NOTE: All timestamps are in the future because WE are in the future. The care takers of Midnight Ridazz.com reserves the right to remove, edit, move or delete anything for any reason. None of the opinions expressed on these boards represent the Midnight Ridazz nor can anyone purport to speak on behalf of Midnight Ridazz.
First off I want to say that I have fun on these rides. Despite hearing lots of bad things towards the sexual preference I have being tossed around like candy to children on Halloween. If I had a dime for every time I heard the word f-a-g or f-a-g-g-o-t on the Fetish ride I could afford to buy myself a new bike.
The reason I am making this post is because I have noticed that this website is the core of the general riding community in Los Angeles. There is more information here than anywhere else. So I see this as the perfect place to make my point.
I have met most of the "elite" people that are on this site in person. I use this word because a few of you have treated me like shit. As if because I'm not one of you on a daily basis that I do not deserve the same respect as others do. I will admit that I am fairly new to the scene here. I at least expected a warmer welcome at some point. Therefore the title of elitist is very proper.
I have had problems like this since I have been going on these rides and it even extends into my local bicycle shop. I live in South Pasadena and everyone keeps telling me to go to B&H bike shop at the rides. After hearing how awesome the place is I decided to stop in. Now I am not flamboyant or anything but if you can not tell I am gay by talking to me then you have never been around a gay person before. I stopped in the bicycle shop a week ago. The guy at the counter (seemed like the boss) was very nice and helpful. Meanwhile in the back (the work and repair area) the rest of the employees were making gay jokes about me. Everything from oral sex to anal sex jokes. I guess they thought that just because I am a white man from Pasadena that I do not speak Spanish. I was even nice enough to give the place a second chance. I needed to buy a helmet so I went back a few days ago. Again, the guy in front was very nice, and the people in the back were very rude (not knowing that I could understand them of course). This time when the counter guy went in the back he to made obscene jokes about me as well. Needless to say I will NEVER go back there again. I will also be sure to tell every one I know to steer clear of that bike shop as most of my friends are gay as well. I see these bike shop people on almost every ride and sometimes together just in the neighborhood here.
I have also been reading this site for a while now and I have noticed that there is an elite crew here too. Especially the Fetish ride thread. All the talk about sexism and sexual harassment was just plain ridicules. It was very obvious that there is a camaraderie between a select few people. Even when it was plain and clear that some one was down right lying about things he was still backed up. As much as I should name names I am not going to. Any fool can go back and read it for themselves. The whole discussion on tools and helping riders was ridicules as well. I love riding my bicycle. I don't know the first thing about repairing them. If mine breaks I usually take it to a bike shop. I am not a mechanic. I think the idea of having some one who wants to help people is a good one. I would hate to be broke down in a strange place with no help. I also go on these rides by myself. Why would I want to call my life partner or friend in the middle of the night to come get me? to spoil whatever they are doing or wake them up? Furthermore these people want to help out. Just because you guys are ultra super cool experienced bike riders does not mean we all are or should have knowledge of how to repair things like this. If my car breaks down should I be ridiculed for not knowing how to fix it on the spot or not having replacement parts in the trunk? That is why I have AAA. Have you ever seen that movie the 40 year old virgin? That is what I look like on a bicycle. The argument set aside I could not help but notice the same camaraderie and ganging up on the same individuals.
To top that off (which is hard to do) I overhear conversations about these online topics at the rides themselves. Always by the same elite crew. I have kept my mouth shut for as long as I have been going on these rides and reading this board (which has been while now) but now I feel that it is time to say my peace. I am doing so because I do not think I wish to be a part of this bike scene any longer. I will continue to ride my bike of course but now it will just be around my neighborhood. It leaves me very uneasy knowing that all this talk about being politically correct, what is right and wrong is no more than that. Just talk. Everything preached is hardly practiced. The ones that actually do the right thing (ride helpers for instance) are ridiculed and shunned for it. Laharr said he would never leave a rider behind. That is just bullshit and he knows it. I have been left behind and have seen many others left behind as well. If this is the rule then how come some one claims to have been left after nearly every ride? There is plenty more ground to cover. There is more bad than there is good. The only time this whole "ridazz" thing is actually enjoyable is the 12 to 20 miles of actual riding.
I am done with midnight ridazz for a while. I know I am not the only one who feels this way. I
I hit the enter key on accident and posted this before I was finished typing. I have conversed with many other people who feel this way. More than likely I will be the only one to voice myself. Please go ahead and pick apart everything I have said and twist my words around to make me look like an ass. A few of you are very good at it. I don't mind because I am a very easy going guy. It takes much much more than an online blog to get me mad. Maybe I will come back and ride again sometime. I think I just need a break from all the bullshit. Even though I am not directly involved in it I thought I would feel more welcomed than I have been. So for now I want to thank everyone for all of the great times I have had but sadly It seems like everything that midnight ridazz stands for is grossly ignored. Thanks again for all the great times. Maybe I will see all of you again some time in the future.
I have a very hard time believing that any "select" people in any "scene" can make it hard for you to enjoy riding your bicycle. It sounds like you want too badly to belong to something.
An "elite crew" on a freakin' website? Seriously? This is important to you?
I knew my words would get twisted. That is why I even stated it.
This kind of just proves my point.
What it "seems" like I'm saying, and what in fact I have actually said are very different. I even clarified myself a few moments ago.
The reality is that you cannot waltz into a previously formed group and demand 'acceptance.' Such a thing is earned over time. The core, or 'elite' as you say, is actually nothing more than a group of individuals whom are already comfortable enough with each other and as a result have formed groups, social circles, etc. Adding new members does not happen very often because most people cannot be part of a group that is more than 7 or 8 people. After that number, you will start to see sub-groups forming. The 'core' may ride more often, drink more beer, and have more expensive bikes than you, but those facts (we'll say that they are true for arguments sake) do not make 'them' any greater than you are. Hence, there is no core. The core is just some kind of mental construct that you feel the need to create to serve whatever psychological purpose it may....
If you want a greater understanding of what you are observing, I suggest you check this.
Or you can continue on with your persecution complex. Yup, I said it.
What you've done so far is really rather the opposite of clarifying anything. It sounds like you're trying to smoosh a bunch of unrelated things together and somehow make them be the fault of Midnight Ridazz, the bicycle ride.
Let me get this straight. You got bad treatment at a bicycle shop in South Pasadena, and some "elite" members of the scene (whatever that's supposed to mean) weren't as welcoming to you as you had hoped, and you disagree with somebody's opinion about how to help folks with mechanical problems, and...um, something about some crap that happened on this web forum, and therefore Midnight Ridazz is no fun for you? What? Seriously, what are you talking about?
I'm not trying to give this guy a verbal curb-stomping just because he dared to criticize a bike ride; I'm just trying to figure out what his beef is. The one thing that sounds like an actual indictment of the ride is the part about the very unironic and un-nice use of the word "f*gg*t" that one hears from time to time. I don't like this either, and if I were gay, bisexual, or transgendered I'm sure I would like it even less.
The rest of his complaint just doesn't make any sense. Literally.
I had a long witty remark prepared but I deleted it.
For the love of G-d, and Ridazz collective sanity, let this thread die now. We can talk about legitimate issues such as homophobia or lack of sensitivity over in person, or even on a new thread which doesn't start with such a general attack.
This is absolutely a waste of time. It's difficult to imagine what anyone could add to this rant, even if you think you have something clever or ingenious to say and it's just eating you up inside stop. Breathe, then click over to the pier pressure thread and post about how much fun youre going to have next week. Or Ashira/Franz's birthday ride this weekend. Trust me you'll feel much better afterwards. Nothing good will come of this thread...
Witty remarks and movie quotes will silence this one just fine.
Oh, and if the OP decides to take another look, just relish the fact that there are other people on bikes anyway.
At least you don't have to deal with tumbleweeds as the only things to talk to.
Die-off of thread begins.....now.
You overhear things, make assumptions about people you don't know, and judge people as being "elite"
If you're gonna complain, please make it constructive criticism. you offer no solutions.
be the change you want to see in Ridazz. if you want to meet people, it takes effort on your part. riding by myself and being socially inept, It took me months before meeting anyone.
or you can simply choose not to put in any effort and be a bitch. Ridazz will not miss another grumpy old fart.
iridebikes I hear and understand what you are saying. I've been riding these riding with the midnight ridazz for a year now and it has lost most of it's luster for me.
@ iridebikes - first off - I'm really sorry that you've had such a terrible time here... Clearly you have thought a lot about what you posted and you care enough to bring it up.
As with any 'forum' there are people who participate more and people who participate less. I wouldn't call it intentional 'elite-ism', just maybe more a loose knit group of friends who are comfortable picking on each other online (and offline)... but most of these people have only met each other in the last couple years (if even that long).. and they probably met on a ride...
I know that some of the 'elite' you speak of are actually quite queer. It sucks that certain words get thrown around the way they do - it's certainly not limited to ridazz... a few years back, when I was teaching 2nd grade in NYC, I had to actually sit down and explain to the kids that the word "gay" was not an insult and that if they had to insult someone they needed to find another word (and also that they were not allowed to insult people like that).. and these were Manhattan kids who had been exposed to all sorts of people on the streets of NYC, not sheltered little kids from bumblefuck, Idaho. point is - I think it's a societal thing in general - not Ridazz specific. Which in no way makes excuses for people using those words in derogatory ways - mostly I just think people who rely on those words have pretty much zero verbal creativity.
I don't really get what the bike shop has to do with Ridazz, that sucks they were talking stupid smack - I'd bring it up to the bike shop if I were you - that's no way for them to make business friends. If that happened to me I'd certainly never walk in there again.
as for Ridazz being "no rida left behind" - when rides get to be hundreds big it becomes harder. I don't think there's any real organization that goes into that - it's mostly just individuals who, out of the goodness of their hearts, stop and pull out of the ride themselves to help people. Many times people are totally unprepared for actually riding and come on bikes that can't handle the miles. No one is saying you have to be a mechanic to ride, but people should be prepared with a spare tube, pump etc. and people should ideally use a buddy system..
And damn dude - calling out one particular person over this? No one is responsible for everyone, or for stopping everytime, for every stupid flat that some unprepared rida gets. Sexy - who is known to ruffle some feathers on this forum (and sometimes in person ;) is also known for carrying a freakin FULL SIZE PUMP to help people out with flats. I've seen Laharr stop for many many many people to help them out. He's not superman (although he kinda is ;) and he's not responsible to hold every single persons hand as they fix a flat. The idea is that people look out for each other and respond when someone asks for help, or if they see someone needs help *and* are in a position to be able to help. ****Not everyone is in a position to be able to help all the time.****
From the 'about' section:
"No Rida Left Behind.
We've come a long way since the days of 30 Ridazz and everyone of them being able to stop when a fellow Rida was in trouble. Today this timeless slogan continues to be an important rule. Because it is simply impossible to stop 1000+ riders in their tracks for every person that gets a flat or experiences a mechanical failure we need to re-define what that slogan means. Understand that you as an individual rider are responsible for your well being. Have a buddy on the ride and stay in touch via cell phone. Make some contacts while getting ready at the start. It is EXTREMELY important to have your bicycle in good working order before you ride. Bring a flat fix kit, tubes and tools. You owe it to yourself to be prepared. And if you happen to see a lone rida stranded on the side, use that opportunity to make a new friend and help them out... No rida left behind."
Maybe a more constructive thing would be to try to organize a crew of people who go on rides to be fix it people... they can fix flats and have the route plans and can be in contact with the ride organizers - sort of like a fix it gang who help posse people back up with the ride...
lets just say that many of the people who post on this forum are lame... and elite is the opposite name you should be referring to them as... I am also sick of all the lame college dude, I need to get a job but am to precious to get one jokesters...
thank god the riding in Los Angeles is wonderful... and there ar eplenty of nice rides... i think over time my friend you will see that there are certain bicycle people out there that are just too annoying to hang with (borfo, kyber, pc, spiraldemon, etc...), unless you are with a brigade of friends...
To be honest? I think that anyone who assumes the Midnight Ridazz website as the "core" of the general Los Angeles/SoCal bicycling community is a fool. You need to look elsewhere. This place is actually quite the opposite - far from the 'core'.
Go to BikeForums.net and post under the SouthernCalifornia subsection. You'll get a better measurement of cycling in SouthernCalifornia there.
Now see, I was very specific in what I wrote. The very same people that are being asses in response are the very same people That I am talking about. Some of them anyway. Over time I have gathered that you guys are the "popular" crew, the originals, and everything else. You use this as some sort of license to be a prick. Almost like you guys think that the shit you speak doesn't stink. I have never had an issue with any one on this board. In fact my profile is only a week or so old. I felt inclined to get on here when the subject of sexism came up. In that same thread I read about the tool crew thing and people being referred to as "core" riders. A few months ago by the same person I read something about how we had to respect veteran riders. This person knows who he is. Getting people to come out with tools for the specific task of fixing bikes on rides received massive ridicule by the same "core" riders. So what defines a "core" rider? Someone who goes on a lot of rides? Or is it some one who is a part of the veteran riders? How come is it that the same people who throw these terms around loosely are the same ones who give everyone else shit on here? To say that there is no connection is just ignorant. It's right here in black and white. I brought up the bike shop because these people who work there are on every ride. I have seen them and spoke to them here and there. I assume they are heavily involved in the ride scene. I might be wrong, but that is what I have seen with my own eyes. I knew I was putting myself in a position of ridicule before I posted all of this. That is because it is easier for people to turn a blind eye to something that they choose to ignore and even easier to poke fun at it. So far all the ill response I have gotten has not even touched on some of the things I have said. That leaves me wondering if in fact the entire post has been read? Some of you have chosen to pick apart some things and give me grief on just that. Just like I have previously stated would happen. I am not the only one that feels this way. I have a feeling that there are people who just will not say anything out of fear from the same persecution and ridicule. I found it very amazing (more like expected) that those who are giving me grief are the same people I am in reference to.
with a large group, personalities will conflict. I don't expect to be liked by everyone because I don't like everybody. especially party poopers who complain about something that's free. both Ridazz and this forum costs you nothing, but you expect everything to work out perfectly. it's a social experiment that you choose to be a part of. good riddance if you can't and won't have a good time. the party will Ride On without you.
since you seem to have beef with a few specific people, maybe it would be best to take it up with them personally.
As for the idea that anyone on here is the "core" of cycling anything, - I dunno.. I think that's giving an online forum way too much credit. it's just a bunch of people who like to plan rides and post them up for their friends and other people to go on if they'd like to.
Hey iridebikes, I do hear what you are saying. Usually I ride alone, if you do decide to join a ride again, please say hi to me and you will have a bike friend. I love MR and the people. I like to read who borfo is fighting with next and read Sexy's new tirade on someone, but I do not take it seriously. I have met them as well and think they are cool. Please dont take comments of a few to seriously. There are so many of us.
iridebikes,
these people are not the original ridazz nor are they the core to this community, except they post a lot online. nor does the original anything honestly matter. the people on this forum are the people on their computers.
The people who started Midnight Ridazz stepped away last summer...
Midnight Ridazz belongs to all... iridebikes i commend you on trying to make this a better place... dont let a few computer bike neards ruin what it means to be a part of this community...
iridebikes,
these people are not the original ridazz nor are they the core to this community, except they post a lot online. nor does the original anything honestly matter. the people on this forum are the people on their computers.
The people who started Midnight Ridazz stepped away last summer...
Midnight Ridazz belongs to all... iridebikes i commend you on trying to make this a better place... dont let a few computer bike neards ruin what it means to be a part of this community...
From what I can tell, the people you are referring to put in alot of hours to make the ride what it is. You take those people away and you'll definitely feel the effects of them being gone. These guys donate time and money just so others can have a good time. And what do they ask in return? Just that you come back next week and do it again! I have known Laharr for about two years now, and I would be hard pressed to find someone that puts in more hours helping others on the ride. Just about every big ride on the weekends, Laharr is nowhere in sight when we stop. Why? Cause he alway drops back and finds the ridazz that are having problems. The guy always rolls with tools and parts too. And if that's not enough, he's always stepping up to buy and carry beer for others. Seeing you dissin him here just shows you don't really know what's going on.
For a new rida stepping in to join the group can be a bit intimidating, I know. The group from my observations is a group that does welcome new comers regardless of sexual orientation. You are picking out a few ridazz and we are relying on your word, that are rather derogatory towards you. This may or may not be true, but to put this label on the group as a whole is rather unfair, don't you think? Also in all the rides I've been on, which is well over two years, I have yet to hear someone say the f-g word or any variation of it. Is it said and is there jokes regarding this? Sure, how could there not be? There are well over 1,000 ridazz on some of there rides. They come from all different backgrounds, but they know it's not tolerated or welcomed on the rides.
My tips for you if you really want to make friends on the rides is to roll with a 12 pack of Tecate Hang out after the ride, more than likely everyone has a buzz going on and ready for a bite to eat. Good time to get to know someone and it will carry on to the next ride.
If you're ready to move on, well good luck. If you find a group of 1,000 diverse people that are more welcoming to you, please come back and tell us about it!
"Laharr said he would never leave a rider behind. That is just bullshit and he knows it. "
@iridebike
you do not know anything about Laharr. why don't you meet him and get to know him some more before you start assuming he's bullshitting. i can say for sure that he has help a lot of people on this forum and keep rides organized when possible.
LaHARR is superman!!! Seriously he has every right to say what he did. He is always lost from the flock for helping some new ridazz out. He always has spare tubes and even carries tubes that dont fit his bike, he's not the only one that does this too.
As for the a-holes... I like them they are my friends, they always post here because they have nothing else to do. Bike geeks for life. I started going to MR all by myself, DIdnt know anyone. Then I slowly made friends with the bike geeks because they didnt want to leave me behind.
When I started I didnt even know what kind of bicycle I was riding. Now I can build a bike, a lot of places like the bike(oven, kitchen, rowave) offer workshops on basic wrenching. Look into it, it's fun getting your hands dirty.
I love you guys, your my friends, and I love going to other cities with you too. Which city should we go to next?? Austin??
iridebikes,
these people are not the original ridazz nor are they the core to this community, except they post a lot online. nor does the original anything honestly matter. the people on this forum are the people on their computers.
The people who started Midnight Ridazz stepped away last summer...
Midnight Ridazz belongs to all... iridebikes i commend you on trying to make this a better place... dont let a few computer bike neards ruin what it means to be a part of this community...
Iridebikes, I'm only going to tell you this one more time because I have a feeling you don't want to hear it:
Stop worrying about what some group of ridazz, whom you perceive as some kind of elite core, thinks about you. There are hundreds of people on the average ride who don't know or care about any of the thirty or so people in this little "scene" that you're so concerned about--they're just there to ride bikes and have fun. Go talk to some of them. What, are they not good enough for you, you big old elitist, you?
Go to BikeForums.net and post under the SouthernCalifornia subsection. You'll get a better measurement of cycling in SouthernCalifornia there.
Nah. BFSC is just another niche group, with a preponderance of spandex weekend warrior types. There is no real catch-all web forum for Southern California cyclists, probably because there are so many disparate modes of cycling out here (and possibly because people, by and large,. would rather ride their bikes than bicker on Internet forums).
Some of this is whack (most of it IMHO), there's some truth to your fiction and some fiction to your truth.
Sure there's an occasional stupid comment made by some drunk ass or whatever I've heard my fair share over the last year and some, even from people I consider my good friends, but you know, it's something you just have to deal with in the real world. Or better yet, instead of just shutting up and complaining about it later, fucking say something right then and there.
If someone's making comments about you, and you overhear them, fuckign say something. People, when called out on their bullshit, will learn.
As for helping people, there is no requirement to do so beyond the slogan "no rida left behind". All those people who stop and help out do so out of their own goodwill. This doesnt mean you shouldn't know how to change a flat, it's as much a part of bicycle riding as not falling over when you take your feet off the ground.
Learning is a large part of life, and learning how to change a flat takes five minutes.
Many of these so called "elite" (five minutes in a paceline would prove otherwise for many of them anyway...) riders are somewhat well known in the community for certain reasons, they may plan rides, make spoke cards, buy beer (or other things) for people they've never met, help fix countless mechanical problems, help guide lost riders back to the group, get up on the loud speaker and help get things rolling, tow the loudspeakers, or do any number of things that are sorta necessary to keeping these rides as fun as they are. These people put a lot of their own time into the rides, just for the hell of it, they enjoy doing it, and as far as I know, they do so out of the goodness of their own hearts with nothing more than the reward of being able to go on bike rides with 1000 new friends and 10 old ones, several times a month. Also, as far as I know, these people have never asked for any sort of recognition for the work they put into this thing, nor does anyone hold them to a higher level than the new rider who's on their first ride. Sure there might be some griping about wobbly riders who slam on their brakes in the middle of a herd of bicyclists moving at 20 mph because they dropped their beer, it's the same as you would gripe about someone on the freeway doing the same thing. It's dangerous, and puts people at risk.
"these people are not the original ridazz nor are they the core to this community, except they post a lot online. nor does the original anything honestly matter. the people on this forum are the people on their computers. The people who started Midnight Ridazz stepped away last summer... "
yep most of them are long gone save for a few Skull sightings here and there.... but I am still here :) so we arent all gone.... and I'm glad to see that new groups of people have taken the initiative to organize and become the core of this ride. anyone can as long as they respect the general principles of what this ride is all about... which is all inclusiveness. all rides open to all people.
iridebikes, I've said it before to others.... bring your friends. it's the easiest way to meld into this ride.
unfortunately bigotry seeps in as it does in all parts of our society. just have to live the dream and try to live clean. I'm sorry to hear about your experiences. since the ride is all inclusive it means that random bigoted people show up.
and about the being stranded part.... I just cant see past the selfishness of EXPECTING others to fix your bike. I consider it to be a courteous gift when people stop to help a rida in need. I've found myself stranded and have been so thankful that someone had the part I was missing etc. I firmly believe that we should all make a concerted effort to become a responsible bicycle riders at some point.... because then more of us will be prepred to stop and help a Rida in need.
and Laharr... the man is one generous guy. Always hands out beers, always ready to help, never heard a bad word from or about the guy ever.... he's just being real about being responsible. people should be encouraged to learn how to help them selves. its so empowering to know that you can be riding anywhere and not have to call someone to pick you up.
aside from that, one of the reasons that a majority of the original organizers stepped down was exactly because they were tired of having to run clean-up and fix flats for huge rides. who could blame them for being worn out? the rides were gigantic and it wasnt fun anymore. so, moving forward its all about keeeping things open so that anyone with the right attitude can step in and organize and keep things fun. people need to take breaks when they get tired. other people have the opportunity to step up.
iridebikes I encourage you to throw a ride and make your friends come out and force them to have a good time and share bicycle love with you.
and if B&H has a problem with gays then go to O20 or the Bicycle Kitchen or the Bike Oven. vote with your dollars. I wont be going to B&H knowing what I know now.
I just like to ride my bike. There is no elite core. if anything, a particular ride host may have gotten a few friends/acquaintances to help out with the ride, but an elite ridazz core? who gives a rats behind. I come to the rides to ride around, I know how to fix a flat cuz I'm paranoid about getting a flat, and I carry plenty of patches and sometimes a tube which doesn't fit my bike just because, I carry too much stuff in fact but thats a personal problem.
Don't dwell on the social aspects of the ride, try to be self-sufficient, and just be there for the ride, not for all the turkeys and ride junkies, if you think these people are the core and elite, this town is in sad shape. Be yourself and be there for yourself. I have no social skills but just smile say hello and if they don't want to be your friend, so what, there's other fish in the sea.
I R NOTICING - YOU CANST SING DIFFERUNT LYRISC TO WARZZ. FOR INSTANTS - I LIKES:
"MILK MILK LEMOOOONNNNNADE
THE OTHER SIDE IS WHERE FUDGE IS MAAADEEE"
IT SOUNDS BERRY GOOD. I ALSO LIKEZ CHUNKS VIDEOZ.
WE ALLZ TRY TO FIYTS DIS "irydbicyz" MAN . . . WHY? BECAUSE OF THE PEEPLES DYNAMICS LIKS kyber SAYSS. I, DETECTSIVE OF THE HUMANZ PSYCHES, THINKS WE SHUD BE MORE FRENDS INSTEAD. WEEZ 2 DEFENCE-IV.
SOMTYMS PEEPLES JEZ NEED TO YELLZ A LITTLE. MAYBE DIZ TYMS IS ONE OF DOS TYMS? UDDER TYMS PEEPLES NEED TO YELLS AND BE HEARDS.
WE DONST NECESSARILY NEEDS TO SAY "irydsbicyz is right - we are deh stupuds ridazz" BUT WE JEZ SAYS "irydz - i hears you, i r sorrees, what do you thinks we shud do?" NOT NECESSARILY WE CANST DO IT, BUT WE THINKS ABOUT IT. I KNOW PEEPLS ON THIS BOARD THINKS ABOUT DEEZ THINGS DAT "irydz" TALKS ABOUTS . . . BUT IT NOT SEEM DAT WAY TO HIM!!! MAKS IT SEEM DAT WAY TO HIM - BE NICEZ EVEN DO HE HURTS UR FEELENGS.
I HEARS SUM COMPLAINTS LIKE iryds FROM OTHER BICYERS LATESLY. IS NOT THE FAULT OF ANYONES HERE, BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER.
I R NOT KITTEHsexSUAL, BUT I DOES HEAR THINGS i DUZZN'T LYKE. ONE TYMS A RIDAR BRAGS DAT
"i r hung like a kitteh"
I R HUNG LIKE A KITTEH. IZ NOT SO GOOD AKTULLY. U SHUD NOT TALKS LIKE DATS SO MUCHZZ - MAYBE UR SON OR DAUGHTER WILL BE HUNG LIKE A KITTEH? DEY WILL BE TOO BIGZ TO FIT IT ANYWHEREZ, AND DEN YOU CANST HAVE GRANDKITTEHS.
Okay, now I'll be elitist: knittens, or whatever the fuck your name is, please at least attempt to write in coherent sentences. The entire 'internet-lol-catz' tongue, or gibberish, is pathetic.
I see a lot of truth to what your saying man, but you know what?
I also see a lot that you are trying to talk about based solely on this message board. Yeah this place is pretty much where to go if you want to know what's up in the social part of the riding community. There are other web sites as suggested, but they are bland in comparison.
I've had a few run ins here on MR message board with people that were not so pleasant. For the most part everyone is nice as hell in person. I've had issues with some of the people you've named. So fuckin what man? I have found first hand that there are some of the nicest people on here, some of the shittiest people on here, and some down right shit talking liars on here. Then again if not on here everywhere else. This is society. What it comes down to is who you choose to associate yourself with. The world is the way it is. Some people just never grow out of high school. My advise is to just take it with a grain of salt. I would not go as far as to call people elitist. There are social clicks though. They suck I know, but if you bring with you your own friends wallah! you have your own social click.
Some people take charge and that puts them in the line of fire for a lot of things. For instance the Fetish Ride got fucked up. Brian has taken a lot of shit for it even though it was not his fault. So what do you do? Either take it like a bitch or get tough. As for people making fun of you for being gay *on here as well as your experiance*.......that's just fucked up!
This whole post is giving me a headache.
I will leave it at this.
You are totally right on a lot you have said.
I think you have taken some things the wrong way.
At least you have the balls to say something.
It may be more self destructive rather than constructive in any way, but hats off to ya. Even though this post won't win you any new friends on here.
Hey there, my name is Richard...Richard Colossus. And I'm wholeheartedly new to this whole scene. New to fixed gear riding and new to Midnight Ridazz.
Is there a clique on this board? Fuck yeah there is. Is it a bad thing? Not necessarily. It's just the nature of message boards. If you've been on the internet long enough, you realize it's just the way things are. People click, develop relationships, have inside jokes, share experiences...it's just the way things are. But, yeah, I know, the internets is not real life.
So let's talk about that...real life. So far so good on the meeting people front. See, I'm an Angeleno native, born and fucking raised in the City of Angels, so no fixed gear messenger transplant is going to give me some feeling of not feeling included. If he doesn't want to be friendly...fuck him or her. It'll come back to you. We'll meet again and I'll call you out on it. Anyways, one day I decided to do my first ride....by myself on a cruiser. Just showed up and stood around like an idiot. First person I met at the ride was Leetard. Gave me my first spoke card. Later that week I met brassknuckles, Mr. Rollers and Joe Borfo. I helped them make some spoke cards. Since then, I've met roadblock (from a previous graffiti involved life), Marino, fattybombo, Super Cole and others. While everyone one of these people were cool and forthright, I have come across some snobbish assholes. You'll find those types of people everywhere...in every scene. It's par for the course.
I'll go on more rides, meet more people, develop more relationships and flip off more assholes. It's life.
wait wait wait.... no one said anything about messengers. please don't start the fixed gear messenger wars. that has nothing to do with this and is just as lame a stereotype as any other one.
@ iridebikes: If you want to ride with me next ride or make a new friend...drop me an e-mail and we'll meet somewhere. After the ride I'll slap you on the ass and say, "Good game."
Algae (singular alga) are groups of aquatic organisms that capture light energy through photosynthesis, using it to convert inorganic substances into organic matter.
Algae are photosynthetic organisms that occur in most habitats. Algae vary from small and single-celled to complex multicellular species, such as the Giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. [1]
Algae have conventionally been regarded as simple plants within the study of botany. All are Eukaryota, though Chromophyta have Bacterial (see Blue-green algae) characteristics and some authorities consider them all to be Protists, however this view is now considered to be outdated.[1] They may still be included in the algae as plants. Some authors often include the blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) but note that they are not eukaryote. Algae do not represent a single evolutionary direction or line but a level of organization that may have developed several times in the early history of life on Earth.
The protists are traditionally considered more animal-like (see Protozoa).
The prokaryotic forms, referred to as blue-green algae are only half-algae with a mixture of bacterial characteristics. However, they are quite distant from the bacteria and are referred to by some as Cyanochloronta. All other forms belong as true eukaryota algae within the study of Botany, they have a nucleus enclosed within a membrane.[2] The protoctists are defined by some as eukaryotic microorganisms with the exception of animals and plants and including fungi and algae, slime moulds and other obscure eukaryotes.[3] There is still some disagreement on some of these matters.
Algae range from single-cell organisms to multicellular organisms, some with fairly complex differentiated form and (if marine) called seaweeds. All lack leaves, roots, flowers, seeds and other organ structures that characterize higher plants (vascular plants). They are distinguished from other protozoa in that they are photoautotrophic although this is not a hard and fast distinction as some groups contain members that are mixotrophic, deriving energy both from photosynthesis and uptake of organic carbon either by osmotrophy, myzotrophy, or phagotrophy. Some unicellular species rely entirely on external energy sources and have reduced or lost their photosynthetic apparatus.
All algae have photosynthetic machinery ultimately derived from the cyanobacteria, and so produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, unlike non-cyanobacterial photosynthetic bacteria. It is estimated that algae produce about 73 to 87 percent of the net global production of oxygen[4] - which is available to humans and other animals for respiration.
@ Redriding: I wasn't dealing in absolutes. And I don't stereotype...or at least try not to. The assholes I met just happened to be messengers who thumbed their noses at my bike. But again, no absolutes. There are assholes and cool people from every walk of life. Tis' life.
The people I've met through Midnight Ridazz are some of the warmest people and some of the most committed cyclists I know. I've never gotten a sense that they are elitist or cliquish, though people do have crews and what not. And while it's a fun ride and brings together a lot of peeps, it is not and does not want to be the representative for all of L.A. cycling.
There's also a lot of inside jokes, twisted humor, and playful poking around on the boards, but honestly I've rarely seen anything that was meant to be truly hurtful. And what you experienced at that bike store makes me mad, but really it has little to do with Midnight Ridazz.
So, what do you do? For one thing, just keep riding. Come join us on the next ride. Next time bring a friend or two or 10.
Also, bikes are very simple machines. Most of the technology in a bike was already in place in the 1930s. One of the biggest reasons many of us ride is the freedom gained from being self-sufficient and not having to depend on others to get around. You don't have to be a mechanic, but it pays to learn how to do some basic repairs like fixing a flat. Most people will show you, and there's many resources on the Web.
those quotes are just the simple truth.
I do think it's fucked up to make fun of any one for their sexual preference.
Those are the breaks. If some one starts cracking on you there are two ways to deal with it. Either take, or be tough about it. And yes, I think it's a good thing on some level to speak your mind knowing full well that it will not be welcomed. That takes balls.
There is no "smooth talking" here. It's just simple truth.
Scoops Ice Cream was just written up in ANP Quarterly (I thought that was interesting! - did I win did I win did I win????)
@ RC - I love that red riding hood picture :) I just get really really wary of people lumping the fixedgearhipstermessenger thing all together... I'm SO over it (and sorry bout your experience).
I stopped reading halfway through this thread because it's just running in circles now. And with any massive circular argument I'm going to throw my hat into it so that I can not really make any difference but pretend I'm trying to help.
Look, the truth is anytime any kind of grass roots movement starts to build momentum someone is going to start calling it a scene. MR is a grass roots movement, if nothing else to get people on their bikes. I know I ride a hell of a lot more than I used to and MR is a huge reason for that.
The problem with calling something a scene is things get lumped together and the attributes of one specific clique get dumped on anyone even loosely involved. This "elite" thing is bullshit. Anyone who thinks they are elite is a douchebag, and anyone who thinks someone else is elite is just making it up. We all like to ride bikes. Some of us ride more than others, some are more active online than others. That doesn't make anyone elite and it doesn't make anyone cooler than anyone else.
I didn't talk to anyone except the 3-4 people I brought with me to the first 5-6 rides I went on, and the only people I've talked to since then are the ones I've started to recognize from just showing up all the time. I've been given crazy cold shoulders but who cares, I'm not going to this stuff to be cool, I'm going because I have fun riding my bike. If someone says something I don't like I don't assume they represent the hundreds of other people on the ride so I just pedal and ride next to someone else. All this trying to paint everyone into a common corner is such horse crap. Stop trying to be so fucking put upon and just ride your bike for fun.
ah, them gays!!gotta love em!love their sensitivity.after reading this shit i will NEVER, and i mean NEVER make fun of gay people.i feel ashamed.but seriously, get a fucking life!!ive never heard any of the "gay elite core "(GELcore)members get so Butt hurt about peoples ignorance or lack of compassion.Suck it up "iride.." and keep comin back .im sure youd be a fun guy to hang with.Yours truly,MANDINGO.
I think I've managed to meet every one of the "core" members you've berated and I couldn't disagree more. But that's my experience, not yours, so I guess that doesn't matter.
I'm new at this two. Did my first Midnight Ride in July, for fuck's sake. I still don't know a ton of people who are regulars on all these rides, but I try to be polite and friendly when I can.
And shit talking LaHarr? What the hell? That's one solid dude if I've ever met one.
But I suppose there's not much I can offer this web conversation that hasn't been stated yet. I don't know why, OP, you'd resort to writing off the entire MR community based on the actions of just a few people. Seems kind of....redundant and childish, no?
Be angry with the people you're angry with. By all means, speak out about it. But I think this topic has struck a chord with so many people NOT because they're friends with these "elite" members, but because you've blamed us all for your inability to just...ignore people?
Beyond that, as a fellow homosexual cyclist, I understand how angered you must be by your experience at B&H. But you need to confront them. Thanks for letting us know, but as has pointed out many times, that has NOTHING to do with Midnight Ridazz.
I had to once bring up the fact that I was a homosexual and the use of the word "!@#$?" upset me. It was on the Super Villain ride and I was actually quite surprised at how well-received it was by the guy who said it. Sometimes, you just have to let other people know how much it hurts to still hear that word.
I don't know. That's all I've got. Now I'm craving Scoops. MMMM BEST VEGAN ICE CREAM ANYWHERE.
can someone with photoshop skills make that cat (with orange hair and green eyes) be eating scoops of cold Scoops ice cream instead of a plain tasteless cold steel monorail?
I played once at the pasadena one by JPL... its HARD!!! the first hole you have to ROLL the disc towards the hole. I don't have any discs but I'll play!!! It's nice you can transport the disks on bikes! Unlike a whole set of golf clubs... Frisbee Disc ride?! Who gots a lot of disco action we can borrows...
Chavez Ridge DGC at Elysian
Los Angeles, California 90012
Course Established: 2006 Record Last Modified: 2007-08-31 13:41:20
Description: Eucalyptus covered ridge and hillsides with steep dropoffs and spectacular views of Dodger Stadium and downtown skyline. Climb uphill trail and cross ridge road to 9th tee on opposite hillside. Map at 2nd website for easy navigation ("ELY18"). Alt. pin locations.
Holes: 18 Mach5 Tee Type: Natural
Course Length: 4063
Alternate Course Length: 3682
Directions: 110 south; exit Academy (near Dodger Stadium). At 2nd stop sign, right on Solano then quick right at light on Park Dr. into Elysian Park. Park 400' up on the right near restrooms and small ball field. Follow 3rd base line up to unmarked trail that climbs to 1st tee. Note: No Parking up on ridge road. Plan Route to Course Zip Code
Course Coordinates (Long/Lat): -118.2341,34.0810 MapQuest Google Maps
Website:
http://www.discsports.org
http://homepage.mac.com/clifftowne/
Contact: Dave Hadder
Home: (323) 461-4612
I have a bunch of discs. SImilar to Frisbee, but the discs are for the most part very stiff and you throw them slightly different.
Some discs are designed to go further (like a driver) and some are really soft and are for putting. Some courses have actual Metal baskets that you have to hit and get your disc in. Others may just have an area or a tree or something to aim for.
I was just thinking, its a perfect mix for something we could cycle too (the discs easily fit in a messenger bag, etc. Plus perfect opportunity to hang and drink along the way (for those interested in those kind of events) and its cheeeeeap. Maybe a couple a bucks for entrance at some of the places, others are free. Some of the places even have guys in Vans selling new/used discs so you don't have to order them online or get them from stores.
Just a thought.
I was even thinking about seeing if we could make a ride that took us to a course or two, but i'm not sure how that would work yet.
If you had to order discs, i've always found this place had a good selection. http://www.wrightlife.com/
La Mirada also has a dedicated Disc Golf store near one of the courses. And yes, rolling the disc is one of the ways to get around obstacles and is legal. Oak Grove has lots of trees and is a pretty area. I need to check out the Chavez one.
I know, this doesn't compare to bike polo in that great spot next to Bikerowave but still may have possibilities?
The Ventura Coyote/Casitas course looks cool. I like the signs they have for each tee. It is kind of a drag that there aren't that many places to play in the immediate area that are really bike friendly (ride time) . Besides Chavez, i think Pasadena or maybe Sylmar are the 2 other closest courses but not super easy to bike to.
Just wasted a whole hour of "on the clock" work time,in which I should be watching YOUTUBE and nothing was resolved.But now we might have a disc golf ride.Something good came out of this.
Was crazyy..felt like I was in some sort of RIdazz's congress with everyone agreeing yet disagreeing at the same time..
That's why I love the Ridazz
Yo RB..hook up those pics we took Friday night after SFCM..when we met back up at starting point.
i just wanted to say that the next 10 people who post something interesting or insightful on this forum will get free Scoops ice cream from me...
Oh, yeah...post that right after I leave for work, why don't you. I'm interestinger and insightfuller than any of these pricks, and you know it. You shut me out. YOU SHUT ME OUT! ELITIST!
I haven't been arround the site too much lately. I have just been too fucking busy to commune digitally. Oh sure, it can become a bore that so many people on the faceless forums of the WWW feel like it OK to be an asshole. But really my life just took over for a minute.
Well here I am after a recent crash (no tears please, I know you all wish me well) and my bike and i have been forced to slow down for a minute. And thank god ... because you Ridazz have been busy little beavers *typing* *typing* *typing*... its taken me a day and a half to get caught up.
Everytime the soul of MR gets discussed I feel compelled to stand up and say a few things.
I am consistantly blown away about how generous and accepting people here have been. Sure there are jackasses and assholes that do and say stupid shit. I can count myself among them from time to time. But mostly (blame it on reefer or the rose colored lenses) I see people being very generous with their time, energy, and money to help a lot of other people have fun on bikes.
And if that wasn't enough there is a whole website here with a built in bike community that will come out and and ride with just about anybody that posts and plans are ride.
Post a ride. Plan a ride. Ride a ride.
People will show up.
Voliá: bike camaraderie.
Iit really is that simple.
As far as MR growing and becoming better. There is always room for people who will step up and work improve things.
Be the change you want to see.
I look forward to seeing you all next week at my 1 year anniversary MR ride. woo hoo.
I see all the interesting threads happen when I decide to stay home and be no where near a computer..
So, thank you Jebus, for killing me from the inside out, day by day, little by little....
All I'm going to say is that I've never met anyone on the rides that has had any hint of "elite" mixed with the usual scents of sweat, beer, and smokes.
I will not forget to mention the scent of the pretty ladies that smell like they actually shower from time to time and change their clothes on a regular basis.
I just realized how much of a creep I actually am and that I'm bird-walking this here subject..
People have helped me fix my tire, brought me my light when it fell off my bike, and have been super fantastic number one nice.
I'm actually pretty anti-social, yet I venture out on bike rides because my therapist says I shouldn't stay inside all day and arrange my penny collection by year or make macaroni art of my beloved so-and-so fringed with hair and fingernail clippings that I find in their trash..
I would ride (and I often do) solo if I didn't like the ridazz rides.
Thing is, I like the rides. They are a lot of fun.
If you don't like something, just walk away. Or change it.
That's all I wanted to say..
Well, that and:
"Ridazz are teh best"
The only "elitism" I see in myself is the over-equipped hip-pack that I wield everywhere.
I'm usually called "BatMan", "Inspector Gadget", or "Tim-the-Tool-Man Taylor!!!"
My only gripe is they're over-looking the ultimate inspiration of all,
"High Plains Drifter".
Even though it's not a big issue that should be cared about, I still have this inner desire to get more kick-ass rides under my belt.
Anyway, I'll be sending some intel from the "Rust-Belt" real soon.
A little trip to Cleveland hauling pipe peripherals.
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
First off I want to say that I have fun on these rides. Despite hearing lots of bad things towards the sexual preference I have being tossed around like candy to children on Halloween. If I had a dime for every time I heard the word f-a-g or f-a-g-g-o-t on the Fetish ride I could afford to buy myself a new bike.
I like bikes.
Pacino for President!
If I were the man I was five years ago I'd take a flame-thrower to this place!
fat
I FORGETS DIS!
If iridebikes were to introduce himself, I would give him a hug.
So, here's my take on things.
@ iridebikes: If you want to ride with me next ride or make a new friend...drop me an e-mail and we'll meet somewhere. After the ride I'll slap you on the ass and say, "Good game."
i just wanted to say that the next 10 people who post something interesting or insightful on this forum will get free Scoops ice cream from me...
@ Redriding: I wasn't dealing in absolutes. And I don't stereotype...or at least try not to. The assholes I met just happened to be messengers who thumbed their noses at my bike. But again, no absolutes. There are assholes and cool people from every walk of life. Tis' life.
I stopped reading halfway through this thread because it's just running in circles now. And with any massive circular argument I'm going to throw my hat into it so that I can not really make any difference but pretend I'm trying to help.
Franz, you had me at Eukaryota...
ah, them gays!!gotta love em!love their sensitivity.after reading this shit i will NEVER, and i mean NEVER make fun of gay people.i feel ashamed.but seriously, get a fucking life!!ive never heard any of the "gay elite core "(GELcore)members get so Butt hurt about peoples ignorance or lack of compassion.Suck it up "iride.." and keep comin back .im sure youd be a fun guy to hang with.Yours truly,MANDINGO.
@ Redridingthehood: Click 
YAY SCOOPS! Viva Vegan Ice Cream!!
I played once at the pasadena one by JPL... its HARD!!! the first hole you have to ROLL the disc towards the hole. I don't have any discs but I'll play!!! It's nice you can transport the disks on bikes! Unlike a whole set of golf clubs... Frisbee Disc ride?! Who gots a lot of disco action we can borrows...
READ RYDIGN HOOD USER1Z WEBER NETS GUD
OMG you guyz have resorted to frisbee golf?
you stupid hippies, elitism is what we need.
i'm sending some Pink Panty love to this forum.
Sweeet!