What's Riding/Racing Like In Southern California?

[yogabear]

Considering relocation at some point to Southern California (maybe Orange County)...Not sure when or where exactly. I haven't even wrote off Northern California as an option LOL

Wondered what the road racing scene is like for women as well as elite men (cat 1-2)?

What is the riding like? I've visited but never rode there.

How is it with mtn. biking...riding and racing?

Lots of questions, I know, but any information would be greatly appreciated...

Many thanks in advance!

[velogirl]

There's a very active racing community in all of California (north & south) with races every weekend between January and September (and then cyclocross starts). Because we can ride year-round, you'll find many pros live in California, so the competition is tough. There are more women racers in either of these two districts than in any other districts in the country. Women's fields are typically large and it's challenging to place well and upgrade. Both northern and southern California have women's development programs (series just for beginning women racers) and lots of clinics and other fun stuff too!

You can find information here --

http://www.ncnca.org

http://www.scnca.org

[yogabear]

Thanks, I'm going to check out both links and bookmark them

Wow, sounds very cool Guess I better get fast quick here so I can upgrade to Cat 3 .

Hugs and thanks,
Lisa

[Fredwina]

I don't race, but I do live and Cycle in Socal.
I live in Rancho Cucamonga. It's in the Inland Empire, which is the non-desert, non-Mountainous areas of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
You can ride all year around here. There are organized centuries every month of the year except for december. The terrain can be varied. Being from Michigan, you might to get used to doing hill climbing, as a lot of the popular rides are in the San Gabriel Mountains. Try googling for "Glendora Mountian Road" and "Bicycle"
Mountian biking - I don't do much of that. Maybe we can get BCIPam to chime in, since she lives in OC and is an avid mountian biker.

[Bluetree]

I live in the South Bay portion of Los Angeles, which is comprised of the beach cities located between LAX (El Segundo) to the north, down to the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the South. Almost all of the major streets have bike lanes and the air quality/heat index is never an issue. It very rarely gets above 85 degrees in the summer and there is no smog to speak of. Plenty of LBS (including two Tri stores) and health food stores/restaurants, too.

The South Bay's beach bike path is popular and can take you 20 miles north to Santa Monica, but it can get crowded with walkers, joggers, tourists etc, during holidays and summer days. I take that path at dawn sometimes and it's fantastic. There is nothing between you and the surf except a strip of sand and in that early morning light, dolphins leaping in the surf are a common sight.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula is another animal altogether. It has rolling hills, scenic, tree-lined roads running past equestrian centers and good climbs. There is even a section with some switchbacks, if you're into that, that rises 11% in some parts. TONS of roadies take to the Peninsula on weekends, pros to newbies (like me) because the roads are well kept (except for one small portion which was damaged by a slide) and the Pacific scenery from the bluffs is spectacular. Lots of cyclists train here and many of my racer-friends find no shortages of races to enter.

Be warned, though, the real estate can be pricey.

[yogabear]

Thanks for the replies

Bluetree, it sounds great. I love that area you talk about...It's so pretty through there...

Price of real estate...Yep, I know. Hubby and I don't plan on having kids, etc. Hubby is in the tech field and I have my own business...plus, we are both entrepeneurs...shouldn't be an issue I know I'll have a cute, little place 2 bedroom for $600K...but, it seems so worth it

Where do I sign up?

Bear hugs to all!