs around 12 or 1.
routes are never posted and you are only given as much info as the next stop so you never really know what direction the pack is rolling. do enough rides and you pretty much know where your heading. (or look at the website with the previous rides posted wolfpackhustle.com)
as for time it all depends on the route and how fast you can get back to tangs. a general rule of thumb is you'll get back around last call (1am-130am)
as for drafting and group ride etiquette read this (just google'd it)...
thanks guys a lot of good info.... i will try to make it out there tonight.... i only have a fixed so i will try it on hat... but you are right, i dont think i will like going downhill from your example but i will try it... tclo end the year with a bang and get me to see what i need to do to get to the next level in cycling
I love doing wolfpack on my 1960s 25 lb fixie conversion.
It kicks my ass and I usually have trouble keeping up with the pack.
But I still like it more. Less to think about other than breathing and riding.
Also I think it takes the abuse of wolfpack better because its simpler and there is less shit to break.
drinking before wph? heh heh be fore-warned... prolly not the best idea. a while back some cubsters showed up (AT-REX and co) and I overheard them wondering why everyone is so quiet... cause you cant chant when you riding ALL OUT. hahah same goes for drinking... hard to go all out when your legs are heavy. so far only bearclaws have proven different....
Keep trying Chynna! You've got a good bike (though toe clips or clipless would help on the hills), now you just need the eye of teh tiger. I guarantee that if you keep doing the hustle rides, you WILL get faster.
Hey Chynna great to see you tonight. We tried to hook back up with you guise but it wasn't in the cards. We had a turn that never materialized and then an on the fly route change down lankershim to vineland.... yada yada
Had a great first time, next time ill try and get a car though. I ended up doing 88 miles by the time I got home. I want more energy for the Hustle next time.
It wasn't too bad, actually. I'm assuming that was because there was a bigger group last night? Nice route though! What really did it for me were the "hills"- more like slopes- on Hyperion. I can't climb for shit. (You're right, cages will help.) Got dropped by Glendale and then chased after you guys until Kwang, Lalo, and I reached Burbank and caught you guys at Hollywood Way and Victory. Ten seconds after we got you guys I "got dropped"- this time it felt more like giving up. I shoulda stuck to Patrick's wheel. That was a nice rush. I got home and couldn't sleep for a few hours. Hopefully I can come out next week.
hey Chynna, I'm glad you caught us at hollywood way, I wasnt sure that connection was going to work out. basically, from looking at your bike, I would just get some skinny tires 23c and some cages. the cages will help your climb for sure! give wp 3 more tries guarantee you will keep up after that.
Last night while riding home from my friends house on victory I ran into a dude name Lalo? He was by himself looking for the rest of the group, I tried to give him suggestions as to where you guys would be but no luck. I was on the look out the rest of my ride home, it would have been pretty cool to ride with everyone for a while. Maybe I'll make it out next week.
RBI, there's a buncha chicks from my apartment that have a crush on Don...
Last time I went by that pool it was empty... that'd be way fucked up if there were people in there cheering WP... kinda weird, Silence of the Lambs kinda shit man.
a couple people have gps. when are we going to get a google feature that allows for live tracking of people's positions? dont they have this for the Google phone or the iphone?
RBI- there's a lot of storage in my apartment... plus, not all of 'em are usually home at the same time... except maybe on holidays.
There are realtime GPS options for the iPhone but they suck. I have a few and they kind of work, but if you get a phone call or press ANY button, they stop recording. It drains the shit out of your battery too, so a route that's any longer than 3 hours will kill it.
Damn... it felt pretty good breaking away from the pack going up Cesar Chavez from Broadway. Of course, my ass got humbled by the time I got to Beoudry by the faster dudes. Still, good times.
And why is it that the day after Wolfpack, my damn dispatcher decides to keep me so busy?! I'm sure I did no less than 25 runs. No messenger syndrome for me tho... cant wait for next week!
SFV RULES ! The valley has some of the best riding in the world.
The SFV has a central location which allows alll types of riding.
Mtn biking in the Santa Monicas, Verdugos,and Angeles Forest.
Track cycling at Encino velodrome, Road riding in the Santa Monicas, Angeles crest, and Giffith Park Not to mention the valley ia a large area with longer distances between lights, and decent roads. Also it is very easy to get to the Beach or Hollywood. Come on out to Bicykillers on Thursdays for some good riding.
IF YOU THINK THE VALLEY IS CREAPY AND YOUR AFRAID,
Tshirt and shorts... that's my stilo. You know.
It was funny, as I passed this dude on Cahuenga, I think I heard him yell "Hey, its T-shirt guy!" I can't remember his name tho. :(
Hey Don, thanks for hosting a great ride. I had fun on my first time out. I don't know who all was pulling besides Aaron, but it was a nice pace all night. I hope to make it out again - I got to do this one because I have the week off.
If any of you are ever in the Valley on a Thursday, come Bicykilling with us!
Haha Eman I'm the one who yells 'hey t-shirt guy' at you like every Wolfpack. :D
and the iPhone software is still kinda sketchy, but every week they release an update and it's finally getting half decent. It does kill your battery in 4-5 hours though...
I only have one or 2 WPs before my class starts back up for 10 weeks.
My pending unavailability is probably the number #1 motivator that has gotten me out for 12 of the last 15 weeks.
I'm gonna miss it!
DAMN, just because of the cages I got, I was doing much better! I actually kept up on Hyperion!
Then we passed my house and I pussied out and went home.
LAME.
Awww thanks for the encouragement you guys. I honestly couldnt have done it without it. Especially yours duderina. And first I was ganna completely Drop when getting to the chevron but I didnt know where I was so I decided to keep on trucking.
Little did I know.
It was super dope! The route was good even though Tarmonster not meant for uphills. Some assembly required.
I just finished the hottest longest shower of my life.
At fist I was like "Yeah, I completed my New years resolution" but now I want to keep coming out. To build strength and endurance. I admire you guys for your ability to ride. It makes me want to become a better rider.
Now here's hoping that my dad will allow me to keep riding weekdays.
wolfpack.... yeah you wolfpack.. you make it hurt so fuckin good.. Yeah... oh yeah.... and all those screaming girls...screaming... I love the screaming girls..... my thighs are screaming back....
Lame. I missed all the excitment and throbbing muscles stuffs. My dad grounded me for the first time in my life. For not being home all weekened. I dont think I can ride for a while. :{ :{
Hey XPC good riding with you. I know it will be your last for a while. Great route last night man.... be sure to hit this thread up from time to time bro.
That route from the venice pier to the observatory was one long meditation..... does anyone else just kind of fall into a trance when we're rolling in the paceline? I just start dazing off into thought. Deep thought.
Honestly I felt like I stepped up my game on cadence. I went with a lower gear than usual and was keeping up with the front pack all the way to santa monica blvd...
Damn it to hell. I'm thinking 1/2 hour back to the crib and I will meet you guys where ever. Swank One is here too.... we've been talkin shit all week to the bicycle locals about wp. They know who's boss, it aint springsteen.
monday night is going to be my best ride yet...since my gd mfing pos chain is going to stay PUT. and after missing a week? i'm antsy.
I used to get this way back in the racing days..I love it...I LOVE WOLFPACK
and that's not fair anyway...I may have no choice but to stay home tonight, with this POS P & A. just lucky it happened to be on a night that its gonna be miserable out there.
I know I know...but I'm being forced comrade. I had no choice.
Luckily, I found a way to help the little people
because the imposition of market share liability will dramatically increase costs for drug manufacturers, who will simply pass the cost onto consumers..
so in defending the corporations, I am defending families across the nation from an unfair, undeserved and unsubstantiated rise in health care costs.
^Ignore the first and last 11 miles if you don't live on the westside.
Light rain off and on. Wet roads. Dropped a couple of people early on, but then kept the remaining ten of us together for the rest of the ride. Rode by the LA Forum, Coliseum, and Staples Center. Awesome sprint back to Tang's, as always.
Sweet ride last night. Thanks to all the non weather-wimps that came out and rolled. Pretty amazing how the rain stopped minutes after we started and how a torrential downpour began just ten minutes after I reached home. Once again, the rain gods smile on the Hustle.
Hey guise. That route looks sick, sad i missed it.
Turns out there is are a fuckload of plants and spikey things in Denver that flat my tires big time. I have finally decided to get some Ultra GatorSkins, but:
To whomever wrote "Wolfpack Hustle" on Angeles Forest Highway today: you rock! I hope you took pictures or it didnt happen. Thank you for inspiring me to keep riding on at a crucial moment on a grueling hill.
i know south gate excellent i kinda live their.
i also know huntington park.
i live their too.
i know them both rrrrreeeaaallllyyyyyy gggooooooooooddddd!!!!!
+)
Inspiration: just one of many invaluable services I offer.
I just wish it didn't look like a kindergartener wrote it. If that dumb po po wasn't such a no fun fuddy duddy...
I'm really glad I went. Randomly got some swag, learned that being a "bike race roadie" is something I have to do before I die, and got to show my undying love to Wolfpack.
now if I can just make a nice stack of flash cards, this will have been a really good day. ha.
So Juno, stop being jealous. Don't be jealous of me and Wolfpack. when you find a love like this, like me and Wolfpack, well there's just nothing else like it. I'm dedicated to the Hustle baby, and Caturday just can't have me...I'm sorry Caturday, dont be jealous...Wolfpack and I, we were just meant to be.
So it was bad enough that after the hustle ride, I watch poker after dark.... the last few weeks I've been watching the bachelor as I'm preparing my bike.... this is pathetic I know.... this dude made all these girls get teary eyed.....
I feel for them This is an experience these women won't soon forget...
Didn't make it to tonight's ride. I hit a car en route to Tang's at the same intersection where Wise got hit. My right shoulder took the brunt of it--hoping nothing's broken nor dislocated. At least the driver was cool. Drove me home AND bought me two bags of ice. Bummed I'm missing the ride; glad I'm not riding in an ambulance. Aroo!
oy fuck, good ride, the roads where shittay though.fast jes. at the first stop i realized my cleat on my right side is gone.
i rode, cleat-less. but finished, don't know how long that last regroup was but we were about 5 minutes ahead of the pack that came in as we drove away.
I'm missin my wolf pack badly.
I'm still eating like a wolf but exercising like a cow
which means my belly is starting to grow.
I've been dealing with wrist pain for over a month, and now work on monday nights so I have'nt done WP inna minute. (its also why i have cut way back on my MR.com time).
Hopefully my wrist will be better by the time this class is over, so i can sneak in a few WPs before the next semester starts.
there will be one person riding with us. and there will likely be camera crew in a car driving to an intersection and setting up to capture. no way they will keep up in a car. I tried to once... no way.
My WP spoke card is now on my lady's 28lb mixte with a basket.
She busted a spoke, and I gave her the back wheel from my now defunct road bike. That mixte has never looks so fast. :-)
I'm still working on monday night some I am several weeks away from any return to WP. :-(
I am fuckin dieing over here. Lol. I played football on saturday and I'm sore! even though it was non contact, boy howdy did I work out a different set of muscles.
I bought a used MiNewt by Nite Rider almost 2 years ago.
its been great. I swear by it.
When the battery went kaput prematurely they fixed it with no documentation and no receipt, no questions asked, because the unit had been out less than 2 years and they knew it was still under warranty. They turned it around in 1 week.
Alright Don!
Twitter updates for Wolfpack.
That's going to make it so much more relaxed for me on my one speed.
I can just check twit for my details instead of not-paying-attention/getting-high at the last stop and not knowing where the next stop is.. and then having to keep up.
Are you gonna link map points or just give text locations?
Hook up the map links for extra awesome factor.
Nearly a full-moon tonight (98.80% visible) so should be good.
Aroooo
Thanks for the treats Bike N Bake. Yummy cupcakes. Sorry we couldn't come in, we can't cool down especially in the valley cold. Next time we will plan it better. Thanks again for the invite Tarsis.
yo big thanks to everyone who stopped after my crash.
"why do we fall down...to learn how to get up" with that silly batman quote.....
1. WEAR A HELMET....yeah we were "mashing" up cahuenga pass so we really werent going more than 15mph but the way in which i fell really had my head smacking the floor. so much so that there a nice crack in the back- good thing that after 20+ yrs of riding in the streets i decide to get a helmet.
2. (although debatable) when falling.... go limp. at least in my case i really didnt tumble get all scratched- jsut a coule scratches here and there. basically i knew i was going down and went along for the ride...even had time to think "hey im sliding"
3. injures may not always reveal themselves at the time of the crash. those of you hit by cars can attest to this. as for me this morning i found myself with a sore shoulder but nothing that couldnt prevent me from playing on the a-frame in the park hehehe
4. DO NOT OVERLAP WHEELS! this cannot be stressed enough, shit im yelling it out there with everyone as well. you not only endanger yourself but also those around you. fortunately the pack had thinned out with the breakaway and there really wasnt anyone drafting directly behind me. EPIC FAIL on my part.
5. when someone attacks on a hill, and then you counter, be careful as the rider in front might either be standing cranking on his bike side to side or either slow after his attack. this is basically what happened. john got up on his pedals and attacked the hill as i followed close by and then i countered, unfortunately as i attacked my wheel surged fwd and crossed his- i should has swept to the side before my attack
so a torn wool jesey, busted wheel that is now toast (4 spokes gone) and basically taco'ed, and a bent rear drop out... ive learned my lesson
good thing the lady friend was just passing by on her way home after work
shattered headset, blown tire, taco'd wheel, bent fork, and fifteen stitches....
didnt pass out????
anyways no worries thanks for staying and totally my fault...ive been looking for an excuse to get rid of that wheelset. they spin forever but really arent that sound.
actually i have no idea why the back rim is the one that got toast. maybe cause i was clipped in and when i went down my legs picked up and then slammed the bike.
im a believer, after riding most of the time in the sgv and not making it out to wolfpack after all the hype ill try to make it out more often...... today was kinda like that scene from fight club, though people would talk to me all i would hear was a faint echo
#1. Out of town friends come visit you in Los Angeles and of the hundreds of thousands of landmarks you can point out to them, you point out the corner store on Sunset and Doheny as a traditional stop on Wolfpack.
#2. You open your laptop in class and your internet browser is already open to the wolfpackhustle.com route gallery, then you get home, turn on a different laptop and IT is on wolfpackhustle.com, too.
I have access to a robotics labratory here in Denver on my hiatus from Wolfpack. We have an Epilog Laser Cutter that could create some serious spoke cards or something for wolfpack if you are interested. 600dpi no problem. It works on Metal, Glass, Heavy Stock paper, and just about everything else. Eml me if you are interested.
Warren here with the blue and white Specialized Tarmac. I've got a really good friend that can ride coming into town. I really want to take him out Monday away from his family life for a break. Unfortunately we can't find a road frame for him to ride. Hollywood Cycle rents road bikes for 75 bucks but that is too much for him now. If anyone has a spare 54-56 road frame or knows where we can rent one it would MAKE ME SO HAPPY to share the ride with him. Thanks and see you Monday!
Fuckin LOVE this ride more than life itself. My boy MEAR one shows up, by the time we get to the fed building he rolls up exhausted and jokingly says where we goin next LAX?! Great idea. And How dead was the terminal last night? We could have thrown a crit.
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?
yeah yeah! that'd be fucking cool. I believe they do have it taped off pretty early..RBI was talking about having ridden it way before the actual tour starts...there would DEF be time for a race at least.
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 - 4:49 pm
yeah it gets closed off around two or three am. at that point all you have to really worry about are the tow trucks towing all the cars off the street who are still parked there when they shouldnt be.
MEAR is a terrorizer in every way. He's got a new project aimed at digital billboards and it involves riding on bikes to get it done... if you want in let me know, he's looking for volunteers.
Just happened to be exiting the red line w/ my skateboard tonight (no biking for me until my hand is healed,) and looked up to see a skinny dude, in full lycra kit, booking west on Hollywood Blvd near Highland.
Sure enough there's a swarm of blinkies, a good block and a half back, chasing after him. Well, I put 2 + 2 together, hopped on my board and jumped out into the street to get in front of the pack. As the wad is passing me, I yell out "What's up Wolfpack!" and the only one to respond is Zombiefiesta John. So, clearly, my opening statement doesn't apply to you dude.
Everyone else.. I'll humbly suggest a longer look at the journey.
I assure you, it's at least as good as the destination.
Hope you all burn one for the lizard.
Peace and Love.
Yo Adam, I totally remember seeing you. Ha. I had no idea it was you though. I couldn't hear what you were saying and it was a little bit scary wondering if the skateboarder in the street is going to try and grab on to some one. Sorry bro I wish I knew that was you... we miss ya bud heal up quick.
No worries Don, you know I've got nothing but love.
It was just so funny, I couldn't resist posting it to the thread.
On a heavier note: My companion-animal Homer the green iguana passed away this weekend at the ripe old age of seventeen. He lived a good life and died without much pain or suffering. RIP Homer 1992-2009.
sorry to hear about homer. right after you built that crazy new home for him, too. quite a loss to lose such a longstanding roommate and companion. but i found a trail that might just cheer you up.
yes, what happened to the gentleman from the westside who kept URGING us to ride back east when we were at sepulveda/SM?
also what happened to the gentleman with the camo army vest on the orange cannondale? we had a nice draft line going from sepulveda to jefferson then he disappeared after rodeo.
thanks ryan and robin for waiting up and riding back with me! i would've been brooding and resentful of WP the whole ride back if it yall hadn't been there haha.
o, yes. that was me, urging you to ride back to the start. funny story. i'll tell you some time. anyway, i'm glad you made it back to the start on my behalf....
That was fun even though I did big chunks of the ride by myself. Bombing down Sepulveda Pass made it all worth it. I wasn't able to stay in the pack as much as I needed to, but hey, you gotta start somewhere.
Thanks Roadblock and John Vu for inspiration! My legs are killing me today but it was so worth it!!! If it wasn't for drafting on Fuzzbeast I think I'd have called for a taxi!!! Hopefully see you next week
yeah, i really wish i hadnt have chickened out. that was a great ride. thanks to roadblock, harry and fuzzbeast for all the love. special thanks to everyone in the back with the poodlepack struggle. im still tired and dizzy.
thanks for the ride. I've been wanting to join the wolfpack since forever. that was the fastest 46 miles I've ever done. I think the only reaso that was is because it was either the spirit of the ride or I didn't want to be caught in south central after 1 am. either way, thanks ya'll!!!
good to see all the new faces and the familiar ones as well.... and I especially love riding along side Beatriz a.k.a She-Wolf. damn girl, thanks for the push on Jefferson, I needed that.
last nights route:
http://tinyurl.com/cbkhg9
incidentally, I noticed that someone snapped up http://tinyurl.com/wolfpackhustle
Thanks Roadblock. Nice to roll with the pack again, even if it was just for three minutes.
Yo zombiefiesta. The car vs. bike injuries are healing nicely but I've been ill for the past 6 weeks and that healing is going slowly. adamthelizard got tagged by a bus last week while walking so he now has a sore knee AND an injured hand. But we'll both be back sometime soon.
its been like two months since i got my hustle on.
first i was out of town, then sick, then deadline, and now im teaching and have to wake up at 530 on tues. to catch a train.
but as hayden says....sometimes a wolf has got to run solo.
so beware these legs are still spinning and now feature a 10 speed ultegra shifter. yup i broke down and abandoned my luddite downtube friction shifter and 8 speed cassette ways.
whats cracking me up is that its on my 1984 trek 660...what can i say steel is real.
Well I was hoping to do my second WP next monday but I'm currently between jobs and just got a 2 week gig that takes me overseas. So I'll have to work out in the gym till I can make my next hustle. Have fun monday!!
missing my first wolfpack this week since i started. It's wolfpack NYC for me tonight, except i haven't found tang's yet... have fun out there and i'll see you next week.
How about that.... 7 historic bridges in one hustle.
Broadway, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and olympic.... oh yeah and shakespeare bridge too... 8 historic bridges.... and all the usual yada yada - rowena - riverside dr and the beverly center....
How funny the one traffic collision was with another cyclist heading into the group on that blind intersection in dtla. Literally that could have been a car though... ironic and lucky. That was my bad.... thank the universe it was a cyclist.
Sorry to hear about your camera equipment Cndy Cane....
thanks everyone for putting up with the flashes!
i got high res versions of all-a-yall's "wolfpack faces".... scary shit. :)
unfortunately i crashed on my way home, came too close to the Pirate bum and fuzz, landed on my wide angle and flash! eek!
sounds like i wasnt alone in crashing tonight, most unfortunately.
I didnt crash, hey Robin heard about your crash man hope you and your bike are ok. its hard to tell if anythings wrong till the next morning.... honestly by the time I passed you on the side I thought you had a mechanical or something cause you yelled out you were fine. If I knew you had crashed I would have stopped. we all should have stopped.
route from last night
sarah..... your photo is FUCKING AMAZING. sorry to hear about your crash girl.. call me when you wake up. I cant believe how awesome that first photo is. the sequence photos look GREAT too!
yea dam i went to it once the after the first block my chain broke that suckkkked could some get me beer before the ride and after too cuz i know afterwards i will feel like my seat raped me
hey all, Wolfpack Hustle is in the Bicycle Film festival for the 3rd year in a row. Monster Block Racing Rich and I are going to NYC on June 17th -21st to mash Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and everywhere else to participate in the fun of the festival including bike polo, alley cats and of course to see the All City Race 2 on the big screen with all the NYC heads. Anyone else interested in coming out? hit me up. we're just gonna go in on a hotel and crash and mash LA style.
"I've decided to go Pro next year because of Wolfpack. BMX that is. "
la duderina
I am posting this quote to hold you accountable.
I will race Lancaster as well - too close to home to not race!
Wolfpack/Block All Discipline Team
Too bad you have to miss NY it is going to kick ass.
Just saw Rasta Raj jetting down sunset with another rider in hot pursuit. God damn I need to get back out on the streets. This is bullshit.
IE.... how far is it to ride there?
Sorry but Saturday night is out of the question. Drunk drivers everywhere.... the hustle ride is at 10pm on mondays - one of, if not the quietest night of the week for traffic.....
I thought Saturday because it seemed like the easiest night to get people out here. I had the same concern you did about drunk drivers...but I scouted the routes I have in mind last saturday night and last night...this is the boonies my friend, these streets are empty. Seriously, EMPTY. I am also tossing around the idea of having a chase car just for safety reasons.
Maybe a Sunday? Or maybe it's just not meant to be. Anyways, the invitation still stands no matter when or what day it happens on. I guarantee an epic ride.
and I would like to point out that we got grit and we got grime. What you think this is...Burbank? I don't think so. This is the meth capital of the world, homie! They don't call my hometown Little LA for nothin, bro.
i'm writing this to encourage you to come out to wolfpack tonight. If your body is able, then you should come out, and we should just roll slow with you in front. I will ride you around on a tandem if i have to. maybe we can even get zombiefiesta to bring out his side-by-side tandem. anywho, just some words of encouragement...wp is here for you.
#3. You are packing to head to a foreign country and the very first thing you put in your bag is a stack of Wolfpack Hustle stickers. (rather than, say, your PASSPORT hahahahA)
Thanks man but I'm just not ready to get back on the saddle. I'm still hurting in my tailbone and pelvis area.... gonna see a doctor tomorrow and get evaluated... be safe out there everyone. Drunk drivers are out any night of the week.
Its definitely a surreal experience to get plowed into by a drunk driver at speed.... I don't think it will haunt me forever but it sure gives one pause for thought....
Roadblock responding to a comment by la duderina
05.25.09 - 6:23 pm
i think ill have to come out tomorrow night. ive got a car so getting to the start is no longer an excuse, plus i need to start training for the all city race.
i REALLY want to ride WP someday soon!! im just so scared, i know i would get dropped, and im not a pro at los angeles county streets so id probibly not know where i am either.. i gotta come and try it one day if i ever get rid of my fixed gear and get some balls.
that's fucking highlarious... the first day I was riding after my crash I was going back and forth between that song and Back in Black in my head.. hahaha
Roadblock responding to a comment by la duderina
06.23.09 - 1:55 pm
i think i might have fudged up something... I added the 3 "bonus" miles that the guys in front did when we missed woodly but yeah it shows 89 (subtract 30 or so for the real mileage)
hollyyyyy shit guys, thats the most ive been worked in a LONGGG time
Just saw the results for the All City Race 3 - Congrats to wolfpack A! Those jerseys are sick as fuck. Sucks I am still in Denver and couldn't be there.
Yeah!!! Thanks man! That race was so much fun!! Wolfpack A (Rich Bartlett, John Gabriel, Feliciano Lopez, Matthew Alejos, and myself/Justin McMillan) did the best we could. It was intense and due to all the possible elements (cops, crashes, flats, cars, etc), it really is anyone's race!
In regards to the jerseys: I'm glad you dig them!! :-) They were designed by me and my buddy's (Simon Lee) design company "quickpace" and produced/funded/co-designed by Rich Bartlett and Block Racing/Block shop. I think they turned out rad, and everyone seems to be really happy with them.
Stay tuned for more quickpace stuff, we will be rolling out some shirts and other cycling apparel soon! Designed by cyclists... for cyclists. We'll keep everyone informed!
See you at Tangs when you get back! Holla!
Mr Quick responding to a comment by Teque5
07.10.09 - 10:46 am
100% agree. Don is layin down some sick artwork used for the jersey design.
My bad Don :-(
honest oversight.
All-in-all it was a rad collaborative process. I think at the end of the day and after many discussions, the jerseys represent all that Wolfpack, the riders and the All city race encompass.
totes sick
Mr Quick responding to a comment by Roadblock
07.10.09 - 2:28 pm
Ahhhh shit that was one of my favorite routes. That shit kicked my fuckin ass.
Sunset> hilgard>wilshire> san Vicente > ocean > admiralty wy > mustache bridge > vista del mar > imperial hwy> lax terminal loop > Manchester > hoover > Vermont > tangs
haha I was psyching myself out about that 101 fwy stretch... turned out to be nothing special... the hollywood sign to the hollywood reservoir though.... THAT felt special. no other ride will take you through the entire loop and onto the dam. I promise you that. maybe we will do it again on a full moon....
Roadblock responding to a comment by chefxian
07.21.09 - 12:18 pm
Talking to me like you know me....psh who are you. WHO ARE YOU. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO I AM. Asking me for favors and shit. W.e. dude. W.E. lol...Yeh Don Wayne was telling me how amazing it was last night. A negro had to spend time at trader joes last night couldn't make it. Hopefully next week will be legit too.
eldente responding to a comment by chefxian
07.21.09 - 12:45 pm
I guess this explains what a puny excuse of a stream that the LA River is.
Chuckie got thirsty after getting dropped and slurped up the former amount of water that made it rival the Mississippi!!!!
"Missed u at wp last monday. Lots o crazy shit. Guys got attacked on a ride. Don broke his frame. Someone got shot on a Midnight Ridazz ride. LA is nuts."
--and now i am pissed i am 2 months and 1200mi away. So looking forward to the ride again. Wolfpack forever.
My blue cannondale was smashed in my accident. I've been riding my big red cannondale since. The ride was attacked by some drunken idiots the next weeek and another idiot shot someone on mr ride. Yeah LA hates bikes.
i went up to lake hollywood on the fourth of july and i've been dreaming of riding up there ever since. i seriously need to get faster so i can keep up with you guys.
as long as you realize that mulholland is dirt from encino hills to topanga.. but i guess that's why the post says to bring thorn resistant tires, huh?
beet responding to a comment by bicycle-druggie
08.3.09 - 1:59 pm
monster route Luca. I like bev glen to sepulveda down but not all the way to topanga, part of that route is dirt. we'll see what the mood is like tonight!
Roadblock responding to a comment by bicycle-druggie
08.3.09 - 2:53 pm
Fun ride last night, good group of riders.
Thanks to you guys that talked me into coming out.
Hope to make more of the rides.
To bad the group got split up when we saw 5-0 at the light, oh well.
Dang! Put a fork in a bow, let it go like an arrow into my narrow black rump. I'm roasted! Last night was a bit frustrating, I had dreams of finishing pretty close to those monsters Rich and John. My apologies to the fellas I lead astray down Foothill blvd. I should listen mo' better to the directions, but after those long-ass rest stops I just wanna get back on the road.
I'll howl with y'all down the road a piece after I get a roadbike. In the meantime, Mondays I'm gonna kickit with Chuck Norris and play Candyland.
The Wolfpack Hustle pace is more than impressive. I have watched everyone step up their game considerably in the past two years. The whole group gets faster week to week. I look forward to this ride more than anything else all week. In response to Troy's comment, I would have to say that he is one of the top 3 most improved riders on Wolfpack. Just keep suffering, the front group is just a little more pain away. As far as leading riders astray believe me I am the front runner in that catagory. I no longer look at it as the wrong way - just added ride time!!! See you next week!
from the perspective of one of the "San Bernadino Strays" i just have to thank everyone for waiting on my slow ass at every stop and for hosting such an amazing, life-altering experience in the first place.
i took san bernadino somehow to laurel canyon up and over (again) to Sunset and finally back. i don't think i needed that last climb but i did anyway. just stoked to "finish" my virgin voyage even if there wasn't anyone left at Tang's when i got there. next time i won't be so much of an anchor.
never ridden so far so fast (*even though i'm sloooow) in my life.
yeah that break up at Balboa and San Fernando was too good. half the pack hit foothill and I'm not sure who all followed us to San Fernando but I will tell you that was not the last time we hit that route. Whew!! San Fernando is one big long ass downhill. we had a mean paceline going working it. everyone doing their part and the reward.... an empty Tang's. It felt good to get "The BIG DOG seats" for once!
would love to see everyone gmap their routes back....
Roadblock responding to a comment by 120spaced
08.11.09 - 2:23 pm
AHHHH yes it was good to be back on the Hustle ride last night. Really missed it. I was right in between the front group and the group going the right way when I could hear the yelling to go to San Fernando. I circled back around to go the right way but it took too much time to get there and I made a wrong turn. I found one guy. We went through Griffith Park. There was some mysterious phantom rider cruising around on the closed roads in the dark. No lights. I thought it was the headless bikeman for a second.
Rich.... you and John are fucking inspiring.... but yeah, see that little sign behind us.... you know... that A game.... the big dog seats... it all makes sense now...
Roadblock responding to a comment by adventurich
08.11.09 - 2:35 pm
I was just trippin'. Sure a bit disappointed with my memory of the area, I rode out to Santa Clarita a while ago and I thought I knew where I was going when Chris asked me about the route.
As far as going out of the way and adding miles that didn't really bother me at all. I felt good that night, in fact after leaving Tang's I went to the gym and hit the pool for a couple of laps after hitting the weights for a couple of sets to beef up these chicken legs.
Now being able to catch the Big Dogs is probably not gonna happen for me. I like to drink too much the three days before Wolfpack and that decade of smoking cigarettes probably did irrepairable damage, but it won't keep a brother from trying.
Lastly, the rest stops are a bit tedious for this old dude, my engine doesn't cooldown and warmup like those of you whippersnappers! But so what? It's all in fun right?
See ya next week.
TROY responding to a comment by echo
08.12.09 - 1:16 pm
I thought I would share some HD helmet cam bike videos I made this summer while away from Wolfpack working in Tennessee. This was my first race. Just some Cat 5 beginner shit but none the less I thank Wolfpack for inspiring me to try it. this is part II.
This is part III. the time trial intercut with some bike mount testing. i was experimenting with some crazy bike mounts that i would like to try on monday and perhaps in 3D. any volunteers? it doesn't mess with your ride as much as you think it would. fairly lightweight considering.
I'm going to bring it out for sure. Unfortunately I'm waiting for the camera to arrive any day now as it needed a repair. I did something stupid with it a week back and broke a button.
I showed up thinking that people weren't gonna want to ride much due to the fires.... boy howdy was I wrong. nice view of the fires from Elysian park quick Hustle down riverside to grab Chris and then off to the beach!
I didn't even think about coming out for that very reason.
I've barely ridden my bike in the last week. I hate it. It makes me crabby when I don;t get to ride. But I have to save my lungs for other types of smoke inhalation.
As soon as this shit blows over, I'll be making my glorious return.
the evil plan of late has been to have the first stop be a short 4-6 mile stretch.... then the next stop is 7-12 miles with the final stop being the half way point 12 or so miles there after.... then it's BACK TO TANG's which can be anywhere from 20-30 miles...
by keeping the first couple stops short in distance from each other, it gives the new people hope and lures them into the den.... by the time they realize that they are 20-25 miles from tangs.... it's too late to drop out. muahhaha
the wolves have hearts after all.... we stopped for a random cyclist and fixed a flat. thank you to whomever it was that decided to stop for the guy and how about that La Cienega at Slauson? that street is basically an unmarked freeway heading to Jefferson.
a couple guys reported that a drunk driver swerved within a foot or two of them before nearly crashing into the guard rail in the middle.
every new route is my favorite new route. the downhills on Sunset and Chewbacca Dr. were so so nice....
seemed like we were hitting every green on the way there and back... I got dropped on the hill in century city on olympic then to my surprise clicked up with XPC for the ride home.
the downhills on Sunset and Chewbacca Dr. were so so nice....
+1
that was a pretty sweet route. I got dropped and then lost after Colorado. I couldn't remember the directions after 14th. My GPS took me on some pretty nice streets though...dark, smooth side streets that were just the right amount of hilly. There's something about rolling alone at 2 in the am....no one around....it's all quiet...all you can hear is yourself breathing and the sound of your bike beneath you...I like it.
Keep on rockin' it girl, you get better and better every week. It's good to see you come out every week , I talk to alot of folks who do only that...talk about coming out and trying to run with the Wolves. I need to follow your lead and leave my MP3 player at home so I can get back to hearing the beautiful sounds of the streets; although I don't wanna do it alone after gettiing dropped. Been there done that too many times. See ya next week.
TROY responding to a comment by la duderina
09.15.09 - 1:08 pm
I like to hear cars coming, too. my main problem is that I get too into the music and pay more attention to it than what I am doing...and that's not good riding through LA traffic
Here you go Don, if you guys do this route. I'm definitely going with. Its such a beastly climb, downhill session in the neighbor hood of Windsor hills. You will fucking love it. I messed up on the start point. As in from tangs. I just clicked where it said *silver lake* but u can still get the point lol :P
its not a maze. Trust me. Its just an amazing amount of hills and climbs. If any of you would like to personally see the route. I'm down to drive you through it. I really want this route to be attempted. You guys would love it. If you enjoy climing and going down some nice hills. hit me up.
eldente responding to a comment by Mr Quick
09.24.09 - 12:07 pm
I'm interested in going northeast one of these days. Altadena, arcadia. Seems like there should be some good riding out there, but I've never really explored the area
Well it is simple, its just down one hill up the next hill, down the next hill, up the next hill. Its a neighborhood that is straight hills. Its super nice. And we pass my RAY CHARLES house also :). Let me drive you through that place son!
eldente responding to a comment by Roadblock
09.27.09 - 4:01 pm
I can't fall asleep yet. I think this is right. Great route. Only 7.5 miles at the most of climbing. Felt like more! But Sepulveda Pass is like 1250ft elevation gain from that side.
that was incredible. i cant believe i pooped out so close to finishing, but im all the more confident that next week will be my first finish!
i'd also like to give a shout out to first-time rider david for keeping up all the way sunset and fairfax on a bike 2 sizes too big for him. that's true grit.
that sucks. I know EXACTLY which pothole you speak of. on the descent about 100 yards before the overpass highland exit bridge in the left 1/4 of the right lane. elongated widened crack. or?
Roadblock responding to a comment by professor fate
10.6.09 - 1:46 pm
you burned 7500 calories if you go by the 200w average cyclist formula. by this point your body should be able to perform cycling related functions so easily, that it doesnt take up much energy to do so.
_iJunes responding to a comment by Roadblock
10.6.09 - 1:48 pm
That's the same pothole that Justin R almost died on last Monday. The same pothole that ejected his water bottle into John and I's path as we were racing down Cahuenga.
so frickin scary. I hit that pothole months ago on a wolfpack and now I don't stay in that lane I always stick to the middle or left lane on that descent.
The cool thing about Wolfpack is, if you don't get injured hitting the worst road conditions in LA (I've gotten SOO close on so many Wolfpacks), you at least become aware of their presence and know where to, and where not to ride in the road at night. It becomes second nature/intuitive
Mr Quick responding to a comment by professor fate
10.8.09 - 2:08 pm
No poor showing from the Wolfpack crew but hey it was my first Crit along with Justin's. Gonna try some new tactics next month. Rich had some good advice that seemed to fit what I witnessed.
first of all, that video is frickin awesome hahaha. so redonkulous. Thanks for posting it. So nuts. I was feeling really great throughout the entire race, it's too bad that dude decided to park his park his bike in my rear wheel.
Overall, it was great experience, and now I better know what to expect. It was good to see a bunch of familiar faces from Wolfpack out there. awesome!
In regards to the weather tonight: it does look like rain however I work in Malibu so I can't tell what it's like closer to downtown.
Mr Quick responding to a comment by warrenpeace
10.12.09 - 2:21 pm
yeah it is particularly spread out in this clip but it wasn't that much different in the masters 4/5 later. Still could be better. I learned a lot. Initially I realized how much I prefer a Road Race or TT to a crit but now I'm looking forward to the next one.
Can I just say how honored I was to represent Wolfpack Hustle at the BMX races this weekend?
I was really honored. Thank you, Roadblock.
And of course, special thanks to legend Rich Bartlett for the RADDENEST jersey, much needed bike parts and all the invaluable advice and pointers. (that pedal trick made alllll the difference in my gate in the main)
And thanks to the Hustle ride, for making me kick ass in my first race in yeaaarrrs against girls who race every weekend all over the country. I didn't think I would make the main, but I did, and got 6th out of 10 total riders, which doesn't sound like much but believe me... I am just getting started.
17-27 GIRLS Total Riders = 10 Groups = 2
1 KRISTIN HOKIT, , BAKERSFIELD, CA
2 JESSICA NAVARRO, RACEPLACEBMX/INTENSE, LOS ALAMITOS, CA
3 LAUREN (THE CHEETAH) PADILLA, FACTORY BFR/HARO, LAKEWOOD, CA
4 ASHLEY CALDWELL, , OXNARD, CA
5 BELINDA WASSENAAR, BELLFLOWER BICYCLES, BELLFLOWER, CA
6 LINDSAY NELSON, WOLFPACK HUSTLE/BLOCK, LOS ANGELES, CA
7 (NITRO NICCI) OLIVANI, D3 COMPONENTS, TUCSON, AZ
8 ANJA DYER, , APPLE VALLEY, CA
for the record, I know I am faster than that Caldwell girl...like if we each rode the track alone my time would be faster...but that's how bmx racing goes..
oh and Rich..I told them to but Block Shop but "shop" wouldn't fit... jeez I am still so amped up from yesterday! racing is so fun! fuck school! I want to race my bike!...ok I go study now.
wolves... Traffik is going to be shooting a sequence on saturday based on our tradition of "compromising" the encino velodrome. this time however we will have actual permission to ride the track. the concept is that in the film the pack enters the velodrome, discovers the light switch, and throws an impromtu race. this saturday from 5pm - 12am come out and ride, have fun and race a little track bikes only for the racing. I'm told that traffik is handing out a some wheels as a prize. not an official wolfpack race but still should be fun. this is for the film to live and ride in LA.
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Ridazz Roulette!
Just starting a new thread since last year's is pretty long.
'Bout Time. That last thread was thick - and it crashed video playback 1/2 the time. lulz.
Grad-Student stuff tonight. - Cant make it :(
word... tonight we're just gonna finish the job and burn all of LA. fuck it.
Tyler, you are a sissy.
I called cattle prod, spear, or javelin. Not sure what he was gonna do with it though.
birthday blunt for ulye!!!
Andorkappen: 90% of us wear helmets and 10% of us like the feeling of almost dying every monday night
sigh, png unsupported?
Beach and back. Tonight we followed the weather patterns. 31 miles....
Man I thought it was gonna embed a map not put in a fugly link.
uhh whoops.
I may hold the all time record for last place finishes for Wolfpack
You know what, I can't even find where I read that. I had bookmarked a page and it mentions nothing about silk. Coulda sworn I read that and thought it was a little funny but completely believed it. Freudian slip in reading? Hah.
imachynna: the guy in that picture looks like bruce campbell
Rhode Bloche Jr. speaks...
This is for you Don
by the time we finish tonight's ride it will be St. Patrick's Day.
im pumped!!
here's a super shitty picture of us rolling through LAX.
How was the ride last night?
siiick
You guys are way TOO serious..
Many Thanks.
---->
...yeah...
the smoke breaks are gonna be on point this Monday....
I wanna Hustle here
check out this cartoon of SUPER COLE on the Ralpha site hahaha
thanks everyone for putting up with the flashes!
"I've decided to go Pro next year because of Wolfpack. BMX that is. "
he was? cool! I'm glad he didn't fall off the face of the earth.
http://tinyurl.com/q9svqx
somebody call the waahhmbulance.
I am fucking beat! Fun ride though.
dont forget the ride all city image and ride all city type treatment were also designed by someone else out there in design land... :)
can I just say that it's an honor to see Candy Cane's rawsome photo of the pack inside Orange 20? 
the stencil...I should have taken the fucking stencil to BA...stencils.. stencils everywhere.. ay, chingaron
Great ride, 2 weeks in a row. The last stretch last night with 10 of us time trialing was cool/ 
scouted a couple new spots in LA.... bring LIGHTS, good tires and climbing legs..... if all goes well, we ride where no ride has gone before.... 
FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!FUCK!
Load up on that green stuff.
I found this 
we passed a lot of airports last night. one day we'll have to add LAX and have a monstrous 4 airport tour...
Rich.... you and John are fucking inspiring.... but yeah, see that little sign behind us.... you know... that A game.... the big dog seats... it all makes sense now... 
a sample bike mount.
With a flash at the top of elysian park...
...and another lit by firelight.
Good ride last night! That last stretch was a doozy.
I had a hard time walking this morning, Thank You Wolfpack. 
indeed 'twas....
Wolfpack 3D at the rosebowl. Glasses needed. I'll bring some next week.
thirty wolfpacks. ride all city.
Can I just say how honored I was to represent Wolfpack Hustle at the BMX races this weekend?
Thats a pretty big 7 hour window. Does it matter when we get there?
Exactly one year ago I shredded this tire to pieces on my very first Wolfpack. awww lol
next week...
next week...
Does anybody know the route for next weeks All City Century?
