Southern California - Newbie to the forum Long Beach/Huntington Beach

Hi, what's up everyone? This is my first official post on the forum. I'm not an avid cyclist but I came across this site to learn more about bikes and other people's opinions and tips on bikes.

I purchased a beach cruiser last weekend for myself and my girlfriend for recreational use and we plan on cruising down along Huntington Beach through Long Beach at least every weekend as long as the weather is fine.

I was just wondering if there was anyone else on this forum or in SoCal area that has a beach cruiser also. I don't see too much about them on here.

Anyways, just wanted to say and I look forward to meeting some new people and learning a bunch of stuff.

Thanks and have a great weekend.

Hans

I'm not an avid cyclist but I... Hans

D.O.E.S.-N.O.T.-C.O.M.P.U.T.E!!! :twitchy:

Welcome anyways. :D

Welcome. Actually you can be an avid cyclist and still have a beach cruiser. I have one I use on occasion. Welcome to the sport - I think there's nothing nicer than on a sunny, spring day cruising along the beach. BTW riding between Long Beach and HB is still quite the cruise. You sound like an avid cyclist whether you want ot admit it or not.

thanks for the welcome guys. i appreciate it.

I don't have a cruiser, but I have done that ride. It could be about 30 miles round trip, depending on where in LB you are. I don't think I have the guts to do it on a cruiser!!

We have an Electra and a Murray.

The part of that route which scares me the most is where you have to ride on PCH to get between HB and Seal Beach. *shudder*

I don't have a cruiser, but I have done that ride. It could be about 30 miles round trip, depending on where in LB you are. I don't think I have the guts to do it on a cruiser!!


well, i don't meat it literally. we would probably do something like seal beach to huntington beach or long beach to seal beach. and yeah i know that's a long distance. i don't think we would have the guts and patience to do it in our cruisers.....lol!

The part of that route which scares me the most is where you have to ride on PCH to get between HB and Seal Beach. *shudder*

It's not too bad - I ride PCH 3-4 times a week and often see people riding that stretch of road on beach cruisers and other leisurely bikes.

I don't have a beach cruiser, but I cruise the beach, usually on my old Schwinn MTB. The ride you describe is one of the best uses of a bike, bar none.

Speaking of bars, don't worry there's plenty to choose from along your route.

I live in Costa Mesa, right next door to HB.

we went bike riding yesterday and we went from Seal Beach to Newport Beach and back. it wasn't that bad, it was a great weather. it was sunny and breezy and was so relaxing. i can't wait to go and do it again next weekend.

Hey Welcome....

I agree with others, there's nothing quite like riding a beach cruiser along the Pacific on a beautiful California day...

Do you have a picture of your bike? There are so many nice looking cruisers made now.

GP I had a Murray, too. It was from the 80's. It was pretty cool. It looked like this bike:

http://www.geocities.com/alicestrong@sbcglobal.net/2707336860_75ff108a93.jpg

I kind of regret that I gave it away when I stopped riding it in favor of my mountain bike. That was before I became fully cognizant that I will never be a one-bike person...

Welcome aboard!!
I have all kinds of bikes, and love them all.
As cyclists we ALL need to stick together.
Here's a beach cruiser that I ride all the time.
As for mileage, my longest ride was almost 50 miles in one day... My house to Yorba Park to the beach back home...
I also ride to the watertower/house on pch... about 42 miles... so racking up the miles isn't just for my road bike....
Hope to see ya out there!!

http://www.gotbiz.com/bicycles/aa/aa/aa/aa/bricycles/imp1botgraf.jpg

GP I had a Murray, too. It was from the 80's. It was pretty cool. It looked like this bike:
...Mine is not quite as nice but I don't mind parking it at the store without a lock.

Welcome aboard!!
I have all kinds of bikes, and love them all.
As cyclists we ALL need to stick together.
Here's a beach cruiser that I ride all the time.
As for mileage, my longest ride was almost 50 miles in one day... My house to Yorba Park to the beach back home...
I also ride to the watertower/house on pch... about 42 miles... so racking up the miles isn't just for my road bike....
Hope to see ya out there!!

http://www.gotbiz.com/bicycles/aa/aa/aa/aa/bricycles/imp1botgraf.jpg


Wow! Who makes that bike, it's wild...

Wow! Who makes that bike, it's wild...

Thanks, I get that on every ride. Its also huge with a 69 inch wheelbase, and very heavy over 60 lbs.....
all steel frame. I was a limited run available for one year 3 years ago... made by "greenline", and called the "BIG GUY".... especially made for over 6' tall and everything is super heavy duty... of course I still broke parts.... I have over 10K miles on it. I mounted my winter light set on it (also very heavy), and ride it at night... Although since tonight is the clock adjustment I think I can loose the lights for the summer now.
Best part is the ride, smooth.... and it handles better than one would expect. I came into the turn for the tressle bridge really hot once and did a dirt bike slide... by accident, woke me up, but it handled it.
Only thing I'd change is to add gears, it's a single speed with freewheel and hand brakes. But the frame is so stiff I'd have to really bend it to fit a wider axle, so I just enjoy it for what it is...

My real pride and joy: all original with over 60k miles, Merckx team 711
http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/648/DSC02896.jpg
http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/648/DSC02894.jpg

hi, here's a pic of my bike. well, i didn't take this picture but i got it from the internet but is the same bike that i just bought.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c234/agent10247/Huntington-beachcruiser1.jpg

Yeah, there ya go!!
Do yourself a favor and make sure the seat height is adjusted right for you. I see alot of ppl on cruisers with the seat way to low.
Then ride the wheels off it!!

thanks!

so should i raise the seat on my bike? it is a little low but i'm 5'5" and can't have it raised to high, i gotta make sure my feet can touch the ground too.....LOL!

Its good for your knees if the seat is the right height.
RULE of THUMB: your leg should be extended with a slight bend in the knee when your foot is in the proper position IE: the ball of your foot is on the pedal.
The foot 2 ground measurement doesn't count.... I know, your not comfy if you cant land both feet on the ground when you're on the saddle... so you may have to get your butt off the saddle...
When the seat height is correct, you'll enjoy your ride even more. Just remember that you'll be pedaling more than standing....
Hope it helps... BTW, you're pretty lucky, at 5'5" that cruiser you have is made for you!!

Great seat height advice, but if you've got coaster brakes make sure you can still stop OK after raising the seat.

If you have the seat at the right height, YOU WON'T have any problems with a coster brake...
I have a coaster brake bike also.... Its a NON issue.
Now go ride the wheels off that bike and report in after your rides to let us all know how much fun you're having.

Stylin'!!

..and gorgeous Merckx, too...

Stylin'!!

..and gorgeous Merckx, too...

THANK YOU!!:thumb:

If you have the seat at the right height, YOU WON'T have any problems with a coster brake...
I have a coaster brake bike also.... Its a NON issue.
Now go ride the wheels off that bike and report in after your rides to let us all know how much fun you're having.


thanks for the advice.

i went to el dorado park yesterday and went around the parks. it was fun and relaxing just cruising around. this weekend i'll hit up the beaches again since it's supposed to warmer.

I used to race at el dorado park, really nice place. We're really lucky, there are plenty of great places in these parts to ride. If you're able to drive and ride, there are plenty of ppl on here that can let you know about all the great cycling places, just ask them.
I always liked the back bay and through Irvine, fairly flat and nice ride.
Don't forget the SART!!

I used to race at el dorado park, really nice place. We're really lucky, there are plenty of great places in these parts to ride. If you're able to drive and ride, there are plenty of ppl on here that can let you know about all the great cycling places, just ask them.
I always liked the back bay and through Irvine, fairly flat and nice ride.
Don't forget the SART!!

yeah, we are lucky to have lots of places to bike around.

i load my bikes in my truck and take them to the beach or el dorado park. i heard about Irivine but was is SART?

yeah, we are lucky to have lots of places to bike around.

i load my bikes in my truck and take them to the beach or el dorado park. i heard about Irivine but was is SART?

SART = Santa Ana River Trail, runs the length of the river from the Newport/HTB inlet all the way inland past prado dam.... very nice with lots of great ppl on it. It might be a very long ride for a newbie, but in small bites you'd enjoy it. Yorba regional park has some public parking and is a really nice cruise, you can grab the SART and head south about 7 miles to the honda center and then back... I usually picnic at the park lots of shade and tables, restrooms and water fountains.... you can probably find the park on any map...
I think it's on/off La Palma ave... if I'm wrong someone on here will correct me.
I sometimes ride to the Queen Mary, there's a really nice bike trail that goes that way too... then the one that goes along the 605, I think that one is the SGRT, I don't think it's as nice as the SART though...
Try 'em out.

Don't tell me you quit already....

Don't tell me you quit already....

lol....nah, i haven't quit. i actually rode my beach cruiser from HB to Bolsa Chica and back on Saturday. it was fun and relaxing. a little chilly but it was still a good cruise down the beach.

Nice to see you're still around. Stick with it till summer and you'll really start enjoying it even more!!
BTW, even though its a cruiser you might like having a speedo on it. You can pick up an inexpensive one at target for about 10 bucks. Not so much for anything but keeping track of miles ridden and how fast it takes to out ride your friends :)

Hope you're out riding that bike....
I'm ridin' mine!!
http://www.gotbiz.com/bicycles/aa/aa/aa/aa/bricycles/imp1botgraf.jpg

Just checking up, personal life has been really busy last couple months, you still riding?

Mine is not quite as nice but I don't mind parking it at the store without a lock.

I think we all know why you don't lock it up.

I think we all know why you don't lock it up.

Does that mean he wants it to get stolen so he can get a new one?
Just give it to me...:innocent:

Just checking up, personal life has been really busy last couple months, you still riding?

hey what's up? i haven't been on the forum too much lately but yeah, i'm still riding. at least every other weekend or so cruising up and down the beach. i'm going to HB later this afternoon since i got the day off. how bout' you? how is everything going?

Good to see you're still around