L.A. Now Live: Discuss fallout of canceled pre-L.A. Marathon bike race

Join Los Angeles Times staff writer Laura J. Nelson for an L.A. Now Live discussion at 12:30 p.m. on the Marathon Crash Race and why the city of Los Angeles has clamped down on the popular ride.

We’re also planning on having one of the organizer’s of the race, Roadblock of Wolfpack Hustle, join us during the chat and serve as a panelist during the discussion.

For four years, thousands of cyclists have descended on Los Angeles for what is often considered the biggest underground bicycle race in the country -- a 4 a.m. sprint along the empty L.A. Marathon route before the runners and walkers take it over for the sanctioned event.

But this year the city has clamped down and officials threatened to fine or arrest the organizer, Don Ward, if he still puts on the ride.

Ward announced Tuesday night that he was canceling the event, telling riders on Facebook that the city informed him that he did not have the proper permits.

But some cyclists, still remembering the heart-racing thrill of their first marathon rides, are vowing to take to the street anyway.

Readers can tweet questions and comments to moderator @aribloomekatz, or submit them directly through the chat’s interface on the L.A. Times homepage when it goes live at 12:30 p.m.

ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com
Twitter: @aribloomekatz