I recently moved to Los Angeles and am hoping that someone can point out some good bike routes to take my tri bike out on.
I’m looking for a route roughly 50 miles long, with minimal traffic and good road conditions.
Ideally something where you can concentrate on riding and not worry that you’ll run over by a texting driver.
So far most of the roads I’ve discovered are heavily trafficked and pot-holed to heck.
I’ve been through Griffith Park and along the LA River “bike path”, but neither of these locations is really ideal.
Yeah, well Silverlake/Glendale is in a bit of the heart of urban spral. I know the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu best and there is world class cycling offered over here if you’re willing to make the trek - well worth it for a special/long ride. Check out Big Tujunga Canyon out of the back of Sundland - long climb and very lonely as far as traffic goes (especially weekdays or early AM on weekends). If I’m reading this right it seems Angeles Forest Hwy opened today so you can make an impressive loop out it. If you found the LA River Bike Path adaquate (although, as stated not ideal) then San Gabriel River Trail is a similar set up.
If you’re mentally tough enough, you can always do laps around the Rose Bowl. It’s about 5K, but you can do it continuously without stopping (i.e. no lights or stop signs). Glendora Mountain Road is also a great climb–it’s about a 30 minute drive east of where you are on the 210.
I’ve heard the SG River Trail can get sketchy around the bad neighborhoods. Not sure if that’s true or not, but check that out before going.
PCH north from Las Virgennes/MalibuCanyon all the way up to Las Posas(or even to Camarillo) is really good riding with long gentle rollers and excellent ocean views and breezes. shooting north off PCH on Encinal, Latigo and returning on Mulholland is nice for hill work(think Alcatraz training). a lot depends on where in the Los Angeles area you live, and how far you’re willing to drive to ride your bike.
my group occasionally meets/parks at the Chatsworth Amtrak and we ride through Simi Valley to the coast(through Moorpark, Camarillo, Ventura, etc.) and then north to Santa Barbara(about 82 miles.)
other rides can include Ojai/Fillmore and the previously mentioned mountain routes north of L.A.(which i dislike because of all the motorcycle traffic. that’s not to say there won’t be any down Malibu way, but it’s less then GMR for sure.)
I know the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu best and there is world class cycling offered over here if you’re willing to make the trek - well worth it for a special/long ride.
Ian, Thank you for the reply. Could you recommend a specific route in the Santa Monica Mountains, specifically where to park and start from?
Thanks again.
If you’re mentally tough enough, you can always do laps around the Rose Bowl. It’s about 5K, but you can do it continuously without stopping (i.e. no lights or stop signs).
This sounds great. I’ve got no problem doing laps; it beats a trainer. Is the route directly around the stadium or the surrounding roadways? What days do you recommend going out there? Thank you.
PCH north from Las Virgennes/MalibuCanyon all the way up to Las Posas(or even to Camarillo) is really good riding with long gentle rollers and excellent ocean views and breezes. shooting north off PCH on Encinal, Latigo and returning on Mulholland is nice for hill work(think Alcatraz training). a lot depends on where in the Los Angeles area you live, and how far you’re willing to drive to ride your bike.
This sounds like a great ride. Where is a good place to park/ start from out there? Thank you very much.
If you drove to Pepperdine University in Malibu and parked at Michael Landon park you’d have this ride at your finger tips: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4506343.
It’s 50 miles on the button the first and last 17 miles are rolling hills - it’s pretty joyous.
If you want to add on flat - then get off at La Posas (that’s the turn around spot on this map and it’s where Hwy 1 become Fwy 1 so you have to exit as a cyclist) and add on some ultra flat mileage in the agriculture fields of Oxnard.
If you want to add on a long climb - then make a right some where on your way north (it’s actually west) on PCH and climb up Encinal or Mulholland or Yerba Buena and come back to Kanan Dume - drop back down to PCH and roll back to your car.
If you don’t mind riding beside traffic then don’t drive all the way out to Pepperdine - start this ride from Ocean and San Vicente in Santa Monica and ride PCH north (again, seriously -it’s west) from there.
You could go up to Valencia and ride the 126 West to Ventura on early Sat/Sun morning. There’s some traffic on that road, but the bike lanes are wide, the pavement is nice and there are not many traffic signals to speak of. There’s some nice little side roads and good climbing too. For reference check out the Santa Clarita/Thousand Oaks Stage Map on the Tour of California website.
As Ian mentioned on the west side Malibu and the Santa Monica mtns have some World Class cycling. On the East side of town you have some AWESOME climbing in the San Gabriel Mtns. Hwy 39 / GMR / / East Fork / Mt Baldy Road and Angeles Crest are great selections.
How do you like the silverlake area? My gf and I are currently living in Bakersfield but planning on moving down to LA the first of the month and living somewhere west (Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silverlake, etc.). Do you find it safe at night for a woman walking a terrier by herself? Also, how’s the air quality in that part? Do you notice any issues running?
When Angeles Crest opens it can be great. I start at Glenola park or at Hahamungna park. (spelling?)
Drive to the Vons in Tujunga and take Mt. Gleason to Lower Big Tujunga and from there to the crest or Upper Big T.
Or drive to Encanto Park and ride the San Gabriel River Bike path as far down as you like (it’s 37.5 miles long) and then back.
PM me if you want to ride some weekend.
How do you like the silverlake area? My gf and I are currently living in Bakersfield but planning on moving down to LA the first of the month and living somewhere west (Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Silverlake, etc.). Do you find it safe at night for a woman walking a terrier by herself? Also, how’s the air quality in that part? Do you notice any issues running?
I love the area. It is fairly residential and is safe, from what I can tell. I live near the Rowena Reservoir and there are people walking dogs well after dark. Air quality hasn’t been an issue. Granted I’m probably inhaling more than I know, but I’ve never started coughing or wheezing when out running or anything like that. Glendale, Atwater Village, Silverlake are all pretty safe areas. Good luck with your hunt!
I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I actually went up to the Rose Bowl and did laps there today. It was a nice area and wasn’t too busy even though they were having a car show. I’m going to put each of these rides on my calendar and try them all out.
Thanks so much for all of the feedback!