It’s summer! We’re about to dive head first into June Gloom but that’s alright. For some reason, even though it’s nearly summer everyday in L.A. I still get excited about summer. In honor of that here comes a blog about biking.
I purchased Dolores Winchester in March. It was a pretty glorious day. Over the past few months, I’ve been making a really conscience effort to run my errands with her or even arrange to leave 20 minutes earlier than normal to go to meetings etc. It’s been pretty amazing. I haven’t owned a bike since I was a child and really never thought I’d fall so in love. To be honest, I kind of thought I’d buy it and it’d just sit on my balcony. The opposite happened and I’m pretty happy about it. There’s also the added bonus of being unemployed and not being able to afford gas and having an alternative way to get around.
Aside from routes I’ve taken to just get around town and run errands, here are a few paths and fun places to ride all around L.A. They’re great to ride when you have a riding partner or just to ride around when you’re bored.
1.) Los Feliz Bike Path
This path curves around the ever gorgeous (yeah, right) L.A. River. It’s a really nice path and there’s usually a few serious bikers that will make you feel like garbage for going so slow or that you need to step up your game and ride faster! You can enter the path from Los Feliz right by the 5 entrance or from the other end on Riverside/Victory near the 134 entrance over there. It’s a great ride any day but it’s especially nice for a relaxing ride on a Sunday. The path measures just under 5 miles I believe.
2.) Riverside Drive Path
I’ve taken this path to get over to Toluca Lake before and wasn’t sure what to expect the first time but I was really pleased with it. I’m in Glendale so I take San Fernando to Sonora which turns into Riverside and also then has a legit bike path to ride in. For a beginner biker like myself it’s a somewhat tough ride. It does have some hills that will get your heart pumping. If you just follow the path all the way down for a long time you eventually hit the strip of Riverside in Toluca Lake that is home to Priscilla’s Coffee Shop (I suggest stopping in for a Blossom Iced Tea!) and tons of other restaurants and shops.
3.) Venice/Santa Monica Path
One sunny afternoon Andy and I shoved our bikes into the back of his car and trekked out to the ocean. We parked in Venice and rode the path all the way down into Santa Monica and the 3rd street Promenade. It’s essentially a flat ride but you are right along the ocean and really what more could you ask for! There’s a path that goes all the way down which is wonderful. The only problem is that there is a lot of foot traffic and other bikers and runners. It can become a bit of a dodging game but it’s well worth it. I’d suggest taking it on a weekday since the traffic will be less than on a weekend.
Those are the three I have experience with and can attest to their awesome-ness. I’d love to hear about other paths around the city that are both safe and an adventure.
L.A. is a pretty safe biking city and if you don’t have one I’d suggest purchasing a bike. I’ll admit that I had a huge fear of riding on L.A. streets when I first got my bike but I eased into and learned my road signs, once you get over the fear you’re golden. Dolores and I have yet to bike a mountain yet, the hill going up into Burbank is enough for us right now!
Wear your helment and remember your lock…Safe riding kids!
Literally the only picture I have of my bike from the park the other day. But since it’s not only hilarious it’s some kind of visual aid I posted it.
– J
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