When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race.
-H.G. Wells
The Spoke(n) Art bicycle ride is a free, once-a-month, bicycle tour of art galleries in North East Los Angeles. The ride takes place on the second Saturday of each month - a special night in North East Los Angeles. Area art galleries open their doors late into the night as part of NELAart's "Gallery Night".
The ride starts at Flying Pigeon LA (3404 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90065), where we meet at 6 p.m. The ride leaves at 6:30 p.m., when everyone rides, en masse, at a slow pace, towards the Bike Oven and then on to the next gallery of the night.
The last gallery is usually visited around 9 or 10 p.m. By that time, bicycle riders that have joined in the middle of the ride have swollen the ranks to about 40 to 100 people (or more).
An art opening and after-party is usually planned to take place at the Bike Oven (located at 3706 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065) or neighboring Flying Pigeon LA bike shop (located at 3404 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90065). After parties in the past have been fueled by cheap beer, flaming pinatas, kiddie bike races, and anything else anybody on the ride decided would be a good idea.
There is no fee to pay. There are no forms to fill out. Anyone and everyone interested in riding their bicycle on a Saturday night is welcome to show up and see what North East L.A. has to offer.
Bring a bike that works, or get there early enough that someone at the Bike Oven or Flying Pigeon LA can help you fix it before the ride starts. There are (sometimes) a few kind souls who have tools to fix flat tires, or loose cables while on the ride. If your bike is in need of some love, take it to a bike shop or neighorhood mechanic for repairs before hitting the streets. You can find more shops in the L.A. area at the LACBC's Bike Shop Directory. If you're not into bike shops, or are too broke to pay for repairs, then you should check out some of the do-it-yourself bicycle cooperatives in Los Angeles. Try out the Bicycle Kitchen, near the intersection of Melrose and Vermont. On the westside, the Bikerowave recently opened its doors. Finally, the Bike Oven is occassionally open to serve the needs of North East L.A.'s cyclists.
Blinkie lights for your bike are strongly (strongly) recommended.
A cell phone.
A good attitude, and a willingness to hang out with all sorts of people on a wierd ass adventure on a Saturday night..