Maybe it was all the nostalgic talk this past week, but I was inspired to go patronize an old ballpark. Unfortunately, the only old ballpark around me is Dodger Stadium. I would have to cast aside those demons from earlier this year, but I felt like it was necessary to go in, sort of, honor of Civic. Old ballparks have that charm about them, and Dodger Stadium certainly is no exception. I like to think that these venerable structures share a common theme of nostalgia, and that the best way to remember The Old Girl was to see a game in one of her cousin's confines.
Putting my bike on the LA Train had sort of a ominous feel. I kept saying to myself "what frustrations are in store for me for this trip?" My mind kept going back to the last time I went to Dodger Stadium when I got super hot riding up the hill and the sheer anger at the stupid Dodger fans that really made my experience a negative one. Remember the whole "not-standing-for-the-National-Anthem" debacle and my feelings about it? Gosh, that train ride home was so bad, and I got home with a chip-on-my-shoulder. As the train left San Bernardino, I kept telling myself to have an open mind, and that this trip had more meaning than confronting those demons of the past.
When I left on my Downtown LA loop ride up to the stadium, I forgot how exhilarating the big city is. All the riding in the relative placid setting of suburban Orange County can't compare to the thrill of navigating the streets of Downtown LA. I love waiting at stoplights and seeing the multitudes of pedestrians crossing and gazing straight up at the tall buildings. You get such a sense of being "in the thick of it", and as I began my agonizing climb up the big hill, I had to smile because it was the ride that really made the experience of Dodger games worth it.
This summer has been kind of tough with my biking to games. I'm certainly in shape and all, but the weather has been very humid. For some reason, I don't do well with the humidity and biking. I can ride my bike when it's 100 degrees out, but with 80% humidity, I sweat and struggle mightily. While this ride up to Chavez Ravine wasn't bad, I was prepared for the worse. I froze a damp hand towel the night before, and when I got to the top, it was thawed enough to wrap around my neck to cool me down. It brought my core body temperature down to the point where I felt refreshed and cooled-down. I'm usually grungy and sticky when I head into the stadiums, but this alleviated that. I'll definitely be doing that for all my bike trips.
As for the Dodger fans, they were very well-behaved. Everyone I could see stood for the national anthem, the back-and-forth for food and drinks was minimal, and it seemed like more families were in attendance this time. People were very respectful of the teams, and I really didn't get the antagonistic sense of defiance that I got last time.
The Dodgers got a go-ahead three-run homer from Adrian Gonzalez in the bottom of the 8th to beat the visiting Milwaukee Brewers 4-3.
The only downside to the trip was after the game. I always make a point to go to Angel City Brewery after the Dodger game for a drink before getting on the train. I get to ride my bike through the 2nd Street Tunnel and bisect Japantown to the old brewery in the Arts District. This time that I went, the brewery was just absolutely packed with people. It was almost impossible to get a drink at the bar, and I had to stand next to a post while drinking my beer. I guess that is a good thing if you're the owner of the brewery, but for the average patron, it isn't exactly relaxing. I'm partly to blame because I have come on here and spouted just how fun the place is and how I enjoy going there. Maybe for my next trip down, I'll hit up one of the other downtown breweries instead.
Yes, I did say "next time." This happens with MLB games; sometimes I just go on the wrong days. It happened the first time I went to Camden Yards in Baltimore, and I think it happened the last two times I've been to Dodger. While I don't think I'll bringing back my five Dodgers Road Trips for the season, I think three or four trips for a season are sufficient. It keeps the experience exotic enough that I don't take the experiences for granted. It also allows me to try new things without upsetting any routine I may have established. Yes, I'd like to try some of the new breweries there, but I recently discovered that there are some hiking trails above Dodger Stadium that seem like fun.
This weekend is a "Modified" Circuit. I'm still doing two 66ers ganes, but one of those will be up in Adelanto at Mavericks' Stadium, doubling as a 66ers Road Trip. Furthermore, the Angels are playing an ESPN game, so I'll be beaching it in Newport beforehand. Keep an eye out in Twitter, FourSquare, and Facebook for all the fun!
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
When I left on my Downtown LA loop ride up to the stadium, I forgot how exhilarating the big city is. All the riding in the relative placid setting of suburban Orange County can't compare to the thrill of navigating the streets of Downtown LA. I love waiting at stoplights and seeing the multitudes of pedestrians crossing and gazing straight up at the tall buildings. You get such a sense of being "in the thick of it", and as I began my agonizing climb up the big hill, I had to smile because it was the ride that really made the experience of Dodger games worth it.
This summer has been kind of tough with my biking to games. I'm certainly in shape and all, but the weather has been very humid. For some reason, I don't do well with the humidity and biking. I can ride my bike when it's 100 degrees out, but with 80% humidity, I sweat and struggle mightily. While this ride up to Chavez Ravine wasn't bad, I was prepared for the worse. I froze a damp hand towel the night before, and when I got to the top, it was thawed enough to wrap around my neck to cool me down. It brought my core body temperature down to the point where I felt refreshed and cooled-down. I'm usually grungy and sticky when I head into the stadiums, but this alleviated that. I'll definitely be doing that for all my bike trips.
As for the Dodger fans, they were very well-behaved. Everyone I could see stood for the national anthem, the back-and-forth for food and drinks was minimal, and it seemed like more families were in attendance this time. People were very respectful of the teams, and I really didn't get the antagonistic sense of defiance that I got last time.
The Dodgers got a go-ahead three-run homer from Adrian Gonzalez in the bottom of the 8th to beat the visiting Milwaukee Brewers 4-3.
The only downside to the trip was after the game. I always make a point to go to Angel City Brewery after the Dodger game for a drink before getting on the train. I get to ride my bike through the 2nd Street Tunnel and bisect Japantown to the old brewery in the Arts District. This time that I went, the brewery was just absolutely packed with people. It was almost impossible to get a drink at the bar, and I had to stand next to a post while drinking my beer. I guess that is a good thing if you're the owner of the brewery, but for the average patron, it isn't exactly relaxing. I'm partly to blame because I have come on here and spouted just how fun the place is and how I enjoy going there. Maybe for my next trip down, I'll hit up one of the other downtown breweries instead.
Yes, I did say "next time." This happens with MLB games; sometimes I just go on the wrong days. It happened the first time I went to Camden Yards in Baltimore, and I think it happened the last two times I've been to Dodger. While I don't think I'll bringing back my five Dodgers Road Trips for the season, I think three or four trips for a season are sufficient. It keeps the experience exotic enough that I don't take the experiences for granted. It also allows me to try new things without upsetting any routine I may have established. Yes, I'd like to try some of the new breweries there, but I recently discovered that there are some hiking trails above Dodger Stadium that seem like fun.
This weekend is a "Modified" Circuit. I'm still doing two 66ers ganes, but one of those will be up in Adelanto at Mavericks' Stadium, doubling as a 66ers Road Trip. Furthermore, the Angels are playing an ESPN game, so I'll be beaching it in Newport beforehand. Keep an eye out in Twitter, FourSquare, and Facebook for all the fun!
Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)
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