June Recap > Design-n-Dim Sum Bike Ride

Once again, de LaBbers took to the streets, this time by bike, on our annual Design-n-Dim Sum ride. On June 5th, about 40 riders met at bike shop Flying Pigeon as we ventured from Highland Park to Frogtown to Chinatown, visiting design studios along the way.

After owner Josef Bray-Ali tuned up bikes, put a few together for borrowers, and tested the megaphone, we on the road for a gloriously sunny, crisp day.

In years past, we usually headed straight for Chinatown but this year we rode along the LA River bike path up Elysian Valley to Frogtown, passing the riders on the LA River Ride along the way.

Our first stop was RAC Design Build, a design and construction services firm founded in 1989. Principals Rick and Tracy Cortez gave us a tour of the studio, from their fabrication workshop to the upstairs offices. The firm does residential and commercial design, and with a machinery studio in house, have the luxury of producing their own prototypes.

Our next stop was Tracy Stone's studio, just around the corner. The small firm works out of a lovely, eco-sensitive live/work space, with the studio on one side and Tracy's home on the other, separated by a shaded patio (with an outdoor shower!).

Tracy talked about her residential and commercial projects, and perhaps most notably, some of her biggest fans are her smallest clients. Tracy has done a substantial amount of work for animal facilities, such as North Central Animal Services. Tracy is also one of the founders of the Frogtown Art Walk, a self-guided tours of studios and galleries along the LA River.

After seeing Tracy's studio we hopped back down the river towards Chinatown to visit architecture firm Johnson Fain. Business development director Dana Smith gave us a tour of the massive studio, showcasing projects that span architecture, master planning and green design. One of the firm's biggest local projects is the renovation and expansion of Dodger Stadium, set to be completed by next year.

Unfortunately, we were running a little late so we missed our window to visit artist Zoe Crosher's studio in Chinatown, but you can check out her work here.

So our last stop was Golden Dragon for dim sum. Because nothing satisfies a bunch of hungry bikers like a bao. And roast pork. And shu mai.

Even babies love biking and bao.

Thanks to everyone who came out last Sunday and to Josef, Rick, Tracy C., Damien, Tracy S., Dana and the fine folks at Golden Dragon!

All photos by Alissa Walker.