nekohime

Are any of the socal foldies still on here? FF? V6? Anyone?

In any case, I'm planning for a March ride on the beach. Starting point is the El Segundo Electric bike/Brompton shop, then we can pootle on the beach bike path for as long as people can stand. I was thinking bike up to Santa Monica but that may be too far. I'm kinda leery of putting a set route of Xmiles up the coast, because different people have different riding staminas, but if we just follow the bike path people can turn back as needed, and there are bus routes along the way if people get tired or something conks out on our bikes or whatever.

Tentative date is either Saturday, March 27 (my birthday!) or Sunday, March 28, depending on how many people can make either date.

Soooo--if any socal foldies are still here--discuss.

1lesscar

I'd be up for a ride! Either date works for me.

Foldable Two

We should be down here in Ventura during that time period. Will check with the family's social scheduler - aka: my wife.

Hey, we'd get to ride along a different beach!

tFUnK

sounds interesting. keep us posted!

GeorgePaul

I'm in. Prefer Sunday, 3/28.

folder fanatic

Hello Nekohime,

I think I will be up to keeping up with others by then. I was given the green light by my medical practitioner to ride again (see https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?616106-Just-Curious-Does-Temporary-Switch-Back-To-Dviving-A-Rental-Car-Makes-You-A-Traitor) and am feeling a bit frisky and looking for challenges. Will check up here from time to time to see finalization of your bike ride's date and times. Although I think Saturday is a best day to ride.

nekohime

Ok! I think Sunday is looking a little bit better, but I'll wait for other people to chime in with their preferences.

la2sei

I'd be interested in riding Saturday.

bent eagle

Is there a shop in that area with lots of folders to test ride? Maybe I'll just buy one while I'm there (I live in the Dallas, Texas area).

GeorgePaul

Electric Cyclery in Laguna Beach carries Montague, Dahon, Bike Friday and Strida. Electric Bikes LA in El Segundo sells Brompton.

nekohime

We're starting from the one in El Segundo...they have bromptons and electric folding bikes (forgot what brand they are, I'll call the shop up to ask and report back here).

werewolf

There's a good one farther south in Laguna Beach, Bikefold, isn't there - or is that the one that closed? I get out to southern Cal every now and then, but unfortunately usually without my little Swift. I wanted to ogle some more Bike Fridays, though.

GeorgePaul

Not closed. Expanding actually. Got my Tikit from them recently. Bikefold = Electric Cyclery -- see https://bikefold.com/.

folder fanatic

Electric Bikes LA in El Segundo CA has the following bikes-both folding, full size electric-& e-skateboards listed on their Website. Some are only available at the store, others can be shipped:
https://www.electricbikesla.com/

EZEE
GIANT
BROMPTON
XOOTR FOLDER (Only Available At Their Store)
XOOTR SCOOTERS (Only Available At Their Store)
E-GLIDE ELECTRIC SKATEBOARDS (Only Available At Their Store)

By the way, Nekohime. If you're plan on visiting the store during the bike ride, they are closed on Sunday as posted on their Website:

Hours
Tues & Wed: 11:00AM - 5:00PM
Thurs & Fri: 11:00AM - 6:00PM
Sat: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Sun & Mon: CLOSED

werewolf

I was in a little store on a side street a couple of years ago. Not far from the beach. Not sure which town, Carlsbad I think. They mostly had electric bikes,but the lady there was very friendly and let me take out a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, I think it was, and ride it for as long as I wanted. I liked it a lot, even better than my Swift, but I wanted to try out some other BF models - but I think that little store was closed last summer, but then i could be wrong since I don't even remember where I was, duh.

folder fanatic

Don't be too hard on yourself, Werewolf. You seem to describe the former Oceanside's Electric/Folding bikes store-closed down about a year ago. See: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?506573-Oceanside-Folding-Electric-Bike-Shop-Closing&highlight=Closing+Bike+Shop+In+Oceanside I bought my Brompton from them back in 2005. It appears that the original main store-Electric Bikes Northwest/Folding Bikes West- in Seattle has withdrew mostly back to the Seattle area now due to the economic downturn.

werewolf

Thanks, FF. Yes, that was the place. Oceanside. Very nice people too. The last post on your thread said it might be reopening in San Diego. Anything further on that?

folder fanatic

Not directly. This page-https://electricvehiclesnw.com/main/2010.htm- hints that sales for their e-bikes is far lower than Europe because of several factors (i.e. North America is recreation orientated considered cycling a "fun weekend play activity", Europe is commuter orientated "a need to get around"). So their profit is not as glowing as their counterparts in Europe. I not saying it won't happen, but the demand is still not up to pre-recession levels quite yet-just like most other businesses.

nekohime

Ah, since the shop is closed on Sundays, Saturday, March 27 it is. So, final details are:

Date: March 27, 2010
Time: meet at 10am, ride off 10:30am
Location: Electric Bikes LA
221 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245

I'll be updating the website (in my sig) soon with these details.

nlaspf

I'll be getting to LA a week before this, so me and my little Dahon may be joining!

I'll be in Downey; for what I saw I could hop on the Green Line from Norwalk or Lakewood all the way to El Segundo. Is this doable or would there be any problems? Anything I should know? I've never been to LA before so I'm not sure how the mass transit works there.

folder fanatic

It is very much doable. You can enter the train at it's first stop in Norwalk. Make sure that you pay your fare via the Tap Card (recommended) or a ticket as fare payment is strictly enforced and you can pay $250 dollars if you are cited. Then stay on the train all the way over to El Segundo. You exit at the Mariposa/Nash station. Then you can ride through the very nice area of El Segundo to the bike shop. If you need additional help in getting there, please feel free to private mail me or Nekohime (she is our bike ride's organizer). I will e-mail you links to maps and other suggestions as I am sure she can too.

nlaspf

Thanks! I should be able to get there with that info, but I'll definitely PM you if I have any questions.

What's the policy for folding bikes on the trains? Will I need to bag it?

folder fanatic

I would carry a soft cloth bag or slipcover when you use the train. While most people ride with their "naked" bikes on trains here, I prefer to cover my bikes as to avoid marking passengers, the train's cabin, or even myself accidently with the tires and/or the chain. And you never know you might use other forms of transit (i.e. bus/taxi) while out with the bike. The bag or slipcover prevents someone with authority (Metro Sheriffs and white shirt civilian security) to exercise "bike prejudice" against you or the bike and might possibly even tell you to disembark the train or drivers not allow you to use the bus, taxi or the like before you are ready if your bike is visible. I always carry a bag for any of my bikes anytime I am out with one just to "instantly" turn my bike into luggage.

The actual formal policy of Metro is to allow folding or fold-up bikes on board either the train or the bus's interior at all times, though.

GeorgePaul

Folding bikes are allowed at any time. You won't need to bag it. See https://www.metro.net/riding_metro/bikes/images/BTWD_workshop_2006_0418.pdf.

folder fanatic

I agree with you, GeorgePaul. But be sure to read rules #4 & #5 on page 8 of that PDF. I travel with Metro with the trains almost daily. I learn that if your bike becomes "luggage" in it's own bag or slipcover, you are not subject to those limiting bike rules-and possible problems thereof. All is left to worry about is not to block the aisles. Another plus is when I carry the bike on board the bus, I leave a space for a full size non-folding bike on the front rack. And the bus driver does not have to wait for me to load/unload the bike, saving him/her precious minutes on his/her's schedule. That is a real plus for folding or fold-up bikes!