Before Best Girl, Gray had been the culinary directory of Cape Seafood and Provisions and had spent time working in the kitchens of Trois Mec, Providence, and even the US Navy during his stint there.
Brandon Gray, image courtesy of @BestGirlDTLA
In 2009, Gray started biking. “I think gas around that time was like $4.25, and I was going to Santa Monica College.” Gray tells Citizine. “I had classes there like five times a week and it was getting pretty pricey to drive to school. So I found an ad on Craigslist and bought my first bike. I then used that as my commuter for the most part throughout the week. Then I started riding a six-gear around 2012.”
We asked Gray what some of his favorite biking paths in the city are, and where he likes to bike to. Here's what he said:
Image courtesy of Brandon Gray
Ballona Creek Bike Path
Griffith Park
Los Feliz
BG: Instead of driving or hiking up into Griffith Park, ride a bike instead. You will, at times, be sharing the road with cars. (Basically, any path that’s paved is bike-able.) I usually start at the entrance of the park off of Los Feliz Blvd. This ride is challenging given the inclines, but the payoff of the views at the top are unbeatable. Plus, it’s downhill all the way back, which can be a bit crazy when you ride a fixie like I do.
Pacific Coast Highway
BG: I love riding up to the Palisades and Malibu. When you’re using only one gear—like I am— this can be challenging ride since there are inclines, small and big. You will be riding alongside cars, and will encounter other bike riders and runners, so be careful. That said, nothing beats the view of seeing the coast, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Streets of LA
BG: Every day, I ride from my apartment in Little Ethiopia to work in Downtown. My route will depend on how much time I have. Sometimes I take Figueroa St. and cruise down side streets, and explore neighborhoods. Other times I roll right down Pico Blvd, and take in all the cultural changes and different neighborhoods that vary from block to block on this one long stretch of road.
Destroyer
Culver City, $$BG: After a bike ride along Ballona Creek, I usually hit up Destroyer in Culver City. (It’s actually a place I frequent a lot.)
Long Beach
San Gabriel Valley
Blue Collar
Fairfax, $$Santa Monica Farmers Market
Santa Monica, $$Best Girl, image courtesy of @mydayinlosangeles
Ballona Creek Bike Path, image courtesy of @land8
Griffith Park, image courtesy of @foodieonfirstclass
Pacific Coast Highway, image courtesy of @jake_berrera
Pico Boulevard, image courtesy of @saro94_ct
Destroyer, image courtesy of @destroyer.la
Crystal Thai-Cambodian Cuisine, image courtesy of @maygangmeow
Beijing Pie House, image courtesy of @mslynnchen
Mama Lu's, image courtesy of @dinela
Half & Half Tea House, image courtesy of @eunyoungeats
Blue Collar, image courtesy of @nevdsouza
Santa Monica Farmers Market, image courtesy of @scottwinegard
Header image courtesy of Brandon Gray