Intro and Glendale/El Segundo Route Needed

[michael.e]

Hi,

My name is Mike. I am new to this forum and as well I am back into riding after a break of 15 years. I originally stopped due to having children but lost interest until recently. I have kept my road bike (1992 Paramount PDG Series 3) all these years and have got it back into decent condition. I am living in the Glendale area and you will find me in the evenings after work on the LA River bike path.

I am considering as my endurance and strength build up commuting to work which is in El Segundo. Can anyone think of a good route which is safe from heavy traffic or gang activity. I am considering taking a bus which will let me off in Culver City close to the Ballona Creek path and taking it as well as the beach patch into El Segundo. I have read mixed things on Ballona Creek on this forum though.

Anyways, it is nice to be here and I am hope to contribute in the future.


Mike

[Happytime]

I train on Ballona Creek in the mornings sometime if I need the extra miles, but even in broad daylight I get a little creeped out. Nothing untoward has ever happened but some areas of the path are pretty remote. As a lone female cyclist, I get the guard up and pile on the speed if I see men (or teenagers) hanging out near the path. The closer you are to MDR, the more joggers, dog walkers and cyclists are around, but past the 3-4 mile point, you're pretty much alone.

[merider1]

Welcome to the forums, Mike. :) I'm sure some other riders on here who live/work in that area can advise you. I've been on the Ballona Creek path but only on the weekends and in the morning. I'm not sure what it is like after dark.

[ronjon10]

I haven't ridden Bollona creek regularly in a couple of years, but it was a regular on my old commuting route. I never had any problems with it back then, no idea what it's like these days. You could take Venice Blvd down and then cut through the Marina. Venice is about as safe as it gets for commuting on city streets (just watch out for the busses) but it'll add some time to your commute over Bollana Creek.

[DScott]

Welcome to BF.net and to the SoCal sub-forum in particular!

I can't help you to get to Ballona Creek, but can tell you once you're there, that it's not at all as dangerous as some people would like to believe. Based on my experience, it's quite safe, especially any time in the pre-dawn hours until dark. I can't personally speak to the night-time, just haven't ridden there in the evening. Depending on where the bus goes, you can pick it up near La Cienega, at Hughes/Duquesne, Overland, and many other points west.

If youi start at Hughes or Overland, one short section does pass by a middle school. While adolescents are really, really scary for lots of reasons, I doubt they'd be a threat to your personal safety. You might get a dose of toxic attitude, but that's about it. Or, perhaps, they'll regard your passing with a stinging indifference.

It also briefly passes an area of low-income housing that occasionally expectorates onto the path one or two adult males with no visible means of support. While at times they seem to enjoy a morning beverage from a paper bag, they typically ignore bicyclists with even more intensity than the middle schoolers.

The rest of the path is just gorgeous- you get all sorts of wild birds, refreshing marshlands, and nice views. You'll also get plenty of company, even in the early hours, but it's never so crowded that it feels dangerous. I can't say how it compares to the LA River path, but I suspect it's no more risky.

As you can tell, I highly recommend it. Please don't let all the negative Nancy's convince you otherwise. I see guys commuting on it all the time. BTW, the Ballona Creek section to the Marina is roughly five miles long.

Cheers!

[DScott]

Oh, and my comments are NOT aimed at anyone here, just the supposed "reports" of violence on the path that have been blown out of proportion and taken on "urban legend" status.

[thomson]

Welcome Mike!!

I don't really understand why you are so anxious to get to Ballona Creek anyway. I have commuted to El Segundo a bunch (from further up the beach bike path) and most of the time when I got to MDR, I just side-streeted it anyway. I don't know the commute quality of the roads leading between Glendale and El Segundo directly but I would look more at that. Also, the Green Line and Metrolink allow bikes if you would like to manage one of those for part of the commute.

[Happytime]

Oh, and my comments are NOT aimed at anyone here, just the supposed "reports" of violence on the path that have been blown out of proportion and taken on "urban legend" status.

I'm glad you added that last post, DScott, because I was about to blast you for referring to my cautiousness as "negative." While "one or two adult males with no visible means of support" on the path may be no concern to you -- or most men -- as a 110-lb woman working out alone, you better believe I watch my back! ;)

Oh... and welcome, Mike!

[merider1]

Oh, and my comments are NOT aimed at anyone here, just the supposed "reports" of violence on the path that have been blown out of proportion and taken on "urban legend" status.

Actually, I agree with you. I've never heard of Ballona being dangerous in terms of gang activity. SGRT? Now, that's a different story. But as a woman, I wouldn't ride out there or on any bike path alone after dark.

[michael.e]

Welcome Mike!!

I don't really understand why you are so anxious to get to Ballona Creek anyway. I have commuted to El Segundo a bunch (from further up the beach bike path) and most of the time when I got to MDR, I just side-streeted it anyway. I don't know the commute quality of the roads leading between Glendale and El Segundo directly but I would look more at that. Also, the Green Line and Metrolink allow bikes if you would like to manage one of those for part of the commute.


The only reason Ballona Creek came into my head is because I can put my bike on a bus (780 line) right by my house and it goes to the West LA Transit Center which is close to where it begins. If there is a better and faster way I am all for it. At first I know I will have to do a bike/bus combo but as time progresses I would like to eliminate taking MTA if possible, even if it is about 25 miles each way.

Currently I am doing all my commute using three trains (red, blue, and green) and a bus. It is sad in a way that this is still about the same amount of time as driving.

Mike

[thomson]

The only reason Ballona Creek came into my head is because I can put my bike on a bus (780 line) right by my house and it goes to the West LA Transit Center which is close to where it begins. If there is a better and faster way I am all for it. At first I know I will have to do a bike/bus combo but as time progresses I would like to eliminate taking MTA if possible, even if it is about 25 miles each way.

Currently I am doing all my commute using three trains (red, blue, and green) and a bus. It is sad in a way that this is still about the same amount of time as driving.

Mike

I assume you are using a bus to the Red Line to the Blue Line to the Green Line and walking to the the office. How about trying to eliminate some of those legs gradually. Bicycle to the 7th&Flower station and then go Blue+Green. Or bicycling to the Green Line start. Just some suggestions. As I said, I don't how good or bad the roads and traffic is around there.

Your route does eliminate all the rail services and does simplify your journey quite a bit. So that is an advantage. Another HUGE advantage is you may run into HappyTime on your commute. She will be the one taking pictures of your legs.

[Happytime]

Another HUGE advantage is you may run into HappyTime on your commute. She will be the one taking pictures of your legs.

Yes. That is what I do.

[DScott]

I'm glad you added that last post, DScott, because I was about to blast you for referring to my cautiousness as "negative." While "one or two adult males with no visible means of support" on the path may be no concern to you -- or most men -- as a 110-lb woman working out alone, you better believe I watch my back! ;)

Oh... and welcome, Mike!

Yep, you posted between when I started writing my reply and when submitted my post. I get what you're saying exactly. It's wise to be careful. My comments were really aimed at the rumor floating around that there's alot of gang activity on the path, and to teh people who completely discourage anyone from using it because of that.

I do occasionally worry about the single women who choose to walk or jog on some sections of that path, particularly east of the 405 fwy, and keep an eye out for them.

I believe that of all the users of this path, cyclists who look strong and like they know what they're doing are hassled the least. I'm guessing you don't get hassled much. ;)

[Happytime]

I believe that of all the users of this path, cyclists who look strong and like they know what they're doing are hassled the least. I'm guessing you don't get hassled much. ;)

The worst it ever got was when a guy exposed himself just outside MDR a while back. I had a slight tailwind and was cruising in my aerobars at about 25mph. I saw him up ahead untying his waistband, and laughed aloud at him as I rode by. Haven't seen him since.:rolleyes:

As for gangs, I've never seen any on the path, but I ride through there very early in the morning. I've seen older teenagers hanging out beneath the overpasses, the aforementioned wandering men and the occassional drug user, but not any obvious gang members.