Welcome home Team Midnight Ridazz ride
Thread started by
mr rollers at 05.31.08 - 1:58 pm
OK, it's on & posted:
http://www.midnightridazz.com/viewStory.php?storyId=1356
Come on out and welcome our heros back.
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who wants to ride with them from ventura back to la on the last day?
ruinedbyidiots05.31.08 - 3:34 pm
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Closing ceremonies at 4pm on Saturday at the VA, 11301 Wilshire Blvd. in WLA.
mk452405.31.08 - 6:38 pm
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here is the exacting exactly exact route.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1949481
dot com.
ingipet06.1.08 - 11:00 am
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This is such a good idea!
Welcome back, dudes!
I'm a little early, I realize.
katiepoche06.1.08 - 7:12 pm
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wow, hey, wouldn't it be AWESOME if the Los Angelopes joined this ride to meet team ALC!
wink wink!
hint hint!!
ingipet06.2.08 - 9:29 pm
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to clarify:
we are meeting in "General Bicycle Area" --- or GBA ---- and returning to the same GBA upon meeting up with ALC at the VA.
GBA is located approximately between Orange 20 and Scoops, near the streets of Heliotrope and Melrose, but arguably extends infinitely in every direction.
GBA!!
2pm Saturday.
Get yur scoop on and find out the boundaries of the GBA.
ingipet06.3.08 - 12:55 am
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Hey does anyone want to meet up with the ridazz in Malibu? That was my orginal intentions until I saw this.
User106.3.08 - 12:31 pm
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As far as meeting them in Malibu, I talked to Danny this morning and he didn't think that was such a hot idea.
He said the team has been riding really well and really fast. As you probably know, Danny broke his clavicle on the Jedi ride and to get him on the ride, they decided to use a tandem. After riding SF Critical Mass and the first day on a tandem, that was the end of that. Drew and Danny got on a pair of fast Cannondales and like the rest of the team, they've been really moving. He told me the team has been maintaining a good clip and arrive into camp early each day. I guess all those training rides paid off. Everyone on the team seems to be on some fast bikes.
Danny told me mechanic support has been top notch. He and Drew popped a spoke on the tandem and it was fixed immediately. Roadblock and Randy both popped chains that were replaced immediately.
The Team Midnight Ridazz jersey really stand out. They have 26 riders on the team with additional ridazz along as volunteer support to the ALC organizers. Like Roadblock said, yesterday was a 105 mile ride and they got into camp late. Tonight they will be in Paso Robles so it's a shorter ride.
They will be riding aggressively as they blow through Malibu so "no ridazz left behind" takes on a different meaning for this ride.
They miss us and look forward to seeing us when they get home. They want Uncle 'arry to pull the boom box when we head to the Bike District after the ceremonies.
mk452406.3.08 - 1:41 pm
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***YO*RBI***
You want ride Los Angeles, they’ll be rolling in on Friday correct?
From what Zuko said they’ll be camping out here….
San Buenaventura State Beach Park
901 San Pedro Street
Ventura, CA 93001
S.B.P. RiDa4LiF!06.3.08 - 2:05 pm
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benny i thought we were having a hot tub party at your house that night?
anyway, im driving to la on saturday instead of riding.
ruinedbyidiots06.3.08 - 2:17 pm
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They’ve been doing construction on the pool and it should be done tomorrow?
I’ll know 2marrow……so, no hijack the ALC VTA 2 LA ride then????
S.B.P. RiDa4LiF!06.3.08 - 2:22 pm
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Benny,
Danny told me they wanted to ride fast down to LA so if anyone came along they'd have to ride to keep up. That's why he told me he didn't think it was a good idea to ride with them.
Don't forget, they're a little crazy -- IMHO anyone who would ride a bike up the back side of Sulfur has got to be a little crazy.
mk452406.3.08 - 3:35 pm
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I got a phone call from none other than THE KING today right after they pulled into camp. Sounds like things are going well and there is interest in the Welcome Home Ride from more than just Team Midnight Ridazz. Let's show them how we do it, MR style!
mr rollers06.3.08 - 5:46 pm
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Mike, from Ventura to LA is only 61! ……
Sulpher MTN is a breeze, with no water fall at the end..... Damm…no hijack ;( but I see what Zuko and you are saying
S.B.P. RiDa4LiF!06.3.08 - 9:39 pm
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Limeyfly <3'ed Sulpher Mtn Rd!!!!!!
Benny,
That just proves my point, even 'arry liked it -- anybody that climbs the backside of Sulfur or even does a M-ohai ride has got to be a little crazy. 4000' of gain, blasting downhil, yup you gotta be a little crazy -- waterfall or no waterfall. That whole team is filled with crazies, climbing hills, riding 545 miles, sleeping outside, seeing the scenery and they're having a good time doing it.
mk452406.3.08 - 11:10 pm
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Well, from Ventura to LA is only 61 miles, that is pretty do-able with a fast pace. If anyone is planning on jumping in with them, let me know! I would like to ride the last leg of the ride with them. I miss these guys!
Rogue Rida06.3.08 - 11:10 pm
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BUMP!
see you soon with some Los Angelopes...
Can you feel the QUIER PRESSURE expanding.....
GBA!!
ingipet06.5.08 - 12:25 pm
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yeah i chatted with dannyzuko on the phone a little while ago - everyone is riding well though collecting lots of aches and pains of course, lots of folks knees are hurtin' for certain
but they're gonna make it. 545 miles... wish i was there.
who all is coming out to represent on saturday?
ephemerae06.5.08 - 11:38 pm
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Danny, Randy, Johanna, Liz and Drew enjoying the night life at River Park in Lompoc.
You're almost home!
mk452406.6.08 - 12:16 am
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yay!!! today's the day!!
i always get so amazed to see the ALC arriving at the VA back in L.A!!
WOW!
ingipet06.7.08 - 10:12 am
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BUMPZOR
Come on out and support the team representing for the ridazz
Plus you need ice cream and you know it
ephemerae06.7.08 - 1:56 pm
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CONGRATS TO ALL! it was a blast making balloons for you all and welcoming you in.
Eddie GOpez06.7.08 - 10:35 pm
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User1/Al,
my spoklecard is still on my front wheel... bitch!
Eddie GOpez06.7.08 - 10:36 pm
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Hat's off to all you fine people that busted their balls to pull that distance off.
I'm pretty sure y'all were strangers at one time, now this event has brought y'all together like a big, happy, nuclear-family in the extended family tree of the MR-clan.
bentstrider06.7.08 - 11:13 pm
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so how did the ride go?
The ride went well, sad that you had to miss it but you were missed at the end. Congrats on making it all the way as the youngest member of Team Midnight Ridazz.
Derek, YOU'RE HOT SHIT for going the whole distance! It's too bad your sister picked today to get married and you had to leave early and miss the close and that last dinner with the team.
mk452406.8.08 - 1:21 am
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Congrats everyone... It was awesome to see the MR jersey amongst the others. I could only imagine what an amazing ride it was. I'm so proud of you guys!!
Al
digablesoul06.8.08 - 2:46 am
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dooooooodz. THAT WAS AMAZING!
Thank you SO SO SO much to everyone who welcomed us home yesterday. I have to admit I got a li'l teary eyed... (lame, I know...)
Having the angelopes show up fashionably late was PERFECT after a week of explaining to people what "midnight rid as" was. I heard a lot of "I wanna be on
that team" yesterday.
Ingipet, that route to Pure Luck was really, really nice, so thank you! Thanks Rollers, and Harry, and Mike for everything!
So yeah, I woke up at 6am full of life and ready to ride... before the sad realization sunk in. We really did become like a big dysfunctional family on wheels. I miss everyone already.
545 miles!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
(Derek, we missed you at the end there. Hope the wedding was great and nobody hassled you for I.D.)
*hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs and sleep*
canadienne06.8.08 - 7:02 am
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THANKS EVERYONE!! What a welcome back treat to see all of our friends and families (both blood and bicycle) there to great us and bring us home. Thankyou thankyou thankyou for the love!!
Roadblock06.8.08 - 7:34 am
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U.R. AWESOME!! all of you!
that was so sweet to see you all come in after an epic journey!
i'm definitely tempted to finally do the the ALC ride....
here is another link to the route for future reference! it is one of my all time favorites! keep going and you are at the beach!
THE ROUTE
congrats again!!!
ingipet06.8.08 - 9:09 am
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weird but I actually feel like riding somewhere far today....
Roadblock06.8.08 - 9:29 am
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I think what you guys just did can only be described as EPIC.
ephemerae06.8.08 - 10:41 am
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I am SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS!!!!!!!
and I'm so happy I was able to make the welcome back ceremony and dinner!! SUPER FUN!!!
I too am tempted to do ALC next year.......
(it's just that I hate hills....)
redridinghood06.8.08 - 11:54 am
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I was very moved yesterday to see you all at the end of your epic ride. Normally I'm bouncing around like a madwoman, but I was humbled to standing (and hugging) in awe and appreciation.
Thank you.
-Michele
vspangle06.8.08 - 12:25 pm
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That was great stuff - thank you Mr Rollers and Angelopes for bringing so many people out to welcome the team home. Photos are starting to make their way online. Whee!
ephemerae06.8.08 - 2:16 pm
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That ride was really amazing, california is the perfect state to ride a bike in. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! THAT CAME OUT TO WELCOME US.
you guys are awesome and made it worth riding all those miles for the welcome home. No one else got that, and we sure made an impact to those in ALC..
much love,
♥
feelingrandy06.8.08 - 2:23 pm
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More than happy to do my small part; you've taken Midnight Ridazz to another level and are an inspiration to us. It was a privilege being able to ride the streets of LA with you in your team colors.
This ride wouldn't have happened the way it did without the involvement of Michael Kwan, especially his bringing his van out to the VA to carry everyone's gear back to the BD, and Ingrid for designing a great route. Limeyfly Harry was also involved in the planning; unfortuneately a bad back prevented him from bringing out the music trailer, but he still came out and rode.
A series of confusing circumstances made it difficult to assemble a unified group ride back to the BD, but at least everyone made it back eventually. For any of the team members that didn't get the commemorative spoke cards: I'm going to make more, so let me know if I missed you and I'll make sure you get one.
mr rollers06.8.08 - 3:03 pm
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thanks so much to everyone who came out!!!!
ill have to ditto that, all i want to do today is ride.
steph06.8.08 - 3:12 pm
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CHICKEN LEATHER IS AN ISSUE.
CHICKEN LEATHER IS AN ISSUE.
ruinedbyidiots06.8.08 - 3:29 pm
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Seriously, thank you so much. After pretty much the best week of my life, the Los Angelopes and the arrival of all the Pure Luck/Scoops Squad made my day. You guys are wonderful.
markedge06.8.08 - 4:30 pm
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glad everyone made it!!!!what time did ya guys roll in?
ps
i love commerative spoke cards..i was on the team.. i swear!
dl124506.8.08 - 4:34 pm
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Thanks for the welcome home everyone! That was bad ass a rific! The ride back to Pure Luck was amazing, as was the company, the food, and the scoops!
Thanks Mike for the SAG-pport!
Thanks Ingi for the route and the queer pressure (which we didn't make cuz of the bad knee and being half dead)!
Thanks Ben for being mega tall and mega fun and provider of ales!
Thanks Rollers for tossing this soiree!
Thanks all for showing up!
Even though we have the fancy jersey's and hats, this really is ALL OUT TEAM.
<3
NEWB31006.8.08 - 5:13 pm
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Just logging back on to the boards here.
Wow! Yesterday was fantastic when the 'lopes' and ridazz showed up. I wasn't able to break away from my bike and come visit the group when you all arrived but i can tell you that EVERYONE around me was talking about how awesome it was to see the support for Team MR. I had to explain what the Midnight Ridazz were all about many times and gave out the website to at least a dozen people who wanted to check us out.
Thanks BK, Spook and Michele for coming over to welcome me back. It really meant a lot.
Although i mostly rode with Team 100 and Team Pittsburgh, i did my best to spend time with TMR and photograph them throughout the ride.
Stay tuned for the photos.
stevo406.8.08 - 6:38 pm
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I also want to thank Danny Zuko, Drew, Gary, Michael, Rubin, and Mike K. Stephani, Liz Epemerae and ( I forgot someone will insert it when I remember) for their generous support forming the team, getting the awesome jerseys and hats together, handling the hotel bookings and van rentals and carting us out to the start managing the google groups,.... a LOT of people supported us in addition to the unbelieve-able kind nurturing support of the AIDS Ride personnel. It made it easy to just ride... Every minute was a blast. Like someone said, it was like bicycle summer camp for adults.
Thanks Rollers and Los Angelopes for the warm midnight ridazz welcome and Ingrid for finding the flatest route back to bicycle town. my thighs appreciated the rest! thanks Limeyfly Ephemerae and Joe Borfo the injured ridazz who still showed much love and came out!
on a side note it really really really felt good to be home as we all left the VA blazing and cruising through traffic, through all way stop signs and lights. it was hard not to be naughty for 7 days straight!! and in a moment that ranks in the "ONLY in LA" category, I was looking west on wilshire and spotted a mass of Ridazz pulling up to the light thinking it was the group we were trying to join up with but soon realizing it was Los Angelopes on their merry way to westwood village!! You guys looked mystical with the sunset lighting and the barage of freak bikes. AWESOMENESS.
I LOVE LA!*
*gimme a week to become cynical again
Roadblock06.8.08 - 6:55 pm
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Huge thanks to everyone who came out to support the team and welcome us home. Seeing the mass of riders and tall bikes approaching the VA was really a highlight moment for everyone on the team, and showed all the ALC riders we tried to explain MR to, what we were talking about when we said it was a community. Our team by had by far the most awesome spectators.
In the coming couple weeks I will be going through the hundreds of photos I took and blogging about the ALC experience. It was epic what we accomplished, both in riding and fundraising. The stress of planning was hard at times, but it was totally worth it.
GarySe7en06.9.08 - 1:11 am
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You guys are so awesome! Congratulations on making it happen! I dont know you all, but I definitely LOVE YOU ALL!
shadylane06.9.08 - 1:20 am
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Fuck Yeah!
The experience was epic. Ridazz Row was epic. the welcome home was epic. Everything was perfect.
It was so rewarding to see everyone at the VA on Saturday. It was like a big gold-plated #1 trophy for all of us to display to the other cyclists that participated in ALC.
On a serious note. A big thank you goes out to everyone that supported us in getting us to the ride. It really showed a lot to the powers that be about MR's voice in LA. We all did a remarkable thing together and I was really proud to display the MR community banner for a grueling week.
I also gained a greater appreciation for everyone as an individual that was on the team. It was a great week to share with you all. I am moved to do it all over again.
Thank you!
-j
jchungerford06.9.08 - 9:12 am
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I am so envious. After seeing Roadblock's pics, the scenery, the experience... I must do this next year... but that seems so far away.
Congrats to everyone!
Leetard06.9.08 - 9:30 am
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thanks for the welcome home, it's great to be back, we're a lil tired and beat up but we did it, the ride was great, EVERYONE should experience something like this at least once, soo many stories from the road, so many interesting people we've met, it's just a great experience if you like to ride, sign up for next year.
dannyzuko06.9.08 - 11:27 am
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BTW
TMR Raised $52,448.61
thank you for your support.
dannyzuko06.9.08 - 11:43 am
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aww welcome back guys!
that must have been a killer experience!
and not only for your legs...haha
congratulations on surviving!
Brittanica06.9.08 - 11:45 am
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Hey everyone,
I've only had my bike for like 6 months, but the people on my team I will really never forget. If i didn't have my team on this ride, it would have been so much harder. I always had someone to chill with, ride with, eat with, help out with flat tires. When people ask me how the ride went, I literally tell them that 'it was the time of my life.' Driving thru Cali on the way to SF is so unbelievably different than riding your bike. Biking through these desolate ass farm roads, where you would never think to drive, you get to experience the feel and smell of passing strawberry fields, then onion fields, etc., taking in the sweet smell of each. Who doesn't like exploring California, camping out along the coast, biking, and meeting new people? Summer school starts next week, but I really wouldn't have wanted to spend my summer any other way.
Big props to Danny, Drew, Gary, Ruben-and the rest of the team.
RoadBlock-Ive inhaled more of your farts being your tent mate that my lungs are sore.
Jared- You snore like a fucking freight train- yet it began puttin me to sleep towards the end.
Craig- Thanks for helpin me fix my flat-couldn't have wished for a more perfect location though
Well, just thanks again everyone, wish I coulda rode in with ya'll at the end. This was one hell of an experience.
Peace and love to all!
dl124506.9.08 - 12:01 pm
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I wanted to point out the figure Danny quoted as our team's total fundraising is the account total before orientation day, on which we processed additional checks on the spot. Our actual total is probably close to $54,000.
That is pretty freakin AMAZING!!
During the course of the ride I got the impression our team was the most talked about, and we were probably only surpassed in presence by Team 100, which is the largest team and led by ALC veterans. Team Bear also got a lot of attention...
GarySe7en06.9.08 - 2:31 pm
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I've heard a lot of "your achievement was totally amazing" regarding the ride. I need to say, it wasn't. It was simple pure F.U.N.
Imagine seven days doing what you'd always rather be doing... riding a bicycle in a beautiful place surrounded by friends. TeamMR had F.U.N. training and fund raising and the payoff was an incredible experience.
Except for some sore knees all the Ridazz kicked ass! Our jerseys were EVERYWHERE. Though there were only about 15 of us out of 2600 participants our impact was enormous. I think that's because we were far and away amongst the fastest riders in the event. God knows I'm not the fastest on our team, I consistently passed 95 out of 100 riders.
And Ridazz in typical Ridazz fashion would start late, pass everyone, stop to play letting everyone ride by, and then start all over and pass them again. Our 15 must have looked like 150!
I can't count the number of times people asked us about Midnight Ridazz... or more commonly, Midnight "Readaz." And after correcting their pronunciation we'd tell them about you guys, about the party rides, the late night swarms, the K-Town ridazz, los angelopes, cubcamp, goga, wolfpack... the thousands in LA who all come out for the same reason; because they love to ride!
Their mouths would gape open and they'd stare in disbelief. You know the look. The same one they had when the Los Angelopes carnival of freaks on freak bikes rolled up like a Fellini film to the VA.
Then they finally got it.
indigis06.9.08 - 3:27 pm
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Thanks so much for rep'n L.A. ridazz and for kicking so much ass over the past week. Those jerseys looked great.
Consider this my application for being on next year's team!
cabhauler06.9.08 - 3:56 pm
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next years team is going to be epic.
whos gonna haul the music trailer?
ruinedbyidiots06.9.08 - 3:57 pm
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Thanks to everyone who showed up to greet us at the v-a center. That moment really made all the sunburn and sore muscles and sweat worth it.
I'm really touched by the support we got from this community. Not just showing up (which was my #1 favorite memory), but buying my cookies, showing up to the bike wash and art show, and donating to our pages.
The people we were standing next to when everyone rolled up said "are they with us?" and we yelled "no! they're with us!" and we ran over.
It was really a wow moment. Thank you Thank you.
Half of all new HIV infections in the next year will be in people under 25. It's really amazing that a crew of people whose median age is around that pulled together to raise so much money.
Maulie06.9.08 - 10:04 pm
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Danny or indigis or gary...any one know the website for the team pics? He said they'd be up around Wed- Thurs.
greatphotos.com or somethin i remember him saying??
dl124506.11.08 - 5:34 pm
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yea it's gr8shots.com but you'll only find the team shots which has already been posted and the quadbuster shots and they're not organized and you'll have to look through 2600 to find your 1.
indigis06.11.08 - 6:19 pm
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midnight ridazz: sexy-sexy community
and i thank you.
soso06.12.08 - 2:37 pm
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-->
Ridazz Roulette!
bring megafuns!
Limeyfly <3'ed Sulpher Mtn Rd!!!!!!
The End
Here is my set of Pictures from the past week. The first link are all the Team MR photos and the other 2 are the full sets of pictures if anyone wants to see more of the ride, Red Dress Day, etc.