A “Zeppelin of Love” full of fun-seeking cyclists is on its way from Los Angeles to Portland and they call themselves the Midnight Ridazz.
The Midnight Ridazz began in 2004 when eight friends got together to ride the streets of Los Angeles. Or, as one of the Ridazz — who goes by the name Placid Casual — put it, “we thought it would be fun to see Los Angeles from a different perspective than the usual one (through a car window at high speed), and to make our own free entertainment on a Friday night.”
(Photo: MAXIMUMSHOTS/Flickr)
The idea caught on big time and now the group has blossomed into a full-blown social phenomenon that regularly gets 1000+ people out on their monthly rides (they’ve gotten so big that the founders have tried to break up the groups into spin-off and regional rides).
This Friday, a group of about 30 Ridazz will make their way to Portland to partake in everything our bike culture has to offer.
I asked Placid Casual and other one of the trip organizers, Reverend Joe Borfo, a few questions about the Midnight Ridazz and about their Portland plans.
What are the Midnight Ridazz all about?
Borfo:
“The About Page on our website pretty much covers who Midnight Ridazz are – A party on wheels. Supportive non confrontational community of bike enthusiast. Midnight Ridazz is rooted in a punk ethos, challenging the status quo of Los Angeles, a city largely designed around the automobile. Midnight Ridazz does not overtly profess to engage in political activity other than its stance that “Riding a bicycle in this country in and of itself IS the political act.” It has some similarities to the pro-bicycle Critical Mass phenomenon in its massive rides of more than a thousand cyclists. However it is largely distinct from Critical Mass in that the rides are pre-planned by self appointed ride care takers and the general atmosphere — some say “Driving Force” of Midnight Ridazz — revolves around party culture and fun.”
(Photo: Joe Borfo)
How have the Midnight Ridazz impacted Los Angeles?
Borfo:
“The ride has since inspired many new ride groups in the Los Angeles area and is credited with popularizing bicycle ride culture in Los Angeles. The ride itself follows different routes each month, with the ride varying between 15 and 40 miles in length. It is traditional for the route to include the 2nd Street Tunnel in downtown Los Angeles. Sometimes the enormity of it gives me chills. I feel like shouting “we’re taking the streets!” – It’s like a bicycle revolution and everybody’s having a good time.”
Why did you decide to come to Portland?
Placid:
“At the time I came up with the idea, plans were in the works to “swarm” Las Vegas with Ridazz (“swarming” various places and locales is a sort of running gag/theme with MR) in July. It occurred to me that if we can organize a mass trip to a place like Vegas, then surely we can organize a trip to a city that actually has a reputation for being relatively bike-friendly, and that is full of wacky bike subculture people who might be fun to meet and ride with. Maybe if we saw what a bike-oriented city looked like, we could take some of those ideas back with us to LA and at least have some idea what to agitate for at home. Thus, Portland. Also, I’ve heard that the beer is pretty good.”
Borfo:
“To meet like minded people who love cycling and bicycle culture. To show Portland cyclists that Los Angeles has a growing bicycle community as well and that we should continue to support each other. We are enamored with the stories we hear about the strong bicycling community. We want to learn the ways of the mighty Zoo Bombers. And to leave no rider behind!”
What do you have planned while you’re here?
Placid:
“We intend to participate in the Dropout Freak Bike ride on Friday night (and/or attend some kind of yurt/pool party that we’ve been invited to); ride in the Tour de Fat parade on Saturday morning; put on our own Really Real, No Naysayers Swarm The Cascades / Follow The Leader Ride on Saturday night; and (for the brave and foolhardy) do Zoobomb on Sunday night.”
To learn more about the Midnight Ridazz, check out their awesome website and watch the video below. And this Friday-Sunday, look for them on the streets with their yellow patches (see above) and join in the fun!
(Note: The police in the video are helping escort the ride, they’re not busting them.)