Since I don't have to go to summer classes because of nonpayment (fin-aid did not come through, phooey ) I have time to plan the next one. And update the website too, finally. Any ideas about the when/where?

If I lived anywhere nearby I'd be in! I do visit LA fairly often - I'll try and bring my Tikit down next time and at least enjoy some of the cycling potential you guys have. During my last visit I spotted two Dahon Speed D7s about Pasadena.

How about Amtrac to SF.. next month!! woooo hoooo!!

What if we were to set up a ride in, say, Santa Barbara or thereabouts? The SoCal and NorCal folder contingencies could meet up and have a statewide FolderFest. Anyone live in that area that might have suggestions for making this work? S.B. sure is a nice place to spend a bit of time in the dead of winter, so maybe a ride in January? Who is up for this?

Haha, I'd love to! Actually, like I said on the other thread, teh bf and I were planning to go there sometime this summer. It'd be nice if we could do the ride with you guys while we're up there.

That's an awesome idea, but what about in the area about end of summer-ish (late August)? What dates would be good for you guys?

Do it in the OC and I'm in.

Hello
I just received my Downtube 9FS yesterday, and will be taking it in to the service shop today for fine tuning, since I dont know much about bikes. I hope to go on my first ride this Sunday along the beach bike trail here in Santa monica. I would love to meet other folders around here so the Metrolink to SF sounds great on a Sunday. One thing, how long is that ride, because Im new to biking and dont want to be hurting to bad. I know that crotch is probably going be in pain, and is one of the reasons I had stayed away from biking in the past.

Folder.

Hey nekohime, I can probably make it barring any schedule conflicts (read: wife needs me to help with the baby!) SF isn't gonna work for me--isn't that like 10 hours by train?? I'm partial to Pasadena since I live here and there are some neighborhood rides that end up at the Rose Bowl that we could try. Metro riders can take the Gold line which has several stops throughout Pasadena (Filmore to Sierra Madre stations).

But really I'm up for any local ride--keep us updated.

Nekohime, kudos to you for setting up these rides. If I were anywhere near the area I would certainly join this ride. Unfortunately, I am on the other side of the country. Maybe us NYC riders can organize similar rides.

Nekohime,

May I also suggest the Pasadena (also Glendale, Griffith Park, Eagle Rock, South Pasadena, Alhambra etc.) areas. I am very familiar with these areas, train stops, good riding locations (flat, semi and hilly areas) plus where to showcase the folding bike's many interesting features. I know where to stop and where to avoid the tourist traps that line these areas plus certain gang runned "hot spots". Even if I am unable to ride with you (perish the thought!), I can still send maps and locations to visit. Always ready to assist in any capacity!

The rides aren't long...the last one was definitely not longer than 20mi. Around 15-ish or less? Does someone remember? Ah...and if your crotch is in pain, definitely try a new saddle.

Ooo, your wife gave birth already? Congrats! You must be very busy being a new daddy!

Ok, so Pasadena area it is...if you can put together a nice pootling route, that would be great! What about dates? I'm thinking either August 23 or 30 (both Saturdays), but if those dates don't work for everyone, we can definitely change.

edit: Yamcha, the one after this ride will probably be in the OC...on the SART or something.

Not quite there yet but we're getting close--thanks.

I am open to any Saturday. Just try to limit the hours of the ride to the extreme morning or evenings. That way it will avoid possible heat stroke! I don't want anyone to get sick! These areas do not have the luxury of the sea breezes protecting them very well like the Westside, Orange County, Hollywood or even Downtown .

Ok, so we've pretty much decided on Pasadena...is Aug 30 8:00am ok? Meet at Union station, ride Gold line to wherever (*someone* needs to plan a route, as I'm not at all familiar with Pasadena).

Here's a suggestion (same route, different map sites):

https://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=15418
https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2036900
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/pasadena/313702000

- Start at Sierra Madre Villa Station/Gold Line
- Go north on Sierra Madre Villa Ave.
- Turn right at Sierra Madre Blvd.
- Make a u-turn at Michillinda Ave.
- Turn right at New York Dr.
- Turn left at Altadena Dr.
- Turn right at Orange Grove Blvd.
- Turn left at Hill Ave.
- Turn right at Maple St.
- Turn right at Lincoln Ave.
- Turn left at Seco St.
- Turn right at West Dr.
- Turn right at Washington Blvd.
- Turn right at Rosemont Ave.
- Turn left at Seco St.
- Turn right at Lincoln Ave.
- Turn left at Eureka St.
- Turn right at Fair Oaks Ave.
- Turn left at Holly St.
- End at Memorial Park Station/Gold Line

It turns out to be 14.5 miles and includes some wide roads and nice scenery. This route isn't necessarily for speed although there are some nice stretches you can burn through if ya like! The only parts I'm mildly concerned about safety-wise are the ride on Maple St. between Hill Ave. and Lincoln Ave. heading towards the Rose Bowl and on Fair Oaks Ave. and Holly St. heading towards Memorial Park Station. I've had no problems myself, but just not sure how a group would work out since there's some possible congestion. Let me know if the elevation works for you--it's just that beginning part that might be a little tough but I think the rest is a breeze. We can modify this route as needed. If anyone's up for it, I'm cool with sticking around Old Town and grabbing some lunch afterwards.

My suggestions might be a little bit differnet from V6's. I tend to avoid much of Pasadena due to traffic-especially with a group. Since I am away from my own computer (I am using a public one right now and pressed for time) I will return shortly and propose several possiblilites for all of you to pick from. The time & date is fine for me.

Ok, so the route v6 suggested is ok, except for this part:

because FF says it is not that safe. She also suggested we stop for lunch at Sun's Restaurant near Highland Park station because...

It sounds yum, and the bike shop next to it will provide visibility and maybe advertising...if we go this route I'll see if I can get a poster in there.

So, with this in mind, any route revisions?

This was on *teh other socal forumz* and I had to repost here for lulz:

Can we make this on a Sunday? I work Saturdays....


I thought I ask..
I will be looking for another sattle. The velo saddle is nice but is torture for me.

Thanks..

Downtube IVFS.

Is it ok to ride on the Sidewalk..? I had a friend die before when whe was hit by a car, and one of my ex girlfriend got hit when a vehicle suddenly pulled out of a parking place..

Well, Washington/Rosement are actually part of the Rose Bowl ride (check out the map) so they should be fine. In my opinion, it's really Fair Oaks that may be trouble because of the traffic, but it's less than a quarter mile and we'll be doing this Saturday morning.

Sure that's cool, although riding there will probably add another 5 miles to the ride (or were you thinking about just taking the train down there?) If FF or anyone else is familiar with that area please suggest a route.

Sundays are fine with me too; that'd make it the 31st of August instead of the 30th. Er...is that ok with everyone though? We'll go with the date that more people are ok with.

Well actually, it's statistically more dangerous to ride on the sidewalk...check the dozens of threads in the commuting and A&S forums as to why. In practice though, as long as you're vigilant, both sidewalk and road riding are safe. In this ride we will be riding on the roads, as there's not enough space on the sidewalk for a group to ride, and being in a group increases visibility, so less chance of being hit by cars.

Well, if no one suggests another route, we'll go with yours. And hurrah, you get to be ride leader for this one, complete with the funky red armband! I don't mind riding another extra 5mi, but we can certainly take the Gold line instead if we're tired/our butts are sore.

I would love a Sunday 8/31 ride. I think it would be great if a future ride originated at Union Station and ended somewhere in the Pasadena area. Another fun ride would be to go from Union Station to Culver City via Jefferson.

The only time I had a major accident (beyond a simple cuts & scrapes) was on a sidewalk. I thought that it was safe because it was separated from the road. Not quite true since cars pull in or take off from gas stations, homes, apartments, etc. through driveways. So rethink the thought of "safe sidewalks" whether you are a cyclist or pedestrian. The safest areas are where all sort of possible interactions between larger and smaller vehicles are completely eliminated and separated-more like the biking/walking curbed areas of Europe are like.

If the purpose of the bike ride is for casual riding, it is fine to go around the Rose Bowl. I would suggest that everyone purchase a day pass to hop on and off public transit. Remember that August is one of the hottest months of the year. Water bottles and sunscreen are very, very important but there are other better protection against the heat of the day. One of which is a air conditioned train/bus to keep cool. And if you are interested in Sun's Restaurant, it is also air conditioned. I will stop by some time soon to ask about where we can keep the bikes as we eat. I have brought one of my folders with me inside the restaurant when I am riding one of them-even the owners sometimes see me out riding. But several folders at one time might be a potential problem.