The Ride With No Name was tonight, and, as usual, it was a pretty solid and well organized ride.
For a route described as "virtually all flat", there were a surprising number of hills. But, since I didn't have to get off and walk at any point, I suppose I can't complain too loudly. (46x16 seems to be a pretty ideal gearing for me, as I'm having a much easier time of it than riding 48x16). Going down steep downhills on a fixed gear with just a front brake is going to take some getting used to though.
The ride starts in the Arts District, and today we went over the bridge and did a tour of East L.A. I don't spend much time there, so it was interesting to see the area. Between the brand new police precincts, the light-rail lines, and the brick cobblestone crosswalks, it looks like the City of L.A. has spent a fair bit on improving the infrastructure. Between the civic upgrades and Chief Bratton's continued success lowering crime rates, if it wasn't for the real estate market being in the worst slump of the modern era, East L.A. would be a fat gentrification target (so some would say it's just as well).
We wandered through East L.A., then found ourselves at a 7-11 in Monterey Park:
A Monterey Park squad car stopped by, the officers asked us if we were with the Midnight Riders, rolled slowly through the parking lot, and went on their way.
That was sort of the theme for the evening. Unlike other rides in other parts of town, which sometimes have bicycle/motorcycle/squad car/helicopter police paying close attention, the attitude of the police on this ride was one of bemused curiosity.
Then we wandered back over the bridge and called it a night.
Tomorrow's crankmob, so rest up everyone.
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