recs for cycling routes in So Cal?

[bhashiguchi]

my boyfriend and I are going to visit a friend in Redondo beach in December for about 10 days. We are taking our road bikes to ride some while we are there as it will definitely be nicer weather than here in Ohio.

Anyone have good suggestions for routes? We'll be starting from South Redondo/PV. Boyfriend is quite experienced, I am relatively new to cycling but have been spinning the last couple months to get in shape for outdoor cycling. So we're looking for 20-40 mile rides. I also wouldn't mind driving to particularly cool places. Any locals with good suggestions? I looked at some on mapmyride and on the Beach Cities Cycling Club website, but firsthand input is always nice!

Beth

[Bluetree]

I suggest this book, which has a lengthy section covering the peninsula.

Keep in mind that this is one of the most active cycling places in the country and rides go all-year round. If your BF is into training rides, they can be found every Saturday (Donut Ride), Sunday (Kettle Ride) and Tuesdays/Thursdays (Pier Ride).

The most popular recreational/scenic ride is the PV Loop. For hill climbers, you can go up and down hills and get a good 5-6k feet in about 50 miles. For a totally flat ride, you can ride on the bike path that extends 22 miles along the beach.

If you want to drive a bit, you can park at Malibu Bluff Park and take a scenic coastal ride (rollers) north to Ventura. For more ballsy stuff, you can hit the Santa Monica Mountains, where you might see the pros training. Every experienced cyclist should take at least one trip up Latigo Canyon Road.

[smilingcat]

Latigo canyon
Donut ride

[Bluetree]

^^^ I was recommending those to the "experienced" BF... the training rides are not for beginners. ;-)

The PV Loop is fairly easy to do if you keep a reasonable pace. Clockwise is a bit easier than counter-clockwise. If you're wary about the switchbacks, the out-and-back route along PV South Drive is quite nice. Just remember to pay attention to road rules, always ride in a straight line and watch out for other riders (no stopping in the middle of the path, no u-turns, no weaving, etc). I noticed when I ride with people from out-of-state, they are sometimes not used to the volume of cycling traffic, especially on the weekends.

P.S.
One more thing... avoid riding Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) between Santa Monica and the L.A. Harbor if you can, which is most of its length thru L.A. County. It's been labelled as a "bike route" on some sites/books but with a few exceptions, there are safer, better alternatives.

[tangentgirl]

You are right on with mapmyride.com - there are a lot of good South Bay based rides there. Search under Redondo Beach and they will come up.

Also, if you are doing a strand ride, watch out for:

• Drunk people
• Walkers
• Strollers
• Joggers
• Skaters
• Police in Redondo Beach where it says Walk Bike*
• Little kids not looking
• Grownups not looking
• Dogs
• Drunk people with walkers
• Drunk people with strollers
• Drunk people on beach cruisers

The strand is fun, and you can ride from Redondo Beach up through the South Bay, cut across the Marina into Venice and into Santa Monica. However, for the reasons above, I call it the Gauntlet.

*They'll ticket cyclists in the walk area, but ignore walkers in the "bike only" area.

[tangentgirl]

Speaking of cops, the po-po in Palos Verdes are also fond of giving cyclists tickets for not stopping at stop signs or lights. Be warned.

[bhashiguchi]

sweet, thanks everyone!

I was out there last summer and rode the strand on a rented beach cruiser (fun, but ow!), so I understand the gauntlet aspect. I was thinking that might be a good first ride before we attempt the PV loop and other more hilly rides. BF can probably handle it as he goes out with his semi-pro buddies in Colorado, but I'm still new so we'll just have to take it a little slower and it will definitely be a fun challenge for me!