I complain a lot.
Sure, it gets cold and rainy and windy. Sure the bus arrives late or not at all. But really, complaining about it just makes it worse.
Sometimes paying for a monthly Metro pass is a pain in the posterior. Sometimes? It's a little too much to spend every month (in theory, in reality, etc.). I live somewhat close to an Orange Line station, and to be honest I should be grateful for Metro when it is punctual. So complaining about it, although at times completely justified, isn't really necessary.
Sometimes I don't feel like riding my bicycle to the grocery store because the street inclines ever so slightly and I feel every inch of road working my tired body (something often considered after a long day). Although the ride back is somewhat downhill, getting there is the worst part. But complaining about it? Really isn't necessary.
Sometimes people drive like idiots. Sometimes our inner road rage demon gets the better of us - yes, even when on a bicycle. Does it really do anything? (Does a driver revving his engine as he/she passes on the right, expressing his/her general dissatisfaction with a cyclist in the road do anything? ...The answer is no.) Reacting to someone's thoughtless decisions by encouraging your blood pressure to raise really doesn't help anything.
Also, there's that kind of headwind that you can feel, but not see. All of you who ride bicycles regularly know what I'm talking about. I know you technically can't 'see' wind, but you can see it moving street signs, leaves, or the wayward plastic bag. The most annoying headwind the universe can dish up is a wind that outwardly does nothing, but as far as you're concerned, it pushes back, pretty harshly, but in a way that only you can feel and could really use it to your advantage (two words: resistance training). So - you guessed it - complaining about it doesn't help anything.
Unless you've won the lottery recently or you really are making over $100K a year, times are pretty hard for most everyone. And even if they aren't things are annoying and obnoxious and rest on the nerves. The thing is that those things would be annoying and obnoxious and would rest on the nerves whether or not we have the chance to experience it, so if anything, a tweak in perception might, in fact, help where complaining won't. A few suggestions:
If it's cold, rainy and windy, getting on a half-hour earlier bus will allow for traffic and if it's toasty inside, all the better. (If it's an every-hour bus, I apologize. Take it up with Metro. I'm serious. Write a letter.)
Sometimes, I wonder whether or not I really need a monthly Metro pass. Sure, it can be considered a bit of insurance, since until April we're at least guaranteed some sort of precipitation that will bring May flowers. However, since I primarily ride my bicycle during the week and occasionally bus it on weekends, I have found that for the most part getting a monthly pass (at $75/mo. for cut lines and lessened local service) isn't fitting my life right now. $6 for an 'emergency' day pass? $3.00 for a pre-determined to-and-from errand? Rarely (aka never) adds up to the full amount of a monthly pass, at least not the way I've aimed to work it.
Is that the same for everyone? Not at all. The point is examining your personal situation and justifying the expenditure is all you can do. Check to see if you qualify for reduced fares. Carpool, or see if your place of work or school provides a subsidiary of some kind. But whatever you do, make sure to buy a pass of some kind. Per Metro.net, failure to do so (and when caught; I saw a guy in handcuffs for this the other night) "may result in a fine up to $250 and 48 hours community service".
And finally, whenever I don't feel like riding my bicycle at an incline or in a slight headwind that has the gumption to push back, I just count it as the aforementioned resistance training for the day. Birds, meet stone.
Our thoughts stay with us, our minds being the one place we can't and won't ever really escape, not even in sleep. If I could suggest one thing on account of this post (a reminder to myself if ever I've read one) it would be to try to fill one's head with as much positive reinforcement against as many realistic backdrops as possible. And when it comes to dealing with the relative and sometime blatant carelessness of others, it's good to at least try to get along with others in general, because everyone has their day, and for the most part, everyone wants a tomorrow...
That said - glass, half-full. Frown turned upside-down. It is, in fact, possible.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Why Driving in Such-and-Such a Way is Never a Really Good Idea
I was going to navigate this post in a similar way that I do when things are on my mind and its easiest for me to - and in general, that's in list or general rant format. The thing is that I've already done so, a number of times now, and I'm actually a bit tired of feeling the need to do so.
I understand that people are imperfect, and that there is always something that can be done better to ensure that one is providing a safe road environment for fellow drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Everyone has a momentary lapse of judgement or clarity, of course. But some of us make some unsafe, often simutaneously selfish decisions that contribute to a scary domino effect that can really mess up someone's day.
To be fair on my word to point this out to those who operate cars, this is the most dangerous behavior that I've spotted recently:
-trailing behind cars making left-hand turns, making a left into an intersection that has well gone past your red light
-when making a right-hand turn onto another street, looking for cars coming from the left and not at all into a crosswalk at the right
-not allowing enough room for cyclists to be passed in a safe manner when riding in the road
-not using left and right indicators to signal a lane change or upcoming intended turn
-swinging open the car door into oncoming traffic without checking for cars/bicycles
-pulling out into oncoming traffic without checking for cars/bicycles
-making a right - or, in some cases, a left - when the arrow is, in fact, red (I've seen this at the Orange Line and have seen both a car getting hit and a car just narrowly avoiding getting hit)
-going against traffic lights in general
And in general not heeding certain signs, such as... well, ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER, and so on. Running stop signs is another big one.
It's easy to forget operating machinery is serious business. Because I ride my bicycle in traffic I find that if I don't ride properly I will only disrupt the flow of traffic. Someone might miss me, but they may also be very annoyed with my behavior. Someone might miss me, and then they'll judge all cyclists by my lack of care. Someone might miss me, but then one day someone might hit me.
Point being is that one thing leads to another leads to another, and if we become too comfortable in the things that we know are not good habits, it will catch up to us one day. The things that we do to prepare for our drive, from the major - keys, gas, insurance - to the just as practical - buckle your seat belt, check your mirrors, stick the key in the ignition, get into reverse, then drive - will mean nothing if we don't forget that the environment in which we maneuver is much bigger than we are. Mess with the balance, and mess up someone's day. Continue to do so, and it's possible that that day will one day be yours.
I hope to never have to make another post like this again.
I understand that people are imperfect, and that there is always something that can be done better to ensure that one is providing a safe road environment for fellow drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Everyone has a momentary lapse of judgement or clarity, of course. But some of us make some unsafe, often simutaneously selfish decisions that contribute to a scary domino effect that can really mess up someone's day.
To be fair on my word to point this out to those who operate cars, this is the most dangerous behavior that I've spotted recently:
-trailing behind cars making left-hand turns, making a left into an intersection that has well gone past your red light
-when making a right-hand turn onto another street, looking for cars coming from the left and not at all into a crosswalk at the right
-not allowing enough room for cyclists to be passed in a safe manner when riding in the road
-not using left and right indicators to signal a lane change or upcoming intended turn
-swinging open the car door into oncoming traffic without checking for cars/bicycles
-pulling out into oncoming traffic without checking for cars/bicycles
-making a right - or, in some cases, a left - when the arrow is, in fact, red (I've seen this at the Orange Line and have seen both a car getting hit and a car just narrowly avoiding getting hit)
-going against traffic lights in general
And in general not heeding certain signs, such as... well, ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER, and so on. Running stop signs is another big one.
It's easy to forget operating machinery is serious business. Because I ride my bicycle in traffic I find that if I don't ride properly I will only disrupt the flow of traffic. Someone might miss me, but they may also be very annoyed with my behavior. Someone might miss me, and then they'll judge all cyclists by my lack of care. Someone might miss me, but then one day someone might hit me.
Point being is that one thing leads to another leads to another, and if we become too comfortable in the things that we know are not good habits, it will catch up to us one day. The things that we do to prepare for our drive, from the major - keys, gas, insurance - to the just as practical - buckle your seat belt, check your mirrors, stick the key in the ignition, get into reverse, then drive - will mean nothing if we don't forget that the environment in which we maneuver is much bigger than we are. Mess with the balance, and mess up someone's day. Continue to do so, and it's possible that that day will one day be yours.
I hope to never have to make another post like this again.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Prologue to the Next
A few weeks ago, my folks lent me their car so I could house-sit for them and still run back and forth between my house and theirs, and so on.
A while ago I admittedly had some issue with driving. It wasn't that I couldn't drive; it was more that I went a little, well, stir-crazy while doing so. I explained this to a friend the other day who also rides her bicycle enough to understand the following: that there is the potential for experiencing slight shock when going from riding one's bicycle for a long time to driving a car. Any change can cause slight waves, no matter how miniscule, this being no exception.
When riding my bicycle, I've found how easy it is to feel an incline or wind applying pressure from either side. You can feel your body pushing limits and getting stronger. You can smell such things as night-blooming jasmine, freshly cut grass and orange blossoms. You can't really experience those things when driving. (Not fully, anyway.) Going from powering a machine with my whole body to powering a machine with the touch of my foot took all the challenge out of it and did a quick number on my psyche, I'll tell you that much. But as usual, I digress.
Considering it's been about two or so years since that happened and that I have driven much more since then, I obviously didn't have that issue this time (although the difference in activity and energy level becomes apparent within a few days). Rather, the ability to drive offered me the opportunity to observe others' driving styles that end up being dangerous not only to themselves, but to others. (Also, happily, it helped me personally see that being an active member of the road - on my bicycle, at least - has made me much more assertive and cautious in general.)
In the last post, I focused on cycling and how important it is to not just consider oneself when on the road, but rather, by having the mindset that what one does can directly effect the other, the road can be a safer place to be for everyone. Along that same vein, the following post will basically make similar points towards drivers who could probably benefit from exercising more caution.
A while ago I admittedly had some issue with driving. It wasn't that I couldn't drive; it was more that I went a little, well, stir-crazy while doing so. I explained this to a friend the other day who also rides her bicycle enough to understand the following: that there is the potential for experiencing slight shock when going from riding one's bicycle for a long time to driving a car. Any change can cause slight waves, no matter how miniscule, this being no exception.
When riding my bicycle, I've found how easy it is to feel an incline or wind applying pressure from either side. You can feel your body pushing limits and getting stronger. You can smell such things as night-blooming jasmine, freshly cut grass and orange blossoms. You can't really experience those things when driving. (Not fully, anyway.) Going from powering a machine with my whole body to powering a machine with the touch of my foot took all the challenge out of it and did a quick number on my psyche, I'll tell you that much. But as usual, I digress.
Considering it's been about two or so years since that happened and that I have driven much more since then, I obviously didn't have that issue this time (although the difference in activity and energy level becomes apparent within a few days). Rather, the ability to drive offered me the opportunity to observe others' driving styles that end up being dangerous not only to themselves, but to others. (Also, happily, it helped me personally see that being an active member of the road - on my bicycle, at least - has made me much more assertive and cautious in general.)
In the last post, I focused on cycling and how important it is to not just consider oneself when on the road, but rather, by having the mindset that what one does can directly effect the other, the road can be a safer place to be for everyone. Along that same vein, the following post will basically make similar points towards drivers who could probably benefit from exercising more caution.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Why Riding In Such-and-Such a Way Is Never a Really Good Idea
I've been riding my bicycle nearly every day during the week during my commute for as long as I can remember. At the very least, for the last three years. In doing so, I have to speak for and to those who can empathize: sometimes it's hard. When not always noticed by cars, or when dealing with those who can't obey the rules of the road/sidewalk - whether car, motor bike, fellow cyclist or pedestrian - riding with traffic can be a challenge. The best way to combat the already-present difficulty of maneuvering around and with other people is to be the best you can be on the road. Unfortunately, not everyone can do this.
That's why during this post I will present some various scenarios I've observed that you, me, and all of us would do better with and without on our bicycles.
1. Riding on the sidewalk. I understand that sometimes cars will push you off the road and it just gets annoying trying to be assertive and you just can't take it anymore. Well you know what - riding on the sidewalk is still a bad idea. For one, there are driveways and alleyways, which means that one out of five or so times, there will be a car poking its nose from out of the way, and may or may not be going at a reasonable, cautious speed. This is one of the reasons why it is best to stay off of the sidewalk, because you never know who may be looking from left to right for someone to come zooming by on their bicycle.
Another reason to stay off of the sidewalk is the presence of pedestrians. Whether you are going opposite ways or both are headed in the same direction, people don't always know how to immediately response when there is an object heading towards or sharing the space with them. Besides, on a sidewalk, there is the assumption that most activities taking place will be, well, of the walking sort. Also, if there are yards with walkways and gates, keep in mind that the persons entering and exiting may not always be on the lookout for a bicycle headed in their direction. Just assume that they won't be looking for you at all.
If you must be on a sidewalk, the only suggestion given here will to at least go in the same direction as traffic. This way, if a car is entering or exiting at a driveway, they won't be surprised to see you coming from the other direction. That's not their job to do so.
2. Riding against traffic - in the street. This will continue to make me upset. I don't understand why anyone thinks it's a great idea to ride their bicycle facing traffic IN THE STREET. I am actually wondering if I can do an informal interview with riders who do so just to get a few straight answers. There is no logic to riding your bicycle facing traffic in the street unless you are looking to kill yourself. I once saw a guy on a bike riding the wrong way... he made a left onto a street and was in the right-hand lane. He looked surprised when he was met face-to face with a angry horn of a car who was attempting to make a right at the street he had just turned off of.
Unless you want to die, do not, I repeat, do not right against traffic in the street. It is not safe. It is not smart. Be sure that everyone who is watching you do so is screaming "WHAT AN IDIOT; DO YOU WANT TO DIE?!" on the inside. The number of people I've seen doing so lately has increased to a ridiculous amount that it can't not be pointed out anymore. It's dangerous enough doing so on the sidewalk - what really makes you think that doing so in the street is any more practical?
Don't do it. Don't.
3. Riding without a helmet. There are a lot of college kids on bicycles on the CSUN campus, which is great. There's more than enough parking for them, although individual locking-up jobs need improvement, but I digress. This afternoon I visited the campus and counted two out of twenty-two riders who were actually wearing helmets. I was one of those two.
Okay, so a helmet may give you helmet hair and may sit funny sometimes - but just keep in mind that if it's sitting funny, it's not the right helmet for your head. It doesn't mean that you have to go without a helmet, even though the law says that over 18 years of age it it optional. This is somewhat of a sidepoint regarding general safety, as it is more personal. But, personally, I say that if you value your brain, wear a helmet. If you don't, then go on right ahead, business as usual.
4. Weaving in and out between parked cars. While riding in the street, I've noticed that some cyclists ride alongside parked cars, but then move closer to the curb when there aren't parked cars, therefore moving in and out, in and out between cars. However, this defeats the purpose of being seen while riding in the street. Making consistent moves is your best bet when riding your bike with traffic. Therefore, when weaving in and out between cars, you are proving to be inconsistent, unreliable, and more of a unexpected surprise for cars. This advice also goes to the cyclist that rides their bicycle partly on the sidewalk, partly in the street. Choose one or the other (again, preferably the street, out of the door zone).
5. Riding/walking against the light. On the Orange Line bike path, there are buttons that you can press at each intersection so one can cross the street and head to the other section of bike path. Not everyone remembers to press these buttons. As a result, some ride against the lights, which can mean anything from riding into the intersection when a left-turn arrow is green, or when a right-turn arrow on the opposite side is green, whether or not it is on their side of the street. The fact of the matter is - when it's your turn, it's your turn. Otherwise it will suck being the person who gets hit by a car because you are in the wrong. And for every cyclist that does so, it's another bad impression from drivers towards the rest of us.
Which brings me to my conclusion - ride for yourself, first of all, but most importantly, ride for everyone else. Meaning, look out for yourself by looking out for everyone else. Helmet issues aside, it is always a good idea to ride your bicycle with the assumption that not everyone is going to see you. With that in mind, make yourself visible. Be an active member of the road; don't be a distraction. Don't be a danger, to yourself or others. My hope is that these tips will help raise more awareness of one's surroundings, from the novice to even the most cautious, assertive rider.
That's why during this post I will present some various scenarios I've observed that you, me, and all of us would do better with and without on our bicycles.
1. Riding on the sidewalk. I understand that sometimes cars will push you off the road and it just gets annoying trying to be assertive and you just can't take it anymore. Well you know what - riding on the sidewalk is still a bad idea. For one, there are driveways and alleyways, which means that one out of five or so times, there will be a car poking its nose from out of the way, and may or may not be going at a reasonable, cautious speed. This is one of the reasons why it is best to stay off of the sidewalk, because you never know who may be looking from left to right for someone to come zooming by on their bicycle.
Another reason to stay off of the sidewalk is the presence of pedestrians. Whether you are going opposite ways or both are headed in the same direction, people don't always know how to immediately response when there is an object heading towards or sharing the space with them. Besides, on a sidewalk, there is the assumption that most activities taking place will be, well, of the walking sort. Also, if there are yards with walkways and gates, keep in mind that the persons entering and exiting may not always be on the lookout for a bicycle headed in their direction. Just assume that they won't be looking for you at all.
If you must be on a sidewalk, the only suggestion given here will to at least go in the same direction as traffic. This way, if a car is entering or exiting at a driveway, they won't be surprised to see you coming from the other direction. That's not their job to do so.
2. Riding against traffic - in the street. This will continue to make me upset. I don't understand why anyone thinks it's a great idea to ride their bicycle facing traffic IN THE STREET. I am actually wondering if I can do an informal interview with riders who do so just to get a few straight answers. There is no logic to riding your bicycle facing traffic in the street unless you are looking to kill yourself. I once saw a guy on a bike riding the wrong way... he made a left onto a street and was in the right-hand lane. He looked surprised when he was met face-to face with a angry horn of a car who was attempting to make a right at the street he had just turned off of.
Unless you want to die, do not, I repeat, do not right against traffic in the street. It is not safe. It is not smart. Be sure that everyone who is watching you do so is screaming "WHAT AN IDIOT; DO YOU WANT TO DIE?!" on the inside. The number of people I've seen doing so lately has increased to a ridiculous amount that it can't not be pointed out anymore. It's dangerous enough doing so on the sidewalk - what really makes you think that doing so in the street is any more practical?
Don't do it. Don't.
3. Riding without a helmet. There are a lot of college kids on bicycles on the CSUN campus, which is great. There's more than enough parking for them, although individual locking-up jobs need improvement, but I digress. This afternoon I visited the campus and counted two out of twenty-two riders who were actually wearing helmets. I was one of those two.
Okay, so a helmet may give you helmet hair and may sit funny sometimes - but just keep in mind that if it's sitting funny, it's not the right helmet for your head. It doesn't mean that you have to go without a helmet, even though the law says that over 18 years of age it it optional. This is somewhat of a sidepoint regarding general safety, as it is more personal. But, personally, I say that if you value your brain, wear a helmet. If you don't, then go on right ahead, business as usual.
4. Weaving in and out between parked cars. While riding in the street, I've noticed that some cyclists ride alongside parked cars, but then move closer to the curb when there aren't parked cars, therefore moving in and out, in and out between cars. However, this defeats the purpose of being seen while riding in the street. Making consistent moves is your best bet when riding your bike with traffic. Therefore, when weaving in and out between cars, you are proving to be inconsistent, unreliable, and more of a unexpected surprise for cars. This advice also goes to the cyclist that rides their bicycle partly on the sidewalk, partly in the street. Choose one or the other (again, preferably the street, out of the door zone).
5. Riding/walking against the light. On the Orange Line bike path, there are buttons that you can press at each intersection so one can cross the street and head to the other section of bike path. Not everyone remembers to press these buttons. As a result, some ride against the lights, which can mean anything from riding into the intersection when a left-turn arrow is green, or when a right-turn arrow on the opposite side is green, whether or not it is on their side of the street. The fact of the matter is - when it's your turn, it's your turn. Otherwise it will suck being the person who gets hit by a car because you are in the wrong. And for every cyclist that does so, it's another bad impression from drivers towards the rest of us.
Which brings me to my conclusion - ride for yourself, first of all, but most importantly, ride for everyone else. Meaning, look out for yourself by looking out for everyone else. Helmet issues aside, it is always a good idea to ride your bicycle with the assumption that not everyone is going to see you. With that in mind, make yourself visible. Be an active member of the road; don't be a distraction. Don't be a danger, to yourself or others. My hope is that these tips will help raise more awareness of one's surroundings, from the novice to even the most cautious, assertive rider.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
On the Flyaway and Local Service
I've been back in Los Angeles/the Valley for a week, and it has been a great week. Catching up with friends, celebrating my birthday, and enjoying the warm weather has been an absolute blast.
Having landed at LAX, I took the convenient, reliable and affordably-priced Flyaway to Van Nuys, which is a hop, skip and a jump from where I live. But with two heavy rolling bags and, well, no car, it was a bit of a challenge in figuring how to get home. There were two options, sans car: (1) walk a couple of blocks and take the 163, then walk a bit more to my house; and (2) walk more than a couple of blocks and take the 165, then walk across the street to my house. The real challenge involved more of the idea of walking and then getting my luggage on the bus without pulling my arm out of its socket than actually figuring out how to do it.
Now maybe I over-dramatized it, but I thought it over enough to call my friend Adam and have him pick me up, which was a total relief because I love him and couldn't have been happier to see him. Also jet lag had hit me in the head something fierce and it was really time to be done with the day already.
What's funny is that I heard a lot of people on the Flyway bus calling people - roommates, parents, friends, etc. - to come pick them up from Van Nuys. I was thinking how nice it would be if there was a bus line that made some kind of perimeter route just North, South, East and West on Woodley to other connecting buses. Wouldn't it be a nice thought?
I know that the 169 goes East along Saticoy, South a portion to Sherman Way, then back North on Woodley to Saticoy, continuing East (and naturally in the opposite direction once at the end of the line), which is a great start. But what about a main line along Woodley and in conjunction with perhaps Lindley in some respect, connected by Parthenia and Burbank Blvd? Both North-Southbound streets don't have local buses running much on them, yet there is a major university on one and a service to LAX on the other, among other things such as residences and businesses. It's not an issue of frequency, but at this point an issue of being there at all. In doing so, Metro might be able to service points along major East-Westward streets, which would lead to better efficiency overall to its Orange and Red lines.
I realize I'm rambling. Please let me know whether or not this makes any sense. If you must know (rather, if it wasn't apparent enough already), I think about this kind of thing all the time.
Having landed at LAX, I took the convenient, reliable and affordably-priced Flyaway to Van Nuys, which is a hop, skip and a jump from where I live. But with two heavy rolling bags and, well, no car, it was a bit of a challenge in figuring how to get home. There were two options, sans car: (1) walk a couple of blocks and take the 163, then walk a bit more to my house; and (2) walk more than a couple of blocks and take the 165, then walk across the street to my house. The real challenge involved more of the idea of walking and then getting my luggage on the bus without pulling my arm out of its socket than actually figuring out how to do it.
Now maybe I over-dramatized it, but I thought it over enough to call my friend Adam and have him pick me up, which was a total relief because I love him and couldn't have been happier to see him. Also jet lag had hit me in the head something fierce and it was really time to be done with the day already.
What's funny is that I heard a lot of people on the Flyway bus calling people - roommates, parents, friends, etc. - to come pick them up from Van Nuys. I was thinking how nice it would be if there was a bus line that made some kind of perimeter route just North, South, East and West on Woodley to other connecting buses. Wouldn't it be a nice thought?
I know that the 169 goes East along Saticoy, South a portion to Sherman Way, then back North on Woodley to Saticoy, continuing East (and naturally in the opposite direction once at the end of the line), which is a great start. But what about a main line along Woodley and in conjunction with perhaps Lindley in some respect, connected by Parthenia and Burbank Blvd? Both North-Southbound streets don't have local buses running much on them, yet there is a major university on one and a service to LAX on the other, among other things such as residences and businesses. It's not an issue of frequency, but at this point an issue of being there at all. In doing so, Metro might be able to service points along major East-Westward streets, which would lead to better efficiency overall to its Orange and Red lines.
I realize I'm rambling. Please let me know whether or not this makes any sense. If you must know (rather, if it wasn't apparent enough already), I think about this kind of thing all the time.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
LACBC's First Sunday Funday Ride
Valley folks, direct your ears - or rather your eyes...
This coming Sunday, January 9th, will be the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC)'s first Sunday Funday Ride, which was rained out last weekend, and - get this - it will take place in the Valley! So named the Valley Pride Ride, it will be held at Los Encinos State Park (map) at 12:00 pm. Unfortunately I will not be in attendance, but I can say that I can wholeheartedly get behind these rides, which are slated to take place on the first Sunday of every month.
According to the LACBC electronic mailer:
A couple of years ago, in the summer months particularly, my friends and I would do Sunday rides around the lake down the street from us. No matter how many people turned out it was always so much fun to see who else was out, to push ourselves and socialize. That the LACBC is bringing its first ride to the Valley is awesome. In my many recent rides to the Burbank area and beyond, I've been able to personally see how accessible LA is with enough will and manpower. (Let's see how I feel after I ride the hilly Sepulveda Blvd., though. I think I'll love it.) I encourage any and all to pass along info about these rides, whether or not you're able to make it every month. This is a great thing for the community, considering overall awareness and what great weather we get here. Also, if you aren't a member already, definitely consider it!
Happy cycling~
This coming Sunday, January 9th, will be the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC)'s first Sunday Funday Ride, which was rained out last weekend, and - get this - it will take place in the Valley! So named the Valley Pride Ride, it will be held at Los Encinos State Park (map) at 12:00 pm. Unfortunately I will not be in attendance, but I can say that I can wholeheartedly get behind these rides, which are slated to take place on the first Sunday of every month.
According to the LACBC electronic mailer:
Beginning in January 2011, on the first Sunday of each month, LACBC Board and Staff will host a group ride for members! Each ride will explore a different corner of LA County and is free to all LACBC members, plus one guest.
January's ride, led by board member Heidi Zeller, will explore the San Fernando Valley!
For more information, please see our Sunday Funday #1: Valley Pride Ride Facebook event.
To RSVP please contact Carol Feucht, carol@la-bike.org. To volunteer as a ride marshal, please contact Heidi Zeller at heidizeller@gmail.com.
A couple of years ago, in the summer months particularly, my friends and I would do Sunday rides around the lake down the street from us. No matter how many people turned out it was always so much fun to see who else was out, to push ourselves and socialize. That the LACBC is bringing its first ride to the Valley is awesome. In my many recent rides to the Burbank area and beyond, I've been able to personally see how accessible LA is with enough will and manpower. (Let's see how I feel after I ride the hilly Sepulveda Blvd., though. I think I'll love it.) I encourage any and all to pass along info about these rides, whether or not you're able to make it every month. This is a great thing for the community, considering overall awareness and what great weather we get here. Also, if you aren't a member already, definitely consider it!
Happy cycling~
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The First Ride of 2011
I am already anticipating it.
I can see it now... the morning of January 11th I'll be excited to pump up my tires, put on my helmet and ride. By the time I hop on and go I'll not have been on my bicycle for over three weeks.
Last year my friends and I had a friendly competition of riding our bicycles 300 miles in the month of January. I'm going to try for it myself, personally, when I get back. 300 miles in three weeks? I think it's possible. If not, then I'll just shoot for the next 30 days.
Also, I'm really looking forward to taking part in my birthday ride. Basically, the morning of my birthday I go for a ride on a favorite route somewhere in the Valley. Whether it's a 25-mile loop to Woodland Hills, Winnetka, Northridge, Van Nuys and back, a hilly 10-mile ride to the Santa Monica Mountains at the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park (down Reseda Blvd), or a sprint along the Orange Line bikeway - from Encino to Woodland Hills, to NOHO and back - it's a ride that I've done before and therefore a ride I love. I always make sure to give myself this present every year. I am so looking forward to it.
Are there any special or meaningful rides planned for you this year so far? All right, I won't be too hasty - let's start with the first quarter, at least. ;)
Happy new year, indeed.
I can see it now... the morning of January 11th I'll be excited to pump up my tires, put on my helmet and ride. By the time I hop on and go I'll not have been on my bicycle for over three weeks.
Last year my friends and I had a friendly competition of riding our bicycles 300 miles in the month of January. I'm going to try for it myself, personally, when I get back. 300 miles in three weeks? I think it's possible. If not, then I'll just shoot for the next 30 days.
Also, I'm really looking forward to taking part in my birthday ride. Basically, the morning of my birthday I go for a ride on a favorite route somewhere in the Valley. Whether it's a 25-mile loop to Woodland Hills, Winnetka, Northridge, Van Nuys and back, a hilly 10-mile ride to the Santa Monica Mountains at the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park (down Reseda Blvd), or a sprint along the Orange Line bikeway - from Encino to Woodland Hills, to NOHO and back - it's a ride that I've done before and therefore a ride I love. I always make sure to give myself this present every year. I am so looking forward to it.
Are there any special or meaningful rides planned for you this year so far? All right, I won't be too hasty - let's start with the first quarter, at least. ;)
Happy new year, indeed.
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