A Perfect night for a bike ride: Midnight Ridazz

In my younger years, finding fun things to do in L.A. proved to be a challenge. I was not one for the Hollywood bar scene. For some reason, the prospect of waiting in lines to get into clubs for the privilege to wait at a packed bar to buy and overpriced and poorly made wiskey sour, with a soundtrack that made my ears bleed just didn't appeal to me.



A few years ago, I happened upon a community of people taking delight in urban exploration and celebration through the reappropriation of the built environment thru cycling.





These Midnight Ridazz intrigued me, with their handmade uniforms, part punk, part spandex, their modified bicycles, some rising 5 feet into the sky, and the sheer joy they displayed on the road while drivers like me were trapped in late night Hollywood club traffic. I knew this was something I wanted to do.

This past friday night, I attended the latest the Midnight Ridazz ride, The Mommas and Poppas ride. Though I'm not sure how the title related to the ride, but it didn't matter.



I was out riding with friends and making new ones. The ride was by far the most courteous ride I've been on. Since there was a route and destination that was announced at the beginning, there was no need to stay close to the front for fear of getting lost.



We stopped at every light. We rode in the right lane, allowing cars to pass. We were rewarded with friendly honks, smiles and high fives from most of the drivers. Most of the people watching wished they had a bike and could join us. By example, we were promoting the potential for a more bike-friendly Los Angeles.



Other than the banjo player, the highlight for me was seeing one of the cyclists injured in the notorious bike crash in Culver City being towed in a trailer, able to enjoy the freedom of riding a bike while she recovers from her injuries. Off the trailer she walks slowly and with great effort using a walker. This community rallies to support each other. Try finding that in the soulless clubs were rode past.

I Cleansed

Salt's Cure 2x2x2 (image via Chef-Speak.com)

I LOVE to eat. A lot. And for good reason. Food is not just a source of sustenance, it is a celebration of life 3 times a day. Meals are the events that define our day, the centerpiece of many social activities. My wife and I are serious foodies, exploring all diverse flavors across Los Angeles, from burritos to dim sum, ramen to mole, sandwiches to bbq, skipjack sashimi to bucatini amatriciana. We love it all. Well, I love it all. HBT is one of the 10% of people that cannot stand the sight, smell or taste of cilantro, but I digress.)

HBT hates cilantro (image via stadumgirl)

And because we love it all, sometimes our bodies need a break. We've been wanting to do a cleanse for a while now, but just couldn't work up the courage. Then, a few of HBT's friends told her about the cleanse they recently did with Pressed Juicery.


Founded by a producer, nutritionist and fitness junkie, this places serves up some of the best juices I've ever tasted. The defining quality of the juice is how fine and smooth they are. You don't sense and pulp or weight to them, like most home juicers produce. They sell juices by the bottle or you can sign up for a cleanse series, which they even deliver to your front door!
Our cleanse lasted 3 days. We scheduled it over a weekend, which I found to be totally necessary. Every morning, on our doorstep was a box containing all our juice for the day, numbered and labeled. Each juice served a specific purpose and the variety made the experience more exciting. Every day I felt my body and mind feeling lighter, clearer and healthier. Even now, I am eating less, eating smaller portions, and generally feeling satisfied with without stuffing myself.

Read Heather's writeup on Chef Speak for more info, an interview with Carly Brien, including a recipe for making your own juice.

Back from S.F.

Heather and I had an awesome time visiting our sister in San Francisco this past weekend. I had 450 photos to sort through, with ideas to share as well. Stay tuned!

1939: Venice, California

image via Vintage Los Angeles

How many cyclists must die...

before we see safer streets for all!

Smarter street design might have prevented this and many other collisions between motorists and cyclists and pedestrians.

Cyclists demand justice for DUI Victims and Safe Streets

Here's a broken record: Cyclist gets hit by motorist. Police investigate. Police blame the cyclist. Media reports blame the cyclist. DA declines to prosecute. Motorist evades prosecution. Cyclist is denied justice. End of story.

The Los Angeles Bike Community was out in force this morning to preempt this story from repeating.

Standing before a pack of reporters and news crews, they set the record straight on the true cause of a recent horrific collision, and called out for improved safety for all residents of L.A.

Here's the scoop:

In the early hours of June 16th, 27 year old Christine Dahab drover her car into a group of people. The police were called. The ambulances arrived. 11 people were rushed to the hospital. She was arrested and booked with misdemeanor drunk driving. Less than 9 hours later, she was released. In those same 9 hours the victims were being treated for numerous injuries. One victim was on hand for the press conference.

Another victim had both her legs broken. Another was in critical condition with a head injury.

LAPD officers began an investigation, but the crash actually occurred in Culver City. This is where things get murky. Even though they responded to the 911 call, LAPD didn't have jurisdiction to perform an investigation. They should have called Culver City PD to get them out there to begin an investigation. The case is now in the the hands of Culver City Police, but that preliminary investigation by LAPD is now with Culver City PD. That investigation has not officially been released. BUT, during a meeting with senior LAPD officials, members of the cycling community were told the initial cause of the crash was attributed to cyclists in the roadway.

This is troubling for so many reasons. I'll just mention a few, but Bikeside and Streetsblog are so much more accurate about the minutae. Click here to read about it. All I'll say is:

- Multiple witnesses observed Christine Dahab driving erratically moments before she plowed into the cyclists.

- Dahab blew a .08 at the scene and .07 at the station, just below the legal limit. That does not mean she wasn't impaired.

- Witnesses observed Dahab exit her car holding a cell phone immediately after the crash. Was she tweeting?

- With 100 riders pulled over with blinking safety lights, it's inconceivable that any responsible driver would not see them.

- News reports mention condoms and beer bottles found nearby. WTF?

More than anything, today taught me that as diverse as the cycling community in L.A. is, we all come together when any rider is in need. We'll continue to press for justice for the victims, for the police and media to not blame them for their injuries, and for improving the safety of all residents of L.A., in and out of the saddle. I was really impressed by the amazing response to this terrible and senseless crime. As I listened to the speakers make the case for justice, I had a moment of déjà vu.

If you witnessed the crash, or have any knowledge relevant to this crime, the Culver City PD wants your help. Please call Officer Newman at (310) 253-6254.

A fundraiser has been planned for the victims this Friday. Click HERE for more info.

Another fundraiser is also scheduled for July 8th. Click HERE for more info!

99 Cent Store Breakfast: Green Tacos

On a recent trip to the 99 Cent Store (best place to buy bike lights!) I couldn't help but toss these green bad boys into my shopping basket and give them a whirl.


Once I got home, I pulled together a few odds and ends, some frozen spinach and garlic, and proceeded to toss them in the pan.


Grabbed a couple eggs


In another pan, placed los Tortillas de Nopal under medium heat


Then I went searching for flavor. A pinch little of Jeana Sohn's mild but flavorful homegrown (By her dad in Korea) pepper flakes went into the spinach


and a pinch of Chipolte, Tumeric, Cinnamon and Cumin


After a few minutes, the spinach was defrosted and looking ready for a bath of scrambled eggs


A torn up slice of havarti seemed appropriate


Under the broiler for a spell


et Voila!


garnish with a couple spears of Full Moon Pickle's Asparagus and some Tapatillo and I was ready to chow down on some green breakfast tacos.