Midnight Ridazz BOMB SQUAD
Thread started by
Samhain at 08.21.07 - 11:27 pm
It's ON. Speeding down hills on wobbly kiddie bikes. This will be a weekly thing. For those of you who survived Zoobomb, get ready for round 2, for those who
Thanks, ZooBomb!
1st ride is Sunday night Sept 16th at 11pm. (late time due to our overcrowded and not bike-friendly streets.)
Place TBA (I have a possible place in mind but it's pretty far away that said, it looks KILLER. We'll need to drive so people with cars let us know.
Tern, if you want to use GMR for the first one, let me know. I'll start arranging to get people out there.
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I'm going to go out this weekend and try to appropriate myself a mini.
God ZooBomb was fun.
SPOOK08.21.07 - 11:38 pm
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No way i'm missing it. That shit was fucking rad (and scary). Bombing on a mini with a wobbly headset at 40+ mph is quite a rush. I'm actually heading to the bins in portland tomorrow to check out what they have as far as bikes. If i find some good stuff for cheap i'll ship it back for some la pile bikes.
brassknuckle08.21.07 - 11:51 pm
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" I AM NOT A CROOK!"
Tern had a thread on this weeks ago but had trouble getting people (before Zoobomb, that is). I on the other hand, thought riding kiddie bikes down hills was the stupidest thing imaginable, until I did it.
I don't care who gets "credit" here - Credit goes to Zoobomb, who have been doing this shit for 5 years as of next Sunday.
So Tern, get involved.
We should post a list of possible issues; here's a couple
1. No mass transit to take to the top of hills - this means cars and trucks, people.
2. Our road quality is um...somewhat lower
3. We will probably need to rotate a list of places here as any permenant attempt will lead to trouble.
Any other ideas? Spook, can you help me do a cool logo?
Let's ALL get involved.
Samhain08.22.07 - 12:24 am
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I can certainly whip something up.
As far as transportation up the mountain, the only thing I can think of is someone shuttling people back up the hill. However, if the GMR is about 11 miles, that would make for a costly enterprise.
I want nothing more for this to happen.
Tern, do you have suggestions and/or alternative routes?
SPOOK08.22.07 - 12:42 am
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alienate...yeah. I am already involed. I gmapped a bunch of possible routes, as you can see In the LA mini bicycle bomb thread. So, you can use these and act like I need to get involved.
tern08.22.07 - 12:47 am
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we used to do this in high school! especially when it was raining.
for cheap kids bikes, check your local thrift store. i dont think we ever spent over 5 bucks on our whips.
ruinedbyidiots08.22.07 - 12:49 am
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How about if we have the weekly rides at a location that is less daunting in terms of getting up there, so that more people will show up. Then when the time comes around for Drew's ginormous GMR bomb, people from down here will have some experience and be ready for it. And everybody will have a lot of fun and share some lolz, and who gives a fuck who gets the credit?
If we're going to invite Portland Zoobombers down for the big GMR ride, one idea for transportation might be to veeeeerrrryyy discreetly rent one of those big-assed Ryder trucks and just have folks pile on in there with their minis, in exactly the same fashion as the Portlanders pile into the elevators.
PC08.22.07 - 12:51 am
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And guise, for serious: don't fight. Nobody owns this shit. We're all in it together.
PC08.22.07 - 12:54 am
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I think that the easier streets are a great idea, especially in the beginning. Anybody want to bike around Sunday late afternoon and look at possible places. I think Griffith is probably a good idea (on the well maintained portions, on the blocked off parts, the road is shit but we could have a day bomb so people could avoid the huge potholes.
Is anybody willing to ride the Griffith park/ Silverlake area with me this Sunday? We can check the blocked off portions for a possible inaugural day bomb.
What do you think?
Samhain08.22.07 - 1:00 am
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Sunday's no good for me: retirement party for one of the bosses where I work. He's a really nice old-timer whom we're all sad to see go, so I've got to be at this party. Any chance of doing it early Saturday afternoon--like early enough not to conflict with the Big Ass Ride that night?
PC08.22.07 - 1:36 am
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...or if there are other people who want to do it Sunday, which is evidently good for you, that's fine--don't change your plans on my account if you don't have to.
PC08.22.07 - 1:36 am
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Def. Check out this small route which i rode on a mountain bike this past week
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/67489
AKA N Kenter Ave down wherever is a safe place to stop. There aren't any lights til sunset. Just a few stop signs i think and speed bumps which are the square kind so you can go in between them.
It's an awesome hill and almost 3 miles long! I think it's def. a close to home alternative. NOTE - There is a cool hairpin turn in it too! :D
richtotheie08.22.07 - 1:45 am
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How's Saturday at 4 for scouting? I'm in to scout Sunday as well.
Let's DO this!
Samhain08.22.07 - 1:48 am
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i'm up for sunday... i think yeah where are you scouting? and will you be doing it on a mini bike? lol
richtotheie08.22.07 - 1:54 am
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Lessee...Big Ass Ride at 9:30, scouting at 4:00. That should absolutely work. Are we going to go all the way up the hills? Maybe I'll put an 18-tooth cog on the De Bernardi to make that aspect of it easier. Or maybe not. Fuck my legs. What have they ever done for me? Well, what lately?
(Note to future biographers: if sometime in the future I lose my legs in an accident, feel free to use this post for ironic foreshadowing purposes when you write your book about me.)
I've still got your jacket, Samhain, so I can bring it on Saturday if you want me to.
PC08.22.07 - 2:33 am
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Kenter is a cool street. The streets off it like Tigertail are also great candidates. There is a good hill up there near Mt. Saint Mary's college called Chalon Rd. (just off of bundy N. of Sunset). Mandeville Canyon is another option. Those are prob the best hills around that area. Another place to try is the Pacific Palisades. There are plenty of good hills in the Palisades north of Sunset. Just remember, these are all high rent areas, which means the people are almost guaranteed to call the cops.
brassknuckle08.22.07 - 7:24 am
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I know this may be a little south for most people, but there's probably some good routes through PV... although traffic might be a problem depending on the route.
e-rock08.22.07 - 10:03 am
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another shot for future northern California adventures, is if we ever end up in Santa Cruz (was mentioned as a possible MR adventure) Highway 9 would be a nuts ride... either direction is a bomber hill that gets a fair amount of roadie traffic, and from my memory is REALLY wel maintained
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1251771
e-rock08.22.07 - 10:14 am
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I can't do any scouting until Sunday afternoon. I have the Dark Century comming up this on Saturday.
Sometimes (most of the time?) with thrift store mini bikes, new tires are needed. Also, they usally need some work. Mine needed new tires, a longer seat post and a seat. I put grease in the bottom bracket and lubed the chain. The one I bought was in pretty good shape.
I know that the bike oven has a bunch of mini bikes. That seems like a good place to get one.
tern08.22.07 - 10:28 am
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I could also do Sunday afternoon.
SPOOK08.22.07 - 12:06 pm
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Might I also recommend that anyone considering doing mini-bombing get a full face helmet. Several of the zoobombers mentioned that having one saved them on multiple occasions.
e-rock08.22.07 - 1:17 pm
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I was thinking the same thing about using a full faced helmet. especially after hearing about all of the injuries up in Portland.
I for one will be protecting this beautiful mug with a motorcycle helmet and will also be wearing a motorcycle jacket and gloves.
Bring on the biggest, baddest hill you can find.
cured108.22.07 - 1:37 pm
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Saturday Scouting meet at Fountain on corner of Los Feliz Blvd. and Riverside Drive at 4pm.
View Larger Map
Samhain08.22.07 - 2:32 pm
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Remember when scouting, road surface is a MAJOR factor.
That's what caught me a month ago when I was bombing beechwood.
Anything that could unsuspectingly throw someone off their bike, mini or not, should be recorded. if the route is used, i'd suggest a pre run with some paint to mark the nasty ones well in advance as well as the hole/bump itself.
FuzzBeast08.22.07 - 2:37 pm
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I'll be there for saturday scouting...the big lebowski ride and big ass ride combined aren't enough riding for me for the weekend, but I doubt i could hack the dark century yet...
sam, do me a fave and text me or something so I can call ya if i can't find ya. my # is seven-six-zero, seven-one-seven, 2231. Thanks!
Lance K08.22.07 - 5:25 pm
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Let's do a Sunday scouting trip as well, meet at 4pm at Scoops Ice Cream shop across from Orange 20 bicycles and just north of the bicycle kitchen. The address is 712 N. Heliotrope
We can scout the Los Feliz spots everyone is talking about.
View Larger Map
Samhain08.22.07 - 7:06 pm
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We're still doing the 4:00 PM Saturday scout, yes? Riverside / Los Feliz?
PC08.25.07 - 3:43 am
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Sunday 4pm to whomever is interested. Scoops Ice Cream. 712 N. Heliotrope.
Samhain08.26.07 - 12:28 pm
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Leoh, a Portlander, stumbled across some streets in Elysian Park which he said reminded him of zoobomb types of routes. I thought I'd share that info with you all. Maybe an elysian park scouting is in order? My wife just put out a life insurance policy on me by the way.
Joe Borfo08.26.07 - 12:42 pm
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perhaps if you like the Elysian Park idea you could call it - Pig Bomb ?
Joe Borfo08.26.07 - 1:11 pm
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We could give out police badges and bacon!
Samhain08.26.07 - 1:16 pm
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FREE BIKES!!
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/zip/407370403.html
e-rock08.27.07 - 5:12 pm
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Elysian Park ROCKS. Go up to the little league fields and bomb down. There's a gate from the main road, however and that could spell a long walk if we can't get a vehicle in there. I need to check it out at night and see when they shut the gate.
There is some bad road right near the end but if we warn people we should be fine, though THIS group could wind up in the Emergency room walking UP the hill...
I want to do a Griffith scouting run as well and more of the Los Feliz area.
Samhain08.27.07 - 7:49 pm
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So, what did you guise find on Sunday? (Or is Elysian Park what you found on Sunday?)
PC08.28.07 - 4:26 am
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I scouted Elysian park as well as some of the surrounding areas; the park was the only place I found that was cool, relatively traffic free, had room to ride and didn't have too many bike eating potholes...
We're seeing about getting Cubcamp up there this Thursday for the Taste Ride, which if it holds to scouting, will be a tour of taco trucks with some nice surprises thrown in...
Samhain08.29.07 - 2:04 am
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With all that was said, I'm definetely going to suit up and try to don one of those 16s.
I've got a nice, downhill dirt road area near the 395/15 by the Pilot truckstop. My stepdad lives near there so I could get some practice runs on whatever I plan on putting together.
I even had this crazy idea of using one of those rickety-ass, kindergartener tricycles from the 70's.
bentstrider08.29.07 - 2:31 am
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do we have a place for this yet? Sunday is around the corner...
Hell I guess I should find a bike to buy
cured109.11.07 - 10:59 am
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FYI - TERN, I have your minibike in my garage. There's a nifty night-light attached to it too.
Joe Borfo09.11.07 - 11:23 am
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Sunday Elysian park. I listed the ride at 11pm but I'm thinking 9pm might be better since it's at the park and all. An 11pm bomb might attract too much attention (and I don't want them to close the gate).
As there is no Metro to take to the top, we'll need drivers. My car seats 5. Any truck owners out there? We should probably do roll call so we see how many vehicles we're going to need. Also, riding there is probably out due to the mini thing (at least for the Santa Monica crowd).
Is everybody cool with 9pm this Sunday? The CubScouts checked out the run a couple of weeks ago and it looks KILLER. Except for a few man-eating potholes that is... If anybody comes across a couple orange safety cones (by LEGAL means) please let me know and we'll block off the bomb craters.
Samhain09.11.07 - 7:13 pm
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PS.
Thanks to Tern for reminding me to update the ride!
Samhain09.11.07 - 7:18 pm
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Holy Shit. Thanks Borfo!! I had decided (in a hurry to pack) to donate the mini to the pile, but I forgot to take off the seatpost and seat and the nifty night light....Thanks so much. I'll email you to figure out a good time to pick it up.
tern09.11.07 - 10:03 pm
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thanks samhain and cubs for figuring out the ride.
The bike oven has a bunch of minis.
You'll probably want to add a longer seat post and maybe a seat that fits your bum.
If you can, try to get a mini with hand brakes, instead of coaster brakes. I know they're harder to come by, but they are much easier to ride.
Shit. I am a bit scared of this now that the zoobomb buzz (insert comments here) wore off. But, I'm down to go.
I have a toyota truck with a shell. It should hold a bunch of minis--and two passengers.
I'm doing a century, Saturday night--so it will be a change of pace and skills, for sure.
I am hoping for NO INJURIES to anyone on the ride.
tern09.11.07 - 10:17 pm
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Some of these thrift shops are way over priced. I haven't found a bike yet but I'll continue the search on Sat. If I do find a bike and make it out I'll definately bring the van. We can fit a bunch of bikes in there.
cured109.13.07 - 12:40 pm
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OK, I'm thinking of picking up a sort of compromise bike--a little kid bike, but one made for slightly bigger little kids. They still have (I think) 16-inch wheels, but the frame and thus the wheelbase are a little longer. I'm thinking that I would be able to fit one of these on a bus bike rack, so I could still get to and from the bombs without driving.
If I do this, will you laugh at me? (I'll still do it; I'm just curious.)
PC09.13.07 - 3:37 pm
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This is a start.
Feedback time....
SPOOK09.13.07 - 4:40 pm
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I like. I think it would make a good patch.
cured109.13.07 - 4:47 pm
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That's one badass patch right there.
Except it would be better appropriated on an armband or something.
I'll be up in SLC this weekend, so likewise, not able to make this as usual.
There is this cool street that's quite hilly up there though.
It goes from downtown, past the university, and ends in some rich suburb.
I'll see if I can't do a video survey of whether it would be worth bombing in the near future.
bentstrider09.13.07 - 5:32 pm
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SPOOK- Looks damn good.
Now we need patches!
kyber09.13.07 - 5:36 pm
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Free bike if you can borrow a friend's kid...
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/421897543.html
Samhain09.13.07 - 10:36 pm
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I scored my "Sweet 16" today!
cured109.15.07 - 2:57 pm
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And I scored my Sweet Cheatin' 20. Bomb Squad is on! It's ON!
I plan on taking the bus up (that's why I got a 20, so that the wheelbase is long enough to fit on the racks), unless my services as a driver are needed. Somebody please let me know. I should tell you that my car is not a big one--like, it's big enough to hold me and another passenger and two minis, but that's it.
PC09.15.07 - 9:16 pm
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I think as long as Spook is still going, we're fine... He's got a truck as does Tern and I can fit 5 in my car...
Samhain09.16.07 - 8:55 am
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Keep in mind that they will lock the gates at 10PM.
Forget about driving the cars to the top then.
One possible entrance is from Solano and Park Row because there are houses there and the closed gate is already at the top.
View Larger Map
marino09.16.07 - 11:38 am
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Man, sorry guys. The truck is out of comission. So, I won't be able to haul anyone up. And, it looks like I will be bike commuting for the rest of the month, because of the situation with my truck.
So, I have to pass on the ride tonight. I have a 52 mile (rt) commute with a big hill and a Big hill. I have to leave at 5:20 tomorrow morning. Have fun. I'll catch the next one.
tern09.16.07 - 12:39 pm
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Bought a couple of mini's today. If my friend can't make it, I'll have a spare. Tern, Does Borfo still have your mini? If so, can we borrow it if we have someone who needs a bike?
EVERYONE is invited, regardless of bike! Come on out and Ride!
Samhain09.16.07 - 3:02 pm
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yeah, you can use it. But make sure to give borfo the light on it. It is my best light and really expensive.
Also, it needs a new rear wheel. I have one here that I was going to put on it, but I can't be there, so.
Also, I want the bike back. It would be best that you bring it back to Borfo's if you use it. I really like the bike, and I would like to keep it.
tern09.16.07 - 4:04 pm
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Y'all know if anyone's going to be brave enough to record this thing from a bike?
I've been stuck hauling WalMart loads all over the Utah badlands, so I have yet to get any footage of that SLC hill I've been bragging about.
bentstrider09.16.07 - 5:32 pm
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Recommended:
Lights
Brain Bucket
Bike
Pads of any kind
Minimum common sense
Samhain09.16.07 - 5:57 pm
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Where was you people?
I rode my bike around Elysian Park 10:30-11:30
Not a soul.
Fun hills.
In the process I discovered the secret passageway Agent Orange was talking about.
Haha I'm a Librarian now!
marino09.16.07 - 11:50 pm
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Meeting place was Pioneer at 9:00. The semi-classic Ridazz start point.
People sketched on Elysian Park because there was a little bit of pepper at the bottom of the hill. I wanted to do it anyway, but I got outvoted. We ended up bombing an alternative hill (the exact location of which we
will not mention on the Internet) that was FFFUUUCCCKKKIIINNNGG EPPPIIIICCCC.
Ridazz Bomb Squad is really still a work in progress. It's going to take some scouting and some trial runs (like tonight) before it stabilizes and becomes something that everybody can do every week.
PC09.17.07 - 3:08 am
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4 bombers - 3 SMOLDERING coaster brakes. (They were LITERALLY smoking.)
Gotta get those caliper brakes and some tires that inflate to over 35psi. A couple of nice almost wipeouts that shouldn't even have gotten THAT close.
Great hanging with Spook, PC and Cured1...and also almost riding with Kel and Mook. And a great time with Stardust and Island Breeze at the Boulevard Lounge afterward...
I'm thinking next month for round two. I have 2 locations in mind. One is the hills we drove through on the way from the Valley to get to Mulholland and the other is this KILLER route that is probably a full 5-7 miles.
I'm figuring next month for round 2, we can do it the same weekend as the big MR ride...
Samhain09.17.07 - 3:29 am
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A little more planning would be best. We split because we had a small time table to work with and it seemed like it was not going to happen. Next time.
rev10609.17.07 - 7:19 am
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There was a lot of driving before the actual race but the payoff was well worth it!
cured109.17.07 - 8:37 am
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ive got a mini frame, forks, and bars if someone wants to build one. i'll just give it away, anyone want it??
speedybrian200009.17.07 - 10:29 am
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Hey guys I found a walkie talkie in the van.
Email me. my address is in my profile. If you are riding sins and sprockets this weekend I can return it then or make other plans.
cured109.17.07 - 2:02 pm
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The walkie talkie is mine. I'm not sure if I will make it out to Sin & Sprockets, but we can work something out.
SPOOK09.17.07 - 2:27 pm
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Tires that go over 35 psi for a mini, Samhain??
I went over to this thing called biketiresdirect.com, which is ironically located in our favorite place, PDX.
I ordered a couple of Presta-valved 16" tubes for the 16" on the front of my EZ-1 recumbent.
Of course they showed up at my stepdads place and I'm on the road, I have yet to put them on.
But, if these things increase the efficiency like they did for my Hummer, I'll see if I can't acquire a few more.
bentstrider09.17.07 - 5:49 pm
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A nice 16" tire I was happy with is the Primo Comets Kevlar belt 100 PSI If you guys get these, can you will your bicycles to me?
http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/poweron/Detail?no=216
I used these on my folder on the mean streets of LA for over 1500 miles. I got one flat on the back. I picked these up at my LBS for less than $15 each with tax. Mine were 16 " x 1.5 "
User109.17.07 - 9:26 pm
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yay! glad you got er done!
most bombers ride Maxxis Hookworms, but I don't like them. The Schwalbe Marathons are the FUCKING SHIT though. My $.02
WARCHILD09.19.07 - 12:15 pm
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so what's up for the next one?
cured109.27.07 - 6:03 pm
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worst organization ever!! we came out to the first one just to ride from Pioneer Chicken to Elysian Park and back to Pioneer Chicken just to get ditched. Pioneer was supposed to be a regroup but u guys never even said what was gonna happen next. u guys just left and took off somewhere in ur cars. WACKK!!!
t.bone09.27.07 - 6:09 pm
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That sounds pretty wacked, but I'm quite sure the ditching wasn't intentional.
PDX is better suite for this, so in order to get a proper SoCal one going, we're going to have to be reosurceful and patient in the matter.
Patient, being that we'll have to seek out suitable routes that are accessible for all.
Resourceful, being that long-distance/joke of public transit is something that will have to be resolved for those of us that don't have/don't want a car/motor-vehicle.
Being a truck driver, I ironically don't have a motor vehicle of my own.
However, I've been pondering getting a '74 K5 4x4 and an old toy-hauler for strict recreational and logistical issues.
But for now, expect to see plenty of "hot air" balloons in the night sky.
bentstrider09.27.07 - 7:29 pm
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Don't we all now?
That bunny get-up of yours would do wonders when we're doing warp factor 9 down "X" street.
People will be thinking, "Oh my, it's the invasion of the bunnymen on
clownbikes." As they frantically and fruitlessly try to clear the area in their Escalades.
bentstrider09.27.07 - 11:28 pm
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Hey SPOOK that walkie talkie is still sitting in my van
cured110.18.07 - 1:41 pm
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Damn, this thread pretty much took a nose-dive around the same-time I rolled the rig and got fired from that position.
Anywho, is this thing still on anyones mind?
I was thinking instead of it being every Sunday night, it would probably be better to just make it a once a month, type of gig.
With all this talk of a potential, party-bus, or two, I was thinking this could be feasible once all the obvious logistical kinks were worked out.
Only reason I decided to reactivate this issue was due to my constant, recollections of how cool and daring this adventure was.
That, and truck-traffic was kinda slow compared to yesterday, at the tire-warehouse.
bentstrider04.9.08 - 12:16 pm
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Perhaps we should incorporate this into C.R.A.N.K. Mob or something.
With the enormous throngs of would-be bombers out here, the potential for this is out of this world.
BUMP.
bentstrider08.26.08 - 4:59 pm
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ITS HAPPENING.
Prepare yourselves for round # DOS. Spoke cards, multiple routes, road rash, everything! No date set yet, but probably not until the beginning of the year. Just in time to ask your parents/girlfriend/boyfriend/Santa for a mini bike!
Stay tuned!
SPOOK11.18.08 - 3:36 pm
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TMR found this awesomely fun bombing hill around the back of the rose bowl somewhere on sunday. you gotta try this one. i think we hit 45 without trying, but probably coulda hit 55 or more if we did try.
any you dudes remember where that was?
ephemerae11.18.08 - 8:11 pm
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+1 joe borfo!
no cars on the way down and if anything we can open up that gate and block more traffice and go all lthe way down :D
MWUAHAHHA
aksendz11.18.08 - 8:29 pm
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We tried Elysian Park last time and found it to be a total bust. The streets I've been scouting are EXTREMELY hairpin, steep and you can do different routes from the same start point.
The first MR BOMB SQUAD ride went down Sunset Plaza Drive in West Hollywood, with great success. Perhaps we can throw that in the mix also.
SPOOK11.18.08 - 9:03 pm
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@e-rock
Let's hope you were watching some fetish porn!!
Anywho, I'm quite sure most, if not all of us, could carry an extra, mini-bike to the top of the hill(s).
I lob my radio on the rear-rack, so this feat could easily be pulled off
by myself.
However, that tandem set-up that richie had at the 420 MOb was quite awesome.
Too bad some fucker jacked that tandem and it hasn't been seen since.
But, I digress, let's spank this bitch into gear!!!!
bentstrider11.19.08 - 12:14 am
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@bent
most eloquently phrased sir
e-rock11.19.08 - 9:47 am
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Ridazz Roulette!
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