Hi, I am going to be in LA for six days and will have my bike. Am there for a conference but would love to get away for a couple of longish rides (e.g. 30-40 miles). I will have a car and can drive out of the downtown to somewhere safer and quieter. Could anyone suggest a route?
Would be very grateful.
Nadine
Ride in the Santa Monicas. You can head up PCH (either start at the beach in Santa Monica, or drive North - the farther North you go, the less traffic.). You can ride flat up and down PCH, or pick a climb. Latigo and Yerba are both ~9 mile climbs, Mulholland, Encinal, Decker are shorter.
Pull down a map of the mountains, or look on Strava for the red routes.
If you’re staying in DTLA, you’ll likely want to drive somewhere. The areas around DTLA are not the best and the roads will be way too congested for riding. I think most people will tell you to go to PCH or hit the mountains.
Drive north on PCH about 45 mins to Zuma Beach. Take PCH north and head up any canyon you feel like for some nice climbing, Mullholland, Latigo, Decker…tons to choose from.
Look up the PCH → Latigo Canyon loop or the PCH → Mulholland Drive loop. Both are epic, albeit 50-60milers.
Thanks to all of you for these suggestions. I will definitely drive north on PCH and will try the climbs!
Thanks again.
You could just do the LA River bike path if you don’t feel like climbing. Might be easier with better access for you too.
You could just do the LA River bike path if you don’t feel like climbing. Might be easier with better access for you too.
PCH >>>> LA river bike path any day!
Nadine,
If you want something close, I suggest the Griffith Park loop in Griffith park. If you have 45 minutes to drive…
North: PCH at Zuma Beach/Latigo canyon are very scenic
East: Pasadena has some great riding areas (if you’re willing to go more inland you can hit up GMR for great climbing) Glendora Mountain Road
Here’s great link to some local routes: http://ridewithgps.com/users/71048
Cheers!
Thanks to all of you for these suggestions. I will definitely drive north on PCH and will try the climbs!
Thanks again.
Since you’re driving north, advice on where to park and on specific climbs. Take the 10 to PCH north.
Temescal Canyon will be the first logical stop. Park on the street on Temescal. This will require a section of PCH that has lots of traffic, we prefer to go a little further north if driving there.
Cross Creek - there are some spaces behind the park, just north of Cross Creek. Malibu Canyon is just north of cross creek at the top of the first hill, I would not recommend climbing that
If you start here, Latigo is about 15 minutes north, a nice warmup, and IMO one of the best climbs around. Turn right off PCH and head up. Don’t be foooled by the false summit. Once you reach the top, you drop down then climb some more.
Kanan Dume Road - do not recommend climbing it. very busy and high traffic speeds
Next climb off PCH is Encinal. Generally considered the easiest climb, but still a good climb.
Decker would be next, honestly never done it.
Next up is Mulholland - great climb and I think easier than Encinal
Next Yerba Buena - long, 9 mile climb, haven’t done it in a long time but it’s one of the better ones. hell, they’re all good.
Bring a map with you, unless you do an up and back down, the way the roads all intersect up in the mountains is really confusing.
If you want a great 50 or so miler, park at Cross Creek, north to Latigo, climb Latigo, turn right on Kanan Dume, then a fairly quick left onto Mulholland, follow the signs to the right for Mulholland, turn left at the stop sign for hwy 23, and then follow the Mulholland signs back to PCH, ride south.
Really really helpful. Thanks for the specifics!
Nadine
Actually, the easiest thing to do by far is to go to the northwest corner of Santa Monica on Sat 8AM-9AM with your bike at the intersection of San Vicente and Ocean. There is ample parking on the side streets parallel and South of San Vicente all day - even if you have to park a block or two away (unlikely), you have a bike so it’s no big deal to bike the 2 blocks to the corner.
There will be TONS of people and bike clubs riding the various routes we describe. I’m sure you’ll find a group near your ability and ride length. It’s a blast - highly recommended for anyone visiting the area. Both racers and recreational riders are represented amply. You just need to show up during spring-summer - there will be a lot of cyclists there guaranteed.
Definitely do Latigo Canyon though. It’s the one of the most famous of the climbs there. About 45-55 mins to the top for a decent rider, 60 or more for recreationals. Great views about, and if you take the fast downhill back to PCH (left off Latigo’s end), you can try and hit 60mph on Kanan Dume and race the Porsches. (I almost always get some sports car ‘pacing’ me on that wide-open descent.)
Decker is quite step - a climb where you are mostly out of the saddle. Deer Creek (past Yerba is worse).
No mentioned Fernwood, Piuma or Stunt, but you need to go a bit inland on Mulholland for those.
I have climbed Decker as part of the Mulholland Challenge Century. The whole climb is “only” around 3 miles but it includes a half mile stretch with grades from 10% to 19%. It is definitely a memorable ascent - pretty too!
Decker is quite step - a climb where you are mostly out of the saddle. Deer Creek (past Yerba is worse).
No mentioned Fernwood, Piuma or Stunt, but you need to go a bit inland on Mulholland for those.
Yeah, I was only mentioning the ones off PCH, I know the area OK and I still get lost sometimes