New to the area and need to get some zone 3 & 5 training in, doing hill repeats. Can you suggest some decent routes for 1-2 hour ride. I’m staying around the PCH, Circle Area.
Thanks.
If you ride south on PCH, it gets nicer south of Belmont Shore. Though not very hilly, on weekends you’ll find tons of riders along Bolsa Chica down as far south as you’re willing to go, particularly around Laguna Beach. A PCH ride to Newport Coast Drive is about 45 miles starting from Seal Beach, add repeats of the Newport Coast Hill to taste. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6783902
The Newport Harbor’s “Mountains to Sea Trail & Bike Way” is kinda nice too, accessible en-route via Jamboree Rd.
If you can drive out to Palos Verdes, (about a 30 minute drive away) this is a nice hilly ride that’s very scenic: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6783903 . You can make several loops by taking Crenshaw or Hawthorne Blvd as well.
In Long Beach you will be limited on any sustained climbs. Signal Hill can give you some steeper climbs of about .5 miles. You will want to familiarize yourself with the San Gabriel River trail out of the South Side of Long Beach. It is a 30+ mile bike path with no lights. If you have the fitness you can take it up to hwy39 that will take you to crystal lake or east fork that will take you to Mt baldy. Both are serious climbs. Both of those rides would be 100+ miles.
If you ride south on PCH, it gets nicer south of Belmont Shore. Though not very hilly, on weekends you’ll find tons of riders along Bolsa Chica down as far south as you’re willing to go, particularly around Laguna Beach. A PCH ride to Newport Coast Drive is about 45 miles starting from Seal Beach, add repeats of the Newport Coast Hill to taste. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6783902
The Newport Harbor’s “Mountains to Sea Trail & Bike Way” is kinda nice too, accessible en-route via Jamboree Rd.
If you can drive out to Palos Verdes, (about a 30 minute drive away) this is a nice hilly ride that’s very scenic: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6783903 . You can make several loops by taking Crenshaw or Hawthorne Blvd as well.
X2 on the PV loop. good repeat hill would be Domes. No thru traffic so not too many cars. 1.5 miles 5%. But I would definitely drive there. Not very bike friendly thru Wilmington unless you like refineries, diesel fumes, potholes, no bike lanes, etc.
By “domes” he means (on a map) a street called “palos verdes drive south,” with a left turn at the top up “crest” topping out at the white radar domes. Can also climb palos verdes drive west. There is a north, south, east and west for a full 22 ish mile loop
Thanks for the recommendations, is there anything hilly within this area that wouldn’t involve driving as I prefer to ride somewhere 10-15mins as a warm up before doing hill repeats. Someone had suggested Signal Hill but I don’t know the area well enough.
Not really. LB is flat. Driven up signal hill years ago but no idea how it would be for cycling
Been up Signal Hill a couple times. It’s pretty short, about 3/4 of a mile and about 5-6% grade so could be good for repeats. Should only be a 5-10 min ride if you are in north side of LB. Take PCH north past the circle and make right on Temple and stay left onto Skyline about .5 miles in. Be warned, after the circle in Long Beach there is no more bike lane. PCH could get pretty busy. You are only on for few blocks so should be ok.
ChrisM, thanks for the clarification. I guess I just assume that everyone know the terms.