Fitness * Artistic *

From the Long Beach Freeway (Interstate 710) heading south, follow the signs to downtown Long Beach. After you cross the Los Angeles River, proceed to Shoreline Drive. Look for free parking in the Aquatic Park area. Map: Los Angeles County Bike Map, available for free by calling (213) 244-6539.

One official mileage count for the Los Angeles River bikeway (known locally as LARIO) cites a total of 29.1 miles. Now that's an endurance skate, especially if you don't have a ride back to your car at the end! To access the LARIO from the Aquatic Park bike path, skate west toward the Los Angeles River mouth. The trail curves inland when it meets the bank of the river. The beautiful scenery of the Long Beach harbor is left far behind on this flood control canal, so a good strategy would be to skate inland up the river trail until you're half tired or hungry (remember, you still have to skate back against the wind) and then return to the harbor area to recuperate and congratulate yourself on a great workout. Skate across to the other end of Aquatic Park to replace worn skate parts at Alfredo's, then sit under an umbrella and eat a taco while you wait. The eight-foot-wide asphalt trail parallels Interstate 710 and the Los Angeles River flood control channel inland from the Long Beach harbor area. The bikeway's first 10 miles pass through Deforest and Coolidge Parks in Long Beach, and then Hollydale Park in South Gate. A mile beyond Hollydale Park, just north of the Imperial Highway, the trail branches off to follow the Rio Honda to the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, a good 20 miles from Long Beach. Here, a connecting trail to the east accesses the San Gabriel River route. Sticking with the Rio Honda River Trail at the Whittier Narrows, the next major destination is the Peck Road Water Conservation Park another nine miles up. This northern leg is a favorite among Los Angeles bicyclists. If you make it this far, you really should pat yourself on the back! Special note: The Los Angeles River is a popular hangout for drug dealers and homeless people. Do not skate alone here, or at any time other than under the bright light of day.