June 21, 2007 7:43 am
Visually, the L.A. River between Fletcher Avenue and Los Feliz Boulevard is in the zone right now. The sweet spot. Especially in the later afternoon hours. I love the river 365 days a year but there’s just something about these days before and after the summer solstice (today) where the setting sun’s situation in the sky couples with a certain clarity of the visibility that makes the place uniquely beautiful. As if in this brief period , she’s neither under- nor over-exposed. Just right. The greens are greener, the sunshine reflects off the water wonderfully and everything’s bathed in a beautiful golden sheen, making even the concrete compelling.
You should go now if you get the chance.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Man, I really need to get down there. This reminds me of one of my fav rides of all time. Right in the middle of the bay area is a paradise called Coyote Hills. I used to ride to the hills on a paved trail after work regularly. I found a good pic on Flickr of one of many dirt trails: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevincollins/21763239/
There are intersecting trails all over. The best part of the trail system is the termination of the trails - they all end at the edge of the bay. So when you get waaay out there your in the middle of the bay area surrounded by civilization but you get the feeling of being miles and miles from everything. A quick search on maps.google.com will show you what it looks like. I miss that place.
June 24th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
One caveat: Don’t ever bike the L.A. River path with mountain bike tires. You WILL get puncture weed in them.
June 24th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
If by puncture weed you mean the dreaded goathead thorns than no tire is immunified from their prickly reach!