“Ride 4 Love” will stop at the iconic Watts Towers. Photo: Ryan Dickey via Flickr Creative Commons

Forget the traffic horror of Jamzilla and head to “Ride 4 Love,” the East Side Riders Bike Club led bicycle ride that will explore the changes in Watts on Saturday, Feb. 15. The ride will be sponsored by Metro and supported by C.I.C.L.E.

Meet at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee center (10950 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles) at 9:30 a.m.; the ride will leave promptly at 10 a.m. The meeting location is accessible via Metro Bus 53, 55, 117, 120, 202, 355, Dash Watts, Metro Blue Line 103rd Street/Watts Towers Station and Metro Green Line Avalon Station.

“Ride 4 Love” is free and open to all cyclists and will make three stops at Watts community projects, housing developments and the iconic Watts Towers. “Ride 4 Love” is an annual event started by The East Side Riders Bike Club.  ESRBC is an all-volunteer, grassroots bicycle club founded in 2008. The purpose of the ESR is to prevent youth from joining gangs and/or taking drugs, but also to engage youth who have a desire to enrich the community through recreational activities, specifically focusing on bicycle riding.

The ride is 10 miles. Prior to the ride, safe street riding and group ride etiquette will be addressed to ensure smooth sailing. Riders are encouraged to bring water, a snack, and a bicycle in good working order. All participants should be able to ride a bike safely with the ability to brake, change gears, and balance while stopping and starting. All participants under 18 MUST wear a helmet and be escorted by a parent or guardian. Children under age 8 should be on a tag-a-long, bike trailer, tandem, or other safe child-carrying device to participate in the ride.