Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A.
Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Pedal Power Unleashed on the Streets of LA
The streets of Los Angeles are no strangers to the sound of roaring engines, but CicLAvia turns downtown into a car-free cyclist's paradise. For one Sunday each year, the usually congested roads open up for bikes, skateboards, scooters or anything without a motor. Over 100,000 people join CicLAvia to transform the urban jungle into a festival on wheels.
The event originated in Bogota, Colombia where massive ciclovía events shut down major roads to automobiles every Sunday. CicLAvia brought the tradition to LA in 2010 and it's been pedal to the metal ever since. The unique courses change with each event, traversing different LA neighborhoods and giving everyone a new perspective on the sprawling city.
Racing down miles of empty streets feels like a strange dream, but the expo at the starting hubs makes it a block party. Music, food trucks, bike workshops and more keep the fun rolling all day long. With no competition or registration, CicLAvia is all about the experience rather than speed. Families, friends and solo riders of all ages cruise the streets at their own pace.
What else is in this post?
- Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Pedal Power Unleashed on the Streets of LA
- Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Bucking Tradition with a Freewheeling Race Format
- Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Leave Your Lycra at Home - Costumes Encouraged!
- Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Cranking Up the Fun with After-Parties Galore
- Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Plot Your Own Course - Choose from 3 Distance Options
- Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Two Wheels + Zero Rules = A Day to Remember
Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Bucking Tradition with a Freewheeling Race Format
CicLAvia throws the rulebook out the window when it comes to traditional bike race formats. With no set course length, route markers or categories, it liberates riders from the constraints of competition. The open streets become a playground for cycling in its purest form.
Riders are free to make the event whatever they want. Go solo and get lost in the freedom of open roads, meet up with friends for a leisurely cruise or push the pace in an informal peloton. Many opt to ditch the bikes entirely at times, wandering the car-free streets on foot. Kids on strider bikes and skateboarders share the wide open asphalt with casual riders and seasoned cyclists alike.
The roving expo hubs along the route give riders places to fuel up, fix flats or just take a break. Grab a snack, check out the booths or chill with entertainment between stint. Riders recharge and socialize before venturing back out whenever they please.
With no registration, fees or waivers, CicLAvia strips away restrictions to let the spirit of the ride take center stage. Miles of iconic LA sights roll by with no need to hammer out a fast time or stay on a prescribed circuit. The delight is simply in experiencing the city and community from a fresh perspective.
Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Leave Your Lycra at Home - Costumes Encouraged!
Forget about spandex and high-tech cycling gear - CicLAvia is all about embracing your inner child. This annual event encourages participants to let their creativity shine through wild and wacky costumes. From elaborate getups to simple whimsical touches, the streets become a vibrant parade of eclectic style.
Tutus, capes, masks and more transform the ride into a joyful spectacle. Riders pedal past in animal onesies, superhero suits, and outrageous ensembles that put the ho-hum uniform of traditional bike races to shame. Unicycles, tandem bikes, and tricked-out cycles of all kinds become moving works of art, each one more eye-catching than the last.
The festive atmosphere is all part of CicLAvia's mission to make cycling accessible and fun for everyone, not just the spandex-clad speed demons. By encouraging self-expression and shedding the trappings of competitive cycling, the event taps into the sheer exhilaration of exploring the city on two wheels. Whether you're decked out in glitter and neon or simply wearing your favorite comfy clothes, the only requirement is an open mind and a zest for adventure.
Spectators revel in the kaleidoscope of costumes and creativity, cheering on the colorful cavalcade as it rolls by. Cameras flash and phones emerge to capture the most outrageous outfits, creating a lively social media buzz. Competitions for the best-dressed riders add to the festive atmosphere, with prizes awarded for the most outlandish, imaginative, and downright silly ensembles.
Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Cranking Up the Fun with After-Parties Galore
The revelry doesn’t stop when the sun goes down at CicLAvia. As day turns to night, riders keep the celebration going at lively after-parties around the city. Local bars, restaurants, and venues host special events to cap off the car-free day.
Pedal over to Goldstein’s Bar after burning up calories cruising the streets. Refuel on their drool-worthy array of bags, sandwiches, and loaded fries while knocking back local brews. Work off your food baby dancing to live music from the courtyard stage.
Prefer to keep the party rolling on two wheels? Metro Bike’s Midnight Ridazz carries on the carefree spirit into the wee hours. Decked out in tricked-out lights and glow sticks, hundreds of cyclists band together for an epic night ride. The leisurely paced, police-escorted pedal party lets you experience the magical energy of the city after dark.
Or wind down the day chilling lakeside at Echo Park Lake’s CicLAvia after-party. Sink into a beanbag on the sandy beach with a craft cocktail in hand. Munch on tasty tacos and soak in the laidback vibes, with groovy tunes playing well into the night.
The possibilities are endless, with hip bars, eateries, and cultural spots all over town getting in on the action. From hitting the dance floor to laughing over drinks with new friends, CicLAvia’s after-parties give everyone a chance to swap stories and bond over the singular experience of cruising car-free.
Can’t get enough cycling? Extend the CicLAvia vibe by booking a brewery bike tour. Companies like LA Beer Rides shuttle your crew between craft brewhouses for tastings and good times. Or opt for a night cycling and taco tour to explore LA’s lively late-night food scene on two wheels.
Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Plot Your Own Course - Choose from 3 Distance Options
CicLAvia throws out the concept of a set race course, inviting riders to plot their own journey along the car-free streets. With no prescribed route to follow, the options are wide open. Whether you want to go the distance or just take a short spin, there are three main loops ranging from 2 to 6 miles.
The shortest Family Route sticks primarily to park areas, providing a safe, low-traffic option for kids and new riders. Dotted with activity hubs, it lets families dip in and out of the action at a relaxed pace. Optional extensions add mileage for mini-cyclists with energy to burn.
Up for something longer? Take on the Classic Route's zigzagging path across iconic LA neighborhoods. Sample a savory crepe in Little Tokyo before touring the street art in Boyle Heights around mile 4. As the course crosses major sights like MacArthur Park, the route length hits 6 miles round trip.
Finally, the longest Full Route combines highlights from the Classic and adds extra sights. Pedal from Downtown's skyscrapers to the LA River's graffiti-covered banks, with pit stops for ice cream in Echo Park. The extra mileage lets eager riders soak in the sights at a more leisurely pace.
The best part? There's no wrong turn on your DIY course. The crowd-free streets open up endless routing possibilities beyond the suggested loops. Improvise your own network of paths between rest stops and attractions. Wander off the beaten track down tempting side streets before linking back up with the main drags. With intersections blocked off and traffic signals turned off, LA's sprawl becomes your personal playground for a day.
Throwing Out the Rulebook: The Wildest Bike Race in L.A. - Two Wheels + Zero Rules = A Day to Remember
CicLAvia's open format lets riders make the most of Los Angeles' endless sunny days. By removing restrictions, the event becomes a moveable feast tailored to every participant's tastes. Just roll up on two wheels and make the streets your own personal adventure.
With the shackles of traffic signals and congestion removed, the city transforms into a vast playground. Miles of iconic sights roll by with no need to race a clock or follow a prescribed route. Pull off for impromptu dance parties in the plazas or go freestyle down the empty streets. Head into uncharted neighborhoods far from the suggested loops, following temptation down side streets.
The car-free roads unlock LA's hidden charms and blow out cobwebs of routine. Revel in the unlikely thrill of cycling across multiple lanes of a bustling freeway. Soak up the Sunday morning calm washing over the Financial District's usually frantic streets. Get swept up in the party vibe at a packed hub pulsing with music.
Let the whims of the moment and spirit of discovery guide your journey. Ditch the bikes with friends to wander on foot or grab a snack break. Spend all day weaving between landmarks and attractions or just relax riding the single short loop multiple times. With no expectations or obligations, CicLAvia liberates riders to craft their perfect LA day.
Bond with family and friends on a leisurely, traffic-free ride. Introduce kids to the joys of cycling without safety concerns. Meet up with a club or make new friends along the way. The shared experience and infectious energy create community, even among total strangers.