Filed under: Feature | Tags: Bike, Bike Commuting, Biking, Daily Marauder, Downtown Los Angeles, LA, MacBook, Recreation, Road, West Hollywood, West Hollywood California, Wilshire Boulevard
LA STREET WARS: COMMUTING VIA BIKE PART 2
110 Freeway Downtown LA
At the end of October, after being in LA for about a month, I took to the LA streets for my maiden voyage from my house in West Hollywood to Daily Marauder offices downtown. As exhilarating as the ride was, a former shoulder injury flared up from the 26 miles I rode with my MacBook Pro baring down on my left side via messenger bag. Not smart.
For this trip, I borrowed a Chrome backpack from Intelligentsia barista master, Christopher “Nicely” Alameda. Computer. Check. Bike. Check. Ready to roll.
I took to the streets a bit earlier this time around at around 8AM armed with a new route: Wilshire Boulevard.
The Road
This route proved to be a much better option as compared to my first attempt down Venice Boulevard. Wilshire is 3 lanes for most of the trip and predominantly, cars gave me my own lane. Wilshire is super choppy, clearly in need of repaving, and not for the skittish rider.
Daily Marauder Offices, Downtown LA (note Urtth coffee cup in bottle holder)
There’s nothing like being out on the open road commuting to work in the morning. You probably don’t realize the world you miss by commuting via subway, train or automobile. I see it all. I see that runner make a racist comment to the guy waiting for the bus. I see skid row up close and personal. I see the guy proudly rocking his Dodgers hat as he crosses the street with the paper under his arm. If you want to know what our US cities are really like, take a ride through one. You’ll be intrigued by what you discover.
Distance: 22 miles roundtrip
Time: 1 hour and change
Hills: Much less than the Venice Boulevard route and much less steep.
Challenges: Wilshire is super choppy in many areas forcing the rider to ride in the middle or left side of the lane. Be aware of car doors in areas where Wilshire becomes two lanes. Also, unless you’re with a group, I recommend staying off Wilshire at night.
NYC
Bike Commuting in NYC:
Bike Commuting in LA:
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2 Comments so far
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Even the most horrible places can be improved with the right routes. Good article.
Comment by Dave Cherling September 13, 2010 @ 4:54 PMAgreed. Have you seen this show about the Food Truck wars? Very interesting stuff: http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-great-food-truck-race
Comment by Marauder September 13, 2010 @ 5:03 PM