My latest CicLAvia experience was unlike any of the other ones I’ve participated in. CicLAvia events have always been fun rides along streets closed to traffic, but this particular one took it up a few notches. CicLAvia: Celebrate LA! was a celebration for the LA Philharmonic’s centennial season. The route went between Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown LA and the Hollywood Bowl with musicians, artists, and dancers performing at the six hubs and along the route. It even included a free concert at the Hollywood Bowl in the evening (for those who were able to get free tickets). It was one large ongoing street party.
An added bonus for me was that I had the pleasure of riding with a friend the whole time. My family was unable to join due to soccer commitments, but friends on Facebook had seen my interest in going and reached out to me. One was a first-timer to CicLAvia, and the other had participated before. I was thrilled they both got in touch with me because I hadn’t fully committed to going yet since I did have a kid’s soccer game in the afternoon, but their interest in joining me convinced me to do it.
To make it work I had to be at the route when the roads opened up to riders at 9 o’clock. As I’ve done before, I took the Metro Expo Line to Downtown LA. I was not alone on the light rail train. The area for bikes was full after just a few stops. There wasn’t even room for pedestrians to enter. Most of us were single riders, and conversations about plans for the day and previous CicLAvia experiences flowed freely.
I surfaced from the Metro station at 7th Street and met Whitney, the first-timer, as planned. We began to ride towards Hollywood. It was oddly quiet and calm at 9 o’clock. I was afraid she’d get the wrong impression about CicLAvia. But at the same time, it was nice because we could chat and ride and look around without worrying about other riders around us. We rode along Wilshire Boulevard through MacArthur Park and Koreatown and then on towards Melrose and Hollywood.
Melrose Hub
As time went on, the streets filled with more riders. I wasn’t actually aware that most of the entertainment wasn’t scheduled to start until 10 o’clock. By the time we arrived at the Hollywood Hub, it was more like the CicLAvias I knew from before, crowded and lively.
Hollywood Hub Stage
Due to time constraints, we didn’t take the shuttle from the Hollywood Hub to the Hollywood Bowl to see the performances there, but we enjoyed the entertainment on the stage at the Hollywood Hub. Too bad we didn’t stay just a little longer; we could have heard Rivers Cuomo with members of the LA Philharmonic who were up next.
Audience enjoying Koreatown Hub’s Main Stage from the much appreciated shade!
When we were back at the Koreatown Hub, we parted ways. Whitney had to return home for her daughter’s soccer game. I then waited for my other friend Julie to join me. It was nice to be able to hang for a while and enjoy the entertainment at the two stages at the hub.
Koreatown Hub’s Oxford Stage
Julie and I continued towards Downtown and the Grand Avenue Hub. This was where the heart of the festivities was. Two big stages alternated entertainment. Food trucks and activity tents were lined up. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Broad Museum, and the mountains in the background provided an exceptional setting to the event.
Grand Ave Hub
After soaking it all in for as long as we had time, we headed back to the Metro station. Soccer obligations called for both us of. But my day on wheels wasn’t over. I took the Expo Line all the way to the end of the line in Santa Monica and made it just in time for my son’s soccer game. And then after the game, I rode my bike along the Expo Bike Path back home. It was a lovely day spent all over LA without a car.
For those interested, the next CicLAvia event is around the corner on Sunday, December 2, 2018, in the Heart of LA. The route has not been published yet, but it will include Chinatown, Downtown LA, and Boyle Heights. Mark your calendars!
