CAT7RDR

^^^^^ The Puente-Chino Hills are underrated in my view. No really long climbs but dozens of 8+% grades that add up to being about the same as riding in the San Gabriels feet per mile.

Eric F

Sounds like a good reason for me to stick to the San Gabriels. I start saying really bad words over 6%.

UCantTouchThis

An easy solo night ride in Glendora, 24 miles with 1100 ft. Just relaxing the legs keeping them warm hoping to do a bigger ride on Saturday.

Tycho Brahe 

Very interesting ride. I have never been to that area in any way, shape, or form. Is there a better time of year to go? Tomorrow is a high of 70. Only 90+ degree heat bothers me, more worried about wind and cold.

The Hollywood Hills and the Santa Monicas (depending on where you ride), can give you even more feet per mile.

CAT7RDR

Winter and Spring weekend mornings are my favorite time of year. You get a coastal wind in the south side of the Puente Hills that drops the temp about 5 degrees. This area is not as affected by Santa Ana winds until you get out to the Chino Hills. La Habra Heights is more sheltered against winds. There are more challenging hills I did not ride yesterday in the area. Greenleaf, Everidge, Descending, Belle River, Vantage Pointe, Ardsheal, Seranata all have 10%+ sections.

Eric F

Was out last night with the go-fast group ride at the Rose Bowl. Mercifully, the usual very hot pace was tempered by a few cars at key moments, and I was able to stay with the lead group for about 4-1/2 (of 7) laps. I managed to survive an early split, and find a couple of taller guys to hide behind when things got heated up. My demise came when a rider 3 wheels ahead of me got gapped out when the flock of young guns at the front hit the gas. I ended up with a group of 5 other guys who suffered my same fate, and we finished the rest of our laps together, (mostly) trading pulls and keeping the pace interesting. Overall it was a good workout. I'm really enjoying being back in the excitement of fast-paced group rides with experienced and skilled riders. It's one of my favorite parts about cycling. 26 miles, 1:10:00 (ish)

2seven0

Drove out to Poverty Village again this morning. Basically did a counter-clockwise loop around the peninsula. A few small detours aside PVDr. West, South down to the end of Western for a pitstop. Then back up to PVDr. East. Very nice section of road! Almost like a mini-GMR to the crest of the hill. Ships in the LA Harbor area approaching D-Day volume. Then a left on PVDr. North back to the truck. Absolutely beautiful morning couldn't ask for better riding conditions.
West

Tycho Brahe 

Thanks for the tips. Think I might just copy your ride tomorrow. I am so used to ride in the mountains where there are no services. Any water along the route? Do not need food. A public restrooms (I like public parks) where I can get changed? Most stalls I find in the suburbs are in good condition. Would never do it in LA. Like I said, I have never been to that area, no clue if it is urban or not!

Any links to rides with the big hills? I live for climbing. Looking at your routes now. The one you just did or https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35152038 for a newbie to the area?

CAT7RDR

Thomas Burton Park, Countrywood Park and Pepperbrook Park are all right off of Colima Rd about a mile west of Azusa/Colima w/ restrooms and water. Parking is free. Schabarum Regional Park charges $ on the weekend only but you can park on the west side of the park on Azusa Ave. Colima Rd is a major artery and will give you access to the route I posted.

Fire Station #91 is on the Hacienda Heights side at the bottom of Turnbull Cyn Rd. A drinking fountain is out front and easy to spot. A homeowner on Turnbull Cyn Rd, the first home on the Hacienda Hgts side (on your right) of Skyline Dr also has a drinking fountain for cyclists to use.

Hacienda Heights, La Habra Heights and Whittier Hills was initially developed in the 1950's to 1980's. It is an upper middle to high class area. I never had any problems and most people are friendly towards cyclist. Be aware that Turnbull Cyn has some blind curves so you do need to hear what's coming. If you descend the Whittier side on Turnbull Cyn, you will encounter a lot of hikers and mountain bikers on the weekends crossing so shut it down at the last curve.

La Habra Heights has zero commercial zones so you will not find markets.

I try to avoid as much traffic as possible and I think you will find my route roadie friendly for the most part.

CAT7RDR

This is a proposed ride I have not completed yet but I have tested all the climbs so I hope to give it a go this spring.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35282137
80 miles and 10K of climb just staying in the Puente-Chino Hills areas.

Tycho Brahe 

Awesome. I need more daylight hours before tackling that last route. Don't want to be exploring new roads and the sunlight starts fading (or be rushed).

ooga-booga

this is all right up Tycho Brahe's alley. it's a nice change from the sammos, peevee, san gabes and not too far away with a good amount of diversity. climbs are short(ish) and sweet.

UCantTouchThis

San Gabes, as they call them. 23 miles with 4,000+ ft of climbing. One of those days you just push through it for the exercise.

TakingMyTime

Friday: Headed out from Bolsa Chica area to the SART and then North to the Amtrak station in Anaheim. Although it was 42 mile round trip, up until then my max ride this years has been 30 miles. Also, the last 10 miles were into a 10mph headwind all the way home down the beach. I've never been so happy to get back and see my car. The good thing was that I was finally pushing myself and I got my HR up into Zone 4 for over an hour.

Mazatleco17

28 miles started in Covina, rode part of the SGRT and back, nice cloudy day.

CAT7RDR

Did a foothill loop on a cool cloudy day that was a nice change of pace.
80 miles and 5500 feet of climb.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35346984

CAT7RDR

Nice jump!

UCantTouchThis

Just a nice smooth 31 miler in the OC. Thought my legs would be toast but felt pretty good today. Nice dark cloud chilly day for us SoCal riders.

Eric F

Which climb was that?

nagakuraruan

Any trail recommendations in south orange county?

Eric F

Lower Big Tujunga Canyon Road (aka "Lower Big T") -> Angeles Forest Hwy -> Angeles Crest Hwy. I wish it was a few degrees warmer, but it was a good ride with a few friends. Lower Big T is a bit of up and down until the the last 3 mile climb up to AFH. The descent from Clear Creek (AFH-ACH junction) to La Canada is nice, but can be a bit busy with traffic. A rider with decent skills can roll that section at a steady 35-38 mph without touching the brakes.


Unfortunately, halfway down the ACH descent, traffic in both directions was completely stopped at the site of a crumpled red motorcycle on the side of the road. The rider had been hauled off by helicopter shortly before we got there.

UCantTouchThis

Repeats on GMR

TakingMyTime

Search for "Pacific Ridge Trailhead". Basically it puts you in Crystal Cove State Park. There are miles of multi-use and dedicated bike trails from the trailhead to the beach. You're mostly riding around in a bunch of scrub oak but there were plenty of mountain and gravel bikes taking advantage of the place when the wife and I went hiking last Saturday. Parking is much better if you can do it on a weekday.

Eric F

Repeats?? I'd be good for downhill repeats...with a car shuttle back up - LOL

UCantTouchThis

I don't like going to the village alone and it was a bit late so I didn't see too many on the mountain and not wanting to have any problems and getting stuck in darkness, and knowing no cell reception, I do things differently when I have to. So I went up to the shack, descended down to the fork, climbed back up, descended again, then climbed back up again from the fork. Then descended to the bottom of GMR, then climbed back up for another thou of gain to make it 4k.