It was a perfect day for a bike ride. So perfect, in fact, that I thought I would set out and ride 30 miles around the entire city of Long Beach. And more than 1,000 of my closest friends decided to join in, too.
Ok, it didn’t quite happen like that.
Check out the photos below, taken during the inaugural Tour of Long Beach that took riders in a giant loop on (mostly) flat ground around Long Beach, with plenty of scenic and historical detours along the way. Watch as me and my girlfriend Nikol, our friend Kelsey, and my dad pedal our way along the streets, rivers and beaches to reach the finish line!
Also, feel free to send your own photos to [email protected] if you’d like us to include them in the gallery. Ok, and we’re off!
Nikol and I, all numbered-up and ready to go.
Mayor Bob Foster examines City Manager Pat West’s attire.
Eager riders gather at the starting line.
The front of the pack. Some very serious riders actually circled the tour twice for a grueling 60-mile ride, called the Metric Century.
And here we go!
Along the downtown marina.
Riders circle the lighthouse.
My dad checks out the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Heading toward the lighthouse…
Nikol and Kelsey lead us around the lighthouse with the Queen Mary looking on.
Hopping onto the Los Angeles River bikeway.
Nikol pumped her fist and yelled “Woo-hoo!” at every mile marker. Every. Single. Mile marker.
The more scenic portion of the L.A. River path.
The path turns to dirt as we segue into town.
The Los Angeles River waterway.
Through the shade of Cal Heights and Bixby Knolls.
Entering the airport grounds and passing the former DC Jets production site. Possibly the future Long Beach Studios site? Who knows. A reminder of past successes and future promises.
My dad cycles through the campus of Long Beach City College.
Into Heartwell Park on a bustling weekend morning.
Turning off of Carson Avenue and over the bridge…
…then shooting down onto the path along the San Gabriel River.
After a loop around El Dorado Park, we head down the channel with my dad leading the way.
A rider’s eye view of the path along the marina.
My dad circles around toward Khoury’s and Schooner or Later.
Riders hustle down Marina Drive…
…as Dad and I stop at the water station.
Nikol leads us onto the beach path.
Passing the dog beach and hundreds of volleyball players, the Belmont Pool looms large.
Nikol and I take it easy and just enjoy the view during the final few miles.
Success! We reach the finish line after 30 miles.
Eight very tired legs.
Our reward.
Disclosure: The lbpost.com was a media sponsor of the Long Beach Bike Festival.