6
Dec
2010
Origin
This Mellow Monday’s article’s name sake was inspired by a ride a few of my friends hosted out of my buddy’s shop on Melrose called Capsole. The shop was ran by two really close friends of mine, Jay and Cicero. When i started commuting to work i would pass by their shop every day. Ever so often i would see some one riding a track bike in side one of the shoe stores that lined melrose. At the time it was rare to see another person commuting let alone on a track bike.
Jay
As time went on I would cruise by, give them the hand wave and they would wave back. One of the times on my way back home from work, Cicero waved me down because of the obvious common ground, Track Bikes. We’ve been pals ever since. Cicero had that energy about him. I guess Mellow Mondays wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for this guys desire to ride. He encouraged Jay who at the time was bikeless to get one. Like a snowball the numbers kept growing. We saw more and more people commuting down Melrose. Cicero had this ability to attract people that were jazzed on bikes.
Cicero
Mellow Mondays was the least serious ride out there. It was an outlet for most to relieve the ails of working retail on the block. The rides never had a consistent type of ride, ranging from exploring our city to hanging out in parks knocking a couple back. It was fun. It was always fun. I mean the slogan “Spin Spokes and Tell Jokes” spawned from Cicero. AND DON’T FORGET THAT!
The thing i liked about this ride the most was how it grew by word of mouth. Friends brought friends in. And I’m sure that is how a lot of rides started. When this ride started, i would have never imagined that cycling in LA would be the way it is today. But then again, cycling does carry an energy behind it. Judging by the growth, it’s a positive energy that I would love to watch grow.
I would like to thank all those that went on Mellow Mondays. All of you have made a strong impression in my life. In the near future, i would love to spin spokes and tell jokes with yous guys.
