Red Bike began its adventure in Marina del Rey, overlooking beautiful yachts and sail boats docked there – destination Beverly Hills. Cycling through Marina del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica, and Westwood.  Riding through Venice on Abbott Kinney Blvd, we see the “BarCycle.”  If you think you could enjoy riding in an open-air four wheeled contraption while drinking alcohol pedaling around town you will love the BarCycle!  A canopy covers two bar table tops, while patrons face each other talking, drinking and pedaling.  There is a sober designated driver on board responsible for steering and braking.  Sound fun?  Thought you might approve! – barcycle.com

Abbot Kinney Blvd. was named after an American businessman, developer and conservationist, (pictured right) born in 1850 most known for a development called “Venice of America” which was a system of canals with authentic gondolas and gondoliers from Venice, Italy.  This project was inspired by Mr. Kinney’s walking tour of Italy when he was just sixteen years young.  His development with its maze of canals surrounded by ornate Venetian-style businesses, miniature steam railroad and full-sized pier with highly profitable “amusements,” aka   freak shows, some of which both Kinney and local residents alike were shocked by.  Mr. Kinney lived in the day with men like friend and naturalist John Muir  and the likes of Collis Huntington who built the Transcontinental, Southern Pacific, Chesapeake and Ohio Railways.

Turned right onto Santa Monica Blvd., through Santa Monica and Westwood stopping at the “Witches House,” aka the “Spadena House,” a curious home reminiscent of the fabled Hansel and Gretel house complete with thatched roof and moat.  The sign out front reads, “Please Don’t Pick the Berries!  The Witch.”  The use of the word “Please” is curious don’t you think?  Who knew the Witch was so nice?  This house has a very interesting history.  Built in 1920 for Willat Studios in Culver City it was originally a set for silent films including Hansel and Gretel, also acting as a studio before the “talkies.”  For history and additional pictures visit: http://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/exclusive-look-inside-witchs-house-beverly-hills

From there it was easy to cycle to the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows established in 1912, two years before Beverly Hills became a city named the first Historic Landmark of Beverly Hills in 2012.  The Beverly Hills Hotel is painted in its trademark colors of pink and green with guest rooms ranging from $895 to $15,000 per night.  It’s “Polo Lounge” offering fine dining played host to royals and top celebrities for decades, including; the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplan, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, the Rat Pack, Humphrey Bogart and countless others.  https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel/hotel-services/hotel-history/

Continued cycling to nearby Will Rogers Memorial Park meeting two twenty something Adonis like men, both 6’4” blonde easily passing for runway models.  They had flown from Stuttgart, Germany to New York, rented a car to take a road trip to Las Vegas and suddenly here they stood.  Was able to share several sites they might enjoy seeing while in West LA.  Suddenly a high-end German sports car sped through the intersection nearby, never braking roaring through the stop sign at Indy 500 speed.  The young men commented they had seen many German cars in Beverly Hills, “With more money than brains evidently,” I replied, “because the police are plentiful in Beverly Hills and don’t mind doling out costly tickets.”  They each replied that the driver would pay according to what their income was,” to which I added, “No, that’s in Europe, not here.”  They were surprised to learn that someone poor would pay the same as someone rich.  Don’t think they need to worry about “Po Folk” in Beverly Hills.

Proceeded to the Beverly Hills Electric Fountain to have a closer look at the progress of ongoing renovation. Erected in 1931 this landmark is undergoing restoration thanks to a generous contribution of $200,000 by a Chinese businessman by the name of Wang Jianlin who is the founder and China’s largest real estate developer and world’s largest movie theater operator.  The fountain is on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvds. The figure at the top of the fountain represents a member of the Tongva, a local Native American tribe and the relief on the side of the fountain pays homage to the cities founding.

Continued cycling westbound past the immense Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Blvd. (pictured right).  Once the largest LDS Temple, built on 24.23 acres when dedicated in 1956 it currently ranks as the second largest behind the LDS Temple in Salt Lake, Utah.

Rode through the grounds of the Veterans Hospital in West L.A. where the Wadsworth Chapel (pictured below) sits vacant and dilapidated since the Sylmar quake – 46 years ago.   Inside this ornate 7500 sq ft chapel a double brick wall separates Catholic and Protestant faiths.   Described by the LA Cultural Heritage Board as, “the most monumental complex of Shingle-style Queen Anne structures ever constructed in the Los Angeles area.”   This majestic chapel built in 1900 for $12,400 is said to require repairs estimated at $11.5M.  The VA purports they have no funds for renovation.

In 1888, 300 acres were deeded to the federal government for a specific purpose; to provide a Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.  Wadsworth Chapel was built early on for soldiers to worship there.  Politicians have since broken that promise,  leasing out some of this land having nothing whatsoever to do with soldiers.  It’s said that one in ten homeless are veterans.  One politician stated that locals don’t want homeless vets to live there, evidently, they don’t want them to worship their either.  Ironic that politicians are known to make an annual pilgrimage to local wealthy residents seeking millions upon millions for their own political gain.  When you consider the staggering land value for a parcel this size in an area surrounded by the rich and famous, one wonders why a fund could not be raised to provide a way for this chapel to be restored, homeless vets to have a place to live and worship as was intended by the original deed.  Actions really do speak louder than words!

It’s been a beautiful day cycling, exchanging greetings with many cyclists, meeting wonderful people all along the way. Just think of the fun and interesting sites YOU could see if you got on a bike and went for ride.  Until our next adventure – Happy Trails!