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May 2006 
Los Angeles River Ride
Posted on May 15th, 2006
by 
C.I.C.L.E.
C.I.C.L.E.
For more bicycle stories and the latest bike news visit: www.CICLE.org
We speak with Colin Bogart, President of the LACBC's Board of Directors about the upcoming 6th Annual Los Angeles River Ride. Colin gives us all the details on why the River Ride is so importatnt to LACBC and the eventual completion of the river path, plus what's to eat on the ride and after the ride!
Q: Tell us a little about how the river ride got started and why?
A: I wasn't involved with the decision making process to create the River Ride, but I think I can touch on a few reasons why we do it. 1) It's a fundraising event for the LACBC. It's really our biggest fundraising event of the year as well as being the most visible to the public. 2) It's a way to get our members and/or potential members together for a ride. 3) It's a way to promote the river bike path and to build support for a continuous path all along the Los Angeles River. Several of the LACBC's founding members have a strong affinity for the L.A. River and projects related to the revitalization of the L.A. River, so the River Ride is a natural extension of the commitment to improve the River.
Q: What is the LACBC's plan for the event this year...I hear there is a BBQ after the ride, where is that held? I think I may ride there first.
A: We have a few new features of this year's ride. First, we're adding a new pit-stop at The California Endowment building near the Chinatown Gold Line station. The California Endowment contacted us about hosting the pit-stop and have offered to provide food and entertainment. We're thrilled! It's a great place for a pit-stop since the location is already close to the existing route and we've been told there needs to be at least one pit-stop between the River Center and Dills Park in Paramount - the next pit-stop on the way to Long Beach.
Second, we may add a pit-stop in Maywood, south of downtown. Maywood is opening a new park right next to the bike path. We're still not sure if the park will be open in time. We'll see. I can't say yet if this will happen this year, but we hope so. If not, we'll make it a pit-stop next year for sure. We're so glad that Maywood is opening this park. I've visited the location and it looks like it's going to be very nice.
Third, we plan to use this year's River Ride as a springboard for a postcard campaign. The postcard campaign would voice support for all bike path projects along the LA River as part of the overall revitalization plan. It combines advocacy with a fun ride, which I like a lot. We're still working out the details of this as well.
Yes, there will be a BBQ after the ride. The BBQ will be at the start area in Griffith Park, called Park Center, which is located near the Park Ranger Headquarters and the Merry-Go-Round turn-off. This is actually the second year we've offered a BBQ. We want people to hang out and relax for a while after the ride is over.
Q: The funds you raise go right back into promoting the river paths don't they? How much progress has been made in getting the river paths a few steps closer to being completed in the future?
A: The funds raised at the River Ride are for all activities of the LACBC, including river related projects. The LACBC is working with the local cities, the County, and the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that bike path expansion and improvements are factored into any new projects developed on or around any of our rivers and creeks in Los Angeles County, including the LA River. Much of our staff time is spent attending river and watershed planning meetings.
We also coordinate with other groups who are lobbying for changes along the LA River such as Friends of the LA River and The River Project to ensure that a bike path remains a primary element in their lobbying efforts.
The LACBC was invited by Councilman Ed Reyes (Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the LA River) to sit on an advisory committee for the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan. Here we are pushing not only for a continuous bike path, but also advocating for specific design elements that will make the bike paths safer, more accessible, and well connected to the surrounding communities. The resulting designs can be a model for other bike paths around the county and the region.
The LACBC is also assisting in the development of a Master Plan for a bikeway along Coyote Creek on the border of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. This plan will lead directly to improvements along existing bike path segments and will provide plans for new stretches of bike path along the creek.
Q: Now what happens if someone gets a flat tire and and doesn't know how to fix it? Will the support come and help them even if they are the very last rider and have been lagging way behind?
A: The ride is fully supported. REI is providing mechanical assistance at the start area and at the pit stops. The Bicycle Kitchen will be at the River Center pit stop. We also have people riding the route specifically to help people with flats or other mechanical problems. There are a few riders who always follow the last River Ride participants to make sure no one gets left behind or stranded. We also have people driving support vehicles to pick up riders who can't finish the ride for whatever reason.
Q: What can I eat at one of the pit stops?
A: The pit stops are usually a mix of snack foods and fruit. We're working on sponsors for this so we can minimize what we actually have to buy. Most likely we'll have bananas, oranges, cookies, nuts, and energy bars. SmartWater is also donating most of the water we'll be giving to the riders.
Q: What's in it for the kids? What do you have planned for them?
A: A lot of the details for the kids ride are still in the works so it's hard for me to say exactly what we're doing yet. In addition to the ride, we're hoping to have a bicycle safety rodeo. We've also partnered with another non-profit that works with blind children to offer free vision tests for all the kid's ride participants as well as some fun activities related to identifying sounds and smells.
Q: Give a little description of the four legs that riders can participate in. And if you choose to do the whole 70 miles, can you still make it back in time for the BBQ?
A: All the rides start at the same place in Griffith Park. The kids' ride is held entirely in Griffith Park and will cover a short distance, roughly a mile.
The Family Ride will be along the Glendale Narrows section of the LA River which I think is one of the nicest sections. Maybe I'm biased because I live near there. The family ride goes to the L.A. River Center and back. The family ride is roughly 15 miles.
The Park to Playa ride goes all the way to Long Beach. Riders can then take the blue line train to the red line and ride back to Griffith Park from the Union Station metro stop. Most of the ride is on the river path, but there is some street riding through Chinatown, Boyle Heights, Vernon and downtown Long Beach. Mileage for this option is about 45 miles.
The Park to Playa to Park ride is the longest route. Riders will go all the way to Long Beach and ride back, instead of taking the train. The mileage for the long ride is about 70 miles.
All the rides are mostly on the bike path with some street riding. Participants will be sharing the road with motorists. There are pit-stops along the way. The route will be clearly marked and each participant will be given a map. All the rides are essentially flat. There are no big hills. The only hill I can think of is near Hollenbeck Park on South Boyle Avenue, but it's not a difficult one.
As for the BBQ, we will continue to cook food for participants until the last rider rolls in. Most of the 70 mile riders get back around the same time, but riders continue to return to the start area all afternoon.
Q: And what do you serve at the BBQ? Will there be any Veggie options?
A: We're planning to serve hamburgers and veggie burgers. We're working on donations for additional goodies, but burgers and veggie burgers will be the main item. Anyone who can help with food donations, please call the LACBC office.
Q: This is a pretty big event of yours, how many volunteers do you usually need to operate the ride? If I volunteer do I get free food..hee hee?
We have over 100 volunteers who help the day of the ride and all the preparation before the ride. Honestly, I've never counted them all! We still need volunteers so anyone who'd like to help out can call the LACBC office at 213 629-2142. Yes, we feed our volunteers!
Q: So you can save five bucks if you sign up for the ride before May 1st, but can you show up at the last minute and pay at the event itself to participate?
A: Yes, you can register the day of the ride. It's a little crazy that morning so show up early and please be patient. Anyone who registers the day of the ride can still get a discount by becoming an LACBC member. Then you get the benefit of discounts at many bike shops (as a member) as well as the discount for the ride. For those who would rather register in advance, we're going to do advance registration at several REI locations the weekend before the ride. Check the LACBC website for more details. People can also register online at Active.com or by mailing/faxing the registration forms to the LACBC with credit card information or a check.
Q: Anything else you wanted to add?
A: Participants in the ride can expect to get some free stuff at the ride. Each participant will get a goodie-bag as well as a River Ride t-shirt. PhotoCrazy is taking pictures of all the riders. Each rider can get one free photo after the ride. REI is going to hold a raffle for a free bike. We're working on other prizes so come to the ride and see what happens!...
Published May 3rd 2006 by C.I.C.L.E.
By Liz Elliott
We speak with Colin Bogart, President of the LACBC's Board of Directors about the upcoming 6th Annual Los Angeles River Ride. Colin gives us all the details on why the River Ride is so importatnt to LACBC and the eventual completion of the river path, plus what's to eat on the ride and after the ride!
Q: Tell us a little about how the river ride got started and why?
A: I wasn't involved with the decision making process to create the River Ride, but I think I can touch on a few reasons why we do it. 1) It's a fundraising event for the LACBC. It's really our biggest fundraising event of the year as well as being the most visible to the public. 2) It's a way to get our members and/or potential members together for a ride. 3) It's a way to promote the river bike path and to build support for a continuous path all along the Los Angeles River. Several of the LACBC's founding members have a strong affinity for the L.A. River and projects related to the revitalization of the L.A. River, so the River Ride is a natural extension of the commitment to improve the River.
Q: What is the LACBC's plan for the event this year...I hear there is a BBQ after the ride, where is that held? I think I may ride there first.
A: We have a few new features of this year's ride. First, we're adding a new pit-stop at The California Endowment building near the Chinatown Gold Line station. The California Endowment contacted us about hosting the pit-stop and have offered to provide food and entertainment. We're thrilled! It's a great place for a pit-stop since the location is already close to the existing route and we've been told there needs to be at least one pit-stop between the River Center and Dills Park in Paramount - the next pit-stop on the way to Long Beach.
Second, we may add a pit-stop in Maywood, south of downtown. Maywood is opening a new park right next to the bike path. We're still not sure if the park will be open in time. We'll see. I can't say yet if this will happen this year, but we hope so. If not, we'll make it a pit-stop next year for sure. We're so glad that Maywood is opening this park. I've visited the location and it looks like it's going to be very nice.
Third, we plan to use this year's River Ride as a springboard for a postcard campaign. The postcard campaign would voice support for all bike path projects along the LA River as part of the overall revitalization plan. It combines advocacy with a fun ride, which I like a lot. We're still working out the details of this as well.
Yes, there will be a BBQ after the ride. The BBQ will be at the start area in Griffith Park, called Park Center, which is located near the Park Ranger Headquarters and the Merry-Go-Round turn-off. This is actually the second year we've offered a BBQ. We want people to hang out and relax for a while after the ride is over.
Q: The funds you raise go right back into promoting the river paths don't they? How much progress has been made in getting the river paths a few steps closer to being completed in the future?
A: The funds raised at the River Ride are for all activities of the LACBC, including river related projects. The LACBC is working with the local cities, the County, and the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that bike path expansion and improvements are factored into any new projects developed on or around any of our rivers and creeks in Los Angeles County, including the LA River. Much of our staff time is spent attending river and watershed planning meetings.
We also coordinate with other groups who are lobbying for changes along the LA River such as Friends of the LA River and The River Project to ensure that a bike path remains a primary element in their lobbying efforts.
The LACBC was invited by Councilman Ed Reyes (Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for the LA River) to sit on an advisory committee for the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan. Here we are pushing not only for a continuous bike path, but also advocating for specific design elements that will make the bike paths safer, more accessible, and well connected to the surrounding communities. The resulting designs can be a model for other bike paths around the county and the region.
The LACBC is also assisting in the development of a Master Plan for a bikeway along Coyote Creek on the border of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. This plan will lead directly to improvements along existing bike path segments and will provide plans for new stretches of bike path along the creek.
Q: Now what happens if someone gets a flat tire and and doesn't know how to fix it? Will the support come and help them even if they are the very last rider and have been lagging way behind?
A: The ride is fully supported. REI is providing mechanical assistance at the start area and at the pit stops. The Bicycle Kitchen will be at the River Center pit stop. We also have people riding the route specifically to help people with flats or other mechanical problems. There are a few riders who always follow the last River Ride participants to make sure no one gets left behind or stranded. We also have people driving support vehicles to pick up riders who can't finish the ride for whatever reason.
Q: What can I eat at one of the pit stops?
A: The pit stops are usually a mix of snack foods and fruit. We're working on sponsors for this so we can minimize what we actually have to buy. Most likely we'll have bananas, oranges, cookies, nuts, and energy bars. SmartWater is also donating most of the water we'll be giving to the riders.
Q: What's in it for the kids? What do you have planned for them?
A: A lot of the details for the kids ride are still in the works so it's hard for me to say exactly what we're doing yet. In addition to the ride, we're hoping to have a bicycle safety rodeo. We've also partnered with another non-profit that works with blind children to offer free vision tests for all the kid's ride participants as well as some fun activities related to identifying sounds and smells.
Q: Give a little description of the four legs that riders can participate in. And if you choose to do the whole 70 miles, can you still make it back in time for the BBQ?
A: All the rides start at the same place in Griffith Park. The kids' ride is held entirely in Griffith Park and will cover a short distance, roughly a mile.
The Family Ride will be along the Glendale Narrows section of the LA River which I think is one of the nicest sections. Maybe I'm biased because I live near there. The family ride goes to the L.A. River Center and back. The family ride is roughly 15 miles.
The Park to Playa ride goes all the way to Long Beach. Riders can then take the blue line train to the red line and ride back to Griffith Park from the Union Station metro stop. Most of the ride is on the river path, but there is some street riding through Chinatown, Boyle Heights, Vernon and downtown Long Beach. Mileage for this option is about 45 miles.
The Park to Playa to Park ride is the longest route. Riders will go all the way to Long Beach and ride back, instead of taking the train. The mileage for the long ride is about 70 miles.
All the rides are mostly on the bike path with some street riding. Participants will be sharing the road with motorists. There are pit-stops along the way. The route will be clearly marked and each participant will be given a map. All the rides are essentially flat. There are no big hills. The only hill I can think of is near Hollenbeck Park on South Boyle Avenue, but it's not a difficult one.
As for the BBQ, we will continue to cook food for participants until the last rider rolls in. Most of the 70 mile riders get back around the same time, but riders continue to return to the start area all afternoon.
Q: And what do you serve at the BBQ? Will there be any Veggie options?
A: We're planning to serve hamburgers and veggie burgers. We're working on donations for additional goodies, but burgers and veggie burgers will be the main item. Anyone who can help with food donations, please call the LACBC office.
Q: This is a pretty big event of yours, how many volunteers do you usually need to operate the ride? If I volunteer do I get free food..hee hee?
We have over 100 volunteers who help the day of the ride and all the preparation before the ride. Honestly, I've never counted them all! We still need volunteers so anyone who'd like to help out can call the LACBC office at 213 629-2142. Yes, we feed our volunteers!
Q: So you can save five bucks if you sign up for the ride before May 1st, but can you show up at the last minute and pay at the event itself to participate?
A: Yes, you can register the day of the ride. It's a little crazy that morning so show up early and please be patient. Anyone who registers the day of the ride can still get a discount by becoming an LACBC member. Then you get the benefit of discounts at many bike shops (as a member) as well as the discount for the ride. For those who would rather register in advance, we're going to do advance registration at several REI locations the weekend before the ride. Check the LACBC website for more details. People can also register online at Active.com or by mailing/faxing the registration forms to the LACBC with credit card information or a check.
Q: Anything else you wanted to add?
A: Participants in the ride can expect to get some free stuff at the ride. Each participant will get a goodie-bag as well as a River Ride t-shirt. PhotoCrazy is taking pictures of all the riders. Each rider can get one free photo after the ride. REI is going to hold a raffle for a free bike. We're working on other prizes so come to the ride and see what happens!...
Access: Public
Our Earth Day experience was much more successful then we had anticipated. Which was really nice, especially since we were pretty sleep deprived and overworked by the time Friday rolled around. Murphy’s law was in full effect as not only our printer broke down, but the three print shops we rushed off to were having issues with their printers as well. This does not even include the drama that transpired with our banner either -- let me just say that it was a tad bit stressful.
go visit it. The campus is a working demonstration of sustainable living, and the people there are fantastic. We were concerned that our fatigue would hamper our ability to connect with people, but everyone who came into the booth got us super energized and this kept us extra inspired for the entirety of the day. 
We had everyday cyclists, groups of teens came in with their fresh enthusiastic faces, young adults, old folks, really people of all ages were stopping by and checking out the folding bicycle, the Xtracycle, the panniers, the trailer -- all grabbing the free info and chatting about the wonders of the bicycle and the amazing local bike community that exists working to make L.A. a bike-friendly place.
There is so much incredible energy and enthusiasm in L.A. right now -- so many different people working on many different levels to help make this place a sustainable city. In particular we speak of the many cyclists and cycle-activists that are out there doing rides and events, those dealing with the city’s red tape and bureaucracy, the many hooking up the kids and youth with bikes and bike safety, and all of you working to establish a rich and diverse bicycle culture. We are just a small part of this, but we are so glad to be a part of it.
