Midnight ridaz, coming to an intersection near you

Its Saturday night about 11 o'clock, you're driving near Downtown LA. You're three cars behind a green light but no ones moving, you look ahead and don't see anything.

Then, all of a sudden, three bicyclist ride through the red light while you remain waiting at your green light. They pass by, and you think "Finally". Then you start to hear something growing louder and louder from the left side of the perpendicular street, people are screaming, listening to loud music, cheering and yelling "SHHHHWOOOOPP!" At first you see 10, then 20, 50, 100, 200 people all on bicycles. You ask, "What the heck is this??" the resounding reply is "C.R.A.N.K Mob".

For those of you unaware of what a C.R.A.N.K Mob is, it's quite possibly the most fun you'll have on a bike. Or as a Flickr user, famoussd, said, "C.R.A.N.K. Mob is a monthly bike ride, dance party, masquerade, carnival, sextravaganza."

Once a month, people from all over Los Angeles County and even farther like Riverside all meet at one of two possible spots. Everyone gathers on their bicycles around 10 o' clock and from there the fun starts. One group goes down one route and another a different, but they eventually meet up.

The ride is pretty slow, so people who think they have to be in marathon shape to participate have no need to worry its more like a cruise. Everyone is there for one reason, and simply put it's to have fun.

It doesn't matter if you have a 2,000 dollar road bike that weighs 1 pound and can go 40 mph or you have a beach cruiser that weighs more than you do. People are friendly and always willing to have a good conversation.

There are various predetermined stops to make sure everyone stays together. These stops also serve as "pit stops" to fix your bike if something's wrong or just kick back for a minute. Usually, the 3rd stop is where the two groups meet and the dance party starts.

The poor soul who has been lugging around a massive stereo system on the back of his bike becomes the hero of the night.

The floor is scattered with bottles and a smell reminiscent of the 60's and Bob Marley is in the air. As soon as people get there they put down their bikes and party. Some dance and even crowd surf while others just kick back enjoying the fresh air that 1 o' clock a.m. has to offer. Along with the company of good friends, new friends and music the night has certainly become a memorable one, for those who can remember that is.

The C.R.A.N.K. Mob is beneficial because it raises awareness about an often frowned upon alternative mode of transportation. When people see others riding their bikes to places regularly they think "Oh that sucks they should get a car," while people on bikes say the opposite. Especially in Los Angeles where traffic is so heavily congested, people using bikes instead of cars once in a while would not only help traffic but the environment like Los Angeles' disgusting smog-gray skies. Furthermore, riding a bike has health benefits for the rider like a great cardio workout; it's easy on the bones, creates lean leg muscles and builds better stamina.

Los Angeles, along with other urban cities such as San Francisco and New York have seen a explosion of bike culture in the past few years and hopefully it won't end soon.

If you would like to go on the next C.R.A.N.K. Mob or any other bike ride you can find that information on www.midnightridazz.com.