What's Riding/Racing Like In Southern California?

[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!

[Fredwina]

For 600k, you may have to subtract a bedroom. New condos out here start at 400k (The Inland Empire is know for cheaper housing)

[Bluetree]

Sorry, have to agree with Fredwina. If you're looking for "cute", you'll have to raise your bid quite a bit. $600k just might get you into a starter condo. I live about 3 miles from the beach. The modest, 1950's-style houses start at about $800k... and my neighborhood isn't even considered very fashionable. But, it's safe and I have easy access to all the bike paths.

[bcipam]

I live in Orange County ... riding here, both road and mountain is heaven. It's great and it's year round. Lots of great bike clubs to join both recreational and racing... but housing here is even worse than either Inland Empire or LA. Average price for small 3b/2bath home is $800,000 (if purchasing in Santa Ana or Anaheim. For areas like Irvine or Aliso Viejo it's $1,000,000+). One bedroom condo starts at $500,000. Rent is around $1500 for a one bedroom. But then again the riding is great. Best you just stay where you are. It's overcrowded and too busy here as it is!!!