LA closed road
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LA closed road
I read in the past about a old road that was closed in LA ,that can be cycled . It was used in the 1940's . Anyone know info. on it ?
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ca hwy 39 north of azusa (near pasadena) between crystal lake and ca hwy 2 (angeles crest highway-aka ach) in the san gabriel mountains/angeles national forest.
signed as closed to all traffic including peds and cyclists but i've done it 5-6x's and in both directions. it's approx 5 miles closed off to auto traffic. there is always
rockfall on the road plus plenty of little divots from said rockfall. heading north/uphill, it's not an issue as you're at altitude and it's a deceptive grade. the divots and rocks on the road
are a bigger problem heading downhill as it's easy to hit 35+ mph within seconds. don't be surprised to see the caltrans snowplows working that stretch moving rocks.
have never had any issues cycling through the area in regards to "trespassing." it's gorgeous up there with great views and a must-do for every capable socal cyclist
at least once. road surface is generally decent and paved the entire way but some mixed blah spots here and there. ***edit-rode this up and down in may...there is a section
of pavement broken up/washed out at approx the halfway point. the section is approx 30 yards long. rode it both ways on 23's w/o dismounting-end edit***
just ride your brakes heading downhill and you'll be fine.
i think this road got closed in 1938 or so after the crazy rains that year but the state somewhat maintains it as an obvious fire/evacuation road. not an inexpensive endeavor.
Last edited by diphthong; 06-26-19 at 12:44 PM.
#5
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I remember reading about another road, but cannot recall any of the details. There might be another. Sorry.
Parts of Griffith Park is closed to cars, but I doubt that's the road you are looking for.
ooga-booga, is that a pic of me in the first image?
Parts of Griffith Park is closed to cars, but I doubt that's the road you are looking for.
ooga-booga, is that a pic of me in the first image?
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if you just want to sample that stretch, there’s a decent amount of car parking on either end. i think you’ll need one of those $5 usfs adventure day passes to potentially avoid a pricier usfs citation for
not having one. lift your bike over the giant gate and clamber over, go around or thru and you’re off and running.
not having one. lift your bike over the giant gate and clamber over, go around or thru and you’re off and running.
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this one, farther west on ach, came out better. post #1906 .:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...photos-77.html
Last edited by diphthong; 06-06-19 at 01:38 AM.
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there's also this but it's just north of santa clarita so a little drive from la. definitely worthy as well. the closed to autos part is north of templin hwy.
https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-...dge-route.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-...dge-route.html
#10
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there's also this but it's just north of santa clarita so a little drive from la. definitely worthy as well. the closed to autos part is north of templin hwy.
https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-...dge-route.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-...dge-route.html
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doable on slicks? yes, but there are some dirt sections. don't remember anything too soupy. i think i walked a small (50 yards or less) section farther north on the old ridge route.
i did it on 23's in my usual, hardheaded way. everyone else will want 28's or bigger. it's already warm out there and about to get really toasty.
i did it on 23's in my usual, hardheaded way. everyone else will want 28's or bigger. it's already warm out there and about to get really toasty.
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Interesting, I thought about doing some camping on the Old Ridge Road a long time ago but never got around to it. Is that a feasible idea? Start at the bottom, ride up, camp, then ride back down the next day?
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i think so. there are way more “campable” areas on the north end. more shade and a little less ridgeline exposure/less wind. there is some shade here and there but nothing truly substantial till old ridge route has nearly hit the mesa view/pine canyon intersection about two miles south of ca hwy 138.
not aware of any potable water along the old ridge route so there’s that. it’s also a total fire zone so fires of any kind-including small camping stoves/burners-would be very very unadvised and probably illegal. if you can pull off low-impact, stealth camping, you’ll probably be okay.
not aware of any potable water along the old ridge route so there’s that. it’s also a total fire zone so fires of any kind-including small camping stoves/burners-would be very very unadvised and probably illegal. if you can pull off low-impact, stealth camping, you’ll probably be okay.
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