Stories

by Dana Variano, Digital Manager

I spend most of the week staring at my computer. Sometimes, I see fun colors and my eyes sometimes start crossing with website code. When I reach this point, my sensitive and amazing coworkers plea with me: "Dana! Get out of the office once in a while! Please!" So I finally listened to my coworkers this week, dusted off my walking shoes, and hit the CicLAvia - Culver City Meets Venice route to explore Mar Vista. My travel buddy for the day was Jen, a resident of Mar Vista who owns a website called barrio LA that finds and markets unique made-in-LA goods. I found about Jen and her brother Rick's amazing project on Instagram, and the synchronicity of their passion with CicLAvia's was too great to be ignored!

"barrio.la is all about looking up, down & around, making sure we take in everything this city gives to us – like it’s amazing parks, community gardens, outdoor markets & street art."

Jen said she loves going to CicLAvia with her daughter, and that it shows her that "if streets and neighborhoods rally together, they can support each other." I hit the streets of the Mar Vista with Jen to talk about her neighborhood, and what she loves about it.

Hello, everybody! My name is Brandon and I'm a new team member here at CicLAvia – I’ve been here 3 weeks now. This past Friday, I experienced why CicLAvia is as special as it is. Don’t get me wrong - I’ve felt it when I ride the CicLAvia events, and I’ve heard it in the conversations about opening streets across LA. But now- being part of the team - I see the heart behind what we do.

In our new series, we'll be highlighting the partners that make CicLAvia happen. Digital Manager Dana Variano sat down with Chris Blevins, Founder and COO of Pick My Solar, and chatted a bit about their reflections on 2016.

by Ronnie Takkens, CicLAvia blogger

One of my favorite parts of CicLAvia is exploring new places for lunch or a fast snack. Fortunately, Southeast Los Angeles offers plenty of options! Here are just a few places where I've enjoyed lunch on my Road to CicLAvia, but believe me: there are many more amazing places to discover!

by Aaron Paley, CicLAvia producer

I visited Evan Greenspan at his eponymous store earlier this year on Tweedy Mile. Evan is the third generation in his family to keep Greenspan's in continuous operation since it started in Watts in 1928 and then moved to its present location in South Gate in 1939. As soon as I crossed the threshold, I knew I was home.

As far as I’m concerned, biking and coffee go hand in hand. So when I’m riding my bike and I see (or smell) a small coffeehouse, I usually hop off my bike and check it out. Last week I ended up at El Cielito Café in South Gate, which was opened just nine months ago by Daniel Olivares.

by Ronnie Takkens, CicLAvia blogger

17 tower structures, the highest 99.5 ft. high, all handmade by one man, decorated with sea shells from Long Beach and tiles from Malibu Potteries, strengthened with clothing hangers: these are the amazing Watts Towers built by Simon Rodia between 1921 and 1954.

by Ronnie Takkens

The next CicLAvia is coming up on Sunday, May 15, 2016, and will be connecting six communities in the Southeast Cities. Nearly 10 miles of roads will be closed to car traffic, so a lot of car-free riding, skating or whatever-you-like awaits! We all know CicLAvia is not just about riding the route: it’s all about having a good time, hanging out with friends and family, and meeting other people. I often find that one of the best ways to do this might not even be on my bike, but when I get off.

by Ronnie Takens

After volunteering for CicLAvia and attending just one CicLAvia before (CicLAvia - Heart of LA on October 18 of last year) I was really honoured when the executive director of CicLAvia asked me - just a regular guy from The Netherlands living in Los Angeles for just a half year - to go out and explore the route of the next CicLAvia. “You bike everywhere around town”, Romel told me, "so just get on your bike, bring your camera and bring us some stories of places along the CicLAvia route! The Road to CicLAvia!”

by Clarke Miranda, Outreach Lead

I've been out on the route for CicLAvia - The Valley doing our second round of route notification the past few weeks, eating lots of burritos and looking at lots of murals. I love San Fernando Mural Mile, so I took some time last week (with super volunteer Ryan) to snap a few photos of some of my favorites.

Learn more about Mural Mile here!