“The finish line is just the beginning of a whole new race.
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience
We’re spiritual beings having a human experience”
Susan Saint James who lost her 14 year old son in a plane crash
Tragedy struck a father and his 14 Year Old son on the Grand Tour early Sunday morning.
Pam Leven, the President of the Los Angeles Wheelmen who organize the Grand Tour, wrote:
“Dear Grand Tour Riders, Volunteers and LA Wheelmen Members,
Our community and the greater cycling community is mourning the tragic death of Grand Tour rider Rod Armas who was killed by a drunk driver just a few miles from the end of the Double Century. Rod’s son Christian, 14, was seriously injured, but released from the hospital on Monday. Rod was 45. He had ridden a double century years earlier and wanted to share the exhilarating experience with his son.
I get so psyched sometimes, my face falls off. Or maybe I rip it off - I’m not sure, but it’s definitely HULK STATUS™. I recently saw this video of one crazy kid starting an amazing dance party (thanks @ETOTHEROCK):
Did you watch the whole thing? No? Well then you won’t get it - so go watch the whole thing, and get back to me. Do some dancing while you’re at it.
Westsidazz: Malia Jones, on behalf of cyclists in West LA, has placed the Cyclists’ Bill of Rights on the agenda of the Palms Neighborhood Council!
Come out and show your support for the Cyclists’ Bill of Rights, and encourage the Palms Neighborhood Council to give it a rousing, ringing, and unanimous endorsement.
When: Wednesday, July 8th, 7:00pm
Where: Iman Cultural Center, 3376 Motor Ave
Afterward, a rambling ride around the Westside ending in gluttony, somewhere!
Stephen Box has written the best piece to date about the tragedy that occurred this weekend: while riding the LA Wheelmen Grand Tour, a father and his son were struck by a car. The father was killed, and his son is in critical condition:
As Saturday turned into Sunday, Rod and Christian had approximately 190 miles behind them including 8500 feet of elevation gain and four very challenging hills. They were riding on the shoulder in ideal conditions. the sky was clear, there was great visibility, the roads were dry and there was a slight off shore breeze.
. . . At approximately 1:30 am, the next SAG driver came across an emergency scene with medical and law enforcement personnel at work on the two cyclists who lay on the ground at 34000 PCH . . .
Rod was pronounced dead at the scene and Christian was airlifted to UCLA Medical Center with severe and comprehensive injuries.
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 - Today, I watched a low level LAPD officer throw two bars and one star under a bus. Specifically, Officer Cho’s prejudiced police work at the scene of the Hummer Hit N Run left Captain Allen (two bars) and freshly minted Commander Mike Williams (one star) flapping in the breeze in front of political heavy weights at the Transportation Committee.
Captain Allen, under pressure from Councilman Rosendahl, asserted that there were plates on the ‘07 Hummer, in contrast to the above photo from the scene. Allen and Williams’ report also revealed that the City Attorney’s office has decided not to prosecute the motorist, and is considering prosecuting the cyclists on vandalism charges.
Last Tuesday was the one year anniversary of Taco Tuesdays. EVERY week for one year Taco Tuesdays has met and left from CRANK MOB PARK at 8pm, and every week XL, the ride leader, has put together an awesome ride and spokecard.
That’s an extraordinary effort, and that effort has earned a huge and faithful following. When I went on my first Taco Tuesdays, #17, there were around 30 riders. Now the ride pulls between 60 and 80 riders on weekly basis. When we left CRANK MOB PARK on Tuesday for the one year anniversary ride, I estimate there were about 200 riders.
