Bike Town Beta
Thread started by
alec at 09.16.08 - 10:49 am
Bike Town Beta
Reinventing Critical Mass
We will be transforming several square blocks into a mini bike town. Simply ride your bike around the area meandering up and down every street. Make stops to patronize businesses, enjoy parks, and chat with other riders. It will be like a Midnight Ridazz stop on every corner. We will be making the future so act like your future self.
Bike Town Beta #1 Westwood Village
Saturday October 25th, 2008 6pm-10pm
Boundaries: Wilshire, Galey, Westwood, and Le Conte
Fun surprises during bike town and a night ride heading south at 10p
CALENDAR
ibikela@gmail.com
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I am really looking forward to this. It totally gives us a chance to try to experience, on a smaller scale, what we envision for the future...wow.
This will be awesome.
tern09.16.08 - 10:52 am
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This is such a sweet idea. I'm so looking forward to Bike Town Beta! Everyone and their mom should get behind this and show up.
kryxtanicole09.16.08 - 11:51 am
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the idea's great, i just fucking hate westwood.
ijunes09.16.08 - 2:13 pm
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i am there! so super uber awesome, Alec..
not a fan of westwood either that's why it's a great place to start Bike Town tho.. purrrrfect!
bondink09.16.08 - 2:25 pm
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I’m a fan of Westwood because some of my first rides where there. It used to be a satellite point for LACM. And one of my favorite rides, witch I think foreshadowed the crazy west side rides had Westwood as its destination.
I picked Westwood because I’m always surprised how few bikes I see in Westwood Village. A small area filled with eateries, coffee shops, and movie theaters and surrounded by college students and other neighborhoods should be filled with bikes.
If you have specific location ideas let me know. Bike Town will be an ongoing event.
alec09.16.08 - 5:41 pm
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My brainstorm notes from when I came up with the name Bike Town Beta -->
alec09.17.08 - 11:51 am
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@ Alec:
i love notes - full of awesomeness!
so, what are your plans?
are you going to map out the area with interesting pictures and neat cutouts to symbolize - we can even make bike paper dolls?
or whatever, we'll all linger and loiter and exist there while riding our bikes - what are your thoughts?
bondink09.17.08 - 1:32 pm
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bike town beta = bike love!
e-rock09.17.08 - 8:02 pm
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Ha-ha, no, I haven’t planned it out with paper dolls. I do have a bunch of other notes and brainstorms with some really fun ideas (secrets). If you want to organize any happenings within bike town go for it. Bike town is everyone’s.
alec09.18.08 - 11:14 am
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BIKE PAPER DOLLS!
hahahahaha!
bondink09.18.08 - 11:21 am
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AT FIRST I THOUGT YOU WERE PLAYING 'TIC TAC TOE'.
GOOD THEAM RIDE.
eddieboyinla09.18.08 - 11:28 am
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I live in Westwood, just south of the Village. Here's some fun things to do while you're there:
-Diddy Riese as Tyler mentioned
-Great teriyaki from Sak's
-Video games at the arcade by Fox theatre
-Browse lenses at Bel Air Camera that you'll never be able to afford
-Helen's cycles
-Coffee from one of the 3 gazillion coffee joints in WW
-Read a book at the Novel Cafe
-vintage clothing at Thank You Mart where EVERYTHING is $3.99
-get a slice of delicious pizza from LaMonica's
-browse your favorite magazines at the well-stocked news stand
-falafel from Falafel King
-hang out with gaudy Persians at the Habibi Cafe
-smoke a cigar at the cigar shop
I'll post if I think of more stuff.
hatehills09.18.08 - 11:52 am
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Genius idea - a DIY boost to local businesses that will actually stand a chance to change people's minds about an area.
ubrayj0209.18.08 - 11:56 am
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I made a Bike Town
BLOG . I’m not sure why… I think I’ve been trying to avoid the huge list of things I gave myself to do for c-mob. I’ve been very successful.
alec09.19.08 - 10:51 am
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NICE. super sweet.
i find that the closer i get to deadline the quicker i get the TO DO on my list accomplished. i am a procastinator.. and a talented one at that!
i would love to know what is on your TO DO list for C-Mob, Alec.. but i'll find patience somewhere and wait till tomorrow night :)
bondink09.19.08 - 11:06 am
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bondink,
Well you’ll get to see the few things I finish. One of the things on my list that I really like, but will have to wait on, is a giant iceberg costume.
hatehills,
Thanks for the ideas. When I get around to finishing the google map I’m going to add a couple of those.
alec09.19.08 - 4:24 pm
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Alec! This guy in Lexington Kentucky, in a stoned soliliquy, gave me the most genius idea for making plastic kids slides into trailers.portable slides! I originaly thought of cm, but I think bike town needs a playground.
Tourin.B!RAD!09.19.08 - 4:59 pm
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i just became 5 again (usually i stay at the unstable age of 12)!
YES! bike town = playground!
my Friday is complete.. i welcome the weekend now!
bondink09.19.08 - 5:04 pm
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Awesome! I actually have (poorly sketched) designs for bicycles powered by seesaws and swings.
alec09.19.08 - 5:43 pm
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BRILLIANT FUCKING IDEA alec, i LOVE it and will absolutely be there.
That said, I hate to be the downer on a thread, but westwood?!? I can hardly think of a part of town i'd be more loathe to patronize. i guess i just won't spend any money, except at the IN-N-Out :P
I can hear it now..."every town's a bike town!"
Lance K09.20.08 - 1:19 am
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Diddy Riese and LaMonica's for sure. Falafel King should have their name revoked though, SoCal just doesn't understand what falafel is supposed to taste like.
Westwood is such an excellent idea, I've always wondered how to get all those nice bikes on the UCLA campus out on the roads at the same time. I'm not sure if you were on a Westwood CM (only about 20 ppl showed up, 12 eventually met up w/ VCM that night) a few months ago, we started out with a route very similar to yours. Basically we kept taking dips into traffic on Wilshire to get new riders accustomed to riding next to cars, then either rode back up into Westwood or up into the area West of the UCLA campus where students live.
The corner of Westwood and LeConte is perfect for jumprope and related activities. Also, there's that shitty abandoned gas station just north of In-N-Out, I wonder how illegal it is to occupy that space and do something fun with it.
jericho1ne09.20.08 - 2:51 am
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There is a fence right?
alec09.20.08 - 9:49 am
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you could always occupy that huge lot at kinross and veteran opposite the Bruin Shuttle depot for some hop scotch hilarity
el zilcho09.20.08 - 10:02 am
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Yes, there is a fence...
The top floor of the parking structure on Gayley, just north of LeConte has a nice view of Westwood at dusk, great stop for Rooftop Soccer.
jericho1ne09.20.08 - 11:04 am
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I'm going to be riding around Bike Town fliering for some mini events; you could do the same for soccer. Collecting people is going to be as fun as the event for me.
alec09.22.08 - 11:09 am
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If you want UCLA area people to promote ahead of time, just post up flyers for us to print out. I'll gladly spam bikes on my way up to work.
jericho1ne09.22.08 - 5:01 pm
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I’m working on one right now but it’s an odd size. I’ll give you some in person. If you want to make your own go for it. Any style is fine, scribble on a napkin or print full color- it’s all good.
alec09.22.08 - 5:15 pm
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This idea is awesome. I'll help promote it on my cycling blog.
GarySe7en09.24.08 - 10:03 pm
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@ Raquel !
now this would be a great ride to bring the east to! this idea of Alec's is supreme awesomeness - and to have as many cyclists there as possible would really make a difference in the central core meaning of "bike town"..
wadayafink?
bondink09.25.08 - 1:10 pm
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Wow, what an epic idea! Alec, you are a genius! Is there a meet point for the 10pm ride, or will you start riding thru the town picking up bicyclists as you go along?
speedybrian200009.26.08 - 7:38 am
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The North East corner of Bike Town where Mass used to start. I think I put it on the map.
alec09.26.08 - 10:15 am
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Westwood and LeConte now has diagonal crosswalks. About 30 seconds of walk time, during which Fuzzbeast could do his puppet show for those poor bastards in cars. It would be good practice for the Freewaves Festival...
jericho1ne09.26.08 - 12:22 pm
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I’m getting excited.
The first of several fliers I’m working on (needs colored paper)-->
The word is getting around:
GREENGIRL
alec09.29.08 - 11:38 am
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sweet.. Alec, nice - this is so exciting!
velorevolution! yes!
bondink09.29.08 - 11:46 am
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People are coming from as far as Santa Cruz! People (other than me) are thanking other people for spreading the word about BTB! I have a feeling the turn out is going to far exceed my expectations!
alec10.7.08 - 11:48 am
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I will play Polo at Bike Town Beta on my Hoverbike! haha just kidding this will be soooo F.U.N. like Jules Verne on wheels
tallcans4tallbikes10.7.08 - 11:53 am
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This is f-ing genius...anticipation is building!
kryxtanicole10.7.08 - 12:00 pm
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woah, its almost here---->
alec10.19.08 - 11:47 pm
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It's an amazing idea. Bike town...mmmmm I want to live THERE!
Tarmonster.10.20.08 - 12:02 am
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awesome. i'll be there for sure. i drove right into UCLA just the other day around noon time and the place was packed with bicyclists...i wonder where the hell most of these students with bikes are at??
Vince10.20.08 - 12:34 am
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im more excited about the potential of this than any other idea ive heard on Midnight ridazz. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!
now lets expand these boundaries.
shiznitologist10.20.08 - 3:32 am
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im also looking forward to seeing how police will react, especially if the group turns out to be really large. BTBFTW.
currently
brainstorming mini events
shiznitologist10.20.08 - 3:45 am
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How about a ride from the bicycle district to BTB? Any interest?
angle10.20.08 - 10:41 am
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BD to BDB sounds great!
Post it and they will come.
trickmilla10.20.08 - 12:37 pm
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so close, right around the corner, happening soon..
OMG!!!
OMG!!!
OMG!!!
so there. so about coffee and then riding my bike around the block and grabbing a beer. and then riding it down the street and having ice cream - this is gonna be kickass.
let's make all of LA bike friendly. yes! yes! yes!
see you all there :)
bondink10.20.08 - 12:48 pm
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BikeTownBeta is two days away! I’m super excited. People are coming from outside LA- as far as Santa Cruz!, one person is riding 100 miles to get there, families are coming, and riders from a variety of clubs and groups will be there. This is going to be very different than most “first rides” I’ve been on where there were just a dozen or so friends.
Facebook has 93 confirmed guests! (and an additional 98 maybes) Invite your contacts so we can break 100.
alec10.23.08 - 9:47 am
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Ride from Bicycle District is posted >
angle10.23.08 - 10:12 am
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There is an AMAZING hill there where we can race, i think it's an alley too... i think its across the coffee bean. We can race up and down!!!
boogalooSHRIMP10.23.08 - 10:51 am
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This is genius.
Great job Alec and everyone involved. I really hope it goes well and am looking forward to what comes afterward. A bunch of us are going to Death Valley to help and/or ride the Death Valley double, so unfortunately we can't be there. Have fun!
bike punk10.23.08 - 1:52 pm
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I'm inviting so many people. This is so AWESOME!
Tarmonster.10.23.08 - 9:49 pm
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Good concept. Keep it up, bruddah
shauners10.24.08 - 1:06 pm
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hey can i come help out, i think this is just a +++++++ idea, i want to show my support everywhich way i can!!!
some things i have:
a bike + bike rack
2 portable amps
positive attitude
tits
Candy Cane10.24.08 - 3:05 pm
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that girl needs to get her head checked.
the Dr. that did that needs his medical license revoked.
spiraldemon10.24.08 - 4:10 pm
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Thanks Candy Cane. I guess you don’t really need a bike for this event but... then.... just bring it. I definitely want you to bring your RADtitude. And fake tits are the new spokecards.
alec10.24.08 - 6:55 pm
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BTB FTW MFs
Tomorrow! it all starts tomorrow!
Alex10.24.08 - 8:21 pm
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Will be there. By the way, I always see a Bianchi bike parked out in front of that Italian place, Enzo's (right next to Red Mango). I'm sure it's a midnight rider's bike because it has spoke cards, but I'm not sure who. Just curious.
By the way, Red Mango doesn't suck. I still like Snowberry the best, right up the street a bit on Weyburn, but I'm not sure if they closed down.
maddox10.24.08 - 11:58 pm
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Candy Cane,
I have a job for you if you want it. I invented a game of bike tag I wanted to try playing tonight and need to go around fliering for and promoting it. I changed it a bit to involve tits in honor of you and this thread. Red Light Tit Tag! Or can we call it "Candy Cane's Red Light Tit Tag"?
alec10.25.08 - 10:31 am
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THIS IS HAPPENING
a new world is about to HAPPEN
go. we'll see you there. all of us. ALL OF LA!
DO IT !!!!!!! MAKE IT HAPPEN !!!!!!!!
bondink10.25.08 - 3:02 pm
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I NEED A CONTACK NUMBER FOR WHEN I GET OUT THERE, TEXT ME SOMEBODY AT 626 200 8421, THANKS, I'M RUNNING LATE, I SHOULD BE THERE AROUND 8PM TONIGHT.
WHAT IS THE BUS THAT I NEED TO TAKE THERE?
eddieboyinla10.25.08 - 5:55 pm
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eddie, if you can get to downtown, take the #2 metro bus on sunset blvd.....that will take you into westwood village.
or if you're impatient, take the 4 or 704 on Sunset and that will take you to Santa Monica blvd. and Westwood blvd. then make a right (north) up Westwood blvd. for about a mile and you'll run right into westwood.
barleye10.25.08 - 6:05 pm
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Hmm.. I was up there around 4-6, didn't see too many people. Bummer. Maybe I missed it. Got some awesome teriyaki chicken at Sak's though.
maddox10.25.08 - 6:24 pm
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Duder, the event was from 6 tp 10 pm
No duh you didn't see anyone!
ubrayj0210.26.08 - 5:34 am
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I got a call at 9pm to say DON'T COME HERE....EVERYONE BAILED ALREADY....wtf? I thought there was a ride south at 10pm?
barleye10.26.08 - 8:38 am
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I finally learned how to jump in...into jump rope. While it's already turning. I feel hip and cool. :}}}}}
Tarmonster.10.26.08 - 1:17 pm
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i think this was a good idea on paper. everybody left super early. what happened to all the westsiders? i only saw a few of them.
funanu10.26.08 - 1:34 pm
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Between 6-8pm it was great. We rode around Westwood village and basically took over the streets. From 8pm on, people broke off to eat and small groups started to make its way over to the valley for the Freak Ride.
This was the beta event, not the final application. So it was a test run.
skd10.26.08 - 1:44 pm
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ah, bummer i arrived at 8 seemed pretty dead and i only knew a few people there. Next ride though...sounded really fun.
Vince10.26.08 - 4:32 pm
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I Enjoyed this, although you do have to use your imagination to see into the future. It was cool to be on a ride where we are all on the same trip but in separate groups, as opposed to the usual mindless mass of Ridazz. The concept is visionary, and should definitely be used again, leave it to creatives like Alec to come up with such an awesome and different concept to further the bike cause. Not every ride needs to be a rave on wheels. Hearing regular people tell us, 'I saw some of you guys riding around over there' is cool; how they knew we are all in on something. In the future we may look back on this and say 'we were there'
tallcans4tallbikes10.27.08 - 10:29 am
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I couldn't be there. When's the next one?
trickmilla10.27.08 - 11:37 am
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YHIS RIDE SUCKED, EXCEPT I GOT TO SEE A COUPLE OF DOGS FUCKING, WOW, VERY EDUCATIONAL.
eddieboyinla10.27.08 - 4:20 pm
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NEEDS MORE CHAOS
Gav10.27.08 - 4:23 pm
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The event had some great moments where there where small groups of a half dozen or so riders criss crossing at multiple intersections at once. The turn out was a little lower than I wanted for that space. And was not helped by the two hijackings (please don’t go to other peoples events and hype up going somewhere else). The first half was pretty active with riders hustling around (with the space being so small I personally find riding really slow more fun). The second half settled down and many people where patronizing businesses. For the next one I’m going to have to 1.explain the event better- so many people asked where the ride started or where it was going- WTF 2. teach people how to have fun during the daytime.
alec10.27.08 - 6:22 pm
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Alec - Props to you for making this happen. Great idea, so great to be a part of the future. For real! It's hard to see the future sometimes, but you've given birth to Bike Town. Now it can only grow!
kryxtanicole10.27.08 - 6:30 pm
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I got there around 6-ish. There were a decent amount of riders, and I had fun doing laps with the fellow MRs/Bicykillers who showed up.
For people who are bagging on it - it was a BETA. I thought it was a great idea, as I dream of world where biking and walking are the modes of personal transportation.
pretzels10.27.08 - 9:33 pm
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I hadn't really paid attention to flyers or announcements in advance, so I was a little confused about what was supposed to be going on. After the perimeter ride kind of stopped a bunch of us went and got noodles (yummy) and then nancine and I extended btb down to the Troubadour, where they were cool about checking our helmets so we wouldn't have them banging around in the crowd inside. They said they don't let motorcycle helmets in, but our bike helmets would probably be ok, but we'd be getting bumped around (it was a totally packed sellout) and they'd be happy to watch them for us.
I dream of shared-use bike lockers (like these: http://www.bikelink.org/ ) near all the major venues...it would be nice to be able to just roll up and lock the bike and all the attachments (helmet, lights, pump, saddlebag, etc) in a locker instead of having to take stuff off and carry it around.
bitingduck10.27.08 - 9:46 pm
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I thought one of the ideas was to treat this being in a place where we could just do things and hang out with people. I liked stopping off to get ice cream with friends, running into other groups, and then having dinner with other friends. It was low key and fun. Good idea, thanks for organizing it.
mk452410.27.08 - 9:47 pm
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it was pretty lame because:
1. not enough people on bikes...
2. not loud and disruptive enough
3. not enough actual bike riding
4. jump roping is old news and there should be more fun activities
5. not crank mob
WheelsOfSteel10.27.08 - 10:50 pm
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At the beginning of the thread I saw:
We will be transforming several square blocks into a mini bike town. Simply ride your bike around the area meandering up and down every street. Make stops to patronize businesses, enjoy parks, and chat with other riders. It will be like a Midnight Ridazz stop on every corner. We will be making the future so act like your future self.
Then I see it being lame partially because it wasn't
loud or disruptive.
I guess I misunderstood the ground rules. I didn't know that you could create a mini bike town by pissing off everyone by being loud and disruptive. I thought it was cool to do things like patonrize businesses and chat with other riders. How did they ever manage to do it in Amsterdam?
mk452410.27.08 - 10:59 pm
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what makes you think it failed? not being loud and disruptive?
a bunch of cyclists showing up, having a good time, and then splitting off into groups to get dinner/snacks/drinks sounds kind of like success.
bitingduck10.27.08 - 11:14 pm
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lacking the ability to grasp a simple concept = fail
biketown is the future
asparagus10.27.08 - 11:41 pm
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"2. not loud and disruptive enough "
Um, did someone not get the memo on the point of the event? Does everything have to be loud and disruptive? There are plenty of rides for that already.
GarySe7en10.27.08 - 11:53 pm
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hey wheelsofsteel, i was there pretty much all night, but i didnt see the bike posted in your profile at all.
ruinedbyidiots10.27.08 - 11:57 pm
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@ the naysayers - there are all kinds of rides posted on this forum, and just because this ride wasn't "loud and disruptive" doesn't make it "lame." go to the wild and crazy party rides and don't bash other rides when they don't live up to your misguided expectations.
thanks to the folks who tried to put this together -- it was nice to hustle a little and it was nice to see friends. if we can show businesses that cyclists aren't hooligans they will be more respectful and understanding. (like the kickass bouncers at the troubadour who asked about our ride to the venue and then offered to watch our bike helmets for us!)
nancine10.28.08 - 12:04 am
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wheelsofsteel loves being loud and obnoxious.
WheelsOfSteel
4:30 pm couple of douche bags in front of LAB too cool to say high doin barspins with their trendy oury grips.
maybe because i walked in my SS commuter... but a bike is a bike. fuckin losers.
ruinedbyidiots10.28.08 - 12:06 am
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it is not necessary to be loud and disruptive. we made a scene, good for us. it was fun
meow10.28.08 - 3:02 am
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Hey Nancine, I recognize you from your pic. We spoke briefly - were you thinking of getting a Masi?
pretzels10.29.08 - 12:58 am
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@pretzels, yea i was thinking about getting a masi -- but just got a langster london instead. you have no pic so i can't ID who you are..refresh my memory, what were you riding?
nancine10.29.08 - 1:08 am
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A Masi 3VC, black-and-white. I was standing next to your friend with the foldable bike.
pretzels10.29.08 - 1:09 am
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@pretzels, oh yeah, we were talking before we split for food! did you stay longer at BTB? i didn't see a lot of people around when we got done chowing down tho, so most of us went on to our next set of evening plans.
nancine10.29.08 - 1:51 am
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Bike Town Beta is NOT crank mob.
Bike Town Beta IS the Future!
The concept was brought to life before our eyes and we were a part of something that MADE IT HAPPEN.
Bike Town Beta - it was the first round. And it worked for as long as we patronized Westwood.
The most exhilarating part of the whole night (for me) was when we were riding within the boundaries and passing others big groups.
The FUTURE: imagine that everywhere.
Bike Town Beta is going to introduce this concept to many areas within LA and it's up to us to experiment with it and exist within its boundaries showing a world only on bikes.
BIKE TOWN BETA IS THE FUTURE.
bondink10.29.08 - 2:15 am
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Nancine,
I stayed until 8:30, then headed back to the Valley for the Freaks ride. That was a good night for noodles though. A nice bowl of Pho on a cold night...
Alec, I don't think I met you, but thanks for putting together the BT Beta. Get the next one going, and I'm there.
Biktopia!
pretzels10.29.08 - 7:38 pm
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-->
Ridazz Roulette!
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