T.H.A.N.K.S. MOB
Thread started by
richtotheie at 09.20.10 - 12:50 pm
THANK YOU...
Right off the bat, THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who came all dressed up showing true CMOB spirit! Awesome costumes and the brightest smiles i've seen in a LONG time!!
Even more thanks to our AMAZING dancing girl troupe. They are the F.U.N. between CRANK MOBs Legs!!!
Super shout out to those who helped with planning, suggestions, and spirit, ALEC (FUN DICTATOR 2010), ALEX T, and CAMERON!
Also big ups to our Musical friends, FUNDERSTORM, FIM, THE SHRINE, PROFESSOR CALCULUS, and UP YOUR ALLEY!!! THANK YOU!!
**Now down to business**
From what i have heard, the Mob did pretty well for the short duration of the ride, minus two aspects which completely FAILED.
1) Every time a biker crosses the double yellow line, it gives the Police more reason to put the ride to an end. Don't ride into oncoming traffic lanes! That's not hard is it?
2) The amount of trash left at the start and ROSS stop was completely UNACCEPTABLE. There are trash cans walking distance from everywhere, and since many of you didn't do your part, it left a certain group of people behind cleaning up YOUR messes. You may think it's a "Hippy" thing to clean up the Earth, when although it does help it's not the major reason. The parking lot we take over, we are using for FREE to host our entertainment and fun activities. Trashing it will only make sure we don't get to go back there again and leave a bad taste about bikers for all of LA to indulge on.
The point is, DO NOT GIVE PEOPLE/POLICE INCENTIVE TO DISLIKE US! If anything, we want them to JOIN the party. Do your part and see to it that YOUR bike community has the best reputation and highest appeal.
____
If it weren't for all of you, this ride would be NOTHING. The people make it what it is, and i thank you all for coming, riding, loving, partying, playing, dancing, singing, and smiling. See you soon,
- Richie
p.s. -A few topics to cover here
POLICE
There is a LOT of hating going on the forums which i expect from the majority of people who talk a lot and throw out their opinions immaturely. But lets get down to the truth here:
IF us bikers were able to stay in our lanes, pick up our trash, NOT steal from stores, NOT tag at stops, and actually POLICE ourselves, perhaps the LAPD wouldn't find it so necessary to join us for the night. I say "US" bikers because if just ONE of US fuck up, we ALL fuck up. That alone is the reason it is SO important for us to manage ourselves.
On top of that, it is still illegal to meet in such a huge group which I acknowledge, but i believe 2000 bikers riding together is a whole hell of a lot better than 2000 car/truck drivers on the road, or even worse, a percentage of that driving intoxicated.
Bike rides are our own Mobile Community Center. Help us keep this going. We're open to suggestions.
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Dear Richie,
Thank you for this post. the goal of the LAPD is not to police your ride...the more self-policing going on the less actual police you need.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss how we can all do better.
Thanks,
David
35128@lapd.lacity.org
Sgt. David Krumer09.20.10 - 1:08 pm
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Greetings everyone,
This was my first time riding with the crankmobbers and, although I agree with a few things which have been said on the forum before (the ride abruptly ending without a clear indication, and how immature it seems to trash a place we're using without permission) the people I invited and I, had an absolutely great time!
Thank you for a memorable ride and let's hope the idiots(those of you who are too cool to stay on the ride or to let people know your passing, stopping, etc...) grow tired of this and decide to go to house parties instead.
Thank yous to all of you involved in the organization,
It was an honor.
ericduville09.20.10 - 1:44 pm
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so... rosie and I are doing a radio show called CRANK SHOW and we are very interested in speaking with those of you who stayed back and cleaned - YA HIPPIES ;)
katnip09.20.10 - 2:06 pm
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It would be nice if all the riders would cooperate with the ride leaders, wouldn't it?
alicestrong responding to a
comment by Sgt. David Krumer
09.20.10 - 3:36 pm
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Disclosure- my skepticism and distrustful views derive from my experiences as a kid>>> I do not believe all police officers are good or bad-- I believe some officers are initially idealistic and work passionately to improve their society while others have become overwhelmed and pessimistic about crime and society--and it is a cycle-- police officers fear for their safety and this is perpetuated by name calling and sound effects in their direction and in turn, police officers are quicker to jump and over react-- if you guys say name calling is nothing and not an act of aggression, you are mistaken--it is an act of aggression or at a minimum an act of defiance and potential aggression, we do not make derogatory name calls to individuals we respect and care about--
I am glad the organizer mentioned that it is illegal to meet up in such a huge number---And this is the reason for my post-- I believe the people complaining about police officers are spoiled due to their skin color or perhaps it is that you guys want to redefine or have laws that work for you but not for everyone else- you guys had a very privileged evening at crankmob and you guys are complaining-All that was asked was that cyclists stay to the right and not cross opposing traffic-- I do agree that perhaps the method which officers handled and attempted to push cyclists to the right may or was ineffective and dangerous--however, would the ride have even been allowed to have started if it were 2000 brown kids and young adults or 2000 black kids or would the riot gear have been called at the start-- you guys do not realize the privilege you guys have and take it for granted-- I am not saying other skin colors were not there but the dominance was what it was at the ride--- you guys can say we can make it better and you will--- but acknowledgements should be made is that skin color has a lot to do with you guys even having the ability to gather as 2000 riders going through red lights, going on opposing traffic and not getting ticketed-- you guys are complaining because you feared that you were going to get ticketed--running reds--- I always thought that was a violation---
airglow09.20.10 - 4:06 pm
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No, Thank You!!!....this was my first C.R.A.N.K mob and I loved it....despite from all the people leaving there trash on the floor, name calling and such and such.....but the cops did indeed take there own part of being assholes to ridazz who were peacefully buying and leaving ralphs.....I will NOT thank the cops for there corking....if you were to see how the were driving you would be like wtf....I saw atleast 5 cops cars go on the completely opposite side of traffic going in between oncoming cars forcing them to go either to there left or right.....it is never that serious....its not like we were gonna go have this huge rumble and start fighting and destroying things....what big rides like this need is around 50 people to walk around making sure everything is going good and everyone is picking up there thrash etc etc....
tulosba09.20.10 - 4:26 pm
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Firstly, it's not actaully illegal to assemble a crowd that big that I know of. People have a right to assemble I'd be curious if anyone can point to the specific law that clarifies what the maximum number of people allowed to gather is...
Secondly I'd say LA critical mass is an example of a ride that brings out 2000 people of color. (Probably 25-30 % white people?) and gets decent treatment from the cops.
That being said, these kind of rides are essentially parades and should be policed as such. I'm guessing the tactics for facilitating a parade are much different than what was happening saturday night. You may argue that it is a non permitted parade. Be that it may, it is still a parade and is still an assembly of people. Our great nation is here to facilitate the people gathering.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by airglow
09.20.10 - 5:21 pm
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And thanks Richie for making another great ride.
Roadblock09.20.10 - 5:23 pm
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Thanks Richie, I had one of the best nights in a long time! I understand that with freedom comes responsability, and I am good with that! I appreciate all you did for the ride, and the dancing troupe was a great reminder of how cool and different and F.U.N. our rides can be. Crank Mob loved me long time! What else can I say but, Thank You!!
marleydog09.20.10 - 5:30 pm
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Thanx again, never mind my earlier ramblings on this topic, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to control damage.
Despite suffering some mild gout that night, I wasn't going to let that stop me from coming down, you delivered and I downed my slice!!!
bentstrider09.20.10 - 7:04 pm
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thanks for it all richie!
if you ever need more help..
hit me up 323 574 3970.
aktive420@GMAIL.COM
Aktive_42009.21.10 - 1:19 pm
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richtotheie,
Thanks for your awesome work!
I'm bummed that I missed CRANKMAS
But I am happy to see you are keeping the same awesome spirit and energy that makes CRANK MOB so R.A.D.
ROTW redux!
trickmilla09.21.10 - 1:22 pm
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You are right, it may not be stipulated that a large number of people congregating is not illegal… running red lights, drinking and riding a two wheel vehicle is illegal, isn.t it?
LACM seems to have received decent treatment from police officers after an incident occurred that was filmed and blasted over the internet. I just read another thread and it seems that police officers are going to hand out tickets for certain violations--- Once again, why is that? Is it because it is only 25-20% white? Maybe---Maybe not---My rant is on the riders that began complaining about police officers and their tactics. The organizers are thoughtful and understood the situation and realize that officers did what they could do--- the thrash and other shenanigans—well, that is a different story.
Unfortunately, no police officer would ever publicly say, NO, if there would have been 2000 people of color this ride would have had any support because this ride had support, it may not have been everything those riders complaining wanted but it was support. Even LACM, that you pointed out has decent treatment, who are the people on mega phones-- Stephen Box, Alex Thompson, Roadblock (yourself)--- you and them may not be anglo but you guys fit the correct skin color---
Btw, I am not saying you or riders themselves are racially profiling or racist, sexist, or other things…. However, what I would like to point out is that treatment may have been different if the riders were different…. Once again, I need to point out that these concepts arrived from my experiences with officers as a kid—I believe sgt. Krummer (sorry if I got his name wrong) is doing really great things and attempting to make things better between people and does this with passion…. I did not like the other thread that questioned if he checked MR on duty or off duty--- I get the feeling he does it because he wants to be as informed as possible and answer as many questions as possible---
airglow09.21.10 - 1:45 pm
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"You are right, it may not be stipulated that a large number of people congregating is not illegal… running red lights, drinking and riding a two wheel vehicle is illegal, isn.t it?"
Personally I think the talk of riding drunk is exaggerated. I think most people are holding their own though I have seen a few here and there over the years who lose their shit....
as for running of the red lights.....
that is debate-able as to whether it is illegal pending the designation of the ride as a parade. Parades, funerals, protests, the presidential motorcade are all instances of the people gathering and travelling together without obeying the red lights.
Since these are non permitted parades there is a grey zone about how to proceed. 99% of rides STOP at reds at the front of the ride. Some rides split up and ride as separate groups once they are split up by lights.
The cops recognized long ago that the best procedure is to allow the rides to move as a contiguous mass to save time and headaches with traffic.
You can't really stop people from gathering as an assembly, it is our right. In fact more assemblies should be encouraged. there should be walk mobs and neighbor mobs and picnic mobs... everyone should be celebrating whatever they like together in the streets...
Roadblock responding to a
comment by airglow
09.21.10 - 5:23 pm
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and it's true.... unfortunately the people stepping up to the mic (myself included) are a bunch of white men.... I don't know why that always happens....
Roadblock responding to a
comment by airglow
09.21.10 - 5:26 pm
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what you and those other names i mentioned are doing is beyond amazing and your dedication, their dedication, passion, and commitment will bring an alternative method of transportation (eventually)... and I also know there are other races as leaders in other organizations.... but where ever you guys go and whatever you guys end up doing... just keep in mind that race issues still plague this country....
and that sometimes.... maybe not take for granted the privilege we have or do not have.... and to step out of our own shoes and consider why... or why not.... and let go of our own biases and prejudices.... I myself need to do that.... Thanks for the open convo....
airglow responding to a
comment by Roadblock
09.21.10 - 6:07 pm
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I do know that LACM is a demonstration and since it's a 1st amendment right, there are different rules that apply then when it's a party ride.
The reason why it was illegal to meet in a large group was because we didn't have permets for the 'EVENT' to have a route through streets disrupting traffic, nor to have a meeting point ON the street near ROSS nor on the public property at ROSS. Those types of permits are also applied to large parties too. Same difference. I wish i knew the nitty gritty facts, but this is what was explained to me by the commander that night.
And thanks guys!! Glad you had a good time, the next one will be much better!
richtotheie responding to a
comment by Roadblock
09.22.10 - 3:02 pm
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Richie
I just want to apolagize. I said some things that were stupid and short sighted and when I heard of the kid getting his bike jacked in Venice I made some personnel comments that went over the line. I am sorry
jaywalker09.22.10 - 5:02 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!