Nick and Dale's Adventure State:1 Day:1





After a day of air travel, we arrived yesterday evening to the buy beach town of Santa Monica, CA.  I was under the impression that California had some strict Covid rules, however, they must not apply here.  Folks everywhere, no social distancing but most wearing masks.   The Ocean Lodge Hotel is neat and clean but along the busy Ocean Boulevard, lots of traffic, people, music, talking and what not.  Early, we were jarred awake by the sound of gunshots, but no screaming or sirens so maybe firecrackers...

The morning came early since we are still on east coast time, we found some breakfast and assembled the bikes.  We made our way to the local REI for some last minute supplies and to get our tires pumped up (our hand pumps will do the job in a pinch).  Bikes together, tires pumped we took a ride along the bikeway traveling from Santa Monica up to Venice Beach just to check things out.  There is a big population of homeless and huge tent city along the beach.  Lots of eBikes and skateboards zipping around.  Folks playing beach volleyball or exercising at Muscle Beach ( I remember always wanting to see the likes of Arnold S., Lou F. and some of the other old school body builders pumping iron there).  I smiled the whole time we rode, watching the people and basking in the novelty of this adventure we are about to take.  Dale suggested a sit down meal and Del Frisco's did not disappoint.  We walked the Pier and along the coast, snapping a picture of our


feet in the ocean and the Venice Night Light Bike Parade among other things.  

A few things I found interesting:

1.  Electric scooters are a thing and they are everywhere.  Some folks need to practice a little more!  When the battery dies, they leave them lay...on the sidewalk, along the street, anywhere! 


2.  Like the beaches back east, the town hops at night and sleeps in the morning.  

3.  There is a lot of leaf burning going on out here, if you know what I mean!!!

4.  Dale remarked that there is a general lack of sirens for how busy things are around here.  I agree.

5.  No matter how well you pack your bike and no matter how much time and tape you spent securing the box...TSA will open it.

Time to rest up and get ready to ride.  Next stop.. Rancho Cuchamonga!

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 17, 2021 at 6:00 AM

    There is a whole side business of people who pick up the abandoned scooters and 'ransom' them back to the rental companies. A lot of cities hate the scooters and try to ban them.
    Sending good thoughts for a successful adventure!

    ReplyDelete

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