Hundreds of cyclists take over the LA Marathon route for an unofficial ride. Want to join?

In the early morning hours before the Los Angeles Marathon this Sunday, hundreds of cyclists will take over the streets for a cherished yearly tradition.

For more than a decade, cyclists have come together for the L.A. Marathon Crash Ride, which piggybacks on the 26-mile route and street closures that are in effect for the marathon.

Cyclists typically begin their journey around 4 a.m. Sunday (March 8) at the former site of Tang’s Donuts in Silver Lake. The hundreds of bikers then pedal to Century City, with some diehards opting to head all the way to Santa Monica. While no one group organizes the ride, numerous local bike clubs meet at the event every year.

Raff Hernandez, who runs the LA Cycling Community and Calendar, said it’s one of the few times a year when this wave of red lights and cyclists of all kinds are able to reclaim the public space.

“It helps us not feel so alone. Especially in this ever-growing hostility — especially in this country and around the world — I think that having these groups is really important,” Hernandez said.

The LA Marathon Crash Ride in 2019

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Raff Hernandez

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He said he's seen the event grow over the years, particularly around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were looking to connect with others outside of a computer screen.

Similar to the rise in running clubs and other communities centered around exercise and the outdoors, Hernandez said there’s no shortage of cycling clubs that funnel into the crash ride every year.

“It’s kind of funny, because you’ll arrive there with your friends and may not actually see them until the very end. Because it becomes that big of a sweeping parade,” he said.

First-timer tips:

• Bring a helmet
• Front and rear lights encouraged
• Try to bring a buddy or two
• Bring a spare tube and hand pump