Thread started by queerasmoi at 11.1.09 - 1:54 pm

Hi folks, I'm a Vancouver BC cyclist and I enjoy going on rides like Critical Mass and midnight rides. It's a great way to see a city. I've done CM in Brooklyn, Toronto and Vancouver; and I've gone zoobombing in Portland. I also went on an epic group ride from the Bronx to Lower Manhattan and it's definitely the best way to have seen Harlem.

I have cousins in the LA area - Sherman Oaks, Camarillo, Studio City. If I visit I will be staying with them and I'll probably have access to a loaner car, but not to a bike. Normally when I'm travelling I love being the one to take transit everywhere, bike when possible, but I have to admit LA is where I give up, sigh, and drive around because otherwise I'd never get where I'm going. Especially considering the geographical limitations of where my cousins live and the early closing of transit, it ends up my only choice.

How easy would it be to obtain a loaner bike for the purpose of going on one of these awesome LA rides? I'd regrettably have to drive a car to said bike ride, or to the address of wherever I'm getting the bike from, but still I don't want to skip the chance to see part of this city through the eyes of local cyclists. Any thoughts?

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You'd be in the San Fernando Valley, there is a lot of good riding out there. I'm sure there are lots of good people out there that will point you in the right direction.





the reverend dak
11.1.09 - 2:47 pm

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Contact the Bike Oven. I believe they have reasonable rentals.

http://bikeoven.com/



User1
11.1.09 - 7:03 pm

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If you're staying in Studio City or Sherman Oaks, it's not as difficult as you might think. (Camarillo would be a bit tricky though...) I'm from Toronto, and I never thought when I moved to Burbank that I'd be able to get around without a car... but I do!
There's actually quite a few San Fernando Valley rides... and the subway can get you to the start of most Hollywood or Downtown L.A. locations. And then at the end of rides, there's always people riding back to the valley together if they miss the last subway.
So yeah, if you can find a bike to rent, as suggested above, you're golden!



canadienne
11.1.09 - 7:55 pm

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Thanks, I slightly misspoke: Camarillo is my mom's cousin who has the most space in her house but she's the farthest out; one of her daughters lives in Moorpark (moved from Sherman Oaks) with her husband and 3 kids; and the other daughter lives in Studio city with her partner and now *4* kids. So the closer I get to the centre of town, the less room at the inn!

Also an option, I could get a hotel for a night or two of my trip in a different neighbourhood if it would help.

I wouldn't necessarily restrict myself just to doing a ride in the Valley as I really haven't seen much of LA at all. The last time I visited them in '05 I stayed 4 nights, and aside from family events all I really saw was a Hollywood walk/hike tour leaving from a hostel, a day at the beach and a night out dancing in West Hollywood. I really don't know what I want to see on a trip to the LA area because it's just so huge and spread out...

Anyways thank you for indulging my curiosity and I appreciate any further thoughts :)



queerasmoi
11.1.09 - 11:00 pm

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What kind of bike are you looking to borrow I have extra mtb and live in the valley a good valley ride is tuesday night special I ride it always good time.



crossbones
responding to a comment by queerasmoi
11.2.09 - 1:42 am

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Good question. I'm about 5'10, 135 lbs if that helps in terms of frame size. In Vancouver I usually ride a road bike which is reasonably light, and that's nice for getting up all the hills here.



queerasmoi
11.2.09 - 7:40 am

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Sorry for necroposting but I never did go on that trip... BUT I'm visiting my cousins February 20-27 instead, coming up soon :)

And it turns out, indeed, I'll be staying in Camarillo. Although I might get a hotel room one or two nights to be closer to the action, spend a night out on the town, etc.

So given the location of my otherwise-free lodging, I of course had to cave and rent a car. Boo. But it would still be fun to explore some part of the city by bike. I will be in town for Critical Mass in fact. But I'd need a bike. :)



queerasmoi
02.10.10 - 12:26 am

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