How many So Cal Riders use this forum?

[bcipam]

It seems like alot of the California posters are from Northern California. There's is alot of great riding in Southern California and in particular, Orange County.

I would like to know who all rides in So California and maybe get some facts and information. I'll start:

Where do you live: Irvine, Ca

Age: 55

What Do you ride: road and mountain bikes

Which is your favorite? I'm a better roadie than MTBer but love MTBing best.

Where do you ride?

Road: All around Orange County and into San Diego. Generally from Irvine south to Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo and North up through Huntington Beach to Belmont Shores. Favorite ride is Back Bay, to Balboa Island, ferry to Newport and back.

MTB: From Chino Hills (favorite route North Ridge to Sycamore, down to Telegraph, up to 4 Corners, Bovian and back down South Ridge), Peters Canyon, to Irvine Park to Weir Canyon, Limestone Canyon, Wood Canyon/Aliso Woods. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

Bike Clubs: Bicycle Club of Irvine (road), Team Basso (MTB) and docent for The Nature Conservancy

Bicycle wish list: Someday... a custom Kish ti road bike and a Specialized Stumpjumper M4 Expert mountain bike.

Life wish list: Find a guy who also loves to ride, isn't all messed up in the head (i.e.crazy), who loves also to travel.

[tprevost]

Hi!

This is my first post but I've been lurking and I LOVE this forum!!!

Live: Canyon Lake, CA (over the hill -74 from you)

I'll be 41 this year

I am just starting to get back into riding. I do enjoy reading about the Nor Cal rides though because I am from there and started out doing the Cinderella etc; I actually plan to do the Healdsburg Century in July though as it is my favorite.

I haven't done any riding in Orange County yet but will probably expand to that area this year. Mainly I've been riding close to home trying to build my conditioning back up! However, I broke my arm roller blading and am stuck in this cast until mid to late Feb...ugh!

I usually ride my road bike but recently had my husband's old mtn bike tuned up and was really enjoying riding it! I've heard there is some good riding off of the Ortega but I've still got to go check it out! I'm also going to go check out the areas you posted about!

I just ordered a Specialized Roubaix Comp but I usually ride my Cannondale Touring Bike (GREAT Granny Gears!). I consider myself pretty much a beginner but I do have 12-15 Metric Centurys that I've done (WAY back when!) I've got a list of about 10 rides that I'd like to try to do this year so as you can imagine, this cast is driving me crazy!!!

I don't belong to any clubs yet - I'm a bit intimidated about it since I'm sure I can't keep up with other riders! I will probably start checking around to see if there are any near me...

Well, I'm jabbering but would also like to hear if there are more people down here in this area!

Tracy

[bikerchick68]

Where do you live: San Diego, CA

Age: 37 (38 REAL soon)

What Do you ride: road (I tried mtn biking and kept bleeding so gave it up!)

Where do you ride? All over... when at home I ride the east county of San Diego thru the winter... great climbs and training. My training route includes a part of the Alpine Challenge! In the summer when it gets hot I ride the coast, which is part of the Amtrack Century route... I am going for the Century a Month Club this year so will be riding all over the place! Did the Stagecoach Century on Jan 14 in Ocotillo and am riding Tour de Palm Springs on Feb 11!

Bike Clubs: Bike Buddies (bikebuddies.org) and my personal group of buds... 3 chicks and 2 guys who ride together all the time!

Bicycle wish list: I really want one of those Elektra Cruisers... they're cheap so I should just cough up the dough and do it! LOL... I'd like it for riding to the coffee shop, with the nieces and nephews and with friends who don't really ride... my bike scares the non-rider friends, and if it got stolen at the coffee shop... well, I'd cry. And have to file a homeowner's claim to replace it!

Life wish list: travel, do more bike tours (rode 6 days in Ireland in 2004) and date whoever fits in to where my life is at the time! Divorced just over a year ago so ZERO desire to remarry at this point! Maybe someday... maybe. LOL

[bcipam]

Tracy:

If you ever want to tool around the OC, check out BCI (bikeirvine.org). Either come do one of our Saturday rides (all the rides are listed on the website) or at least pull some of the route slips off the computer and come try them yourself. BCI is a recreational/touring club. On Saturdays we have introductory rides which are shorter distances. Members go from the very new to the gold medalist last year in the Sr. Olympics. You should be able to find someone to ride with. Are there any bike clubs in your area? I know of the Riverside Club which is also a recreational club like BCI.

Also, TNC offers some great MTB rides. Go to OCWILD.org, click The Nature Conservancy, "Let's Go Outside" and peruse the activities offered. If you need any information about the rides, let me know.

I don't think there are many of us posting from So Cal on this forum which I think is weird. I would like a connection to meet other riders and show them my riding area and be able to go check out theirs. I would love to do some rides in the San Diego area so Bikerchick if you have any suggestions let me know. I've ridden from OC to SD and taken Amtrak back. I've also started in Carlsbad, ridden out to Rancho Cordova and around and back. That ws a fun ride. Would also like to check out the MTB riding in SD.

* * *

PS Bikerchick - how did you like the Stagecoach? I had alot of friends from OC and San Diego both do the ride. It got mixed reviews. Would like to try it next year.

This year I got alittle messed up. I had surgery in November last year to repair a collarbone fracture which never healed. Just now getting back on my bike and have to take it real slow. No rides over 20 - 30 miles for at least another 2 - 3 months. So my early riding season is shot. Also can't do any difficult MTB rides. Can't risk a fall, at least not right now. So decided this year to take it easy and just enjoy riding.

In 2004 I did 9 centuries, starting with Palm Springs and ending with the Spooktacular in Bakersfield (also Solvang, Wildflower, The Bear, Cruisin the Conejo, Windmill, Cool Breeze -my favorite- and Amtrak) plus the Moab Skinny Tire Festival and a week long ride through Utah. Glad I did it but glad I'm done!!! Now it's time to ride for just fun!!!!

[bikerchick68]

bcipam... ya know what? This year is my big goal year... next year my goal is to have no goals! LOL... next year will be the year of riding for the sheer joy of it... and I'm NOT having surgery! Sometimes riding for the love of riding is the BEST way to go... if you;re ever down here (or me up there) we'll have to do a spin... OH! And I also LOVED Cool Breeze... dang wish I'd known you were there!! How is Cruisin the Conejo? It's on my list for this year...

Stagecoach was tough... mostly due to the wind. 20-30mph headwinds the whole climb to lunch... which was a 2% false flat with NO breaks... interspersed with a coiuple smallish climbs and one that danged near ripped my legs off at around 12-14%... I ride a double... anything steeper and I'd have to consider compact cranks or a triple! BUT, without the wind this would be a great ride... support was excellent, scenery nice, food plentiful and you can ride 3 abreast most of the way as there is VERY little traffic... and as advertised only ONE stopsign the whole ride! I will do it again... Here are some other comments from other riders about it:

The ride was awesome. Just beautiful.

Since you asked ......
Bottom line: I WOULD do it again. At lunch I said I would never do it again .... because we fought strong headwinds and gusty side winds for 46 miles to lunch. And it was generally uphill, with some grades 11 - 14%.
you had to fight not to get blown off the bike. At one point near the end, with a 1% downgrade, we were doing 28 Mph without pedaling at all for miles.
The support was good and they were organized. there were about 1200 riders, and I understand there were less than 200 last year, their first year. The jersey looks nice

It was windy with head winds and side winds and winds that swirled all
around It was great!!! Two cute guys kept us company

very!!!!! but we did it, ( probably wont happen again, but at least i did it once)

It was windy. I'm glad I went on the adventure and I had a good ride, although I question the intelligence of driving 470 miles round trip to bicycle 100 miles. El Centro is not exactly a California hotspot. But the people made the whole thing fun. The desert scenery was exquisite, if you like barren landscapes. I do.

The ride was challenging. The sponsors said that morning winds were neutral, whatever that means. They were actually headwinds. Outbound, we were riding at a brisk 8 mph, which was worrisome because the course closed at 4
PM. Fortunately, finally, the headwinds turned mostly to tailwinds on the return, The support was good. The rest stops were nicely spaced every 12 or 13 miles. The food was good and the service was excellent. I'd recommend the Stagecoach to anyone who wants to ride it -- at least
once.

[nicolezoie]

Where do you live: Oceanside, CA

Age: 29

What Do you ride: 2004 Bianchi Axis, a cyclocross bike, on the crappy roads in North San Diego County

Which is your favorite? I love trail riding, but stick mainly to roads since most of what I do is solo.

Where do you ride?

Road: All over coastal North San Diego County. These days I stick mostly near home, but I've ridden as far south along the coast as La Jolla and as far north as halfway through Camp Pendleton. Most of my riding consists of doing the San Luis Rey river trail in north Oceanside and climbing the massive hills around the county.

MTB: (when I had a trail bike) Tresspassing!

Bike Clubs: Swamis

Bicycle wish list: I like what I ride now but I'd like to get a new saddle though; this one's getting worn out. I've put close to 10,000 miles on it since I got my bike in June '04.

Life wish list: To get my boyfriend to start biking again since he lost his left arm in a car accident a year and a half ago. He was my riding partner before his accident.

[bcipam]

Wow Nicole - so sorry about your boyfriends accident. My prayers are with him and like you, I would like to see him get back on the bike but know it's difficult just trying. Be patient and understanding.

Bikerchick: Cruising the Conejo is my favorite ride next to Cool Breeze. It's extremely well organized, the boy scouts work the sag stops and they are so cute and willing to help, the routes are interesting and challenging. The scenary is extremely diverse. From the streets of Thousand Oaks, to the beauty of Hidden Valley, to the plains and flatlands of Camarillo, through Old Town Moorpark and then the climbs back to the start. Just a great ride. I highly recommend it.

And next year Stagecoach maybe. This year just want to have fun do some travelling and riding and get to meet other riders.

[SadieKate]

Wow, never thought I'd hear the words beauty and Camarillo used in the same sentence. Of course, that is probably the "diverse" example.

[laughlaugh18]

bcipam, I'm so glad you started this thread; I've noticed the nocal/socal disparity, too.

I'm such a newbie that I still don't have answers to most of the questions, but I'll give it a shot:

Where do you live: Sherman Oaks, CA

Age: 49

What Do you ride: Hand-me-down trek 720 mtb, although I'm using it as a road bike, til I find a road bike/hybrid to buy.

Where do you ride? Last month or so - nowhere; I'm a wuss when it comes to cold (yeah, yeah, I know - I'm from socal and I know nothing of cold ). I ride the bike path around Balboa Park and the beach path through the South Bay. I haven't done the new Orange Line-adjacent bike path that cuts across the Valley, but I plan to. I'm open to any other suggestions where to ride around L.A. - the busy streets scare the bejeepers out of me.

Bike Clubs: None - too intimdated and too slow to try.

Bicycle wish list: A bike that fits! Haven't found the right one yet, and the shopping experience is a bit overwhelming (and on hold; see comment re cold above )

I really appreciate this forum; I learn so much and laugh alot, too.

Cathy

[bcipam]

Us So Cal riders need to stick together. Why aren't there more of us???? If you know of any fun rides coming up either South (san Diego) or North (LA) let me know.

Laugh... I used to live in El Segundo and did the Strand up to Santa Monica as a normal training ride. I also liked to go South into Palos Verdes, but give yourself some time before attempting the climbs. Once there, the roads are nice and the views spectacular. I wish I knew more about riding around the Valley area. Not much help there but if I run across something I'll let you know.

Check online for some local LA bike clubs. Alot of BC websites will list "favorite rides" I would suggest you watch for the Cool Breeze (Ventura) which comes up in August. They have a short ride - 30 miles, which is perfect for a newie. Alot of it is on bike trails or quiet streets. Also Cruisin the Conejo has a short distance - I think 32 miles, which is in your neck of the woods. That ride is in May.

And luckily you have some great bike shops up nearby. Check out Helen's in Santa Monica. Also spend alittle money for a "fitting" sometime changing out a stem or adjusting seat height makes all the difference in the world!

[ACG]

Where do you live: Pasadena, Ca

Age: 44

What Do you ride: road bike

Where do you ride?

Road: All over San Gabrield Valley, Pasadena (Rose Bowl), parts of L.A.
Northern Arcadia, Sierra Madre, etc.

Bike Clubs: Ride with an unofficial group in Monrovia, Ca.

Bicycle wish list: Someday... a custom Trek, project one

Life wish list: Be a better person every day of my life.

[nicolezoie]

Wow Nicole - so sorry about your boyfriends accident. My prayers are with him and like you, I would like to see him get back on the bike but know it's difficult just trying. Be patient and understanding.

Thank you! His healing has been a long process; I've been there through it all by his side. My Christmas and Birthday presents for him are to pay for converting his bike to being all right-handed. His goal is to start getting comfortable on his trainer starting in March, working on getting used to balancing with one arm. I've also scoped out flat-ish places where cars aren't allowed so he can get comfortable in motion again. I also promised him that I will ride by his side through it all because he will need all the support I can give him. When he is ready, I will be waiting for him to start.

[Googlie Wooglie]

Where do you live: Redlands, Ca

Age: 29

What Do you ride: road and cruizer

Which is your favorite? Oh boy ... I love my long rides with my light road bike but I adore Luau, my cruiser ... she's my around town girl.

Where do you ride? Around Redlands and surrounding towns, up in Big Bear, Palm Springs, Orange County bike trails, PCH. Haven't made it to San Diego with the bikes yet ...

Bike Clubs: we formed our own Beer Belly team (in a mock salute to our local SoCal Jelly Belly team) but no formal affiliation.

Bicycle wish list: Bianchi Milano commuter first, then I'd like to build a niew road bike

Life wish list: Move to San Diego and get another dog.

[bikerchick68]

nicole... wow, I bet it IS a big adjustment to lifestyle for you both... I was driving the other day and saw a local rider who has only one leg... he rides with his prosthetic... pretty freakin amazing to me!

when he is ready to ride again, consider driving to the new bike trail along the 56! If you've not ridden it, you may want to check it out. NO traffic, wide, smooth new pavement, decent length (round trip is about 20 miles I think) and everyone I have seen is courteous to others... it has no real climbing although it is a bit of a false flat as you head eastbound... with a return trip on a slight downhill... I would guess it would be perfect for starting out again.... let me know if you need to know how to find it... I could even meet you one day and show you if you like...

ACG- oooohhhh... Project One... I SO wanted one of those but they just didn't fit me for whatever reason (probably cause I have a weird body! LOL) I love the paint job called Southern Comfort... the black frame with orange and gold flames...

Laughlaugh... I know what ya mean about being intimidated by bike clubs... are there any near you who do "no drop" rides for beginners? Here we have SD Bike Club who has 4 levels of rides... the "C" group is a slower pace, no drop group specifically designed for beginners or those who just wanna cruise for a day! Some days I like to go out and hammer, and some days I just wanna cruise and enjoy the sunshine, birds and views!

googliewooglie... ah San Diego... just love it... if ya make it down with your bike lemme know! We'll could go for a spin! I ride with a group of friends and we're pretty low key... we ride for the joy of riding. No racing, lots of laughing!

[laughlaugh18]

bci - 30 miles is still beyond me - I'm good for about 10 at this point (hey, I have something to work towards; I want to do 50 for my 50th birthday in October!). There's a bike club in the Valley that I believe has no drop rides which I'll check out eventually.

I've been to Helen's, and about 5 other local bike shops, and am still looking (at Helen's a 17 year old kid "helped" me; needless to say he didn't quite get my late 40s fit concerns!)

If anyone has any suggestions of a good fitter in the greater LA area, I'd appreciate it. It's worth the bucks to me to get some knowledgable help for my wonky body.

Cathy