View Poll Results: coastal? foothills? deserts? mountains? basins/flats?
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll
Coastal, foothills, desert, mountains, basins? preference?
05-02-20, 07:55 PM
#1
velo-dilettante
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Coastal, foothills, desert, mountains, basins? preference?
what's your fave terrain? the coast? up and downs of the foothills? solitude of the deserts? extreme ups/downs of the mountains or the relative flats of the basins?
i get there are (loong) rides that tackle all of the above in socal but if you could only ride one terrain year-round, which would it be?
i get there are (loong) rides that tackle all of the above in socal but if you could only ride one terrain year-round, which would it be?
Last edited by diphthong; 05-02-20 at 08:07 PM.
05-03-20, 03:44 AM
#2
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I chose to live at the foot of several HC, Cat 1 and Cat 2 climbs. Being a non-climber, it's taken some getting used to. I have not ridden on the flats for almost a year. I have 34 tooth cassettes now, and check my brakes before every ride. The area I ride in reminds me very much of the Vuelta a Espaņa.
It's great to be able watch the weather conditions closely from the foot of a climb, as rain passes through, and decide when it's safe to do a ride, something that's impossible if you are driving there from someone else and relying on radar and weather forecasts. It's also great to know that any time I get tired of climbing, all I have to do is make a U-turn and coast home to food and a warm bed.
No regrets whatsoever. And the fact the area rural and is sparsely populated is a bonus. More time spent driving to work, but I write off my mileage as a business deduction, so that works out well.
It's great to be able watch the weather conditions closely from the foot of a climb, as rain passes through, and decide when it's safe to do a ride, something that's impossible if you are driving there from someone else and relying on radar and weather forecasts. It's also great to know that any time I get tired of climbing, all I have to do is make a U-turn and coast home to food and a warm bed.
No regrets whatsoever. And the fact the area rural and is sparsely populated is a bonus. More time spent driving to work, but I write off my mileage as a business deduction, so that works out well.
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05-03-20, 10:12 AM
#3
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I love being 5 miles from the coast and PCH. I'm able to jump on PCH at Seal Beach and then head South. I pick my distance and usually just do and out-and-back ride. There are literally 100's of places to stop and get a bite to eat or pull over and enjoy the view. In the spring and summer with the sun shinning and the cool breeze along the coast... I love it. I never get tired of it.
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05-04-20, 08:01 AM
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Since the foothills are right outside my home, that is the easiest to access and the most enjoyable with a mix of climbs thrown in. I can average about the same rate of climb as when I ride the San Gabriels. However, a mix of terrains is always welcomed just to shake things up w/ changes in scenery.
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05-04-20, 09:28 AM
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I have always loved the mountains but being old and fat has made climbing even harder than it used to be. I like riding where there aren't a lot of cars. I hate PCH when it's busy (almost always) and Saturday I went to Angeles Crest and it was a zoo with all the race cars and motos. Last time I went to GMR it was closed to cars which was wonderful. The last 3 times I went over Little Tujunga it was very quiet and the last time I did Bouquet to Spunky to Elizabeth Lake road it was awesome, hardly any traffic.
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05-04-20, 09:30 AM
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05-04-20, 06:48 PM
#8
Full Member
I ride in the Eastern Sierra whenever I can but usually ride in Orange County in Santiago, Live Oak and Silverado Canyons.
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05-05-20, 01:55 PM
#9
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I voted for coast, just because I live on the coast, it's a beautiful ride, and I can roll from my front door.
Traffic can obviously be problematic, but I tend to start my rides at the crack of dawn.
Traffic can obviously be problematic, but I tend to start my rides at the crack of dawn.
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05-05-20, 02:28 PM
#10
SuperGimp
What's the point of limiting yourself to one type of terrain when we live near it all?
I like the coast, better weather in the summer and it's a bit of a haul for me so I'll pick that.
I like the coast, better weather in the summer and it's a bit of a haul for me so I'll pick that.
05-05-20, 04:15 PM
#11
Non omnino gravis
This isn't really a California-centric poll. Many of us can experience all of those environments in the span of a single ride-- that's part of why we put up with living here. I'm within 5 miles of everything except the coastline.
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05-06-20, 12:42 AM
#12
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If you ain't climbing, you ain't riding.
05-06-20, 12:52 AM
#13
velo-dilettante
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ouch.
05-06-20, 07:15 AM
#14
Full Member
I voted coastal since you didn't specify where on the coast 
I'd head up to the central California coastline all the way to Oregon.
West
I'd head up to the central California coastline all the way to Oregon.West
05-06-20, 09:29 PM
#15
Dilligaf
I never thought of my riding in this way, but now that you mentioned it - I'm definitely a "foothills" guy. I like variety and living in South OC, all I need is to get out of my house and I'm in the foothills. #2 is deserts, my favourite organized rides are in AZ. Coastal - meh. It is scenic and cool in summer, but the coastal roads are fested with cars driven by distracted *******s. Mountains - no. I'm a lousy climber (especially for my body type) and not much better of a descender. I ride there because everybody else does, but to go there on my own will - naah. Maybe do GMR a couple of times in the summer when the road is closed, but that's about it. And no Baldy! 
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05-06-20, 09:47 PM
#16
velo-dilettante
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I never thought of my riding in this way, but now that you mentioned it - I'm definitely a "foothills" guy. I like variety and living in South OC, all I need is to get out of my house and I'm in the foothills. #2 is deserts, my favourite organized rides are in AZ. Coastal - meh. It is scenic and cool in summer, but the coastal roads are fested with cars driven by distracted *******s. Mountains - no. I'm a lousy climber (especially for my body type) and not much better of a descender. I ride there because everybody else does, but to go there on my own will - naah. Maybe do GMR a couple of times in the summer when the road is closed, but that's about it. And no Baldy!
