The First Bicycle I Bought in America

Many years ago, shortly after arriving at the University of Southern California (USC) to pursue my studies, I found myself on a spacious campus where getting from the dormitory to the classroom, or from the library to the laboratory, often meant a long walk. For an international student who had just arrived in America and was living on a tight budget, buying a bicycle seemed almost like a luxury. Yet it was also something I desperately needed.

I heard from classmates that there were flea markets in Los Angeles where inexpensive used bicycles could be found. So one Sunday, a classmate surnamed He and I decided to walk toward downtown Los Angeles in search of the legendary flea market. Along the way, we stopped to ask people for directions. Different people pointed us in different directions, and somehow we kept walking farther and farther away. Eventually, we gave up walking and hopped on a bus, riding all the way to an area near 180th Street.

When we got off the bus, we finally spotted an enormous flea market. The place was packed with stalls and filled with the sounds of vendors and shoppers. The air was a mixture of the aromas of roasted corn, the smell of old books, and the scent of machine oil. We wandered through the crowded aisles until we finally found a used bicycle.

The bicycle was extremely heavy. Lifting it felt like trying to pick up a block of iron. But to me, at that moment, as long as it could be ridden and save me the time and effort of walking every day, it was already a tremendous improvement. I paid a little over $30 for it and became the proud owner of my first bicycle in America.

As soon as I bought it, I set off toward USC. My physical stamina was limited, and the bicycle was heavy, making the journey even more exhausting. It took me well over an hour to ride all the way back to the university.

Years later, when I tried to reconstruct the location of that flea market, I gradually pieced together the clues, including the time it had taken me to ride back to USC and my recollection of the market's approximate location. These details helped me narrow down the possibilities.

For many years, I could never remember the name of that flea market. I only vaguely recalled that it seemed to be relatively close to the coast, and I could even picture seagulls flying nearby.

Then, quite by chance, I recently came across a place called Roadium Open Air Market. The moment I learned about it, I had a strong feeling that it matched the place in my memories. Not only is it a large outdoor flea market, but there was also once a huge drive-in movie screen nearby, where people could watch movies from their cars. This detail matched my recollection particularly well.

Considering the approximate location, the time it took me to ride back to the university, and the enormous outdoor movie screen, I am almost certain that the place where I bought my first bicycle in America was the Roadium Open Air Market.

A Brief Introduction to Roadium Open Air Market

According to available information, Roadium Open Air Market is located in Torrance, California. It is one of Southern California's long-established and sizable outdoor flea markets, covering approximately 15 acres and featuring more than 450 vendor spaces. It is a popular destination for local residents and visitors looking for interesting finds and bargains.

Address: 2500 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance, CA

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily, except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Features:

• A wide variety of new and used merchandise, including antiques, furniture, clothing, flowers, and fresh produce.

• Affordable prices, making it an excellent place to hunt for bargains.

• A distinctive giant outdoor movie screen, a reminder that the site was once home to a drive-in theater dating back to the 1950s.

Transportation: On weekends, visitors can park for free at El Camino College and take a shuttle to the market.

Roadium is more than just a flea market. It is a lively community marketplace filled with the everyday sights and sounds of Southern California life. For many people who have lived in the region, it evokes a sense of nostalgia and recalls a different era.

Perhaps that is why, so many years later, I can still reach deep into my memory and rediscover this place, even though the details have long since faded.

Gang Chen, Publisher/Bestselling Author (GreenExamEducation.com)

Architect, LEED AP BD+C, Real Estate Broker (BRE# 01232392)