About This Event
Newcomer Rides are no-drop, recreational-paced rides of around 20 miles to introduce riders to new sights around town or to investigate "old" sights in more detail. The rides start in different locations and we consider them successful if every rider can report that at least one destination is new to him or her! If we have enough volunteers (like THIS month!) we will also offer a "Beginners" route of about 10 miles.
The route is an improvement of a ride we held last year. This time, we decided to eliminate the torturous return on the ill-conceived Expo bike path (we were trying to make a point) and add two new destinations to earn the ride title above!
Riding north on city streets, gradually climbing to the edge of the UCLA campus and on to the campus to the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden on campus, where the riders enjoy modern sculpture in a garden setting.
On the way we stop at the Pierce Brothers Mortuary in Westwood, burial site of famous people and pass by the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on the UCLA campus. We will not have time for a visit but we will orient the riders for a future visit.
We will break for refreshment if needed, and return to the start by a different route through the famous "Cheviot Hills." Total distance is only 11 miles but there is some climbing of approximately 500 ft so planning on getting a nice workout.
Special notes on ride venues: -- No special preparation in needed for the Sculpture Garden visit. Key to the garden layout:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17ZOBngkmsHhwpsIwu71Mao1okIe1ItIr/view?usp=sharing
-- The Pierce Brothers Mortuary is open to the public; however, since it is a small space, there is no admission if there is a service in progress. Map of the grounds (copyright seeing-stars.com): https://drive.google.com/file/d/15oWoJJxS9G9rQtBfHdwiFYfBytaY5F7X/view?usp=sharing
--- The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden is open to the public. Tours are held on Mondays at 1:00 pm.
Administrative details.
Helmets are mandatory
An electronic waiver will be required for you to acknowledge and indemnify the LA Wheelmen Bicycle Club, sponsors of this group. Or better yet - join the LA Wheelmen and get the benefits such as bike store discounts, event discounts and ride insurance. (LA Wheelmen members: your membership waiver suffices).
For bike computer geeks, links to ridewithgps tracks and turn by turn cue sheets will be made available below for download for the ride. NOTE: These may be updated prior to the ride (or after).
Current ridewithgps.com track for the hillier 10.8 mile route:
Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38516617
Cue Sheets: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11zb0Wo1M55iQpZ4G4a2K7gAJLqr0zMDZ/view?usp=sharing
Neither is required for this ride because the ride will be led by volunteers from the LA Wheelmen. However you may want to retain them so that you can repeat the ride or impress your friends with your knowledge.
Plan to spend extra time on this ride than if you were riding alone because we will not drop any riders and delays may be encountered due to mechanical problems or flat tires. That said, please make sure your bike is ready to ride and you have a spare tube and are dressed for the weather.
