Originally Posted by
datlas
I am visiting the LA area and will be borrowing a road bike. We are staying near Santa Monica (West LA actually) and I am hoping to explore some of the roads north of Malibu.
I have heard CONFLICTING advice/comments about the safety of riding a road bike along the PCH from LA to get to the canyon roads.
Advice? Are there certain times that I should avoid?
this may be helpful:
https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-...ers-beach.html
if you must, i would try to avoid both 7am-9am and 2:30pm-5:30pm on weekdays.
if you are not comfy riding in both heavy and fast traffic and occasionally having to take the lane due to debris, cars parking, lane squeezing, etc...
i would take a pass on riding from santa monica to the edge of malibu (topanga canyon rd/ca hwy 27). it's about a four mile stretch.
all that said, the santa monica mountains are my favorite riding area in all of southern california. a climber's paradise.
and if you're not feeling the climbs, the stretch of pch from point dume west to the outskirts of oxnard and back is scenic and not as heavily trafficked.