The Mangey Moose Bank

The Mangey Moose Bank in Tarzana.

Disclaimer

This is the bank I was staring at when the idea for this blog popped into my head last week.  It's about a four foot high brick bank, about 30-35 degrees steep, maybe 20 feet long, then it wraps around the corner and mellows out.  There's a chain link fence at the top, a fence ride on a bike is possible.  

This is at a bus stop I use from time to time.  It's next to a sidewalk about six feet wide, and is plenty smooth enough to skate or hit on a bike.  It's nothing amazing, just a cool bank that rarely, if ever gets sessioned.  The location is Reseda Boulevard at the 101 freeway, in Tarzana.  That's in the San Fernando Valley, north of L.A..  This bank is on the northwest side of the bridge, by the westbound on ramp to the 101.  

These brick banks are by most of the on and off ramps of the 101, across The San Fernando Valley, but vary in size and shape.  This is one of the best of the banks, by shape and size.  Is the Mangey Moose Bank worth a long drive to ride and skate?  No.  But if you happen to find yourself west of the 405 in The Valley, and are up for a little bike or skate session, it's there.  It gets shade much of the day, which is cool, literally.  

It was about 100 degrees the other day, which is why I sat down under the bridge, to cool off, across the road, while in the area.  I was thinking about ideas on how to jumpstart my life, and all the things I'd really like to do, while spacing off, staring at this bank.  The thought popped out of that mysterious place thoughts come from, "I could make videos again, taking riders to new and little known spots, to see what they do could."  Tricks have progressed for decades, but there are all kinds of new and unknown spots to ride and skate that are yet to be sessioned.  Plus there are lots of classic and well known bike and skate spots that have stories to tell.  

Then I thought it out, since I'm homeless and don't have a decent phone or video camera right now.  How would I start this idea?  A blog.  So here it is, the blog looking at bike, skate, art, and other interesting spots.  We'll see where this idea goes.  

The Mangey Moose.  It's pronounced "main-jy," with a "j" sound, since it looks like it has mange.

So where did the name for this bank come from?  On the other side of the freeway, the south side, by the eastbound off ramp of the 101, there's this weird little lawn area behind a chain link fence.  The whole thing is about the size of a living room, with a bunch of trees, well manicured lawn, a fountain, and this fucked up moose statue.  No antlers, and it's worn and beat up.  This little lawn area is an advertisement for a lawn and garden shop nearby.  It's just weird.  I don't know if this moose was one of those target moose for archery, or just a moose statue somebody didn't want any more.  We don't even have moose in California.  It makes no sense.  I saw it from the bus riding by, time after time, and started calling it the Mangey Moose.  It looks like is has mange.  So even though the bank is on the other side of the freeway, I call it the Mangey Moose bank.  

So here's the first bike/skate spot that you've never heard of in this blog, the Mangey Moose Bank.  Nothing spectacular, but it's there, Reseda Blvd. and the 101, if you're nearby and up for a little bank session.  There's parking on the streets nearby.  This bank would look cool in photos, though backlighting might be an issue.