Ambitions As A Rider

 Gotta bike? Planned on using it, but didn't know any good trails or anyone to go with? Are you just plain tired of paying for parking even on Saturday?
All of the above are very understandable, but usually that takes an entire culture of cycling to get the streets prepared and get everyday people like us out on the track. Well, if only Indianapolis had a Cycling Club for novice bikers like ourselves that met up this time of the year to make that a thing, it would be heaven sent, and you wouldn't have to spend so much money at a gym... Hey guys, I gotta secret. It's got two wheels, three amazing young women, and a collective of folks just like you.  Indianapolis, Forty5th Floor would love to present: Red, Bike, and Green.


Red, Bike, and Green originated in Oakland, California, by an African-American cyclist by the name of Jenna Burton. In the fall of 2007, Jenna gathered up a small group of black cyclists with the hopes of creating a Black Cyclist Group. Jenna began thinking of reasons for her dream, which is when she generated the 3 point plan.  These three points would bring life and purpose to the cycle group and develop a relevant cause towards the black community in California. 

Point #1: Health;  African Americans have the highest prevalence rates for many chronic diseases, largely due to lack of healthy foods and exercise.  Biking is an intergenerational form of recreation where we can improve physical health as well as improve our mental health by enjoying the company of our people.

Point #2: Economics; (1) As African Americans we experience many economic hardships.  Riding bicycles instead of driving cars saves us valuable money that we can use towards our present realities and bright futures.  (2) Red, Bike and Green promotes the patronage of Black business.  Advertising and partnering with Black businesses on our rides is our strategy to support and praise the important services that sustain our community.

Point#3: Environment; African American communities bear the brunt of too many environmental injustices (e.g. asthma due to high prevalence  of carcinogens).   Biking provides us the power to reduce the carcinogens we produce as we continue advocating against environmental racism at institutional levels.

(Jenna Burton, 2007 Red, Bike, and Green, 3-point plan)


After a few successful rides, the few cyclists began to reach and expand throughout Oakland, and officially launched in 2010.  Since then, RBG has generated branches in three other major cities (Chicago, New York City, Atlanta).



Now, because of our own three amazing women, RBG has come to Indianapolis. Thanks to Danicia Monet (Colour Blind), Cheria Caldwell (Owtspok3n Photography), and Malina Jeffers (Mosaic City), we can all have an opportunity to be a part of something larger than this city.  So if you are one of those people who want to start a new healthy lifestyle with new healthy relationships, within your city, join up with Red, Bike, and Green Indy and prepare for the most important ride of your life.

This is another level from Forty5th Floor. Hope you're lifted.

Ejaaz The Spazz
+L.Y.D.O.B.V.+

Ya Haven't Heard From Me In A While...

It's been a minute and some days.  When you last heard from me consistently, we were more focused on #Localove, where I post a local character who's "so and so" had inspired me, give a couple of words about how it's genius, and share a link.  Before then, everything was opinionated, controversial, and incredibly grammatically incorrect.  Now, my last serious post was under the title, "When It All Becomes Home", a smaller article about familiarity that comes with one's chosen art. There were supposed to be follow-ups on different individuals, sharing their own story on what makes their art form "home" for them. Quite honestly, it was the first big response I had ever gotten out of the cyber realm.  What happened?

To say the least, Forty5th was about to expand. Sad to say, expansion for a less tangible entity isn't as sporadic as we're all so compelled to expect. On my long and untraditional hiatus, I took to the road and became a full-time spoken word artist. I've been to Detroit, New York City, Kentucky, and at least three different cities in Ohio.  For that short and beautiful year, I met people who would show me talent, hustle, passion, kindness, and many other human aspects from an entirely new spectrum.  While disappearing from home, periodically, I was able to be a fly on the other side of the window. After each trip, Indianapolis has never looked so fragile, precious, pathetic, and unfinished in my 23 years of living here.  Each city gave me her energy, in exchange of my analysis.  Detroit, being my favorite, showed me that when people are deprived and tired of it, they WILL learn gratitude. Never have I ever witnessed such a well-rounded, family oriented poetry scene. Say what you want about their crime rate and economy, but my God is it beautiful in Detroit.  N.Y. will always buzz around in my memory like 24 hour subway stations and corner stores. All of it's brilliant lights, and attractions.  Quick story, we were walking down Broadway, and a guy in a coat brushes past me. I noticed an envelop on the ground. Out of it, were what I would guess was 30 hundred dollar bills.  I did the "Indianapolis" thing and caught up with the guy to give it back...  Even he looked at me like, "That should've been yours, foo!" Back to the thesis, all of these cities gave me something special to take back home with me.  The road was amazing, but nonetheless, one cannot make a foundation if he can't sit still. So here I am, back on my clunky and convenient laptop, tapping away at a keyboard, somewhere in the center of Crown Hill, to tell you Welcome Back.

And now... We elevate....





Full Metal Alchemist
Pope Adrian Bless

#localove Pt. ???

   Ninety-six problems and a hook ain't one. Tully Cicero, Pope Adrian Bless, Abe Linx, and Chuck Mason representing one time for Crown Hill USA. Just a little more #localove from The Forty5th... check it out...

Abe Linx, Tully Cicero, Pope Adrian Bless, and Chuck Mason
96 Bars

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Twitter: @AbeLinxGFE @tullycicero @AdrianBlessRWG @ChuckMasonMusic