Things Seen on the LA River Bike Path

Yesterday, I embarked on a bike ride that took me from the North Hollywood red line to Pershing Square in Downtown LA (~20 miles) via bike paths and streets. I have never ridden the paths before and there were many things I encountered and learned about LA during my ride.

- The LA river, along the part I rode, looked like it was ravaged by a hurricane, furnished by dead trees, trash, and structural debris.
- Still, there exists fauna along the river, such as ducks and several kinds of birds.
- There is an equestrian crossing (like pedestrian crossing) some point on the path.
- I was going faster than the traffic going northbound on the 5 because of an overturned vehicle near the 134 that backed up traffic until the 110 freeway.
- Nice city-sanctioned parks connect to openings on the path in ghetto neighborhoods. A cholo was drinking a King Cobra at 3pm on a park bench right next to kids playing in the playground.
- A punk band likes to practice in their back yard, which is steps from the river, like many houses are.
- The path ends in LA proper near Elysian Park, where you have to find a way along the streets to get to downtown.
- Graffiti along the river has been wiped out for the most part.
- Vehicle exhaust isn't a problem. The air quality is much better than riding in the streets.