Bike the Arroyo! Cleanup the Arroyo! This Weekend!

Arroyo Lovers will find lots to do this September weekend!

First, join the 'Stream Team' of the Arroyo Seco Foundation as volunteers celebrate 'Coastal Clean-up Day' with trash removal at the Confluence of the Arroyo Seco and the Los Angeles Rivers, beginning at 9am on Saturday, September 17th. The Confluence is labelled as a 'code red' area because of the high level of trash build-up there, so this is a very important river cleanup! Park in the Home Depot parking lot at Figueroa Street and San Fernando Road. Then walk about 100 yards east on San Fernando to the confluence entrance. Wear long pants, socks, closed toed shoes that can get wet, sunscreen, and a hat. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. This is a zero waste event so bring water in a reusable container.

The fun continues on Sunday, September 18th with the Second 'Tour de Arroyo' bicycle ride from Pasadena to the Cornfields/Los Angeles Historic State Park just north of Downtown Los Angeles. Bicyclists of all ages will rally at 8:30am at Memorial Park in Pasadena for an easy 12-mile 'cruise' on surface streets and the in-channel bicycle path southward, in support and celebration of the upcoming construction of the first phase of the Arroyo Seco Bike Way. Cyclists have the option to join up with other riders at the Cornfields for the Southern California Cyclocross following the ride or group dining in Chinatown or a 'sag wagon' ride back up the Arroyo Seco to Pasadena on the Gold Line. This is a family-friendly event and children are welcome.

For more information and to register for these and other Arroyo Seco fall events, visit http://www.arroyoseco.org/.

Cruising Down the Arroyo Seco

Last Saturday, 100 bicyclists of all ages and abilities came together for the first Tour de Arroyo bicycle cruise along the 9.6 mile urban portion of the Arroyo Seco.

Why?

First, to honor the memory of Pasadena bicycle activist, Dennis Crowley, who died suddenly last fall at the age of 60. Dennis excited everyone he met with his vision of an Arroyo Seco Cycleway that would allow commuters to ride on a Class I Bicycle Path between Pasadena and Los Angeles (or Los Angeles and Pasadena, depending upon the starting point) without the hassle of street crossing or street riding.


Secondly, to enjoy the varied terrain that surrounds the Arroyo ~ starting from tree lined streets in Pasadena to the in-channel bicycle path from the South Pasadena border to Los Angeles' Montecito Heights Recreation Center through graffiti tagged industrial areas of LA over the Spring Street Bridge with a destination of the new Cornfields State Park, nestled next to Chinatown with an amazing view of the LA City skyline to the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the North.


Thirdly, to build awareness of the importance of an Arroyo Seco Bikeway in advance of tonight's (Tues. 6/2) meeting with Los Angeles County planners on such a route, slated for 6pm at the Los Angeles River Center, 570 W. Avenue 26, Los Angeles, CA 90065.


Most of all, TO HAVE FUN!! And fun we had ~ a perfect overcast morning in the 70's, no flat tires, no accidents, and lots of laughter. Even the novice riders proclaimed: that was easy!


Upon reaching the Cornfields, the bicyclists held a short rally honoring Dennis' memory and talking about the importance of a commutable cycleway, especially needed in light of Los Angeles' very poor options for on-street bicycle riding with any degree of safety.


After the rally, some bicyclists cycled back to Pasadena, stopping at notable spots along the way, including the Southwest Museum (LA's oldest), the Audubon at Debs Park, and the Lummis House (built entirely from Arroyo Seco river rock).


Others took the Gold Line 'sag wagon', the terrific light rail service between Downtown LA and Pasadena where passengers can ride with their bikes.


A few of us though couldn't resist a feast of dim sum at Chinatown's Ocean Seafood Restaurant ~ yum~yum!


Best of all, we captured it all on videotape and our ride leader, Dan Sharp, even got his 15 seconds of fame aboard his monster bike on the early local television evening news.


In case you missed this ride, you'll have another chance to ride along the river ~ this time, the Los Angeles River, this Sunday, June 7th as part of the 9th Annual LA River Ride: http://www.la-bike.org/.

See the Arroyo Seco from the Seat of your Bike.

What's a great way to enjoy an urban river?

Many of us working in major cities to restore urban rivers know that connectivity with greenways and trails that link wildlife and people corridors are a key element of the restoration process.

These greenways provide a terrific opportunity to walk, bike, or (in certain areas) ride your horse along our historic streams and rivers, many of which are trying to free themselves from channelization.

In Los Angeles, bicycling is the fastest and easiest way to enjoy both the Los Angeles River and its Arroyo Seco River tributary through a combination of street and trail biking.

Even if you've never 'biked' along an urban river before, you'll want to join us at the inaugural 'Tour de Arroyo,' a 9.4 mile bicycle cruise that combines street biking with trail riding, including riding the in-channel Bicycle Path. This downstream ride is fun for both the average and experienced rider and is recommended for bicyclists ages 12 years and older, due to some of the urban streets the tour will take.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 30th, with sign-in at Pasadena's Memorial Park at 8:30am, the tour concludes at the Cornfields State Historic Park in Downtown Los Angeles at 10:30am with a rally and memorial in honor of bicycling activist Dennis Crowley.

After the rally, riders can either return to Pasadena by bike (average 3% uphill grade) or hop the Gold Line rail with their bike at the Chinatown Station and ride the train back to Pasadena.

The event, sponsored by the Arroyo Seco Foundation, is co-sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, Council District I; the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council; and the City of Pasadena.

Visit www.arroyoseco.org/bike for details and to sign up.