Southern California - LA River Trail- how far can I ride from Long Beach?

I work in downtown LA and live in Long Beach. In the past the LA River Trail didn't seem to go past Rio Hondo. Looking at Google Maps aerial photos it looks like it does extend farther on the West side of LA River.

Other than just riding it to find out (Duh!), can anyone provide recent experience on the Lario trail or generally bike commuting from Long Beach to downtown (1st & Main!) in LA? Everytime I've tried to plot it out- and even drove some possible routes, it seemed like a lot of very industrial riding.

Yeah probably one of the ugliest rides on the planet.

I have gone as far as Rio Hondo, these links might be helpful.

los angeles bike paths (http://www.labikepaths.com/index.html)
BikeMetro (http://www.bikemetro.com/route/routehome.asp)
Universal-Studios-to-Long-Beach-Marina-on-LA-River-Paths (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Universal-Studios-to-Long-Beach-Marina-on-LA-River-Paths)

Cole,

Thanks a lot for the Bikely link- it's excellent.

I also spoke with the staff at LA Bicycle Coalition yesterday as I picked up a bike locker key. They had some suggestions. I think I'll just have to schedule a late morning some day and try riding in. Worst case is I hate it and just keep taking the train home.

Jim

http://metro.net/riding_metro/bikes/images/la_bike_map.pdf

i ride from long beach to downtown la (wilshire & grand) 2-3 times a week. i take the river path (heading north, i'm on the east side) to imperial highway and then cross to the bike path on the west side of the river. i get off at bandini...take district...right at s. downey (we cut through las lomas, but if you're unfamiliar to to downey)...downey becomes s. grande vista...take it to olympic...make a left...go on olympic...right on santee...you should be able to figure out the rest.

good luck.

how about up to the El Monte bus station and the bus in to L.A.