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MIXTEMOTIONS
08.5.10
What’s your name (optional) and/or your Midnight Ridazz log-in name?
Nicole Arneson - mixtemotions
How did you first hear about Midnight Ridazz and what was your first group bike ride?
About 3 years ago Rev. Dak told me about Midnight Ridazz. He helped me put together a bike ( Mel C, my beloved mixte that I still ride!) I did a few small Tren Way rides and as soon as I was comfortable on my bike (ok, maybe a little BEFORE I was totally confident) I joined Rev. Dak and Borfo on the Cruz w/ Us "Punk Rock Ride" That my 1st Midnight Ridazz group ride. Followed by SMCM, after those few rides I was hooked!
Currently what rides do you attend regularly and what ride(s) would you like to see make a comeback?
My riding consists mainly of small group rides with friends and commuting. Riding is just part of my daily life now and has been for over a year since I ditched my car. It's more than just entertainment, still, it's terribly entertaining! I'd LOVE to have a R0b0tz Reunion Ride... that was one of my favorite group rides. As soon as my work (yes a Rida w/ a job!) schedule is a little more regular I'd like to get involved w/ GOGA and keep it going strong. Anyway, I have all these special places in my heart for so many rides I used to go on, but they all had their time. Now I look forward to some new rides!
What advice would you pass on to new ridazz?
Bring your excitement and new ideas! DIVE IN! Los Angeles is amazing and you'll see it in a new way every time you hop on your bike. Don't be a jerk or do things that reflect poorly on our community, like stealing or fighting or being an asshole! And be safe!!! Get involved w/ the co-ops, the city council meetings, make your own bike lanes, make billboards even!! Speak up if you think something isn't right and make the city a better place for riding!
If you were leading a group ride, what would you do differently?
I would stop at Ridazz houses instead of liquor stores.... this is just an idea that came from the amazing generosity I experienced Friends of the Friendless rides. A perfect stranger invited us in and gave us all beer! And we just hung out w/ him in his living room... this was AFTER a dozen or more of us "Friends" stalked him on his bike ride home! It was totally surreal! It could be like Burning Man jajaajajajaj! (I MEAN... like a gifting society) maybe this is only a good idea for smaller rides... but hey, it would be pretty cool to have 300 ridazz stop by your house for 15-20 min and drink all your beer and eat yr bananas and cliff bars, no??
Do you prefer small rides (30 or less people) or larger rides and why?
I like both. it's really more about the RIDE than the # of people. It's about how people handle THEMSELVES. They should do it the same way on large and small rides. It's also about the magic that happens when you have a zillion sparkling spokes and music and fresh air! When that happens it's beautiful and SO MUCH FUN!
Tell us about the best and worst experience you’ve encountered on a group ride.
It's harder to choose a BEST experience because since I've been riding w/ Midnight Ridazz and people I've met from MR my life has blossomed in the most fantastic way. There are too many awesome experiences. Trips! Exploring L.A.! Meeting the BEST people!! Being healthy and strong. *RARR!!* The only thing I've had bad experiences with on rides is being scared! When people ride in a way that puts others in danger it freaks me out and it's hard for me to have fun. Also when people steal bikes, or other anything that doesn't belong to them... that just pisses me off and I drift off in to fantasies of "Bait Bikes" w/ flimsy seat posts/forks/tubing...and I hate thinking like that. OH! and Violent exchanges w/ motorists TOP my list of bad experiences. I HATE THAT SHIT! We are cyclists... we should not sink to the level of anyone who acts on THEIR misunderstanding of the law. We have the same rights to the roads as they do. There is never a need for violence. Theeeee end!
What did you do for fun before you started “riding”?
The usual, movies, going out to eat, staying home watching TV chatting online... spending money on shit I didn't really need. DROVE a LOT to go do these things... spent A LOT of time in traffic... listening to talk radio, music, and talking on my cell phone (b4 the law....) I do miss my ped friends who I see less and less... that's the only downside to riding, it kinda takes over!
What’s the best and worst thing group bike rides have done for cycling as a whole in Los Angeles?
Best thing it's done is raise awareness! Weather or not people like us, or would ever do it themselves, it forces others to see us. The more people see other people on bikes in this city, the better it will be fore everyone! I'm so surprised how much of a boom there's been from when I first heard about MR until now. Hopefully the things I consider "the worst" are just growing pains and people will adapt. ::::optimism::::optimism::::brightside:::: it'sgonnahappen:::: yee!!!::::
If you can name 1 person who embodies the spirit of “Midnight Ridazz”, Who would it be and Why?
Oi.... I have been out of the loop lately but I think there are a lot of people who bring *IT* I can't pick faves. But HISTORICALLY speaking I think SKIDMARCUS made some of the most innovative and exciting rides that brought people together and made everyone happy and sweaty and covered in stuff. Tarsis gots it, Alec, Fuzz, Laharr, Barley...basically all the Cory Leets heheh j/k Name someone and I can tell you something they do that embodies the spirit of "Midnight Ridazz"... i dong know =)
What do you think the public’s perception is of group bike rides?
They love GROUP BIKE RIDES, and you love THEM... just keep acting as if this is true and someday it will be!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Hey MR! I miss you!
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