The Cycling Dude: Riding Los Angeles County

December 22, 2007

San Gabriel Trail Grant Follow-up: Lakewood Accountability Action Group

Earlier this month I wrote about a grant received by the city of Seal Beach, for work on the San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail.

A few days ago I received an e-mail from the Lakewood Accountability Action Group, in Lakewood, CA., another city along the trail.

The LAAG is a California Non Profit Association "Demanding action and accountability from local government".

Laag had something to do with this.

We began harping at the city back in July 2006 (per our email records).

Our Nov 3 2007 email below was timed perfectly.

We also do a lot of interfacing with LA County DPW and city of Long Beach on the trail north of the 405.

Just take a look at our website.

Here is the e-mail, from Nov. 3rd, that was sent around to Officials and activists:

Subject: SGR bike path 405 to 22 fwy (seal beach)

Once again I am bringing up the subject of getting the San Gabriel River bike path repaved between the 405 and the 22 Fwy. It appears from the attached documents that section has not been repaved since it was installed via a cooperative effort by Orange County, LA County and Seal Beach in 1976 (30 years ago)

With age, weather, heavy equipment use (by LA County), gopher/sink holes and a poor roadbed initially laid down, it is time this section of path be upgraded. It is about 0.8 miles long.

I can say with confidence that this is one of the worst sections of Class I bikeway in either LA or Orange counties. Riding a road bike on this section of trail almost requires a kidney belt. It clearly fails to comply with the CalTrans manual on bike paths [see section 1003.6(2); Surface Quality. ....For rideability on new construction, the finished surface of bikeways should not vary more than 6 mm from the lower edge of a 2.4 m long straight edge when laid on the surface in any direction.]

I had spoken about this subject with both county of LA and Andy DaSilva at Seal Beach and got nowhere as the section of trail covers two counties on a river run by LA county DPW.

The old 1970 era documents are not a model of clarity today as to who should be responsible for repaving this section. One point seems clear from the 1976 permit. LA County maintains that it controls this river and is issues the permits.

Also, then as now, it is clear that both LA County and Orange County residents use this river path which somewhat divides the two counties, along with the Coyote creek. Also it is quite clear that Seal Beach benefits from much of this bike traffic which for the most part heads straight to Seal beach pier and related shopping and eating establishments. So all three agencies have an interest in fixing this section. (I might add that Seal beach should also repave 1st st. between Marina Dr. and Ocean Ave much the way it finally fixed Ocean ave from that intersection to the pier as that is how all the bike trail traffic gets to the pier; as you know bikes are more sensitive to bad pavement than cars)

My suggestion is that the two counties and the city figure out a way to do this.

As far as what needs to be done and the cost the County of LA is currently "rebuilding/repaving" the section of the same bike path between Carson and Wardlow (near the Long Beach Towne Center). So far it looks like the contractor is doing a good job and what needed to be done. This 405/22 section will need the same sort of rehabbing as the roadbed is disintegrated and adding more pavement over the top of what is there currently is not a long term solution.

The good news is once you fix it you wont need to do it again for 30 years.

While I agree that work needs to be done (I mentioned the current work being done near the Long Beach Town Center in my Ride along the River.), I certainly DID NOT require a Kidney Belt on any stretch of the 44 mile trail or I would certainly have written about it. ;-D

It is clear that work has not been done in decades, all up and down the trail, and needs to be done to ensure that the trail remains in rideable condition.

In the last decade, with the increase in activism among cyclists and the birth of BikeBlogs, government awareness of its responsibilities to this segment of their communities, nationally and globally, has grown, thus efforts by government to keep their constituents happy by fixing exisiting trails and adding new ones are growing.

As the Nov. 8th reply to the above shows, the people responsible are paying more attention:

Thank you for your e-mail to the City of Seal Beach discussing items of concern with the operations and maintenance of the San Gabriel River Trail. Currently, the City of Seal Beach is working with the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy within the State Resources Agency to secure funding to improve the River Trail from the Trail’s terminus at the Pacific Ocean for approximately 3.5 miles through the section you mentioned between SR-22 and the 505 Freeway. Pending approval of grant requests, this project will also help restore and rehabilitate certain amenities at the 1st Street Entranceway to the River Trail.

The City looks forward to working with the community and other interested groups in the implementation of this project. Any suggestions and comments you have will be a great benefit. Please feel free to contact me at any method listed below should you have any additional questions or observations.

Sincerely,

David Spitz, P.E.
Associate Civil Engineer
City of Seal Beach

Very interesting...

The LAAG website has a few links related to Cycling Activism, and 3 archives devoted to issues along the Bike Trail.

December 10, 2007

Seal Beach Gets Grant for San Gabriel River Trail Restoration

Last month the city of Seal Beach got some much needed financial help, from the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, in its effort to raise funds for a project along its stretch of the San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail.

The city is hoping to renovate the area where the San Gabriel River meets the ocean near First Street, along with about three miles of trails, after receiving a $1.5 million grant.

The First Street area is frequented by surfers, bikers, hikers and diners to the suitably-named Rivers End Restaurant.

The city will find out in the spring if they will receive the money from state grants, said David Spitz, associate engineer in the Seal Beach Public Works Department.

"It's great news that we got the grant," Spitz said. "But right now, we're waiting to see if we can get additional money to see how extensive our project is going to be. It's going to be a great project either way though."

Work would not begin until Summer 2009 at the earliest.

A Tip of the Hat to Jorge Barrientos, of the Orange County Register for first reporting this news.

December 10, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack

November 14, 2007

Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail 4

Continuing my journey (Late comers can saddle up here!) along one of the three great rivers of Southern California I find myself, around mid-afternoon, passing properties with Horses before coming to Iron-wood Golf Course, in Cerritos, where I saw some kids playing in the river.

Around 30 miles I notice a long forgotten piece of history.

For a short distance the Bike Trail actually ran in the river channel for some reason.

If you ride from the beach this novelty (Guilty pleasure?) can be experienced, (During the "Dry Season"!) just beyond the 10 mile point. ;-D

A bit later I DID find one mysterious bit of graffiti worth sharing.

I pass Liberty, then Raymond parks, 2 huge stretches of parkland, along Studebaker Rd. in Cerritos and Lakewood, that have walking and horse trails, and are also bike accessable from the river trail.

A bit later I have my last look at beautiful Horses, at the Lakewood Equestrian Center before heading into the home stretch.

When I stopped and yelled out a hearty "Hi gang!", the group in the back turned in interest to walk toward the fence.

That dark chap in the upper right, however, turned around, looked at me, then looked at the others and that was that.

Was I THAT disreputable looking? ;-D

After 33 miles, just after saying good-bye to the Horses, I come to the only blemish in an otherwise smooth journey.

It was at the Carson Blvd. underpass, except that there is no underpass.

Well, there is, but the pavement is gone, as is the pavement for the next mile of trail.

There is work being done and there are signs advising trail users not to proceed and guiding users on a short detour that totals about a mile.

As I stood there taking this in I see a cyclist walk his bike under the underpass, as well as a lady walking her dog do the same.

They came out the other side and proceeded to the alternate trail.

I could have done the same, I suppose, but wanted to see where the Orange "Bike Detour" signs guided, um responsible, safety conscious, law abiding trail users, hee, hee. ;-D

Spread out, in pairs, every few feet on light posts, these signs guide people in both directions on how to get from one side of the underpass to the other, and back on the trail.

Southbound users are led a short distance east to the crosswalk at nearby Long Beach Towne Center.

I cross the street and am led west, back over the river to a 1 mile stretch of pavement heading south that is normally inaccessable to traffic.

All is well and good until I reach the end, at Wardlow Rd.

There are no more Orange signs!

Looking east I see that the regular trail runs parallel to El Dorado Regional Park, in Long Beach, a massive park accessable from the trail, with trails, 2 golf courses and a nature preserve, that straddles both sides of the river.

I finally figure out that I have to ride on the sidewalk east a short distance, to an exit from the park, walk by bike a few yards to the 2 lane road in the park, then ride back west to the trail at the Wardlow underpass, where I can re-enter the trail south.

Northbound riders are left to fend for themselves in figuring out where to go next as there are no orange signs to guide them.

I spent a few minutes chatting about the trail with a father who had his toddler son in a child seat on the back of his bike, gave him one of my cards, and continued on my merry way.

Safely back on track I ride for a while with the park on my left then, after passing Spring St., on both sides of the river, before having the park only on the west side of the river for a while, from Willow St. to where the trail meets Coyote Creek.

At 37 miles the San Gabriel River meets Coyote Creek.

Coyote Creek has its own bike trail that heads up river for miles almost into Whittier.

As I find myself riding on the edges of two counties, with Long Beach/LA County briefly interrupted by a stretch of Seal Beach/Orange County, and the river begins the last leg of its journey to the ocean...

Mother Nature reminds me that Man doesn't always completely take over her space.

The water and the animal kingdom return in full force, concrete be damned! ;-D

The water level picks up as I head into the last 2 1/2 miles.

I pass marinas on the west side of the river and suddenly notice that spectators have begun to gather.

All dressed in black.

I am left to wonder if they are there to acknowledge my accomplishment and cheer me to the finish...

Or are they scavengers just waiting for me to drop in my tracks so they can divide the spoils?

Positively Hitchcockian! ;-D

The trail officially ends at Marina Dr., in Long Beach, with the island community of Naples to the west, and Seal Beach to the east.

It is 530pm and my ride was 40.85 miles, from the start, at the new trail head, to Marina (Add the extra mile from the Azusa Parking Lot to the new trail head, if you ride it.).

And yet...it doesn't quite end there.

As you can see you can cross the street and enter a paved trail the last short distance to the shores of the great Pacific itself, at the famous River's End Cafe (M/Tu. 7am-245pm, W-Sun. 7am-8pm. Check out the pictures on the website!).

Near the sand, and the entrance to the cafe, is a plaque:

In loving memory of

Helen Sanders

1939 - 2005

Passionate protector and devoted guardian of homeless Cats.

Now comes the time to reward myself for my accomplishment and find some grub before heading home.

If the River's End Cafe is closed you have to head elsewhere.

I exit the huge parking lot onto 1st street, then head immediately east on Ocean Ave., almost a mile, into quaint old towne Seal Beach and its famous Main St. and Pier.

Here folks can catch busses into Long Beach to begin the journey home to LA County, or catch busses into Orange County, even connecting to busses to get to the east end of LA County, or back to the parking lot in Azusa if that is where they left the car. (Details below)

But first take your pick of any number of places to eat, on Main, or on Pacific Coast Highway and dig in! ;-D

Me?

I spent an hour relaxing with the Sunday paper at one of the finest establishments on Main. ;-D

Woody's Diner

I ordered the following: A Woody's Hamburger w/coleslaw, a plate of Biscuits and Gravy, and a Cup of Homemade Chile, all washed down by 3 glasses of lemon flavored water.

My waitress, Nicole, was appropriately impressed by my adventure this day, and was a very good sport for taking my picture.

Money well spent on a very tasty and filling meal. ;-D

For those wondering how to take the bus to get from here to there for this trip, here's the skinny:

The morning trip to the start:

For people in Orange County, using the OCTA to get to Puente Hills Mall in LA County is simple.

Many busses will connect you with either the 29 or 43 and they will take you to La Habra Blvd. and Beach Blvd., connecting you with the Foothill Transit 285.

At the Mall you transfer to Foothill Transit 280, and ride it to the end, at Sierra Madre Ave. and San Gabriel Ave.

Ride your bike North on San Gabriel as it winds its way past the small parking lot and the Ranger Station, until you arrive at the new start of the trail mentioned in the beginning. ( Remember there is a bathroom at Pioneer Park on Sierra Madre, a block east of the bus stop, if needed.)

For people in LA County, from El Monte to Claremont, or even in Montclair in San Bernardino County, there are several Foothill Transit busses you can take to connect with the Northbound 280.

For people west of El Monte some can take MTA busses to El Monte Station to connect with Foothill busses that will connect with the Northbound 280.

Others can take make their way to Union Station, where they can take the Gold Line Train to its end in Pasadena, connect with the Foothill 187 eastbound from Downtown Pasadena, then catch the Northbound Foothill 280, in Azusa. (Various busses also head to Pasadena.)

The after ride return:

In Seal Beach cyclists from LA County, west of El Monte, can catch 1 of 2 Long Beach Transit busses at Electric and Main.

#131 will take you to its end at, Wardlow Station, to connect with the Blue Line Train.

#171 will drop you off at PCH Station where you can catch the Blue Line.

For cyclists from the OC or the east side of LA County, or who need to get back to their cars in Azusa:

On PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), OC cyclists can catch the OCTA 1 to start or, like the rest of us, start with the OCTA 42/42A.

This bus begins its route on the north side of PCH, a block east of Main, near Balboa.

This bus connects with the 29 and 43, for those going back to LA County, and to many other busses for OC residents.

Of course, if you finish your ride early enough and are feeling perky, you can always return up the river the way you came. ;-D

Thus ends the first of a series of reports I plan, in coming weeks, into the new year, that will explore the various Bike Trails along the rivers.

I hope my stories encourage readers to get on their bikes and take the trips themselves. ;-D

November 14, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 10, 2007

Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail 3

Continuing my journey (Late comers can saddle up here!) along one of the three great rivers of Southern California I find myself now confronted with a scene of pure, un-bridled, joy, and I scramble for my camera in the hopes of catching it.

At the 18 mile mark I witness a horseback rider and a companion.

This brown beauty had been prancing about in, and lapping up, water a short distance south of this picture.

The horse was so deeply involved in its ecstatic play that the rider got a distance ahead, leading the horse to reluctantly move on (I could tell by the way the horse paused, looked toward the rider, then took one more, quick, playful romp before catching up, that it WAS reluctant.).

It is here that I enter, briefly, the trail system around Legg Lake, at Whittier Narrows, at the border with Pico Rivera.

Following the signs I turn right, then an almost immediate left (That's the Left, at the sign.).

The trail heads above, down, around and past a corner of the Pico Rivera Golf Course.

At 19 miles the trail briefly returns to the street as I turn left onto a narrow path across the river and re-enter the trail on the east side.

Soon I have a flowing river on my right and a railroad track on my left.

This led to another Duck sighting. ;-D

From the sound of the conversation, amongst the crowd, I could swear that one of the critters was barking like a Dog!

In the next few miles the river runs dry again, only supporting trees on the side of the river closest to the trail.

Finally, at 23 miles, Mother Nature appears to pretty much give up the ghost, saying “I surrender!” and the railroad is replaced by a freeway.

But, has Mother Nature truly given up the fight?

Is there nothing left for her but to surrender to the whims of Man?

I continued on my journey.

Passing under Telegraph Rd. I come to Santa Fe Springs Park where I can leave the trail and find a bathroom! (How many miles has it been since the last one?)

From the looks of things someone else was glad to find the parks, um, facilities, too. ;-D

I know that the trail is heading back into civilization not just because of the lack of nature, but because of the graffiti, covered, and uncovered, that is beginning to appear beneath my wheels.

A little further on I learn that Mother Nature still has a little fight in her as a few Squirrels cross the trail heading into the river and a few trees return.

I even pass Wilderness Park, in Downey, where a pond with Ducks and Geese can be seen.

Yes, the signs of Suburbia are all around me.

I can see it.

I can smell it.

I can hear it.

After nearly 26 miles Man claims the river, seemingly for good…

***Continue on to - Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail 4***

November 10, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

November 09, 2007

Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail 2

Continuing my journey (Late comers can saddle up here!) along one of the three great rivers of Southern California I find myself now on the west side of the river and the rollies have returned, for a while, as I leave Irwindale behind.

As I came out from under an underpass, with a big dip leading down under it, I found my way blocked by bikes!

Imagine a whole herd of spandex clad club riders, racing hell-bent for the beach, at 25 mph (I was doing about 15 myself.) coming upon this unexpected scene!

On the side of the trail were 2 disheveled white guys, in their mid-fifties, with beer cans in their hands, staring drunkenly at the fence separating the trail from private property.

I stopped and, um, politely told them to move their bikes out of the way because, if a crowd came through, the result might not be very pretty.

As I pedaled away they went to move their bikes and when they saw me take the picture they were spooked enough to get on them and ride away.

They both passed me when I stopped again a couple of miles down the trail (One guy asked me how much my bike was as he passed, the other yelled “BOO!!”).

The landscape finally begins to change, with less vegetation in the river.

As I pass the 12 mile mark, around 11am, I pass three African-American ladies out for a mid-morning stroll.

Actually, due to my stops along the trail, this was our third meeting (Sing along… I pass you, you pass me!).

We had a good laugh as I told them that, at this rate, they might beat me to the beach. ;-D

At 14 ½ miles I’m well into El Monte and several schools form the view, on my right, including the sports field of Monte Vista High School.

It was along here that I saw a guy in the river, tossing a rock at a flock of birds, leading me to razz him about his lousy aim. (Too bad the birds didn’t think to turn around and drop a few, um, presents on his stupid head!)

A little further on I find a Horse Trail is running next to the path for a while, and when I saw a hole in the fence, after passing a rider, I saw my chance for a nice photo. The horseback riders I saw, on my journey, were all Hispanic. Did they own the horses, or were they hired hands performing exercise duty? I don’t know.

After 15 ½ miles the vegetation in the river took on a new and crowded appearance.

Lush trees and shrubs are everywhere.

When it’s not raining walkers and horseback riders can be seen in these areas of the river.

Some of those who live next to the river could care less that travelers occasionally stop to ogle them. ;-D

Barnyards and stables in the suburbs? Amazing. ;-D

Horse stables are a major feature to be seen along most of the trail.

I no sooner pass the row of barnyards than I discover the reason for all the greenery.

Where San Jose Creek comes out of the east and meets the San Gabriel I can see the natural glory of the areas past at the Thienes Ave. entrance to the trail.

As this sturdy example of 21st century characters living out their Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn fantasies shows the fishing is good along here. ;-D

Oh, look! They even have their very own jogging track! ;-D

Nearby are two interpretive displays with pictures, in need of a little clean-up.

One explains about the Tongva Indians who inhabited the area centuries ago and includes a scene of the Mission San Gabriel, painted in 1832.

The other discusses respect for the river and the Emerald Necklace Park Network, a 17 mile loop that, when completed, will link 1500 acres of parks along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo rivers.

This will expand and improve upon existing cycling, hiking, and horseback riding trails in the Whittier Narrows and Bosque Del Rio Hondo region, from Irwindale and Peck Park, in the north, to Pico Rivera and Legg lake in the south.

There is a bit of controversy related to current efforts.

It revolves around a proposal for the new San Gabriel River Discovery Center being planned for a portion of the Whittier Narrows and shows that not all environmental activists are on the same page on every little issue.

Judging from the date of the letter, shown here, it appeared that opposition was planning to take an awful long time to gear up for battle. ;-D

But the latest in their disagreement with the efforts of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, can be found on the website of Friends of the Whittier Narrows Natural Area.

A mile further on I encounter another horseman, one who jokingly challenged me to a race on his beautiful horse. (Despite appearances this was not the “Headless” Horseman out for a post Halloween stroll, hee, hee!)

Up to this point everything was just ducky on my ride and I was about to leave the major natural portions of the river behind, heading further into this middle stretch of the journey.

***Continue on to - Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail 3***

November 9, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 08, 2007

Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail 1

There is nothing like a 10 minute bike ride at 4am, on a cool Monday morning, to clear the cobwebs!

I had just set out on the 1st of many journeys to report on the joys of bicycling along three of the mightiest rivers in Southern California! (Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: An Introduction.)

Starting at my first bus stop in Garden Grove, at 430am, and ending at 805am in Azusa, it takes me three busses and a one mile bike ride to get to the starting point of my journey. (Directions and Transit Info will appear at the end of this series.)

A surprising starting point it is, too!

At the point where Highway 39 (San Gabriel Canyon Rd.) hangs a right, near the Ranger Station, to begin its journey into the mountains, there is a parking lot on the north side of the road near a new entrance to the bike trail.

Open 7 days a week, from 7am to 10pm, there are 19 spaces, and 2 more for the disabled, but not a porta-potty in sight!

I should say that it is a good idea that a bathroom stop be made a mile south, at Pioneer Park, on Sierra Madre Ave., a block east of San Gabriel Canyon Rd./Azusa Ave. ;-D

The original trail has an official distance of 38 miles, but by starting the odometer at the new trail head, as I did, plus a minor detour, the journey is extended to 40.85 miles. (Start your odometer at the parking lot for the mile to the new trail head if you wish.)

At 840am, after eating an apple, banana, and cliff bar for breakfast, I headed east on the connector a quarter mile, and discovered the 3/4 mile extension of the trail into the entrance to San Gabriel Canyon where a couple of new housing developments have been built on the other side of the river.

So the old trail head has a companion trail head, no doubt built to entice the nearby residents into leaving their homes and exercising. ;-D

At 9am, on this foggy, cloudy and cool morning, I finally head out and begin to travel south by re-acquainting myself with the easy rollies that make the northern trail so much fun to ride as you pass the rock quarries.

I stop, get off the bike, walk into the center of the river and take one last look at the mountains.

That span across the river transports rock from the quarry on west side of the river to facilities on the east side. (From left to right in the photo.)

After 4 miles I pass something new: A parking lot and restrooms at the Santa Fe Equestrian Staging Area, located at what is the northern end of the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. It has picnic tables and bike racks.

Soon I pass the 1st of several freeways along the route.

Watch out for this first underpass, it's a Doozy! I'd forgotten how the trail winds its way as it travels under the freeway.

Normally one can see for miles, to the south, as you travel this area of the trail, but it stays cloudy for most of the day.

After 6 miles I enter the northern end of the recreation area and am surrounded by Mother Nature in all her desert glory.

I have begun to see more cyclists now that it is 930am.

Look around as you ride.

Stop, get off your bike, and explore your surroundings a little, especially in the natural areas.

Man encased these mighty rivers in concrete, not just to try to tame their violent flooding tendencies, but because he was putting down roots in suburbs further and further from the coast.

Did he win the battle completely?

That is a question you will have to decide for yourself as you explore the rivers and in the case of the San Gabriel, well...let's get back on the bike, and travel on.

The trail heads left, away from the inner river, where hiking and horse trails hold sway, at the Nature Center (Plenty of parking and picnic tables! Also the last bathrooms you will see on the trail for a while.)

Follow the signs and you can't get lost as the trail goes along a street for a short distance.

After 7 miles I find myself passing a ticket booth as the trail takes you above and around the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, in Irwindale. This is a huge property with boating and fishing opportunities, as well as the access to the various hiking, horseback and cycling trails.

Many people forget that years ago this "Little Town that Tried" failed to lure the LA Raiders into remaining in SoCal with the notion of building a stadium in some of the undeveloped portions of this area.

On a clear day you can see the majesty of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north.

Along this stretch I encountered a young Hispanic cyclist taking his second trip along the trail and I gave him a card, encouraging him to share his thoughts on his adventures. At almost the 9 mile mark I head left, at the signed turn off, and down to Arrow Highway, where the trail heads a short distance east to a crosswalk.

After crossing the street I return to the trail along the river and encounter a work crew putting our tax dollars to work.

They were putting the finishing touches on a decorative stop at this Entrance/Exit, adding benches, and bike racks, along with new paving, thus fixing this stretch of the trail up real nice.

I talked with a couple of the guys in charge and when I told them of this blog, giving one a card, I learned he'd heard of me! ;-D

Now the trail is on the west side of the river and the rollies have returned as I leave Irwindale behind.

A long day of is still ahead of me as I stop many times along the way.

Even if I wasn't doing so for this story I'd find myself stopping anyway.

There is just so much to see and enjoy that, if you have the whole day to ride, there is no excuse not to take it all in slowly. ;-D

***Continue on to - Rolling, Rolling on the Rivers: San Gabriel River Bicycle Trail 2***

November 8, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 09, 2007

Slow Pokes: Bike Path and Home Stretch

At Temescal Canyon Rd,, and Pacific Coast Highway, a Bike Path on the beach begins its journey south.

While this particular trip is only going as far as Santa Monica Pier, the trail actually goes much further, all the way down the coast, except for a small detour, to Torrance County Beach.

It is here that this journey enters the home stretch ( Part 1 is here, for late comers. ).

At Will Rogers there are benches to rest on, and bathrooms.

There is a 4 mile ride to Santa Monica Pier ahead. ;-D

Riding the trail can still be hairy at times, but this time it was not.

Yes, there are cyclists, joggers, and beach goers, of all shapes, and sizes...

and you now have to deal with adults, and teens, who are too wussie to ride a bicycle, and rent a Segway instead, but...

I tell ya, all those lovely, sculpted, BUNS OF STEEL are STILL floating around and ahead of you on roller blades! ;-D

Alas, those pleasant distractions ( Oh, and yes, ladies, there are male distractions of a similar variety for you, too, have not fear! ) must come to an end as the Santa Monica Pier finally comes into view. ;-D

If you have not been there in a few years then the place will surprise you.

After the 4 miles of Bike Trail I find the Bay St. exit to Ocean Blvd. on my left, not far beyond the Pier.

If you do not care to venture over to the famous 3rd Street Promenade ( A Webcam view! ), then here's how you get back to the park:

After a jaunt north on Ocean Blvd. it's the home stretch heading east on city streets and the familiarity of urban neighborhoods.

Right on Montana, left at Stanford, right at San Vicente, right at Barrington, and left on Ohio to the park.

Roll down Barrington, and Ohio, to the park, in the late afternoon, or near-dark evening coolness with the exhiliration one feels doing a victory lap at the Olympics Marathon.

Once in the parking lot... go ahead and let out a yell of release, and pride of accomplishment.

After 66 miles, or a little more, you have earned the right. ;-D

It is a triumph for the ordinary cyclist. A triumph for the slow pokes.

------

One final note:

As readers of this series know I left books along the way, for people to find, as part of my being a member of BookCrossing.

I had 1 more stop before heading home.

The Velocity Cafe, a nice little place with an Official BookCrossing Zone.

The place turned out to be closed, but I took a picture, and plan to return Friday, with the 3 books I want to leave.

August 9, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Slow Pokes: PCH to Will Rogers State Beach

So here you are, quite proud of yourself for making it this far, with the mountains now behind you ( Part 1 is here, for late comers. ).

The next stretch will take you along the busy, and crowded, Pacfiic Coast Highway, to the start of the Coastal Bike Trail that begins at the beach at Temescal Canyon Rd.

When one thinks of PCH, beaches come to mind. There are plenty of them, and the views to match. 20 miles worth! Tall waves, crashing surf, rocks, and sand, sand, sand........

Escondido Beach, Dan Blocker, Puerco, Amarillo, Malibu, Carbon, La Costa, Las Flores, Big Rock, Las Tunas, Topanga, Will Rogers, and finally Santa Monica.

The next 4 miles, to Malibu Rd., still have the great views of the beaches and the islands, on clear days.

The winds off the ocean is a cooling breeze to be savored by the cyclist, and gives one the 3rd wind you need for the return to Santa Monica.

This picture is looking south on PCH, from Zumirez Dr.

As you can see there is that narrow lane, on the right, where cyclists can seperate themselves from traffic.

Pacific Coast Highway IS a Bike Route, and there are the little green signs, every so often, to point this fact out, but that doesn't mean the Route doesn't present problems for cyclists.

For 1 thing, as you will see, that nice wide strip, above, disappears quite often, and even when its there, you can't use it because cars are allowed to park there.

When you have to deal with parked cars on your right, and bumper to bumper traffic on your left, the sandwich you frequently find yourself in requires careful navigating to come out the other side unscathed.

What you see here is the hill at Malibu Cove Colony.

At the bottom, on the right, is the entrance.

The road, on the right is a dead end, and even if it wasn't, you can't go there because the Community is private, and you won't get past the security checkpoint.

You have to take the hill.

C'mon, it ain't THAT hard, compared to what came before, hee, hee. ;-D

As you travel you will encounter entrances to private residential properties of all sorts, especially the vaunted Beachfront Properties owned by celebs who think they own the beachfront, and try to use security to intimidate people from using those sections the public is supposed to have access to ( All sorts of news stories came out, the last few years, over this controversy. )

Now the true fun begins, as you hit the 1st stretch of road along the beaches.

Doesn't that look like fun? ;-D

As you can tell, in the foreground, you are forced to ride in the door zone of a row of parked cars.

You have to watch for people so intent on getting their tans, or catching a wave, that they may not be looking behind them 1st before opening their car doors.

Not to mention those folks, in, or out, of their cars, preparing to leave, or waiting to, or trying to, park.

Taking the lane is riskier, because there is so much traffic, going so fast, and if you slow the little darlings down, and cause a back-up, for even a couple of blocks, they ain't gonna be happy. ;-D

The good news is that you will not have to take that hill over to Pepperdine University.

Do you see that red car near the top of the picture?

Your salvation is on its right. ;-D

Enter Malibu Rd. at a WRONG WAY sign on the right, by WALKING YOUR BIKE, along this one way exit, when it's safe to do so, until you reach the 2 way street a few yards in, and, 3 miles later, say thanks to the road builders for this nice bypass of a nasty PCH hill. ;-D

The view ( Of the beach, of the beach!! Jeez, keep your eyes on the road, ok! ) is quite nice just before you head into this little residential community. ;-D

It's 9 miles from Webb Way to the Bike Path entrance in the parking lot of Will Rogers State Beach at Temescal Canyon Rd..

Luckily, for all of us that SUV, that appears to want to make a turn on to PCH, was unoccupied.

I DID run into a couple that were, and had drivers that were not paying attention.

This genius sped past me on the left, unannounced, and he was not the only one.

To get to the Bike Path you MUST, it bears repeating, beware of a several mile stretch of PCH clogged with traffic.

All these years later nothing has changed.

I felt like I was in a Cyclists version of The Charge of the Light Brigade, minus the cannon.

Parked cars and foot traffic to the right of me, potential traffic violations to the left of me, rumble, rumble, zoom, zoom! I felt trapped.

There are the problems caused by cyclists coming up from behind you...

Then there are the occasional mindless morons coming, hell bent for leather, right at you!

This idiot has a companion, just beyond him, that I could not get into the shot.

Finally the Bike Path is reached, and truly safe, and sane, riding conditions await!

For the most part. ;-D

Proceed to the final chapter!

August 9, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 08, 2007

Slow Pokes: Kanan Road to PCH

So here you are... lunch is over, you are rested, from the past 29 1/2 miles ( Part 1 is here, for late comers. ), and ready roll.

And damned if you don't have another choice to make!

Ain't life a, ah never mind, here's the deal:

Back at the Rock Store you saw several cyclists pass by, after obviously coming from where Mulholland Highway met Kanan Dume, and you have my original story, from all those years ago, in which I reported the following encounter at the Rustic, where you now sit:

I talked to a mtn. biker with a flat, and a couple of motorcyclists, and came to the conclusion that I might be better off ignoring a portion of the route slip once I started out again.

You see, the slip called for returning to Mulholland, and heading right on a winding road , similar to the climb from Pepperdine, to reach Kanan Dume Rd.. But, by staying on Kanan Rd. I would supposedly take a little longer, but easier, direct route to the same spot.

Well, like then, I exited the parking lot, and turned left on Kanan Rd. ;-D

What choice you make in the same situation will, I'm sure, be partially based on what you see next in the pictures I took, and a bit of new info I learned upon reaching Kanan Dume. ;-D

So off I go again, up, up, and away!

Don't let that wide space between the white line, and the curbside, fool ya...

it ain't like that way, all the way to PCH, and you have 3 tunnels to deal with, too. ;-D

In the years since my 1st ride, the amount of traffic, on this stretch, has increased, thus requiring cyclists to pay extra attention to their surroundings as they struggle up the several climbs they have to make to reach the 1st tunnel, on Kanan Dume, past the connection with Mulholland.

A mile up, and I do mean up Kanan Rd., well, let's just say that if you are a cyclist, used to handling hills, then you will be able to handle your gears accordingly, and not do like people such as myself, and walk a few times. ;-D

I did not see another cyclist until I had returned to PCH.

There's an old saying about how walking does a body good.

Well, I walked the next miles or so, past 2 tunnels.

Unlike the last time I found not money, and apparently, the wedding gig, that was announced with a sign, finally ended, too, because there was no sign. ;-D

Along the way I got honked at several times, especially along stretches such as this one, and I wasn't even in the way of traffic.

I think they were just jealous that they weren't in my place, enjoying a nice leisurely pedal, and stroll, in the mountains. ;-D

The views up here are quite something to behold, and you find yourself close to nature despite the traffic.

After taking in this particular view ( Finally! A Dale, after all them hills! ) I continued on my way until I approached the intersection where Kanan Rd. becomes Kanan Dume, at Mulholland.

This time around I encounter a Highway Patrolman, and an ambulance dealing with some guy in an SUV, while a couple of Park Rangers stood nearby.

I approached the Rangers, and asked for their opinions about riding Mulholland as opposed to where I'd just been.

From where we stood to the Rock Cafe, its a winding downhill, they said, but the reverse is actually a tougher climb than what I went through.

Ok, fine, I'm a genius, for apparantly making the better of 2 hard choices. ;-D

As I continued on I encountered a man parked on the side of the road taking his own pictures, and got him to take one of me.

A couple of more climbs, and winding roads, plus 1 more tunnel, were ahead before the payoff for putting oneself through this begins.

Finally I reached the last tunnel, Tunnel 1, and just before it is the parking lot for The Backbone Trail:

The Trail roughly follows the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains for ~70 miles from Point Mugu State Park to Will Rogers Historical State Park near the city of Santa Monica.

As one website says: "It is so named, in part, for the resemblance of the knobby appearance of the volcanic ridges to the projections (vertebrae) on a spinal column."

This particular spot connects you with that portion of the trail that goes 13 miles to PCH.

The National Park Service website is the best place to learn about the trail, and see maps, and pictures.

They also have an informative section on Mountain Biking info, and tips ( Y'all, remember to yield to them there Horses, now, ya hear? ;-D )

This is all part of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, and as I collected a few fliers I learned this spot was Bus Stop, too.

I had seen some Shuttle Busses with bike racks, up there, all day, and was wondering about them, because they were not there before.

It is called the ParkLink Shuttle:

Take the ParkLink Shuttle to National Park, California State Park, and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Sites in the heart of the recreation area.

The Shuttle is free, weekend, service, and you can take it for a tour, or take it to beach, and mountain locations.

The bike rack is one of the 3 space variety.

The website has more details such as stop locations, Route Map, and Schedule.

Knowing this can come in handy if you have a problem with your bike, so check out the site.

When I was at the Backbone stop,there were 9 cars in the parking lot, which meant that hikers, and bikers would be returning at some point, so I left the last of the books I was doing BookCrossing Releasing of in the mountains, there, and pedaled on my way. ;-D

It was 215pm. ;-D

Your reward for reaching Kanan Dume Rd., and having endured the 1st 35 miles of your ride is the 8% grade that is the final 4 miles of heaven that is the road down, down to PCH.

At one point you can pull off the road at a View Stop with a spectacular view of the coast that is even more so, on a clearer day than this one.

No pedaling, and careful brake management allows one to enjoy the scenery of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and the gorgeous, clear and unobstructed view of the ocean off Point Dume, and the coastal islands between Malibu and Santa Monica.

So finally, there you are whizzing down the last stretch to PCH, wind in your hair, what parts of it are sticking out from under your helmet...

Hey, wait a minute!

Um, you ARE wearing your helmet right?

The reason I ask, is because of that sign on the right... something about a "Runaway Vehicle Escape Median - 500 Ft. - Merge Left".

They ain't just talking about them 4 wheel boxes with doors, ya know. ;-D

It was nice of the city to put a bench on the corner at PCH, all those years ago, and I was more than glad to see it still there so I could sit, and rest a bit.

Proceed to the next chapter, as I begin to head south on Pacific Coast Highway, and civilization beckons. ;-D

August 8, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Slow Pokes 2007: Malibu Canyon to Kanan Road

By the time you reach this spot you have travelled 16 miles ( See the Intro. ), and have a serious climb ahead of you.

But this one's easy, trust me, compared to others you will face. ;-D

I ran into a couple of Lady cyclists, just beyond this spot, who thought I was nuts for trying the ride I planned, alone ( Go with the LA Wheelmen, they said! ), and seemed disinclined to believe me when I said I'd done it alone before, and why ( Because the Wheelmen left me behind. ).

In addition to my Camelbak full of 100oz. of water mixed with 2 packets of fruit flavored Crystal Light powder, and a 1 lb. bag of Trader Joe's Pacific Shores All fruit Trail Mix, I had a plastic bag with my lunch of 2 sandwiches, and apple, and a banana. ).

It is 7 miles along Malibu Canyon Rd., past the tunnel, where it soon became Las Virgenes Rd., and up, up, to the Mulholland Highway intersection.

At the tunnel is a turn-off, like this one, and there I left another one of the BookCrossing Releases ( Like those in Pt. 1, there's a picture! ) in my panier. ;-D

The Rollies were a breeze, and the scenery was lovely as I passed State Park Lands, the climb impressive, but quite manageable, all the way to Mulholland.

So here I am, loitering on a street corner in the middle of near nowhere, at Las Virgenes Rd., and Mulholland Highway.

The cliff where I saw the Buck, and his Harem, was no longer there, and that saddened me.

There are hiking, and biking, jogging, and camping opportunites aplenty up here, and people park where they can, and are allowed.

At this point you have a choice to make:

Take the long ride like me, and hang a Left, or hang a Right, for a shorter ride back to the park ( Mulholland Highway, Left on Mulholland Dr., Right on Ventura Blvd., Right on Sepulveda ( Parallel to the San Diego Frwy. ) all the way back to Ohio, for a total of about 57 miles, start to finish. )

So hang a left, and follow me into Malibu State Park!!

Up, up, and up some more!

I was passed by several cyclists, who experessed concern when they saw me walking my bike along several stretches, but I smiled, and said I had forgotten how tough some of these hill were!

You have to be very careful up here as the roads are narrow, and along many long stretches that white line on the right has nothing between it, and the side of the road.

Up to this pont you may have noticed the cyclists in my pictures.

I saw them coming, and going, until I reached Kanan Rd., and then nobody until I again reached PCH.

Most were along, and of the Spandexed, Need for Speed, Daredevil variety, using the narrow, winding, hilly, roads of the mountains as their own personal Tour de France type challenge.

These people need to seriously slow down, take in the scenery, and smell the good clean air.

I'm just sayin' is all. ;-D

I noticed some new housing tracts up there, and some new paving on some stretches of rorad.

The above intersection, at Mulholland, and Lake Vista Rd./Cornell Rd., for 1, or more detours, for a few extra miles:

A Left on Lake Shore takes you past Malibu Lake ( Actually Malibou Lake, despite what the maps say! ) before returning to Mulholland.

A Right on Cornell, to the historic Paramount Ranch, where Hollywood has been filming since 1927, and there are plenty of hiking opportunities.

As for me I just stayed on Mulholland. ;-D

Eventually I come to Sierra Creek Rd., and staying the course went a bit further, on Mulholland, to find where all those numerous Harleys that had been passing me since Pepperdine had been heading. ;-D

The famous Rock Store Cafe, is located at 30354 Mulholland Hwy , in the mountain Community of Cornell.

The Rock Store is the most famous motorcycle stop in Southern California and has been featured in many commercials, films, music videos, television productions and magazine photos.

It is a famous hangout not just for regular folk and their families, but Motorcycle Enthusiasts from your neighbor to the notorious Hell's Angels, and celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Leno, and others.

My experience this time pretty much matched the one last time, except that me, and the bike, were proud, confident, and unafraid!:

As I walked my Bicycle (hard to say who was more nervous there for a moment, me or my trusty steed) thru the crowd of what turned out to be mostly ordinary folk, with only a handful of Hell's Angels, my smile grew wide as I noticed all the Harleyholics eyeing me up and down with varying degrees of puzzlement and amusement.

Of course, I left another book behind before moving on. ;-D

Returning back to Sierra Creek Rd. I turn Left, and follow it a short distance to its end at Kanan Rd.

The popular Rustic Canyon Grocery and Grill is located on this short road that connects Mulholland Highwy with Kanan Rd. , in the mountain Community of Cornell ( This spot is also known as barely a part of Agoura Hills, and that city is its "official" location ), east of Malibu.

It is a popular stop in the mountains for cyclists, hikers, and campers.

As one website for Motorcyclists says about it: "Good Parking, Good Food, Good Prices, around the corner from the Rock Store, just not quite as crowded.";-D

Oh, and it's a popular Wednesday "Watering Hole" for a group of friendly MotorCycle Enthusiasts know as The Weasels:

"A Drinking Club With a Motorcycle Problem Since 1993, and A Legend in Motorcycling Since Earlier This Week!" ;-D

After enhancing my packed lunch of 2 Baloney Sandwiches, fruit trail mix, an Apple, and banana, with a purchase of potato salad, and a 24oz. Bud Light, I spent a leisurely hour resting, and reading the Sunday paper. ;-D

After riding a strenouous 13 1/2 miles, don't you think I needed an hour to rest, and recuperate? ;-D

If you have biked the whole way, from the park start, to Kanan, you will have travelled 29 1/2 miles.

It was 1135am when I got there.

Yes, I left a book here, too. ;-D

Proceed to the next chapter! ;-D

August 8, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Slow Pokes DO Have All the Fun 2007: An Intro

On Sunday I put Pedal to Pavement, and went Hog Wild with the camera, while visiting the area surrounding a legendary Cyclist Hangout in the Santa Monica Mountain Range above Malibu, CA.

As you can see my stylish ride ( On the end of the row, on the right. ) fit in quite nicely with all the great looking cycles around me. ;-D

No, I didn't leave it there during my short visit. ;-D

Anyway this series of posts is a long overdue step to begin enhancing old ride posts with pictures, now that I have a digital camera to play with.

I originally took the ride in the Spring of 2002 when I joined a group of cyclists from the famous Los Angeles Wheelmen Club.

I naively thought I'd be able to keep up, but... well, read the original story:

Slow Pokes DO Have All the Fun! ( Posted on January 6th, 2003 as the 3rd entry written for this Blog. )

It is my hope that this update serves as a complimentary piece, one a bit more serious, to the one of naivete, and exuberant sense of accomplishment, that was the original. ;-D

My approach, this year, was not to ride the whole ride, but skip the northbound PCH portion, and take the MTA 534, from Temescal Canyon Rd. to Pepperdine University, because I wanted to include pics for the more dangerous, in many respects, southbound PCH side of the stretch from Pepperdine to Topanga Canyon Rd. ( Which is actulally a bit further north of Temescal. )

Another reason was that I had 10 books in my panier, 7 of which I was going to Release "Into the Wild" as a member of BookCrossing.

Each book is placed in a plastic bag, with a yellow book with arms, and legs, the words "Free Book!", and a brief explanation of BookCrossing. ( If you decide to join me as what I call a Bicycling Bookworm of BookCrossing, use Sneakeasy as your Referrer! )

Up in the mountains, except for some more housing, little has changed.

The route is just as challenging

Since that ride I moved to Orange County, and so how I got to the start was a little different.

Anyone living in the OC, and does not have a car, can connect the westbound OCTA 60, on 17th St./Westminster Blvd., on its way to downtown Long Beach. ( Get a $3 day pass on the 1st bus you take. )

Once there you can take the Metro Blue Line Train ( Get a $5 day pass from a machine before getting on the train. ) downtown to 7th and Grand, and catch the MTA 20 West on Wilshire, at Flower, and get off at Wilshire and Bonsall ( The 1st stop west of Sepulveda. ), then head South on Sepulveda to the park.

People in LA County can use Foothill Transit, Culver City Transit, Torrance Transit, and Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, to connect with the MTA 20, or even the Rapid 720, along Wilshire. ( Links to all agencies mentioned are here. )

Cycling is NOT just about speed and exercise, but about taking the time to stop and see the deer, if you are lucky! ) and Harleyholics ( There are plenty of those on the weekends! )......

Westwood Park has 2 sections, and this was the smaller side, and after leaving my 1st book behind, and taking a picture of it, I set out at 7am. ;-D

West on Ohio.

Right on Barrington.

Left on San Vicente.

Right on 7th and along Entrada, and the West Channel Rd. to PCH I went.

Along the way I left a book outside a Whole Foods Market. ;-D

The good thing about riding in the bike lane along San Vicente is that no cars can park on your right for most of the day.

A few blocks beyond this spot 2 cyclists came up un-announced, from behind me, one on each side, and sped past me, with out a word.

As I approach my turn at 7th i found that I'd caught them at a light.

Me: Hey, aren't you the 2 that sandwiched me, without warning, a couple of miles back? Don't you know it's common courtesy to announce yourself when passing someone?

1 piece of spandexed "White" bread on wheels: Sorry! ( Sounding very annoyed that I should have the nerve to complain. )

Me: Just remember the next time you pull a stunt like that.

They were not the 1st to pass me unnounced that day, and far from the last, even on PCH.

I finally reached Pacific Coast Highway, at West Channel Rd., and headed north.

Notice the lack of room on the right?

You have many opportunities to hug that white line all the way to the turn off to Pepperdine, though there are some places where the space between the line, and the curb, is wider, and there are places where cars are parked on the side of the road.

If you know how to handle your gears, keep your eyes on traffic around you, and try not to treat PCH as a straight-waway on the Tour de France, the ride along here is a breeze.

Along the way you will see several yellow warning signs along the side of the road warning motorists about the presence of cyclists, and to "Share the Road'.

Over the last few years there have been cyclists killed, and injured, all up and down PCH, from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara, and "Careful" is truly the all important watchword for everyone who uses this famous highway.

At PCH, and Temescal Canyon, I caught the MTA 534 ( You can take this bus past Kanan Dume into north Malibu. ).

For the cyclist who continues on up PCH the next change in route comes with a Right on Webb Way, and a Left on Civic Center, and up a hill toward Pepperdine University.

Now, if you need to go potty, you can do so at some place off PCH near Webb, or climb a couple of more short hills onto the Pepperdine Campus to find a restroom because the next potty is at that place in my 1st picture, or another, less crowded, store/restuarant a couple of miles away. ;-D

I got off the bus at Malibu Canyon Rd, and Civic Center, rode up into Pepperdine, to a church, and left another book. ;-D

I returned to where I got off the bus, and prepared to head up into the mountains.

It was 830am. ;-D

Proceed to Part 2....

August 8, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 13, 2007

Acura Bike Tour: Dining, Diplomacy, and Dissent

NOTE: For latecomers to this series Part 1 can be found here ( And includes the chapters about my day at the Quality of Life Expo. )

NOTE 2: For latecomers interested in my coverage of the 2007 Acura L.A. Bike Tour only, begin here.

After leaving the aftermath of the Tour I went in search of food.

I rode my bike on an uphill journey, northwest of Downtown, to the fabled corner of Beverly and Rampart.

It is there that, for over 60 years Burgers, Hot Dogs, and French Fries, have intermingled, in orgasmic nirvana, with the most divine Chili ever made.

So special that to sit down to eat would be blasphemy!

I had only 1 place in mind, diet be damned!

Original Tommy's! Accept no substitutes! Unless, of course it is one of its other 29 locations in Southern California ( You are forgiven for the sin of sitting ONLY if you eat your meal at one of these locations. ( If you take your meal home, especially from the Beverly location... Bow your head before the meal, cross yourself, and say 10 Hail Tommy's, before eating, and all will be forgiven!) ;-D

I hadn't been to this location in years!

I got a little entertainment, in the way of a Hispanic Domestic Drama, with my meal, too. ;-D

I was in line when 5 teens ( 4 girls, and a guy, all about 16. ) got in line behind me.

One of the girls said she was just gonna order the meat patty.

I turned toward with an appalled look on my face...

"Just the meat! Just the meat? What the heck is you thinkin' woman? You DON'T come to Tommy's just for the MEAT!

I'll have you know I came all the way from Santana, and I didn't come just for the meat!"

As they all busted out laughing, I turned to the guy making the burgers, and pleaded:

"Hey! Talk to this young lady, will you, man? She only wants to order the MEAT!! Please explain to her the error of her ways!"

Anyway, it turned out to be the happiest moment of their stop at Tommy's.

They came over to my spot along the wall of stand up counters, where I had been chatting with a nice older Hispanic man and his wife, about the Tour, and set their orders on the counter.

Next thing I know one of the gals is upset as the guy gets in the car, and leaves them all standing there.

I guess one of the Girls called her Mother for a ride, and then that mother called another Mother, and this led the girls to try to co-ordinate the story of why they had been out ALL NIGHT.

Something about ending up sleeping together at a hotel, led them to try to pinpoint a suitable hotel in the area, whose name, and location, they could be vague about.

I heard comments about Mom's going to be "pissed", and "I'm going to be SOOO screwed!"

Suddenly a car pulls up, and The Wrath of God, in the form of a fiery, tiny, Mexican Mama, probably about 35, gets out.

She wades into the circle of girls...

"Never again!" Never again, Mijo! You will NEVER go out with them again!! Get in the car, now!!"

2 of the girls got in, leaving the other 2 stunned, and depressed, where they stood.

They were silent for another 10 minutes, then a van pulls up with a couple of other women, including 1, about 50 or so, who had obviously been crying, and the girls got in.

All the food had been long forgotten, and left behind.

During this who drama, I, on one side, and my 2 new acquaintances, on the other, could only watch.

Actually I picked up my book, and pretended to be reading as I ate..... ;-D

After the dust had settled, and they were gone, we looked at each other, and I smiled, and said....

"Man, that was one furious Mama! If South Central, and East LA, had more like her, that inner city would be cleaned up in a hurry!"

The gentleman smiled at that, and made the point that the guy in the group was trouble, and the young must learn from their mistakes.

He agreed with my observation that the Mama obviously looked like she had once made the same mistakes, and was trying to keep her daughter from doing the same.

After this bit of excitement I head out for Hollywood, on the Metro Red Line Train, to ride down Hollywood Blvd., from Vine west to Graumann's Chinese Theatre, and the Kodak Theatre, near Highland.

Along the few blocks around this intersection of entertainment venues can be found some enterprising men, and women, dressed to appear as famous characters in film.

Give them a nice little tip, and you can get your picture taken with your favorite. ;-D

Look closely at where I'm pointing the Blaster.

I didn't realize it until I got home, and saw the picture.

No wonder Darth was so friendly, and co-operative! ;-D

In a bit of masterful Intergalactic Diplomacy I got a Wookie to take the above photo.

When I returned to the Metro Station, near Hollywood, and Vine, I encountered a staple of the Los Angeles Cycling Scene.

Critical Mass is the best known element of the Bike Protest Movement in LA, but hardly the only protestors around who use the Bicycle to spread their various messages.

A small group of a dozen cyclists, 1 of whom wielded a Microphone, had staked out the corner of this busy intersection, across from the Pantages Theatre, for an hour in preperation for their little protest ride.

I must say they were a friendly bunch. ;-D

The guy with the microphone rushed up upon seeing me, stuck the mike in my face, and asked me about the Dude.

Boy, that Microphone is loud, and the sound carries quite a distance. ;-D

So, finally, I headed home, tired, but happy, after a very long, and interesting day. ;-D

March 13, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 12, 2007

Acura Bike Tour: The Medal, The Surprise, and The Networking

NOTE: For latecomers to this series Part 1 can be found here ( And includes the chapters about my day at the Quality of Life Expo. )

NOTE 2: For latecomers interested in my coverage of the 2007 Acura L.A. Bike Tour only, begin here.

There it is!

The pretty litle bauble that is your reward for riding the full 21.6 miles, mastering hills, tiredness, and the pain in your legs on a sunny Sunday morning in Los Angeles. ;-D

Many thanks are owed to the members of the Redondo Union High School Marine Corps Jr. ROTC, of Redondo Beach, CA., for the Civil Service they provided in helping to pass out the medals to bicyclists who completed the ride.

Your friendliness, good humor, dedication, and patriotism, are greatly appreciated, and bode well for the future of our great nation.

Similar thanks are also owed to the members of the University of Southern California Naval ROTC for their help in this task as well.

I especially got a chuckle from this guy who demonstrated the genius that his high priced college edumication has instilled in him by devising a brilliant way to pass out medals in a quick, and efficient, manor that led to the line moving faster. ;-D

This picture allows me to give you a closer look at the, um, adjustments I had made to the posters I snagged at the Expo ( Crossing out the word RUN, in exchange for BICYCLE, and writing in my blog name, and URL. )

Thanks are also due the volunteers who manned several stations where people could safely leave their bikes while going potty, checking out the various booths, nearby, and and generally realxing, and chatting with friends, family, and other cyclists.

For the next few hours people hung out, eating, chatting, relaxing, buying the odd T-shirt, and other items, and enjoying the day.

I kept my bike close to me, as I circled the area, not intending to stick around too long, as I had other places I wanted to go.

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition had a booth, and I snatched up a copy of the brand new edition of its Bicycle Resource Guide.

When I visited their office, a few months ago, and they added me to their resource page on the website, the new guide was not yet ready.

As described on their website:

"Our new handbook on everything you need to know about biking in L.A. – includes shop listings and government contacts by city, advocacy groups and cycling clubs, tips and tricks for maintaining your bike and getting around the city, and a guide to bike laws and advocacy. Forty-six pages of essential information."

Later in the day, when I had time to look thru the booklet, I discovered, to my surprise, and great pleasure, something quite delightful.

Yes, that is The Cycling Dude listed as a Local Community Resource! ;-D

Very cool! ;-D

This picture gives you sense of the number of people hanging out in the aftermath of the ride.

See the guy, relaxing on the wall, with his legs crossed? ;-D

I stopped by the REI booth, and mentioned that I was a member who got his card at the Huntington Beach Store, and I found myself in conversation with Lyndie Bradshaw, who works out of that store and, it turns out, is the new Outreach Specialist for the area.

When I mentioned my Blog, and my intention to see about leaving a flier at the store, I learned what her job was, and she asked me to tell her about the Blog, and e-mail her my flier.

Seems that while it can't be set out near the Bulletin Board in the front of the store, there was some other prominent place it could be displayed, if she decides its appropriate. ;-D

Since she was also looking to learn more about the bicycling opportunities in the OC, I told her about the related stories, and resources, I offer.

Very cool! ;-D

In appreciation of her at lesast chatting with me, and as a show of suppott from a member, I created a free BlogAd, in the sidebar.

I finally left, and headed out on my bike for the ride north to one of my favorite restuarants for lunch.

Turns out things would be quite, um, entertaining there, and later, when I took a jaunt up to Hollywood Blvd. before finally heading home.

Next up -- Dining, Diplomacy, and Dissent: An OC Bicyclist gets up close with the natives in their natural environment.

March 12, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 11, 2007

Acura Bike Tour: Downtown, Koreatown, Trojantown

NOTE: For latecomers to this series Part 1 can be found here ( And includes the chapters about my day at the Quality of Life Expo. )

NOTE 2: For latecomers interested in my coverage of the 2007 Acura L.A. Bike Tour only, begin here.

After a nice downhill off the 6th St. Bridge we head north, west, and south, on Central Ave., 3rd St., and Los Angeles St..

The area along Los Angeles St., and eastward to the LA River, and between maybe Temple, on the north, and 7th on the south, encompased an area long known as LA's infamous Skidrow.

It was not always as bad as you hear.

Once there was a huge Transit Hub near 5th and Los Angeles, where all Mass Transit Bus Agencies, and even Greyhound Busses, came and went, until sometime in the 70's.

It had some fine eating there, too.

The underground terminal was a mysterious, and entralling, place to a child, and later, teen with a vivid imagination, but toward the end signs of trouble had begun to show themselves, and change came to the area.

The area was also called The Warehouse District.

The homeless took over, and decay, and crime ruled the streets in some portions.

In recent years, City Hall, Law Enforcement, and Business Interests have begun to reclaim the area, by bringing residential lofts to long abandoned historic buildings all over the Downtown, and bringing in restuarants, clubs, and a developing Arts District, as well and, as we rode through, the homeless problem was barely discernable, for 1 day at least.

As we passed small groups of the areas poorer residents watching us, watching them, we then headed west on 7th, past the Jewelry District, the second-largest Jewelry District in the nation, after New York, and then up Figueroa to meet up with 6th St. again.

Seems that we were all being buttered up with all the flat riding, the 2 bridges notwithstanding. ;-D

There we are, turning west onto 6th, and suddenly things began to slow down a bit, as everyone who did not know what was coming either ended up struggling to change their gears, for the easy climb, resigned themselves to managing the climb at the gear they were in, or just saying "I Surrender!", and walking their trusty steed up the hill, over the freeway. ;-D

I switched gears in time and as I slowly conquered the hill, kept encouraging my fellows not to give up!

"Come on, You can do it! It ain't THAT hard, come on!" ;-D

What even I had forgotten was that 6th, as it heads west into Koreatown, has several hilly stretches, made tolerable by several downhills.

Just look that!

Block, after block, after block, of nothing but bicyclists as far as the I can C! ;-D

As I continued on my merry way I met some interesting folks.

There were the many cyclists out for their 1st Tour, and the men, and women, with funny hats.

There were the older men in their recumbents, and the men, and women, with their young children, on tandems, who got laughs out of my inquiring if the one in back ( The kid ) was doing all the work. ;-D

As we rode thru some residential areas we began to realize that the ride would soon be coming to an end.

With any ride that has so many participants there are always a few mishaps.

Cyclists crash into each other, or crash when going too fast on a crowded downhill.

People get so caught up in the experience, and gawking at the scenery, and matters are made more difficult by the fact that many cyclists are not used to riding in groups of other riders.

It is amazing that accidents are so few .

And then real tragedy strikes when you least expect it.

On Expostion Blvd., west of Vermont Ave. a few blocks short of finishing the ride, a bottleneck has developed.

As we get off our bikes, and walk past the police, fire truck, and ambulance, we see a downed bike, but no rider.

I later learn that the cyclist had suffered a heart attack, and died.

Unawares of the true nature of the scene we had just passed excitement built up as we again got on our bikes, and finished the ride.

Things slowed down again as we arrived at USC, and everyone got off their bikes to slowly walk into the after ride staging area.

Security kept urging us to not stop, but I pulled over to the left out of the the way of traffic and, pleading the cause of the "New Media", asked if i could take a shot for my blog.

The nice security lady thus announces, LOUDLY, i might add, and with humor in her voice....

"Don't stop, keep going... unless you are a blogger taking a picture, then you can stop for just a second! "

Hee, hee. ;-D

And so, after 2 hours, exactly, I had finished my 3rd Acura Bike Tour.

I was tired, but exhilirated, from the experience.

And proud, too, I might add, to have accomplished something that, once published on my Blog, would be something special in my 4 years of sharing my thoughts, and experiences.

Next up: The Medal, The Surprise, and The Networking.

March 11, 2007 in Riding Los Angeles County | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Acura Bike Tour: Bicyclist's, Start Your Pedaling!

NOTE: For latecomers to this series Part 1 can be found here ( And includes the chapters about my day at the Quality of Life Expo. )

NOTE 2: For latecomers interested in my coverage of the 2007 Acura L.A. Bike Tour only, begin here.

As the sun began to rise we all headed out on Menlo.

Even this early there were many people on the sidewalk, just to watch the spectacle, or setting up water tables, and other booths.

A nice, young, Hispanic lady was kind enough to take this shot for me.

Before I go on let me tell you about the little sign on the panier of my bike. ;-D

At the Expo they were giving out these placards with happy faces, and the word RUN, with a line to write the name of the person you were cheering on.

Genius that I am I saw an opportunity, for promotion staring me in the face, and grabbed 2 of the signs.

I Blocked out RUN, and wrote BICYCLE above it, and wrote my Blog name, and URL, for all to see. ;-D

Heading out Martin Luther King Blvd. we travel on Jefferson, as well as Adams Blvds.

At one point I had my 1st encounter with a group of patriotic bicylists. They called themselves "Americans" when asked where they were from but , when pressed, admitted to be friends from all over the region. ;-D

Seems they have shown their patriotism this way for several years in a row. ;-D

If I hadn't noticed it by now, there were people out here who decked out themselves, and/or their trusty steed, for the occasion. ;-D

Funny hats, and funny t-shirts, joined the flag wavers, and me with my signs, to add and amusing mix of Color, silliness, and seriousness, to the proceedings.

Heading onto 11th street, up San Pedro St., to Olympic Blvd., we get a close look at portions of the famous Fashion District ( AKA: Garment District ).

As the website brags: "The LA Fashion District spans 90 blocks and is the hub of the apparel industry on the West Coast. Retailers, wholesale buyers, designers, stylists, students, shoppers and residents all converge here. Whether you're a wholesale buyer reviewing the latest collections in the District's designer showrooms, or a shopper on the prowl for a bargain - it's all here."