View Poll Results: coastal? foothills? deserts? mountains? basins/flats?
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Coastal, foothills, desert, mountains, basins? preference?
#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.
#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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#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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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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#6
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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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#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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#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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#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.
#11
Non omnino gravis
#13
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ouch.
#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
West
#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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#16
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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!