Rip Van Winkle

I happen to live on that stretch of Mcdonald between Sawtelle and Inglewood that you folks are talking about as a detour. (In fact, there is probably a good chance that you've seen me working on my bikes in my driveway as you ride by). I have been riding the Ballona Creek Bike Path for nearly 30 years, and have never had a problem. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Obviously, it has happened to some people.

I recommend using some common sense. It's true that when problems have occured, they usually have been near Mar Vista Gardens, so taking the bypass isn't a bad idea. Also, try to avoid it in the pre-dawn hours or after dark. The one time I found a certified crazy person in the last year, it was under the Lincoln Avenue overpass. It was just some looney shouting at thin air. As it happens, I ran into a LAPD squad car on the bike path about ten minutes later. I let them know what was going on, and they immediately went to check it out.

I've ridden that path countless times with my wife and kids, and I'm thankful that it's there.

BTW, please feel free to stop and say "Hi" if you see me working on my bikes. You can't miss the house. It's a two-story house with a large RV trailer in the driveway. The license plate on my tow vehicle says "MrBcycl." I usually drag my park stand out of the garage and work on my bikes in the sunshine and fresh air. I also sit and drink my coffee every morning out there to keep the neighborhood cats company.