ROTW: ubrayj

Thread started by
eddieboyinla at 09.30.08 - 5:12 am

THE BIKE OVEN'S MASTER MECHANIC, AND ALL AROUND CHILL GUY, A HAPPY FATHER, AND LUCKY GUY.
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It's about time!!!! This guys contribution to the community is invaluable, truly an unsung hero. One of the pioneers of the movement without whose contribution we won't enjoy what we have today.
@ Eddie - Great call, finally a nomination based on merit not the popularity contest ROTW has become.
sc_nomad09.30.08 - 8:28 am
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Long Overdue. We are unworthy!
Josef is a never ending source of support and generosity for our cycling community.
Joe Borfo09.30.08 - 11:26 am
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+1
Some of his savvy political comments have inspired me to get more involved in cycling advocacy and use my state bar license for good.
DJwheels09.30.08 - 11:37 am
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another LA hero who has done so so much. Doing more in one day for furthering bicycle infrastructure in LA then most of you do bitching about it here on this forum in your life time. Creating the bike oven, contributing so much to NELA. His
great BLOGS. All the fun parties he had thrown. SpokenArt ride, convincing art gallery owners that cyclist are just a bunch of hungry free loaders. We know he is just making his community a more livable place to be.
I remember his flyer for the original bike oven. "Come drink box wine and fix your bike in some dudes garage in East LA" Damm I wish I still had a copy of that flyer. It was so precious. Not as precious as when he does his Edward James Olmos impersonations by constantly sweeping up all of 42nd street, like Olmos did after the riot. He keeping the neighborhood up.
Other great achievements
* Throw a series of illegal street races, (where I was inspired to come up with my great name).
* Making pimped out kiddie bikes for the kids in the neighborhood.
* Lighting things on fire especially pinjatas
* Mixing voting, bicycles and beer all in one location.
* Making his street look like a little Italy block party
* Creating a place for the "at risk" kids in his neighborhood to hangout
* choosing a $3000 basket bike over a new car to carry his beautiful baby girl around. That is Super Hero status.
* taught me more about traffic in LA then I really wanted to think about.
*Bike Writers collective member
* (my favorite) Taught me how to make a impression on local politicians by wearing underwear on the outside of my pants to their election win celebration.
* never asked for sharrows. Just created his own for the community.
I haven't had a chance to really be around him since he became a family man and a business owner. I'm sure his daughter is going to be a asset to our community as she grows and blossoms. If you know anybody who wants to get a great commuter bike.. Send them over to the
Flying Pigeon LA.
He still is and always will be a Armadillo, so watch yourself.
As Clark Kent is to Superman. C______ ___a_r__ is to Ubrayj02 ??????????
sexy09.30.08 - 11:55 am
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Definitely... Josef... does so much for the community. Nicest, chillest, guy around. Always good vibes and energy. Long time coming!! Congrats!!
digablesoul09.30.08 - 1:22 pm
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Congrats! He's awesome!
and his baby is sooo cute!! ^_^
batgirlkarla09.30.08 - 1:44 pm
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+5
Josef rules. He'd make a good Secretary of Defense under the Borfo/Sexy administration.
the reverend dak09.30.08 - 2:24 pm
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+ !!!!!!!!!
Sucks he's too damn busy providing us with the Bike Oven, the new shop and sitting through town meetings than riding around in circles with us!!!
neverclever09.30.08 - 3:32 pm
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One of the most dedicated and knowledgable bike advocate/activists out there. Everyone loves Josef.
And his story on Streetsblog yesterday rocked:
http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/ridazz-get-registered/
daymen09.30.08 - 3:45 pm
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+1 badly
This guy is holding it up for Bakfiets and town bikes while everyone else is pumping up twitchy whips with tires almost touching the seat tube.
You're long overdue for a Tren Way century (100 oz.) BTW.
cabhauler09.30.08 - 4:00 pm
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Dayum, I definitely don't deserve this. Everything I have achieved in L.A. with bikes is 1% me and 99% everyone else. I put in a little bit of money or time and people show up and make things happen in the most unbelievable way.
Thanks for the props.
In a few months, I'll be able to make it to more Ridazz rides with my two chicas (wife and baby). I had to wait until both of them got used to the two wheeled vida.
ubrayj0209.30.08 - 5:06 pm
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+11
Joseph, when you ready, there is a spot on the Hustle Ride waiting for your return...
Roadblock09.30.08 - 5:11 pm
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"Great call, finally a nomination based on merit not the popularity contest ROTW has become."
sc_nomad / DENNIS.
EXACTLY THE POINT AND COMMENT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR about this fucking title. THANK YOU for blatently putting that TRUTH out there.
thank fucking god someone finally fucking said something about this highschool like homecoming fucking king and queen popularity fucking contest.
CONGFUCKING-GRATULATIONS JOSEF!
FUCK YEAH!
SPOKEN ART!
BIKE OVEN!
FLYING PIGEON L.A.!!!!
Eddie GOpez10.1.08 - 12:01 am
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I SECOND THAT NOTION. the BIKESIDE of the FORCE would not be what it is without this powerful asset.
DARTH VELOZ10.1.08 - 12:04 am
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I think I met you a long long ass time ago. Possibly.
Mad respect.
+10
imachynna10.1.08 - 1:25 am
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I remember when the bike oven was at the old place and I came in with my rear wheel. My cassette was all wacked and this skinny pin that held all of it together was super loose. He came out and welcomed me.... greeted me a smile. Met B-rad and others... and shared a 6 pack of tecate. I got it fixed and it was a great experience...
To be honest... I don't know how long I sat in my car... kinda scared to just walk up to a group of people that I didn't know and expect them to help me... Now that I've done it... man... I should have done this a long time ago.
Congrats Josef!! I'm gonna join you guys for Dim Sum soon!!
digablesoul10.1.08 - 7:29 pm
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Josef,
You sure deserve this one! Congratulations. You also have fun rides with fun endings.
mk452410.3.08 - 11:56 am
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Yeah +1!!
You are 100% business and 100% party! That's 200% YEEHAW! Congrats!
Q: have you ever thought about politickin'? Maybe mayor or at least Mayor of NELA!
SKIDMARCUS10.3.08 - 4:31 pm
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More questions!!
How/when did you get involved with the cycling community?
What was your first ride?
Bike Oven... how did that start?
Why did you cut your hair short that one time?
Dim sum rides... I've got a couple friends that want to go. They passed by the shop and like to try a loaner bike... still possible?
When was the first spoke n art ride? How did that start?
What's your fondest memory about riding in LA.?
Is that sharrow still in front BO?
What is an ubrayj?
Congrats on everything man... the family... BO... and the FP. If I had to name one guy that everyone should meet.... it would be me and then you... J/k. You of course!! Congrats!!
digablesoul10.3.08 - 7:30 pm
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HIP HIP, HOORAYY!!!!!
ubrayj walks the walk.
there are few people out there i respect more.
lackflag10.4.08 - 11:33 am
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A couple years ago I remember when this guy had an Alleycat at the old Oven in his garage. Awesome sprint route, I woulda won but he had a nice road bike so I gave him a real hard time about that. mostly because I didnt win the belt buckle he gave away. Damn that thing was so fresh. But Joseph was the bigger man and took it all in stride. We need more leaders like him, not just drunks and druggies putting out 'lets get wasted' rides.
NELA don't take him for granted!
tallcans4tallbikes10.4.08 - 12:08 pm
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