Fast Digs: The East Side Club

"The East Side Cycle club gave another of its enjoyable smokers last Wednesday evening, and as usual out did any former effort in that line. Everybody told stories, sang songs or danced dances, even the grave and reverend Signor Owen of the police court contributing his share of the fun. The judge did not dance. Many pipes and much liquid refreshments added to the glory of the evening, the air being filled with a blue haze and the floor being slippery with the foam of the city water. When this progressive club starts out to do anything there seems to be no limit to what will happen. What the organization intends to do in the way of celebrating the opening of the new club house remains to be seen, but that something great, grand and gorgeous is on the slate is not to be for a moment doubted."

From the moment people first began to gather together to ride, and race, the Los Angeles region has been rife with bicycle clubs. Among the best known of those early groups was the East Side Club. Their renown was due to more than just their racing. The passage above comes from the Los Angeles Herald, 16 March 1896.