For Bike Month, LACBC Everywhere returns for it’s third season of sharing stories from people across Los Angeles. LA County has a lot to offer in terms of places to ride, but its the experiences that shape us. Today’s profile features Gilbert Jauregui from the Montebello Bicycle Coalition:
What was it like to grow up in Boyle Heights?
I was a “latch key” kid so I had a lot of time by myself. Living in Boyle heights in the ‘70s was somewhat precarious since it had its fair share of gangs, shootings, and drugs. I guess I was one of the lucky ones since I stayed away from all that.
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
Besides cycling I enjoy working on my classic car, a 1969 Dodge Charger. I love driving it down to the beach with the windows down and the sunroof retracted, feeling the breeze all around. It’s a great feeling.
What are some of your biggest challenges about getting around LA?
Definitely the traffic, if there was anyway to minimize it I would be all for it. It seems that it’s just getting worse. I wish LA would go on a traffic diet, haha.
Can you name a place nearby you would consider a hidden treasure?
For an urban setting, I think the San Gabriel/Rio Hondo spreading grounds fit the bill. It’s a quiet area where people can walk, jog, or simply ride their bikes without fear of any motor vehicles.
What do you like most about cycling around Los Angeles?
The diversity of its landscape. You have old neighborhoods with old Victorian style homes, you have hills with homes overseeing the city, and all the different cultures you see as you ride through all these neighborhoods.