Little of everything I guess. Seems like it started as a crew that put on rides. I was just in LA and over on the east side where X Large and Orange 20 are looked like bike community mania, Hollywood not so much. Orange 20 did have some dope shit in there. Got one of the caps they made though (maybe that should be in confessions.)

there was some pretty sick shit, lots of frames, lots of anno'd nitto and sugino stuff and more cycling caps and TT pads then I've ever seen in one place. and it's about the size of the smaller City Bikes.

Are they mainly doing flat road rides through LA or do they make stops and do other stuff?

Jennx:

wolfpack hustle is a "crew" of sorts down there, they meet up and ride hard, don't believe in the leave no one behind you fall behind, then you're done. pretty much just tearing shit up. they do alleycat style events, or other random things. it all usually goes down late at night. or after dark.

Very accurate description, Jenn. They held an event similar to MASH2MASH called the "Drop Race," except it was during rush hour in LA. They have also held drag races, a team race during the day, and a century on the 100th ride. I ride with them when I'm home; it's one of the highlights of my week.

The Hustle ride can be insanely taxing (depending on the ride, which ranges from 25-55 miles), but if you can hang it becomes really really addicting. Most heads are very experienced cyclists with extensive knowledge in group etiquette and bike repair. Most bikes are fixed (expensive, flashy, and all brakeless), although there is also a fair representation of geared roadies.

Alex, to answer your questions– The terrain varies from flats to hills depending on what route Hayden, Don, et al. have cooked up. On an average ride we'll make about 4 stops either at parks or convenience stores.

Most of the people who ride are DEDICATED and are out there every week, but are surprisingly not super clique-ie. New folks come every week, and they are super accepting and friendly. And while they may espouse the view that they don't adhere to the "leave no rider behind" policy, they're really not that cutthroat... they take head counts at the start and at every pit stop, and do their best to wait up for stragglers at breaks. If you ever plan to visit LA, bring your bike and meet up at Tang's Donut (on the corner of Fountain & Sunset in Silverlake) at 10pm. Bring mad game.

I like it.....40-50 miles fast paced...

I like the idea of a 40 mile "drop race"...

bschultz:

alex:

I like the idea of a 40 mile "drop race"...

Haha, that would be nuts. It was actually only 4. http://www.wolfpackhustle.com/viewStory.php?storyId=556

Ahh, I was thinking of "drop" in the way roadies use it.

crossett:

bschultz:

Most heads are very experienced cyclists with extensive knowledge in group etiquette and bike repair. Most bikes are fixed (expensive, flashy, and all brakeless), although there is also a fair representation of geared roadies.

fast geared riders + fast fixed riders = horrible group riding. Erratic whip skids and frantic sprinting to catch up out of turns is not my idea of group etiquette but it's the only way that I can see fixed riders keeping up with roadies.

Your reasoning makes sense, but it's actually untrue in this case. I've never seen "erratic whip skids and frantic sprinting to catch up out of turns" on the Hustle Ride. The fixed riders tend to be just as fast if not faster than the roadies, as most of them are car free. We like to go fast, but to quote the website, the Hustle Ride "is not a race, it's a hustle"... it is not in any way analogous to an alleycat. Nobody is doing crazy shit, as that would put the entire group in danger. A typical formation of riders isn't some clusterfuck peleton, but rather one or two strings of riders where everyone holds their lines, is very vocal of hazards, and safely moves in and out to fall back or move up. That is not to say that group riding with fast fixed and geared bikes in close proximity is not devoid of risk, but it is certainly not horrible.

crossett:

It just seems like its very hard to have a paceline of track bikes through traffic and around 90 degree turns. I'd like to see it done, maybe I'll come down from the bay this summer and check it out. (on my roadie of course)

Dude, you would love it. Whisper/email(click my name) me if you decide to come down. I DEFINITELY ride a geared bike.

alex:

I like the idea of a 40 mile "drop race"...

Hell, ya......

Not everyone likes long death rides....

I love a ride that just kicks my ass.

The link to clothing is kinda lame, but the drag races(sprints) through the tunnel look awesome.

jonl:

I just don't dig their clothing designs ha.

Yeah, that sweatshirt is something else. Not sure what they (Hayden) were thinking... Oh, well.