Arrived in LA

Yesterday I biked in to Pismo from San Simeon. I didn't like where I ended up, so got a motel room. Rented a truck in the morning and drove the backroads sections of my planned route to LA today. I arrived around noon. I had an amazing time through Big Sur, and will have to think a bit before recording it. I'm glad to have bailed, as time was getting short to the first annual Dalton's Game, Saturday morning. It'll be good to get a day's rest before running around like hooligans for several hours.

12/06/07
Lessons in Driving, Los Angeles

Part I: Car on Car
I entered Los Angeles county driving a Dodge 1500, on US 101 just past Thousand Oaks. From there to here, I learned a bit about driving. ,I miss the internet, Driving with the locals involves a bit of attention. 101 to 405 was 40-90mph, never a dull moment. Pay attention. People drive close, and vary a bit in goals - stay on target vs dart here to there - and in courtesy. It takes all kinds. Nonetheless, people seem comfortable driving close and used to making quick decisions. I heard my first accident around 3pm, a block away from here on Santa Monica Blvd. Lots of body damage, nothing and nobody totaled.

Part II: Bike on Car
Shortly after I arrived, Nathan had to leave for a noon meeting. I biked over to Kali's, mostly East on Colorado Ave. I was mostly obedient, learning the stop signage and gauging drivers' attitudes and awareness. I missed riding Ziggy unloaded, and started to pick it up. I caught up with Kali until he had to leave for a meeting at work, and biked down to the ocean on minor arterials in moderate traffic. Going back from the beach I led a Mexican rider I couldn't understand straight through along Colorado until it became Idaho. Riding in the city again, unencumbered, was fun. Drivers gave me space, not much, but always got back when I pointed where I was going.

Part III: Bike on Ped
I started riding North on the bike path. Starting to push the pace, I relished handling with an unloaded bike. Car free, with a sometimes windy or downright curvy trail, light sprinkling of sand, here was a good place to go fast and dodge walkers. Again, the full spectrum of behavior was represented, though traffic was quite light. I was flying, from the Santa Monica Pier to the end of Venice Beach. Leaning so I could keep my 175mm cranks and 300mm bottom bracket drop from striking pedals, I spun through the turns. I was disappointed in myself for not going faster; I never slid my front wheel, and only briefly skidded my rear. Ask and you shall receive...

Part IV: Bike on Bird
I wasn't expecting this part. Perhaps I was asking for it, passing in front of this pigeon instead of behind, as I'd done with several seagulls. Then again too, pigeons are stupid. I pity the fool with a pigeon spirit animal. Sharp 15mph turn and I see it, 20 ft away. In that second, I decided to go around it right. It decided to start flying. Hit it or handle? Aha! Time for emergency handling! Imagining bird in front spokes, rotor, cranks. Jump it - no! - brake. Skidded the rear, slide pump slide front wheel turning. Pigeon wheeling, taking off but still into my front wheel. Grab more brake, dismount over bars, two feet right two fingers touch the ground. Ziggy hangs upright on the front wheel, tumbles sideways to the ground. Pigeon completed the turn and flew away. Ziggy sustained minor injuries, but was already due for another clicky clunky BB overhaul. So I fixed the rear brake to where it wouldn't rub and rode home chastened, but fast. Arrived 3pm.