Southern California - Midnight Ridazz feature

Kcet.org's Social Nets issue of its online magazine features the bike community Midnight Ridazz. The segment includes an article by LA Times contributor Stephen Krcmar and a whole slew of multimedia extras: photos and video of the rides and interviews with some of the original ridazz. I highly recommend checking it out. It's really well done and it serves as a great introduction for anyone who is interested in biking communities. You can check it out at http://www.kcet.org/explore-ca/web-stories/social-nets/midnight.php.

Thanks, Kate, I'll give it look over for sure. :) Welcome, by the way.

whatever

whatever
:eek: Ouch. I'm being sincere. :rolleyes:

what's midnight ridazz? i'm too lazy to check that link.

Midnight Ridazz are a group of urban riders that I will not ride with since some of their members drink and ride (as in alcohol and buzzed while doing it) as well as not wearing helmets, etc. However, SOME of their members are responsible, safe riders. I never know which will be arriving on their various rides, so I steer clear. However, it was nice of Kate to come in and share the article with the rest of us. It's always nice to know who are out riding, IMHO.

:eek: Ouch. I'm being sincere. :rolleyes:

Whoops, my snide reply was for the OP, sorry ME! We posted at the same time.:)

Whoops, my snide reply was for the OP, sorry ME! We posted at the same time.:)
No worries, and I kind of figured. MR doesn't carry a great reputation among true roadies, but the OP didn't know that and may very well be one of the responsible members of that group. :o

MR doesn't carry a great reputation with true roadies:o
that's cause a lot of "true roadies" are really uptight. do some ridazz drink? sure, but i know domestic pros who smoke crack so...it's all relative.

that's cause a lot of "true roadies" are really uptight. do some ridazz drink? sure, but i know domestic pros who smoke crack so...it's all relative.

Why must ridazz be phonetically challenged?

that's cause a lot of "true roadies" are really uptight. do some ridazz drink? sure, but i know domestic pros who smoke crack so...it's all relative.

:rolleyes: Drinking and riding are both dangerous and illegal - and something I personally want nothing to do with. It's dangerous enough on the roads as it is, and I don't think it "uptight" for us roadies to not want to be around that. As for pros smoking crack (another :rolleyes: ), I'm not a pro and don't ride with them. You can find them there pros and take that up with them if you've got an issue. In the meantime, safe riding. :)

:rolleyes: Drinking and riding are both dangerous and illegal - and something I personally want nothing to do with. It's dangerous enough on the roads as it is, and I don't think it "uptight" for us roadies to not want to be around that. As for pros smoking crack (another :rolleyes: ), I'm not a pro and don't ride with them. You can find them there pros and take that up with them if you've got an issue. In the meantime, safe riding. :)
you're totally right, I don't drink and drive, nor do i endorse anyone doing so. i just think a lot of roadies roll their eyes at something like midnite ridazz cause it's outside their narrow scope of what cycling should or can be.
i'd still rather be around a slightly buzzed cyclist than many of the sober car drivers out there. i mean really, if someone is that drunk, they're not going to get far on a bike anyway, unlike a car.
and likewise, SAFE (and fun) riding!!

you're totally right, I don't drink and drive, nor do i endorse anyone doing so. i just think a lot of roadies roll their eyes at something like midnite ridazz cause it's outside their narrow scope of what cycling should or can be.
i'd still rather be around a slightly buzzed cyclist than many of the sober car drivers out there. i mean really, if someone is that drunk, they're not going to get far on a bike anyway, unlike a car.
and likewise, SAFE (and fun) riding!!

Well, Bruce, I'm willing to debate this issue (but of course, because I feel strongly about it and have been vocal about Midnight Ridazz before on this forum - yet, I was very kind and respectful to the OP of this thread). I'd say riding and drinking is the same offense as driving and drinking (which, by the way, the law views it the same as well). As for the scope of cycling and what it should be, please consider that many roadies are neither uptight nor narrow minded - I being one of them. I'll ride with anyone at any level (on any type of bike) and encourage them as long as they are safe, responsible and willing to follow the laws of the road as we as cyclists are bound by law to do, just like the motorists. I will NOT ride with ANYONE who drinks while riding (or who is proven to be an unsafe rider).

As for the motorists out there who are unsafe and/or aggressive with cyclists on the road, I have no control over their behavior but put my own life on the line and ride with great risk when near/around them - per my OWN choosing. I do not need any additional hazards added to that risk - i.e. the cyclists around me drinking!

And last but not least, I will reiterate, it is my understanding that not all Midnight Ridazz are drinkers (while riding) nor unsafe (sans helmets, common courtesy to other riders, etc.). Although I will not join them, I realize there are some very responsible members among them, even if they are not your stereotypical "roadies." :)

totally fair. i just had to speak up because i've had some really great experiences riding the midnite ridazz, and i would recommend it to anyone looking for something fun and different to do on a bike, but i see your point and respect it.

I reiterate, whatever.

that's cause a lot of "true roadies" are really uptight. do some ridazz drink? sure, but i know domestic pros who smoke crack so...it's all relative.

Name them.

I reiterate, whatever.
'55, I take it you have had first-hand, negative experience with the Midnight Ridazz? Or perhaps know someone who has? If so, I would be interested to hear the story.

Re: biking and intoxication. I prefer to keep a clear head. The activity is fun enough in itself; plus, being a grade-A dork, I need all my (limited) faculties, unimpaired, just to keep the rubber-side down.

Question, though, re: the mention of the drinking-factor* in the MR rides:

Do those of us (me included) who consider it not-Ok to ride drunk, consider it A-OK to ride clear-headed, but then meet up for beers apres...load the bikes in the car...and tootle on home?

I've done it. I don't condone it.

Also, has anyone else here driven Under The Influence of Exhaustion? You know: driving home after serious exertion: bonked, disoriented, dehydrated, seeing double?

Yep. I've done it. I don't condone it.

I guess my point here is...oh, heck. Forgot my point.





* I understand and appreciate that the booze-factor was mentioned with the disclaimer that it ONLY applies to SOME of the MR participants.

I really don't think the problem with Midnight Ridazz are those that ride drunk. With the pace that is taken and the amount of riders, I just can't see a few drunk (or high) riders as an issue.

Over 1000 riders totally shutting down roads, on the other hand, is a bit of an issue.

Of course, it might have changed quite a bit since the last time I did Ridazz, which was the ride that had like 1200-1500 riders and was followed by police cars and helicopters alike.

Name them.
mmmmmmm..........no.

Ride hard, THEN drink....

Thanks for posting that, Kate. I already saw it somewhere else...love the idea of the rides, have friends who do them and someday I'll have to stay up late enough to go on one...:p

I hear that--staying up late would be the challenge for me as well. I actually knew very little about the group until I saw the KCET story on them (I have never done a ride), I was just very attracted to the idea of fostering bike communities and stressing a communal and social bike experience. Whether it is Midnight Ridazz or another bike collective, I appreciate groups that encourage people to look at biking, not as a solitary activity, but as an attractive social outlet. Clearly, there is a lot of controversy (which I can understand) surrounding the group, and it is good to hear all sides.

Kate and Alice,
Why don't you two ladies come join on a BF ride? Many of them are very social yet excellent workouts. I ride with others 95% of the rides I'm on. Rarely do I ride alone these days. I love the idea of fostering cycling communties and am trying to do so IN THIS ONE. ;) Thus, the reason I constantly provide ride reports with pictures and organize rides. My point is, Midnight Ridazz is one avenue for you to enjoy, and So Cal BFers are another. Roadies sometimes get a bad rep due to a few riders who prefer hardcore rides (and they should enjoy them), but there are many of us who can ride hardcore at times, but kick back on more "social based" rides when one presents itself. I hope you both will come out and play with us in the future. :) Just for thought, there is a GMR ride next Sunday with various levels joining and a River Ride on June 10th - for which both threads can be found in this forum.

EDIT: Oh, and there is our night ride in Griffith Park (once it opens back up) that is only 17 miles max. It doesn't keep a rider out past 10pm.

My point is, Midnight Ridazz is one avenue for you to enjoy, and So Cal BFers are another.

And there is nothing stopping you from enjoying both. :)

I've done both! I'll do any ride where there's posing.

And there is nothing stopping you from enjoying both. :)
Well, I won't because of the reason I've already stated. :)

Well, I won't because of the reason I've already stated. :)

Of course. By "you" I meant the person you were replying to. :)

I enjoy both. Well, I did enjoy both until Midnite Ridazz got so big that it stopped being a ride and started being a "walk your bike around tight corners 'cuz there's too many people."

Definitely different crowds, for certain. Out on the SART, for instance, I felt odd on my fixie in my baggy MTB shorts, but on Ridazz I'da felt all sorts of weird in my lycra.

But it was really cool to see cyclists of ALL types -- from fixie to roadie to MTBer to BMXer to Dickensian big-wheel bikes -- all in one place riding together.

Of course. By "you" I meant the person you were replying to. :)

But it was really cool to see cyclists of ALL types -- from fixie to roadie to MTBer to BMXer to Dickensian big-wheel bikes -- all in one place riding together.

You're cracking me up...I know who you meant (well, actually, I thought you meant "you" as all riders) ;)

What I find interesting is you get one of two reactions with the Midnight Ridazz. People either think it's cool or people think it dangerous and want no part of it. I find few riders who fall in between these two views. Also, what I find curious is that some of the folks who find it cool really want "roadies" to "get it," and if we don't, somehow it is seen as a criticism of mass riding in general or "any other rider who isn't a roadie" on our parts. It's not. It's a comfort level issue. And if people aren't comfortable joining on these rides, it doesn't make them snobs. And for those who desire riding with all types of bikes and riders, they should join and enjoy.

I know who you meant

Oh, heh. *grin*


And if people aren't comfortable joining on these rides, it doesn't make them snobs.

Believe it or not, I couldn't agree with you more. I don't consider myself a roadie, nor do I consider myself a... fixer? Nor anything else, for that matter. I'm just this guy who loves bikes and rides road most of the time. I suppose I am more roadie than anything else, however.

I find the distinctions between the "classes" to be silly. Full-kit roadies get so much hassling on fixie forums, and I can't help but scoff at the idiocy.

But yeah, ride what you want, ride what makes you happy, and don't dis something just because someone else disses it. :)

But yeah, ride what you want, ride what makes you happy, and don't dis something just because someone else disses it. :)

I'm using the above as my new signature. :D

I'm using the above as my new signature. :D

By all means. :)

I want to do a BF ride! :)

Right now I have some limitations. I stopped driving a car so I prefer not to go too far. Stuff at night is hard to do, also, since buses don't always run late in certain areas...

Nothing that can't be worked out with planning.:)

Luckily I live right near the San Gabriel River and Rio Hondo multi-use trails...that makes for plenty of opportunities to meet up with different folks...:)

the San Gabriel River ... trail

I've never ridden the SGRT. I'm a SART boy, meself. Is the SGRT a good ride?

I think it's nice. It suffers from alot of the same urban blight other parts of LA do. Trash, graffiti...

The birds along the way are outstanding...great blue herons, snowy egrets...hawks...vultures.

I live near four corners... http://www.nearfield.com/~dan/sports/bike/river/sg/index.htm

The best thing about it as far as I'm concerned is that I only need to ride a few blocks and I'm on it. The same with the Legg Lake region. :D

The birds along the way are outstanding...great blue herons, snowy egrets...hawks...vultures.


I see no mention of budgies in that list. :mad: :( ;)



I have yet to do a group ride of any type. :o

As I was telling alice offline, I'm kinda scairt. I have this image of someone (probably me) causing a massive pile-up. She reassured me that it's not like riding in a peloton, but still...I'm pretty klutzy, and have slow reflexes. Maybe if I ride in the back* of the pack...?


* And NO**, that is not just a thinly-veiled ploy to ogle male glutes.

** OK, maybe it is. Can you blame a girl?

I like to head south just about to Beverly Blvd. then back up north and ride up to the Santa Fe Dam and back.

I'd only go all the way south to the beach in a group...

Should we do it??

Thanks for the invitation. I look forward to joining in some rides in the near future.

I really don't think the problem with Midnight Ridazz are those that ride drunk. With the pace that is taken and the amount of riders, I just can't see a few drunk (or high) riders as an issue.

Over 1000 riders totally shutting down roads, on the other hand, is a bit of an issue.

Of course, it might have changed quite a bit since the last time I did Ridazz, which was the ride that had like 1200-1500 riders and was followed by police cars and helicopters alike.

the toy ride?

the toy ride?

*thinks*

*thinks really hard*

Let's see... I did the sell-out ride, then pizza delivery for the mafia. It was after that ride, or maybe the one after that. I dunno, they all blend together now. :)

But "the toy ride" sounds familiar enough that it might be the one I'm thinking of. If memory serves, we ended up in the LACC parking lot just hanging out.

*thinks*

*thinks really hard*

Let's see... I did the sell-out ride, then pizza delivery for the mafia. It was after that ride, or maybe the one after that. I dunno, they all blend together now. :)

But "the toy ride" sounds familiar enough that it might be the one I'm thinking of. If memory serves, we ended up in the LACC parking lot just hanging out.


the toy ride was the ride we did this past december before christmas to collect toys for less fortunate kids in LA. we ended up in some club afterward, it was pretty lame. but the ride was super fun. there were 9 different starting points and we all ended up at olvera street, then at that club.

the toy ride was the ride we did this past december before christmas to collect toys for less fortunate kids in LA. we ended up in some club afterward, it was pretty lame. but the ride was super fun. there were 9 different starting points and we all ended up at olvera street, then at that club.

No, it was before that. It was the ride before the ride before they started splitting up start points. Heh, if that helps at all. :)

Hilarious Thread. Bikeforums Is Against Fun.

haters will hate.... Ridazz will ride.

dot com :p

Hilarious Thread. Bikeforums Is Against Fun.

Yes...that's us. Go find someplace that is fun.:)

Yes...that's us. Go find someplace that is fun.:)
+1 Don't they have their own forum?

"Like it or not, this is who I am. This is what the world has made of me, and we must all live with the consequences. I can’t feel or believe or act differently than I do, let alone change the decades of life behind me that have wrought this. I don’t want to compete with you for moral high ground or anything else. Unless you’re prepared to kill everyone who doesn’t line up with your standards, or to endure this impasse of animosity indefinitely, you’re going to have to accept me on my own terms, as I hope to do with you. You are as responsible as I am for making what goes on between us positive for us both—or for the world of strife we will live in otherwise."

"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."

Oh, good Lord. :rolleyes: [smacks hand on forehead] You guys are too much. My ignore list is getting longer and longer today! What is this sudden flux of odd posts!

EDIT: Sorry, Vance, that wasn't meant for you! :p

go roll up your pants so they don't get caught in your chain and have fun then, kid. go support your cause, you little rebels, you. seriously. no one cares. just go.