A Decade of the River Ride

Cyclists relax after the 2008 River Ride. Photo from LA Streetsblog Flickr Pool

(I'll be out of town for the River Ride this year.  Instead of the normal Streetsblog review I asked the LACBC to help me write a preview of the 2010 River Ride. - DN)

Join us Sunday June 6, 2010 for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition's Tenth River Ride!

Anyone who has done any sort of cycling in L.A. County has probably been on the Los Angeles River Path at some point or another. Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) staff, members and supporters have been long time supporters of the revitalization of the Los Angeles River and the River Path. What many of you might not know is that the Los Angeles River Ride is produced by us, the LACBC. Now in its 10^th year, the River Ride and the LACBC have a lot to celebrate.

The Annual Los Angeles River Ride is a unique event, because it was dreamed up, organized by, and is the very life blood for LACBC, whose mission is to create and improve the bicycling environment and quality of life in Los Angeles County.  The ride begins at The Autry National Center in Griffith Park and continues to Long Beach where they turn around to head back to the Autry.

Advocacy efforts for the LA River revitalization and the River Ride have been linked from the beginning.

LACBC has done significant work, along with many organizations, to improve the areas encompassing the Los Angeles River and River Path. We have helped advocate for and win a complete removal of all graffiti on 30 miles of the River Channel, improved directional signage, advocated for a re-striping of the path.  Finally, the most hard fought victory was the repaving of 3 miles of rough flood channel on the easement from Fletcher to Figueroa. All of these improvements have been done in conjunction with the River Ride.

In 2006, participants were each given postcards to sign. Those cards were addressed to the Mayor and they urged him to complete the River Bike Path, and most urgently, to pave the segment between Fletcher and Figueroa.

In 2007, the ride very nearly had to be cancelled due to a massive fire in Griffith Park just three weeks before the ride, but instead of cancellation, the event doubled its participation numbers.

In 2008, the County supervisors took notice of the event.  Through their support, the LACBC gave bikes to foster children at the ride and free event tickets to all the kids. As the ride is still a big hit with the locals, LACBC has carried on the tradition of the bike giveaway and this year, the City of Glendale Community Services and Parks and Recreation is sponsoring the Kids Ride and Bike Giveaway for the LACBC.

For 2010, at ten years old, we want the River Ride to be the best yet!

The River Ride is for everyone! There's a ride for everyone or all ages and fitness levels. For the hardcore cyclists, we have the 70 and 100 miles (century) rides. The course is relatively flat so cyclists who have never attempted a century will find the ride appealing. Along with the 70 and 100 mile ride, there is a 50 mile (half century) a 36 mile, 15 mile Family Ride and a Kids Ride Loop. Kids 12 and under can participate in the Family and/or Kids Ride free of charge!

Sign up and join us for the LA River Ride! Sign up Before May 15th! http://la-bike.org