John Calnan

We drove down here today from Burbank, parked in the local parking garage ($1 an hour), and rented a couple of single-speed cruisers from the first place we saw for $7 an hour.

Slow and fun, we had a great time cruising the Strand, watching the circus that is L.A. and the beach and Southern California and all that, and it was infinitely entertaining. Not highly aerobic, this hour we spent pedaling from Hermosa to Santa Monica and back, but a cool bike thing nonetheless.

Do it, then have a Guiness at Henessey’s (as we did) or whatever you choose. This beach thing that espresses itself here in this place is unique, a singularity of cycling experience. Pedaling along a purpose-built path, in front of multi-million dollar shacks (yes, shacks) and mansions squeezed side-by-side in an attempt to economize on whatever real estate meets the environmental desires of those with the dough,

So, while you’re not climbing a mountain or riding a hundred miles, do it, feel it, enjoy it for what it is. Go slow, feel the ocean breeze, and see the pelicans, surfers, street people, and the thongs that are this place. Definitely worth it.

I’m heading down to Los Angeles for a few days to visit the family. Terri and I are talking about heading to the beach one day and renting bikes for a leisure ride from Hermosa, maybe up to Venice Beach.

I have ridden a bike here before, but that was on my Schwinn Varsity back in 1971. I expect things have changed a bit since then.

Huge portions, great food, good service. Get there early on the weekends, or you will have to wait for a table.