The Roadium Swapmeet.

I guess I should start this post by stating I am no longer working in El Segundo. Just wanted to get that off my chest. I had to make that clarification, otherwise this post would make no sense at all. Anyway, that out of the way, let me begin with this: Today I went to the Roadium. Reason is I was looking for a nice affordable bike for my brother in law. We usually go bike riding to Long Beach plus he is looking into possibly biking it to work instead of driving a 4.5 - 5 mile ride. Right after I got out of the house I see a big traffic jam on Alondra Blvd. Apparently a school bus had some kind of mechanical problems and another one had to be called to pick up the students. At that moment I spotted a Compton Renaissance Bus

I continued walking towards the ATM by the Compton courthouse so I could get the next Gardena Bus at the corner of Willowbrook and Compton. After getting the money, I purchased a newspaper so I could read along the way. Once I got on the bus it took me about 15-20 minutes to get to the swap-meet but I hardly felt the time for I was engrossed on the newspaper. Upon arriving, I crossed the street and proceeded to the ,50 cents entrance fee. I started walking since the very beginning for I did not want to miss any possible great deal on a bike.










I spotted a nice mountain bike which I almost purchased at the moment but decided instead to take a look around. Told the guy I was interested in it but would go take a look and come back. I did however told him if some one else was interested in it not to hesitate and sell it but if he still had it when I came back I would buy it. I never came back.

Fifteen minutes later, I saw her. There she was! A nice blue 3 speed cruiser with mud guards, chain guard and a rack. I thought this would probably be the perfect bike for my brother in law. I asked the guy how much he wanted for it and he said he was asking $75. I told him I would take it if he would drop the price to $50 which he agreed. I paid him and right after that some one else comes up inquiring about the bike. Sorry dude! It's mine now!

Once I purchased the bike I decided to come back, after all, I had what I had come for. Even though I did not have my helmet with me, since the Gardena Bus doesn't have any bike racks, this was the perfect opportunity to test-ride the bike for my brother in law, so I did. I took Redeondo Beach Blvd east all the way home. Considering I had no helmet with me, I debated whether I should go on the surface street or on the side walk, choosing the latter one. Me and side walks just don't get along when it comes to biking. Along the way, I spotted at least three patrol cars, two from police departments and one from Sheriff's. I thought I would be hassled about not having a helmet but not at all. So I rode all the way home. On the corner of Alondra and Wilmington right before I get home, I get a call from my sister asking me where I'm at. She tells me to meet them at the Tam's by Willowbrook and Alondra so I ride there to join them for breakfast. The total distance in miles from the swap-meet to the restaurant was 6.42 miles. Here's a map.

Once we finish eating we go home and right away we start working on the bikes getting them ready for a possible trip on Friday to Long Beach via the L. A. River Bikeway, depending on whether I'm working by then or not. We changed my sister's seat and transferred a basket from an older bike to the one she currently uses. We could not resist but put Jack on the basket and taking him for a small ride.

I'm happy with the investment and so is my brother in law. Now we all have bikes and are free to ride for business or pleasure.