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Downtown LA from Elysian Park Entrance

After a failed overnighter to Leo Carillo State Beach, we made up for the miles and rode out for a nice 65 miler. The ride takes you from the west side of town, through the ghetto and across the ever bustling Chinatown to the LA river bike path.

We got off the bike path at Griffith Park for a much needed lunch. A scrawny coyote hung out across the street from us looking like he needed lunch too but we decided we needed the calories more than him.

We added an extra punch to the ride with a nice hilly loop through the park around the mountain. We got the usual looks because of the scorpions, one guy even turned around and rode with Kismat for a while to get the skinny the trike. I think there should be a commission/incentive program sponsored by HP Velotecnik - Nick and Kismat have been promoting like crazy!

Aim & Kiz riding Hollywood style

LA Classic - the Observatory, the Good Year blimp and a movie producer, Billy

Part of the loop was fenced off because of landslides after the big fire that happened last year. We met Billy (check out “Klunkerz“, the documentary he produced) who had just hopped the fence with his bike - we followed suit for an interesting mini-epic portion of the ride disregarding the “no trespassing” sign. Reassuringly, we were not the only ones who couldn’t read by the amount of hikers and runners we encountered. A lot of the road was washed over with mud and sand, which made for some testing of our maneuvering (or pushing) skills. One part of the road was completely gone, leaving only earth and exposed pipes.

Aimee shredding it up on the single track

We made it through the devastated area to Kismat’s relief - and down the hill we went back into the honking and screeching of traffic. I have to say EVERYTIME I ride on Van Nuys boulevard, there is always an inconsiderate driver (cars and buses) who feels the need to honk at me (several times) to let me know they are not happy about having to share a little piece of road with me. There should be a form of retaliation/honking for cyclists besides the bird…

The last push before being home free - the hill up Sepulveda. After Griffith Park - no sweat! Right Kismat?!?

The light at the end of the tunnel

"It's all down after the hill!"