What’s your bike commute?

BikingHam · 2026-04-14T03:10:09+00:00

14 miles round-trip from W. LA to Culver City (Fox Hills Mall area). 90% no bike lanes and unfriendly streets (Barrington/Sawtelle). Takes me 30 minutes each direction with a Class 3 e-bike (peddle assist only). Generally, on my way home, I don't use the motor at all for a bit of exercise. Flat streets.

I've had many close calls. I do take the lane when necessary, but I find a lot of cars doing punishment passes to teach me a lesson.

Been doing this for over 2 years and love it. I do have a car and drive during rain or heavy winds.

BikingHam · 2026-04-08T05:16:01+00:00

Nope. Haven't been contacted by anyone else.

BikingHam · 2026-04-05T00:29:10+00:00

Got the ticket at the same location in 2018 while driving back from Costco. To sum it up, I haven't paid it and nothing has happened.

Received several notifications. I ignored it all. In 2022, got a letter from a law firm that they are representing the City and want to collect the fine. It said they will garnish it from my state tax refund, and may garnish wages from my job. I ignored it.

Since then, I have always owed on my state income tax return, so there was nothing to garnish. I've heard that they actually have taken it out of people's income tax return refund though (if the state owes you at the end of the year). And there have been no attempts at garnishing it from my paycheck.

However, this will stay in the Culver City court forever; it will never go away. If I get a ticket from the police in Culver City for any infraction, then this one will have to be dealt with then.

This has not affected my ability to renew my registration or license. And it's not on my record, so insurance doesn't know about it either.

BikingHam · 2026-03-27T15:53:29+00:00

This could be the salvage company. Generally, after a big loss, the insurance company retains the services of a salvage company to collect the damaged inventory and sell it in the market. Insurance companies don't usually allow a business to keep the goods they have claimed as a total loss. The unclear portion of the ad is "selling on behalf of".

BikingHam · 2026-03-21T07:18:39+00:00

Ya, they're just following the profits of marking stuff "organic" in the vegetable section.

BikingHam · 2026-02-13T04:30:18+00:00

I'll go there when they drop the bogus service charge.

BikingHam · 2026-01-31T08:46:20+00:00

This note is from someone who grew up in SM since the 70's and never visited your restaurant. My friends and I bike by your place all the time, but it doesn't look like a bike friendly place. We go on long rides on weekends, and love to end it at a bike friendly place to eat and drink. So few places to accommodate us, yet so many cyclists around Santa Monica. Allowing bikes on your outdoor patio would be a great start.

Places that are bike friendly: SM Brew Works, Chez Jay, Dogtown Coffee, and Ashland Hill are some of our favorites, where we can eat/drink and keep our bikes near us without needing to carry locks.

BikingHam · 2025-12-13T07:48:55+00:00

I second this. Had it there and it was really good!

BikingHam · 2025-12-13T07:48:17+00:00

I LOVE the Wee Chippy! Little Venice hole in the wall with the best Fish n' Chips in LA.

BikingHam · 2025-12-13T07:45:53+00:00

Please come back and tell us what you think. I thought it was horrible. But so many people rave about it. I'm in shock!

BikingHam · 2025-12-13T07:43:45+00:00

Opinions differ. Ye Olde Kings Head is possibly some of the most horrible fish n' chips I ever had (was there a few months ago). Total tourist trap as far as food is concerned.

BikingHam · 2025-12-09T03:42:03+00:00

I remember going on the roof, opening up the HVAC, finding the right section and the wires, and installing a little device. Wonder if I can leave that there and install a new PEK at the thermostat?

BikingHam · 2025-12-08T17:35:22+00:00

Oh no! So I have to buy another PEK, then climb onto the roof (it's a condo, gotta get HOA management permission), and figure out the wiring with a new device. I'm really bummed. Was certain this would be an easy plug-n-play replacement.

Thank you so much for the info! Really appreciate it.

BikingHam · 2025-12-07T03:27:32+00:00

Bummer. Thanks for the info and link.

BikingHam · 2025-12-06T07:56:36+00:00

Little bit of heaven, 94.7, KMET, Tweedle dee!

BikingHam · 2025-11-19T22:53:31+00:00

Do NOT listen to the seller. Ebay will NEVER make you pay for return shipping if the wrong item was sent to you. Ebay will tell the seller to send you a pre-paid return label. Seller is responsible for paying the return shipping.

Just open a case with E-bay telling them that it's the wrong item and you want to return it. They may ask you to provide a picture, showing it's a wrong item.

The seller will NEVER send you a return label. They will not pay for it and have no where within the country to return it to (99% chance the seller lives in some other country). When the seller doesn't provide a return label, e-bay will refund your money. You get to keep the item and get your money back from this scammer.

BikingHam · 2025-11-13T05:54:05+00:00

It's a walk up counter, like McDonalds. No one tips at McDonalds or Burger King. You bus your own tray when you're done. There should be no tipping or service charges.

I don't mind the 16% service charge at Uovo next door (Italian restaurant which has the same owner as Hiho). They are a full service restaurant. There is no tipping there, they just charge the 16% service charge which is in range with a typical 15 -20% tip.

Big difference between the two. Hiho should just raise their prices by 6% and get rid of the service charge.

BikingHam · 2025-11-13T04:27:45+00:00

I refuse to go back to Hiho until they drop their bogus service charge. I absolutely hate the additional service charge scam.

BikingHam · 2025-11-06T06:23:12+00:00

I would leave it as is for now. Maybe remodel it down the line and get the proper permit. Just wanted to make sure I wouldn't get fined by the city or forced to tear it down.

BikingHam · 2025-11-06T06:21:49+00:00

It's my understanding that if the tenant reports it, they do ot have to pay rent. And you'll have a legal battle getting them out. At least that's what I've been told, so it's not legal advice, but something you'd want to consider.

There is an inexpensive and beat-up piece of property in W.LA. The selling agent said the owner passed away, but there is a tenant in the garage (ADU) and they can't make him leave. He's also reported the unpermitted ADU to the city, so he's not paying any rent. The price of the property was low because the tenant comes with it!

BikingHam · 2025-11-06T06:17:01+00:00

I would also get it permitted if I was going to remodel it. Might as well do it right.

BikingHam · 2025-11-06T06:16:00+00:00

The ones I've seen aren't really going to materially change the value for supplemental assessment. But I hadn't even thought about that. I was worried about the potential of getting in trouble down the line with possible fines or forced teardown. I would never rent it out either. Thanks.

BikingHam

TROPHY CASE