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 AngelesRiverPath at some point or another.Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC)staff, members and supporters have beenlong time supporters of the revitalization of theLos AngelesRiverand theRiverPath.What many of you might not know is that the Los AngelesRiverRideis produced byus,the LACBC.Now in its 10thyear, theRiverRideand theLACBC have a lot to celebrate.
The Annual Los AngelesRiverRide 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. Theridebegins at The Autry National Center inGriffithParkand continues toLong Beachwhere they turn around to head back to the Autry.
Advocacy efforts for theLA River revitalization and the River Ridehave been linked from the beginning.
LACBChas done significantwork, along with many organizations,to improve the areas encompassing theLos AngelesRiverandRiverPath.We have helped advocate for and win a complete removal of all graffiti on 30 miles of theRiver 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 therideand free event tickets to all the kids.As therideis still a big hit with the locals, LACBC has carried on the tradition of the bike giveaway and this year, the City ofGlendale Community Servicesand Parks and Recreation is sponsoring the KidsRideand Bike Giveaway for the LACBC.
For 2010, at ten years old, we want the River Ride to be the best yet!
TheRiverRideis for everyone!There's aridefor 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 therideappealing.Along with the 70 and 100 mileride, there is a 50 mile(half century) a 36 mile,15 mile FamilyRideand a Kids Ride Loop.Kids 12 and under can participate in the Familyand/or Kids Ridefree of charge!
Sign up andjoin us for the LA River Ride!Sign up Before May 15th!http://la-bike.org
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