Los Angeles County Bicycle Routes

The miniature Alpine route near Biola University

The thin twisting roads of the European cycling races illicit notions of pain and sheer exhilaration. How is it then that a college student or working man with an already full eight hour plus day is supposed to fulfill his desires for high alpine descents and the majestic accompanying views.

Well it takes a lot less than one would think. Just some Google mapping and a willingness to get lost a bit and you'll find yourself on the slopes of your own Los Angeles Alpine slopes. On such route, as I like to call it, is the Biola to Turnbull Canyon Rd. route. Incorporating two vicious, although shorter, climbs (or four if you double back) this route provides all the thrills without eight hours on the saddle. Located just outside of La Mirada in the Whittier hills and then proceeding into Hacienda Heights and back into Whittier this ride will take you up one spectacular road, and then back down. 

The Turnbull Canyon Rd. is the highlight of this route ascending in a zigzag pattern reminiscent of the European cycling tours. The road climbs along sleepy neighborhood roads and is mostly untraveled. The road tops out at a dirt turnabout after roughly twenty to twenty five minutes of climbing. The view from the top is spectacular, overlooking a plunging canyon filled with overly green vegetation the top is not to be missed. 

However as good as the burning ascent was the downward roller coaster ahead is even better. With very little traffic one can swoop down the canyon side and imagine himself amidst a host of the worlds best cyclists. With that said take caution as this road is not groomed like the hills of the Pyrenees or the Alps but is strewn with fine dirt and the occasional rock. 

Eyes blown dry by the rushing wind and neck stuck stiff from your aerodynamic position you may just find yourself turning around at the bottom to do it all again. If not the road back to Biola is a leisurely yet somewhat technical route through Whittier and then back down Colima Rd. connecting with La Mirada Blvd. to Biola. In total the full loop is around twenty one miles punctuated with two great climbs and one great sense of satisfaction.

Below is the route:

 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=La+Mirada+Blvd&daddr=33.9933639,-117.9913105+to:La+Mirada+Blvd&geocode=FQhjBQIdxEj3-A;FZOyBgIdcpj3-ClLLwVWPNTCgDFIP89wIaUSzA;FeRVBQIdIkj3-A&hl=en&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=13&via=1&sll=33.931539,-117.977371&sspn=0.121064,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=13&dirflg=d

March 29, Christian Journalism Response

A Christian who is a journalist does not always have to explicitly nor subtlety incorporate Christian messages or themes into their work. A Christian who is a journalist may write articles or create media that is void of any Christian message but at the same time a Christian journalist should not create media that is in opposition to Biblical principles. While there may be times and opportunities for a Christian journalist to share their faith through their work there are other ways and means by which their work can do God's work.

A Christian journalist can bring glory to God simply by doing excellent work and by setting an example in their workplace and in the market. In using their writing and journalistic abilities to the fullest a Christian journalist will inevitably attract positive attention of some form and with that they are using their God given gifts as they were intended. 

With that said a Christian journalist may certainly incorporate elements of their faith into their work in order to share God's truth. The level to which the journalist may do this could be dependent upon where they work however subtle uses of Christian views might be used in more hostile environments. This is all to say that it is not a sin for a Christian journalist to omit Biblical influence in any of their work but that if they are a Christian Biblical truths would inherently be a part of how they cover issues in the news or elsewhere. 

Where the line should be drawn for how a Christian journalist operates is in the area of ethics. Christian journalists, like any good journalist, should maintain the highest level of journalistic ethics and practices. By doing this they not only glorify God but they serve as a testimony to those around them to the character of those who follow Christ. A Christian journalist will let the truths of the Bible come through in their work naturally if they are living by the commands of Christ and their work will be an extension of their own life testimony. 

I believe the key to being a Christian journalist is balance. To find a line between overtly preaching through an article and omitting all Biblical influence just short of what is prohibited in the Bible. To think carefully and write on a case by case basis is the best way for a Christian to approach journalism. A Christian journalist should first and foremost always seek to serve and glorify God and "Christian" journalism will be a natural extension. 

Josh Kristianto's Obituary (fake)

Joshua Kristianto, better known as Josh, was a bright, young and aspiring journalist. Kristianto was just a few weeks past his twentieth birthday when he choked on his toothbrush severely damaging his airways so that he was put on a respirator. He was taken off Thursday afternoon and died at 11:32 am.

Kristianto was born and raised in Fullerton California just minutes away from where he was attending school at Biola University. Before he passed Kristianto noted that he was grateful for his childhood which was “brimming with happiness and love from his parents’ kindness.” Kristianto’s years were highlighted by his time in his high school’s band and Japanese club. Kristianto was an only child and is survived by his mother and father Jonathan and Tina. Kristianto’s final wishes were that all gifts go toward helping his parents with his funeral expenses. Josh will be greatly missed. 

Obituary: Andrew Edmondson (Not really)

Andrew Edmondson long time Washington resident known for his love of running, cycling, and the outdoors died Thursday near his school in La Mirada California. He was 19.

Mr. Edmondson died Thursday after leaving his dorm and embarking on his weekly bicycle ride. He was struck at 12:00 am by an inattentive driver and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Mr. Edmondson leaves behind two older sisters Elyse and Charissa as well as a mother and father all of whom reside in his home town of Des Moines Washington.

Growing up for a time in the countryside of Colorado and then moving to Washington State at age four Mr. Edmondson would begin his childhood which was punctuated with several moves. At age eight he joined his family as they moved to San Clemente California for a year and then when they returned to Washington State. Mr. Edmondson always considered Washington State his home as he spent most of his years there up into high school.

At a time when most high school and college aged boys were frittering their time away playing video games and indulging mindless entertainment Edmonson was out on the roads and in the hills pursuing his passions. Running and cycling defined his free time; the freedom of the open road and the mystery of entering the early morning fog on a run were too much for Mr. Edmondson to sit idle like most of his day.

Born in the State of Colorado and living most his life in Washington State Mr. Edmondson was always surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors and the peace of the quite woods. It was there where he found his love for running in the woods next to his house in Des Moines. His time in Washington was highlighted by his six years running track and cross country both of which led him to the State Championship meets his junior and senior years of high school.

While the woods across from his house will remain empty now and the open road will be a little less crowded Mr. Edmondson’s presence will be missed. Mr. Edmondson’s family wishes for no flowers or money but rather to donate money to the Cascade Bicycle Club. 

Missions Conference Feature

                At Biola University most students understand the doctrine of God’s omnipresence; however over a three day period known as Missions Conference some students had different feelings as to the effects of such an event. As Junior Mike Heineke put it “Missions Conference is a time that sets up a mindset on God.” Heineke made clear that while he always strives to look for and listen to God for him Missions Conference was a time where he indeed felt an increased presence.

              o  Others however such as senior music major Allie Nordy who did not attend Missions Conference this year because of a Crowell Music school tour felt differently about the event. Nordy stated that while she “heard great things” about Missions Conference this year she prefers Torrey Conference over Missions. She felt Missions Conference left her with a “guilty feeling.” Additionally Nordy commented that the after Missions she felt that increased spiritual atmosphere did not carry over the same as with Torrey Conference because Missions Conference is so focused on those who feel called to missions work.

                Again when interviewing freshman Dan Marino the sentiments of Mike Heineke arose again that for Marino he tries to see God in everything. Marino stated that he “doesn’t feel called to missions” but that “he felt a call to pray.” However when asked if he felt that the spiritual climate carried over he said “I guess it doesn’t feel like we had a big conference deal that just a happened.” Marino’s final analysis of Missions Conference was that perhaps it is just "too soon to tell" whether or not the event had an effect on the campus as a whole. 

Feature Lead: Smell

Smothered in the thick noxious scents or perfume his nose hairs twitched with discomfort. Girls smell best when they don't smell at all. Too much perfume is a message of too much trying. It repulsive and head spining they way girls smell. The best smell is no smell. If only it was so.

Chicken Fried Steak

                Like a mouthful of sea water and the crunch of packing peanuts a chicken fried steak is the best. It is not a food so much as it is an experience. To know what it feels like to have the thickly breaded and fried coating fracture under your teeth is something that cannot be imagined. The smooth gravy sliding over your tongue and the pinching pepper aroma is all too much to be spoken of. A chicken fried steak taste like what a hard day’s work on a farm feels like. It is not subtle, it is not cute; it is an old friend that will crush your hand when he shakes it but leaves you with that warm feeling inside of companionship. Thick salt covers your taste buds and burns the edges of your lips.