I cannot speak for Frank or Bernard (the organizers of CC).
However, I've been attending the Cyclone Coasters rides for the last couple of years, and the ride is open for everyone. It says so right on the web page. The only people who have been discouraged from attending were those who insisted upon bringing boom box stereos on their bikes, and blasting loud music along the route.
Some few folks do show up with generic beach cruiser bikes. Others are riding Raleighs or other "English Racers" , military bikes, novelty bikes, as well as 60's and 70's vintage lightweight Schwinns and 70's vintage Spitfires. Some bring out their re-pop Columbias, and Roadmasters, customs, rat rods, and once in a while a few of the folks from Chopaderos come out. Some times the Compton Kings of Schwinn (hope I got the name right) show up with their wild customs. I've ridden my Spoiler, and my Rat-rod Dragonfly bike, as well as the classics. It's all cool, and in this one rider's opinion it just adds to the fun. The only bikes that really just wouldn't fit in would be fixies, BMX, or ten speed style road bikes.
I did make it out to the Riverside ride last Sunday, and we had a great time.
(Write-up over at the CABE) There is a small bunch of Rat Rod riders from Riverside (I always refer to them as the Riverside Crew) who come out to Long Beach for the CC ride. They were there Sunday as well.
I traded a couple brief e-mails with Benny Reese, the organizer, and he
is trying to keep the focus of this gathering on the older vintage bikes. It will be his call if he wants to extend the core group to some of the newer machines.
In the mean time
What is to stop us from starting an official
RAT ROD RIDE?
First, and last Sundays are spoken for. That leaves us four Saturdays, and two Sundays a month to choose from.
I'll toss out this for a suggestion, and let's see what happens:
How about Second Sunday in the month- one week after Cyclone coasters.
And for a location- How about Huntington Pier as a meet-up spot?
Send me a PM if you'd like to trade notes on starting a new cruise. If it looks like we can get a core of a few folks to start out, we can hash out details. It may turn into a regular event, or it may fizzle. It's all up to us, isn't it?
JWM