Did you know there are different types of cyclists?  For example, some cycling enthusiasts enjoy hill climbing, while others look forward to distance riding.  Hill climbers seek elevation riding up hills, keeping count of the thousands of feet climbed, while distance riders enjoy riding from point “A” to point “B”, content seeing the same scenery, because their purpose is to rack up mileage.  Then there are those who enjoy something called “destination riding”.  Destination riders seek out points of interest, dreading the monotony of taking the same route, seeing the same sites again and again.

Each of these rides, may involve a bit of research.  Which hills do we climb today to get the most elevation?  What safe bike route can we take to get in the most mileage with the least amount of stopping?  To enjoy a destination ride, you may need to do a bit more research to discover points of interest, often found in your own backyard.

One such destination ride begins in Marina del Rey, California, cycling north to Santa Monica, then turning right or eastbound towards the city of Westwood, CA.  Westwood is approximately one dozen miles west of Downtown Los Angeles, home to such famous sites as the Armand Hammer Museum, known for housing special exhibits of edgy contemporary art, and a permanent collection of historical works, each in close proximity to the UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) campus.  Both of these sites are well known and highly visible in the community.  Across from the museum however, is a special place not seen from busy Wilshire Blvd., completely surrounded by high rise buildings on grounds that dwarf their surroundings.

Finding this special place is a treasure found,  easily missed if you don’t know where to look.  A place where the celebrated, renowned, and illustrious have gathered, not in life, but in death.  From a Pulitzer Prize winner, to producers, actors, comedians, poets, artists, composers, song writers, novelists, screenwriters, football team owner, oil tycoon, television hosts to name a few.  From author Truman Capote, to actress, socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, to actor, comedian Don Knots and Rodney Dangerfield, talk show host Merv Griffin, novelist, screenwriter, producer Jackie Collins, actress Marilyn Monroe, Hogan’s Hero’s actor Bob Crane, singer Dean Martin, actor Jack Lemmon, screen writer Billy Wilder, drummer Buddy Rich, actress Natalie Wood, as well as the future resting place of Playboy’s Hugh Hefner and many, many more.

Destination:

Westwood Village Memorial Park

1218 Glendon Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90024

Destination riders enjoy “digging up” if you will the history, to discover what they can about this bustling cities once rural cemetery.  Westwood Village Memorial Park is recognized by the Cultural Heritage Commission of Los Angeles, as an Historical-Cultural Monument.  Burials began there in the 1880’s, when the cemetery was located on grassland, surrounded by dirt roads with very few homes.  Originally known as “Sunset Cemetery,” officially established with the State of California in 1905, then became Westwood Memorial Park in 1926.

There are far too many stories to tell here about this postage stamp sized property, however, one of interest to many involves those who loved in life and death, the sex symbol, actress Marilyn Monroe.  Marilyn’s remains are housed in an above-ground crypt of pink marble.  The face of her crypt has been replaced multiple times, due to numerous lipstick kisses her grave receives which stain the marble.  This is evident because the face of crypts surrounding hers are each and every one faded from years of direct sunlight.  Only Marilyn’s crypt remains a peachy pink, causing it to stand out from the rest.

If you are a cyclist and this story interests you, congratulations, YOU are a destination rider!  Here’s hoping you enjoy your next bicycling adventure.