AUPedla

Hi BF friends, I'm looking for some advice on cycling related stuff to do when I am on a family holiday later this year. We're coming from Australia to do the usual Disneyland, Universal, Staples Center visits over 3 weeks, I won't have my bike/s with me. I race Masters crits and also ride gravel and MTB. Timing is looking like later October or early November. It would be cool to watch some crit racing or racing in general. Bike shops are ok but with the AUD they way it is, I won't be buying any bike stuff. All ideas and tips gratefully accepted.

diphthong

if you ride masters crits/gravel/mtb, you'll want to rent a bike of some sort to hit something/anything in socal. depends on where you'll exactly be based and if that changes or you're in the same place the
entire time. late october-early november is prime time for riding here. let us know where you're staying and we can recommend specific road/gravel/mtb rides. LA area is decently large and encompasses beach flats, foothill rollers and
high (altitude) points above anything (continental) down under. bring your shoes/pedals and at least one entire kit + a windbreaker. worst case scenario? you ride the flat beach path along the pacific in tennis shoes or flip flops and do 70km rt.
if you don't rent a bike/bring your kit, you'll be kicking yourself the entire time.

TakingMyTime

Most of the race calendars I can find aren't showing anything that far in the future. Just keep searching So Call Bike Races and that will give you a little idea of what is around here.

Like ob said... things here are pretty spread out and depending where you're staying would depend on what we might suggest. But, with that said, whether you're going North into Ventura County, Staying in Los Angeles or hanging out down South in Orange County there's plenty of options.

skidder

I'd suggest you NOT ride when in Southern California (or the USA in general). Its going to be an expensive holiday for you, so use your time here to see the sites. As for bicycle riding and keeping fit, just use the hotels' fitness rooms to keep your legs in shape. Hotels at most price points have some type of 'fitness room' and you could use an exercise bicycle in those for a 30 minute-45 minute 'ride'.

October is a great month to be here in Los Angeles region - the weather is still nice, rates at local attractions and hotels are usually lower, and the crowds should have thinned down at attractions.

SoSmellyAir

Wait, bike shops still rent bikes since the pandemic started?

diphthong

op...i think you might dig this. largest indoor velodrome in the united states nearish dtown los angeles/lax (la intl airport).

https://www.dignityhealthsportspark.com/velo

under "tickets & events," there is the "velo sports center" option. click there and drop down just little. it shows the calendar
of events easily found by clicking on the month tab and going to applicable day(s)/month(s). should be something fun to watch
at some point of your visit.

also a chance one of these might be going off during your stay:

https://www.ciclavia.org/events_history

AUPedla

Thanks I'll check that out!

Next question is what bike shops should I check out? I ride BMC road and gravel also into retro 80s/90s race bikes. Any ideas?

oris

Where are you planning on staying?

Incycle rents bikes but I have no idea what the experience is like. Another idea is you're an RCC member, go to plan a trip to Rapha Los Angeles and use the bike hire. You're a few blocks away from Santa Monica Pier so it can be a good family day.

https://www.incycle.com/pages/rental

https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/clubhouses/los-angeles