What's Riding/Racing Like In Southern California?

[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.