jonathdo

Has anyone considered riding down the LA river from say the rosebowl all the wya out to the beach... I mean its a flat, long, ride...whats not to like? Clearly this would be done when its hasn't rained in a while and the concrete base is dry...

Mr. Beanz

Not sure if I've ever been on that trail. We did ride down SGRT to four corners then across to another trail. I think it was LARIO. LA RIO? Is that the same trail? We rode down to the Queen Mary then back on the SGRT. This ride was 84 miles sometime last year.

We did a ride last weekend on the SGRT from Duarte to Seal Beach and back, 72 miles. There are still a few forum rides around but one needs a special invite nowadays. Only reason I get invited is cause I carry a pump and a camera!

I live equal distance from SGRT as the SART. But the SART is so much nicer than those trails so we hang down here!

There have been hints and suggestions for another SART ride but waiting for LewisAClark to set one up!...Only 60 miles roundtrip!

jonathdo

I meant actually go into the dry river bed.

droobieinop

dude, if I was out west and not back east, I'd be there fo sho

Mr. Beanz

Oh!

droobieinop

go greased lightning

rooftest

You'll be dodging lots of broken bottles, etc.

Medpilot

Is legal to ride down there? It's all fenced off, so I'm guessing they don't want in there.

urbanknight

I'm still trying to figure out why you think the LA River starts at the Rose Bowl. The Arroyo, which starts just north of the Rose Bowl, would be interesting, but there are parts of that which are paved and usually filled with water so you'd need some scuba gear to pull it off.

prendrefeu

Since this thread was also in the Road forum, here's the repost:

I've ridden in the river. It's only possible when it's not raining, of course and only in certain sections of the river.

As stated previously, the river's bed is fully immersed in water from about 3 or 4 miles out from the Harbor. Full details of the River's path, engineering, and more can be found at the following links:

FOVICKS: Friend of Vast Industrial Concrete Kafkaesque Structures
(old website, but it's still very relevant)
FoLAR: Friends of the LA River. (Joe Linton, now working for FoLAR and probably one of the foremost experts on the LA River, co-founded the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. Become a member today!

Now, as for RIDING in the river, yes it is possible, and I've done it.
I'll state here on the record that I do not condone it, and it is actually illegal: the River is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and as such it is illegal to enter the River's Bed without authorization.

There. That being said, riding in the river: Very possible, only when it's dry. When you hit water, you will slip and fall - almost in a comedic fashion. The area beneath the water will quickly grow algea - which is super slippery and will gunk up your drivetrain. When I rode the river bed with my friends, years ago, we were on a few fixed with brakes and a few fully geared bikes. Luckily none of these were fancy, so when we fell the frames that were scratched up, and the algae that embedded itself in the chain/gears didn't matter too much.

The water isn't toxic, nor is it sewage. That's a misconception: it is the natural river from the LA Basin. Basically, if you live in the LA area you most likely live in a giant watershed. The river, prior to it being turned into a concrete path, has always been a naturally occurring river, long before civilization established camps along its shores. The only reason it was turned to concrete is because of some really tragic and catastrophic flooding that happened in the early part of the 20th Century. Look it up - Google is your friend.

Far too many people in LA County don't know the history of where they live, nor the infrastructure that surrounds them, and they perpetuate false beliefs. It's really sad.

ersatz

i ride along the river from South gate to Long beach then stop on pine for lunch then back to south gate, nice little 30 miler for me (include ride from my house to river)

KiddSisko

Admit it - there was weed involved, right?

Thanks for the Fovicks link.

prendrefeu

Well... let's just say maybe coming up with the idea involved a few trees.
As far as I know, though, we were all sober when we attempted the ride in the river. Two of the five (there were 5) are straight-edge.

Condorita

There are also stretches where the river bottom is natural--or something approximating natural--such as around the old Taylor yard rail facility. LA Bicycle Coalition's LA River Ride was one of the two charity rides I did last year after getting back on the bike, and I'll be doing it again this year.

blue steal

I ride the LA river trail all the time from Del amo to the end at golden shores. Don't think I want to ride in the river bed. Kayak maybe................yesterday it was quite a sight with the rain and fast flowing water, pushed all the homeless up onto the trail.