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Coming next month to Los Angeles Area Residents:

New route (not the same old one). A safe way to go to the ocean by bike or whatever (no cars here though)

".......Sun, surf, and 15 miles of open road will mark the first CicLAvia of 2013, transforming Venice Boulevard and downtown Los Angeles streets into a car-free, linear park for strolling, biking, playing, and exploring the city from a new perspective.Since it began in 2010, CicLAvia has quickly become Los Angeles County’s most popular public event, consistently attracting more than 100,000 participants. CicLAvia is free of charge and open to everyone, from lifelong Angelenos to first-time visitors from around the globe. Leave the motorized transportation methods behind and claim the streets as your own......CicLAvia – To the Sea will be CicLAvia’s longest route to date, spanning more than 15 miles and connecting the city’s historic center at El Pueblo de Los Angeles and the bustling boardwalk of Venice Beach. Several hubs along this expansive route will offer information and services for participants. CicLAvia – To the Sea offers a rich tour of the city’s history, vibrant neighborhoods, and majestic views of the Pacific Ocean......"-https://www.ciclavia.org/events/676/to-the-sea/681/about

diphthong

will definitely be there! looking forward to discovering new sights, sounds and (good) smells along venice blvd.

Genaro

Will be there again with the family and friends and ending at our favorite Post ciclavia destination "Wurstkuche" for Brats and Biers

TrojanHorse

I hope I can finally make one of these things! Maybe I can find some platform pedals for my bike too. Looks like a good family event.

What kinds of things go on during these events? Anything organized, or is it just a bunch of cyclists riding around?

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Most Los Angeles based Ciclavias are rather eclectic in nature, though I thought that the first couple of them were far more in offering a wide range of interesting diversions like Yoga lessons or even freebies from various of refreshments, bags and other baubles (the last one I attended I was hard pressed to find anything like the listed sort). I think this next one of a long continuous span to the ocean will be more like the first ones. I look forward to this event after a long spell of the same now predictable and boring old routes from the last one I attended.

More Info: https://www.ciclavia.org/faq/

Garfield Cat

Once the people arrive at the Venice Beach Boardwalk, I can imagine the massive crowds building up there. That Boardwalk is a living historical and cultural site. A while ago, it had more dispensaries per square feet than anywhere else in L.A.

rubic

I am there!! I'll take my commuter and wear my non-lycra 'casual' clothes. This should be a fun 'smell the roses' type of event.

dddave

smell the something, that's for sure.

rubic

You mean smell the sh**aving cream?

lilpoindexter

HMMM, I just might participate in my first ciclavia.
Hmmm...just saw some pics....lots of icky joggers clogging up the path, like with all bike paths.

Dunbar

Does the closed off section of the street move pretty well for bikes most of the way? It would be a cool opportunity to ride to downtown and back without having to worry about cars.

Garfield Cat

Last year in 2012, the start was downtown near City Hall. There were times when traffic was stopped to allow cars to cross. At those crossings, it was the police and volunteers who regulated the stops. But it was in the downtown area. Once you get past that, it was open riding.

Venice Blvd is a long street and I can imagine there will be some stops along the way. This type of ride is atypical for most riders and should not be viewed as just a ride. Once you get going to MacArthur Park area, the crowd should thin out. You want to stay clear enough to avoid any mishaps.

The destination is Venice Beach. That's where you want to spend some time off the saddle.

Dunbar

Good point, I'm starting to have second thoughts. I live in Santa Monica and usually ride 30 miles on Sunday so I may try it out and turn around if it's slow going. I would be starting at the ocean and going downtown (and back.)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=y4WKBQ2UIos

Map (JPEG File):

diphthong

if you're using it as a workout, you're missing the point. you can go faster but it defeats the purpose of the event.

Genaro

I agree with this. Anything more than probably 13-15 mph's is probably unsafe anyways as there will be tons of people on the street.

Dunbar

Not as a workout, just as a rare opportunity to ride to downtown without traffic. But I don't like riding that slow so I may just end up skipping this one LOL.

TrojanHorse

If you want to ride downtown without traffic, look for the LA Fun Ride - https://www.coafunride.com/

The short ride is painfully, PAINFULLY slow... when they say 10-12 mph they mean 10 mph and it's enforced by some very humorless cops, but the longer ride is apparently more of a 17+ speedfest.

rubic

I dunno. LA Fun Ride cost $75 while Ciclavia is free.

PhotoJoe 

I was tempted, but it just look a bit too hairy for me. Joggers, skateboarders, bikes and whatever all on the same roads. I get the eclectic "event" that it is, and can see the draw. It's just not for me. If you want a good workout on closed L.A. city streets, do the L.A. Marathon Crash race with Wolfpack Hustle. I did it this year and it is a MUST NOT MISS for me and my wife. LOVED it. It's at 4:30am, but worth the lack of sleep.

Genaro

I wish somebody would have told me, I was there at 3:00 AM
And yes, this is a fast event, with the exception of some young kids on fixies running up some of the hills pushing their bikes.. To me, the Ciclavia is not even about a workout, as it is, riding my bike with my wife and friends, stopping at a couple bars, restaurants, checking out whatever may be going on...

TrojanHorse

The question wasn't price, the question was how to ride all over downtown with no traffic.

diphthong

totally. it is about discovering and appreciating the city you never knew existed.

PhotoJoe 

I agree. VERY different events. One I enjoy. One I don't think I would so much. That's the great thing about it. I'll leave the roads just a little less crowded for those who will enjoy it!

rubic

Ciclavia is actually an eclectic cultural event open for anyone to share the roads. It's not geared specifically for cyclists. This is not the event for somebody looking for a clear and fast cycling event through the streets of LA.