Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.ClanLee
03-04-07, 01:27 PM
Just got back from the 2007 Acura Bike Tour LA. I started at 2:30 AM and got to the Metro station by 4:00 AM to catch the 4:37 AM train. Got down to the starting line by 5:30 and waited until 5:50 to get started. We were sent off with fireworks and live music.
There were lots and lots of riders. Your bib number was determined sequentially. I registered in November and received a number of 3465. While waiting in line, I saw numbers ranging from 400 to 14976. I'm not sure how many riders there were, I guess someone will post numbers.
I was worried about not having any room to ride, but after we left the starting line, it cleared up and I had lots of room to ride. You still had to watch for other riders but for the most part, everybody was courteous and gave each other room. Not too many people jumped in front of you without looking where they were going.
The only bunch up of riders was on the one and only hill. It was on West 6th Street. It was a sharp left turn and then everyone was climbing... well, people tried. Some of the ones who couldn't make the climb just got off their bikes in the middle of the road (not aware that there were others behind them trying to make it up). There was on guy who was riding next to me who kept shouting "DON'T MAKE ME STOP!" and "CLIMB DAMN IT!" Not, I don't think he was yelling at the other riders (I could be wrong) but it seemed like he was trying to motivate himself. It took some navigating, but I made it up the hill with other riders only inches away (well, it seemed like that!!).
During my ride, I only saw one injury. By the time I realized what had happened, I was riding past a cyclist who fell and hit his face on the pavement. As I passed, there were LAPD trainees diverting riders and trying to assist him. His face was covered in blood and he was just lying there... He was wearing his helmet but he must have fell in such a way that it didn't help.
Otherwise, it was a great ride. 22 miles in 1.5 hours and I didn't have to stop for a single light. Not tired at all! What can you say when the entire route is composed of a single hill at 400 ft.
There were lots and lots of riders. Your bib number was determined sequentially. I registered in November and received a number of 3465. While waiting in line, I saw numbers ranging from 400 to 14976. I'm not sure how many riders there were, I guess someone will post numbers.
I was worried about not having any room to ride, but after we left the starting line, it cleared up and I had lots of room to ride. You still had to watch for other riders but for the most part, everybody was courteous and gave each other room. Not too many people jumped in front of you without looking where they were going.
The only bunch up of riders was on the one and only hill. It was on West 6th Street. It was a sharp left turn and then everyone was climbing... well, people tried. Some of the ones who couldn't make the climb just got off their bikes in the middle of the road (not aware that there were others behind them trying to make it up). There was on guy who was riding next to me who kept shouting "DON'T MAKE ME STOP!" and "CLIMB DAMN IT!" Not, I don't think he was yelling at the other riders (I could be wrong) but it seemed like he was trying to motivate himself. It took some navigating, but I made it up the hill with other riders only inches away (well, it seemed like that!!).
During my ride, I only saw one injury. By the time I realized what had happened, I was riding past a cyclist who fell and hit his face on the pavement. As I passed, there were LAPD trainees diverting riders and trying to assist him. His face was covered in blood and he was just lying there... He was wearing his helmet but he must have fell in such a way that it didn't help.
Otherwise, it was a great ride. 22 miles in 1.5 hours and I didn't have to stop for a single light. Not tired at all! What can you say when the entire route is composed of a single hill at 400 ft.