bike commuting from Santa Monica to downtown Long Beach.

[B Love]

Anybody have any tips or experiences?

Cheers.

[Alex Thompson]

Man - I got nothing . . . but you know who would?  Scott Sing.  Put up the bat signal next overcast night and I'm sure he'll have some tips for you.

That's gonna be some good base training.

[Ryan Mallery]

I would try to hit the LA river bike path and follow that down to long beach,
or you can go along the coast then up over PV.

[Franz]

When I went down I just took the beach path to the 1. It was an completely unplanned day trip to the aquarium, it was fun but the 1 wasn't too great near LBC.

[B Love]

Thanks, guys.  Who is Scott Sing?

[ScottS]

I've tried several ways from Venice to Long Beach. The most scenic route is to follow the coast down to the end of Redondo Beach then up into Palos Verdes. Continuine along the coast to San Pedro. The ride from Venice to Pedro is beautiful. The problem is getting from Pedro to Long Beach. I've never found a good way.

The second way is cut out the Palos Verdes part and head east a bit. It's OK until you have to get on Anaheim Street. There's a lot of 18 wheelers and plenty of glass.

A riding buddy of mine who used to live in Long Beach once showed me a nice way but it's too complicated and I couldn't remember it. I'll have to get him to show me again next time he's in town with a bike.

Recently on the RideARC ride in the Port of Long Beach I tried the following route and although it's not as scenic, it does seem to be easier and less traffic. Nice smooth wide streets almost the whole way. There's even bike lanes on parts of it. This route takes you from Bikerowave to the aquarium which I recently visited with my niece and nephew for the first time. Really nice place.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1006200

Notes: From the jetty to Manhattan Beach Blvd., I prefer Vista del Mar/Highland to the bike path. If you choose the bike path, just cut up the hill when you get to the Manhattan Beach Pier and continue the route.

Once you get on Del Almo and cross the 710 freeway, the entrance to the LA River Bike Path is the SECOND river. The path on the first tributary only goes 1/4 mile south then dead ends. Cross over the second river to enter the bike path on the east side of the river.

On the way back up the LA River path, the exit to Del Almo is the exit after going under the overpass that's marked for the Blue Line.

I'm planning a trip to the Long Beach Bike Station for all who want to join me. I know Yoli's interested. How about June 17th or 24th?

http://bikestation.com/longbeach/index.asp

-ss

[B Love]

Scott,

Thanks very much for posting that route that you took to the Aquarium.  My office is a few blocks west on Ocean Ave.  I think the next two weeks will be the time to give this route a shot.  I'll let you know how it goes.   

As for riding down there on the weekend, I don't think I'll be able to make that.  Since I'm in downtown LBC 5 days per week, I bike having my weekends in Malibu on the bike.

I've checked-out The Bike Station downtown.  It's a great idea.  I'm interested to learn who uses it.  There appeared to be all sorts of bikes stored there.  I guess it's piece of mind for riders knowing that some crack-head from west of Pine St won't strip it while they are in the office or running their errands.

Thanks again.