Southern California - Who are you? Where do you ride?

SprSonik,

Try to raise the stem, or get her a new one that has an adjustable angle. Sitting a little more upright is a way to get beginners more comfortable on a road bike, particularly when they feel anxious. The other thing is the saddle. Get her one that she's comfortable with. Go to a bike shop that sells Specialized saddles, they make a variety of widths, one of those will fit her particular anatomy. The other option in saddles is Terry. Other than the above mechanical items, try to get her started on a dedicated bike path, traffic has a way of freaking newbies. A variety of cycling clubs have rides for women only which they sometimes don't advertise. Do a google search for bicycling clubs in your area. Good luck!
=Carlos

We have some permanents here in SD that are definitely mixed terrain. A few are doable with wide tires, but the "Tough Rider" series might call for a cross bike with a triple.

Hey Robert. I know about Kelly and John's "Tough Rider" series. Very cool. I wanted to get down there for the one the day before the Super Bowl, but had too much going on. And I do have a cross bike with a triple for just such rides! :D Hopefully I can do one later in the year. I think we're going to do the SD Randos 600K. My significant other and I will be on matching orange Ritchey Breakaway Crosses (not what I usually ride on brevets, but will be taking it to PBP and want to make sure there are no issues on long rides). If you're riding, say "Hi" if you see us.

Thanks.

Jim

I'm Dan, I live and bike in Irvine and started seriously biking last June. Lost 50+lbs, and aiming to lose about 10 more to get to racing weight. Thinking of giving racing a go this year. This is my current bike (if anyone wants to buy it let me know! :P)...hoping to pick up a Cervelo S1 in the next week or two... :)


http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx23/PeddlePlebe/IMG_18441-1.jpg


nice bike. how much u looking to sell it for. what size is it.

I wish it was that easy...she was set up right by a good shop after trying a ton of bikes. Everything is dialed in mechanically/fits properly, it is a mental thing for her. That is why I was thinking a local ladies only ride would help her out. I stopped in at a local tri shop this weekend and found out that they do a ride that is more than 50% women every Sunday. I am trying to get her to come with me on that one. I can ride up with the faster people while she enjoys a more relaxed pace, yet we are still "riding together".


SprSonik,

Try to raise the stem, or get her a new one that has an adjustable angle. Sitting a little more upright is a way to get beginners more comfortable on a road bike, particularly when they feel anxious. The other thing is the saddle. Get her one that she's comfortable with. Go to a bike shop that sells Specialized saddles, they make a variety of widths, one of those will fit her particular anatomy. The other option in saddles is Terry. Other than the above mechanical items, try to get her started on a dedicated bike path, traffic has a way of freaking newbies. A variety of cycling clubs have rides for women only which they sometimes don't advertise. Do a google search for bicycling clubs in your area. Good luck!
=Carlos

Just posted in the intro page was directed here so,

I signed up about a year ago but I never used this forum and lately I've been looking for more people to ride with or people who are going to race my same races (cat 5) so I guess this is the best way to do that.

Living in West Covina I love GMR. I ride GMR just about every week and I even go to a weekly ride on Tues mornings at 845am. I have a Torelli Montefalco, the colors are a little out there. Bought as a team bike from Newhall Bicycle Company in Santa Clarita, the bike has the shop colors of Yellow, Green, and red.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs606.ash2/155803_1706927790284_1150710470_1923645_7383252_n.jpg
I started riding about 3 years ago and I've been off and on the whole time. This year I'm racing on ShoAir but not really being that I live so far from most everyone on the team. I'm looking forward to this season and I hope I meet a lot of cool people along the way.

Slight edit, I just moved to South Whittier CA and have no idea where the local group rides are, or where the great spots to have coffee/lunch/buy bike parts are. With that said I'll check out the LBS's to see what rides they have going on and go from there. See you on the road

Hi everyone. I'm Manuel and reside in Altadena. Not exactly new to BF but definitely new to this thread. You can usually find me riding around the Rose Bowl and on weekends riding what's known as the Rose Bowl Vintage Ride. I've also done Angeles Crest, GMR and the Santa Monicas. On occasion, I'll ride with my bud & co-worker Stan and some SFVBC members on some pretty gnarly rides at elevation. Been contemplating the Montrose ride.

I rediscovered riding about 4 years ago and haven't looked back since. Hope to run into some of you here (not literally, of course) and perhaps meet up for some group rides. Wish I had more ride time but I suppose that's a re-occurring theme with all of us here. :)

Many upgrades later, these are my two main rides:
http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww330/mchacon01/2008%20Orbea%20Orca/DSCN2718.jpg

Name is Vince. I ride Orange County/Long Beach. I HAD a Fuji CCR2 until I was burglarized a couple days ago, but hopefully with the insurance money I will be able to pay for this.

http://www.fujibikes.com/images/bike/altamira_2_0/lowres/2011-FUJI_ALTIMIRA-2.0-ULTEGRA.jpg

im Andrew and i ride a Panasonic to work around 13 miles~. I use my Jamis around Miami when im off

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196872_10150449535575099_897205098_17306272_4286650_n.jpg

I'm Stuart, just started riding in January since I moved to San Dimas. Can be found out and around Bonelli on Tue/Thur afternoon and bright and early on Saturday mornings!

This is my 2011 Giant Rapid 3
195646

I live in Ohio but have been visiting the Santa Ynez area for last 6 years for a self guided cycling training camp. I usually stay 10-11 days and put in good miles and climbing, while eating and drinking like a fish every evening at the great local restaurants. Sometimes I come out twice a year and so in probably 75 days of cycling around Solvang, I've been rained on once....until my visit in March. Rained practically every day but a local told me to pretend I was training in Belgium, so I did. I also participated in a group camp for the first time. Not sure I'd do that again.

For those of you familiar with the area, I'd rate the climbs as "The Fig" (Neverland Ranch side) as the toughest, then Refuggio from the beach, then the Happy Canyon side of Figueroa, then Old San Marcos/Painted Cave on the Santa Barbara side, then Gibralter, then the 2 mile climb midway on Jalama on the way to eating one of the famous Jalama burgers then Tepsuquet. The minor climbs are good too like Drum and Cat Canyon. Great area for training but wish they would pave a few roads. What do they do with that substantial gas tax money anyway?

Can't wait to get back out there and am planning something for this fall. Meantime, riding in Ohio, when weather is decent is great. Lots of lonely and hilly country roads and there is a vibrant cycling community around Columbus. Good reading everyone's posts.

hey all. im eric. been riding for almost a year. i have an old iron horse road bike. The pasadena area is awesome for riding.
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.c12469a6b7.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/33761_1210858448496_1739817133_389775_3870530_n.jpg

Girl on tandem, great cyclist. Ride from west L.A. down to PV and the hills around the golf course. Also going north up to Pepperdine and around Lorro canyon.

Hello everyone!

I'm David from San Diego, CA. I'm 32 and I ride a 2008 Dahon Curve SL mostly on my lunch hour in Pacific Beach.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5641164075_51244c81bd_z.jpg

I just got into cycling after many many years of non-bicycle activity.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5611855702_f88b7a50e2_z.jpg

The Curve SL rides with me to work but doesn't stay in the car while I am not in it. I take it down with me. I plan on using it during the summer to hybrid-commute to work when traffic is heavy (i.e. everyone leaving the beach).

I'm from the 909... Redlands, okay not such a bad area. I tend to ride a lot through the hills of Redlands. Lately I have been getting out to the SART, starting in San Berdo and going out and back from there. I am a newb(less than 12 rides) to cycling, but have been going about 20-30 as of late at about 18mph by my lonesome. Would be nice to find a few people to ride with and gain some speed. Hit me up if you want.

http://i54.tinypic.com/qxrwhv.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/2drw303.jpg

Hello all. I'm a nor-cal transplant to so-cal. Love the weather here, hate the traffic. I'm a post-bacc student at USC and am currently living in the SFV. I don't really ride anywhere yet, as I just bought this bike. Any advice one where some good places to ride are around here? I'm not used to riding in the streets at all, or with using clipless pedals (which i'll have at some point), so I think i'd like to start on some legitimate bike paths and then move to the road. If anyone wants to ride with a complete road newbie, please hit me up. I'd love to make some new friends around here. Hope to see some of you around!

Here's my bike.

hello, my name is chad and i live in norwalk. i ride mainly on the san gabriel bike path.

202154

I usually do this 3-4x a week:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/85410301

Hello to all name is jose i ride river paths mostly from my downtown l.a. area on my gt transeo

My name is George. I just bought my first road bike a month ago. Been riding alteast 2-4 times a week around the San Fernando Valley area, mostly around Griffith Park. Anyone wants to ride with a newbie on the weekends &/or nights around my area, hit me up!

My name is James. I own a bike, but not a proper road bicycle. I work and live in West LA so I frequent San Vicente Blvd on my Rivendell. I am almost ready to buy a carbon fiber road bike. Lycra and clipless pedals make me nervous, but they are the norm for road cycling. I recognize that I am about to spend my hard-earned money on new clothes, equipment and shoes. Does anyone look good in Lycra? I have many questions so I will start searching the newbie threads.

Greetings,

I live in Exeter, CA, and I ride mostly for commute, doing the rocky hill loop once in a while.

I usually ride a '95 Mongoose Hilltopper MTB converted for road use w/ slicks and fenders, and I have a '76 Raleigh Gran Sport I'm building up.

I go to school at College of the Sequoias, and bring my cello along for the ride using a nashbar cargo trailer! I plan on biking almost exclusively to school next semester (14 mi one way).

Eventually I want a front loading cargo bike or a longtail, like Surly Big Dummy or a Bullit.

Hope to see you out there!


Eric

James, consider why you need lycra. The benefits of form-fitting jerseys and tight cycling shorts is mostly for workouts and competition. Good jerseys, aside from the benefits of aerodynamics, wick away sweat and allow it to evaporate, while a cotton tee shirt simply absorbs it and keeps it next to your skin. If you're not working up a strong sweat in your commute it might not be worth it. Don't do it simply because you see others doing it. There are good cycling shorts that have a chamois that is comfortable on the behind but are not tight fitting, these might be better for a commute cyclist than tight shorts. Since you ride a Rivendell, you might want to read this article: http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/special_clothes_for_riding

By the way, I commute in street clothes and an old steel bicycle and race in lycra in a combination steel-carbon bicycle.

name is Roger, and i'm new to the cycling world. I just picked up a 2004 Felt F35 last week from CL, and i'll be using it for my daily commute. You can spy me around Northridge, CA :)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v428/aznfunkyflip/FeltF35.jpg

hello roger. nice bike. :)

Hi, I'm Nigel and live in Yorba Linda. Just getting back into cycling after 25 years. I'm working up to getting back on SA River Trail. In the meantime, just riding around the neighborhood.
Bikewise, I have a Giant Iguana that has just fallen out of favor of my old Cannondale (way more comfortable).

My name is Burke I live in Miracle Mile I ride hollywood/Beverly hills/Santa Monica beach.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5316/5906976336_45789bf2b3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58302493@N08/5906976336/)
CANNONDALE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/58302493@N08/5906976336/) by burkem323 (http://www.flickr.com/people/58302493@N08/), on Flickr

Hello! I will be attending UCSD in fall. I don't know any routes around that area, but will be looking forward to exploring the area. It will be an interesting change from NorCal.

Hi... Moved to Redondo Beach earlier this year from OC and I live super close to Esplanade and wanted to know who here rides up and down Esplanade?? Im trying to round up some routes to try and maybe find others to ride with

I do road and mountain... Been off the bike over a year due to injury and now I want to ride again

My Stable:

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p243/Neccros/IMG_2299.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p243/Neccros/_MG_2312.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p243/Neccros/_MG_2306.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p243/Neccros/2009-06-26084259.jpg

My name is Wes. I live in Silver Lake and work in Santa Monica. Just started commuting by bike about one and half months ago(15 miles each way). Was tired of sitting in traffic in car or bus and enjoy cycling. I've been riding most of my life causally and when I lived in Iowa(where I am from) and rode in RAGBRAI(ride across the state of Iowa).

Here is a picture of my current ride. 2011 Bianchi Campione.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KAFs5yOTIsY/ThpwW3_QzsI/AAAAAAAAAbU/OfmZpyA7hBk/s640/IMG_1889.JPG

I'm Carlos, and try to ride all over San Diego.

I ride a Felt Z5
http://i.imgur.com/3iVh6.jpg

Wes, that Bianchi is one gorgeous bike! I had no idea major bike companies were doing "retro" steel with downtube shifters! It even looks like there is enough clearance for you to fit some narrow fenders, like the kind they sell on Velo-Orange? Now if only they used lugs instead of tig weld...

Mike here... I have several lunch-time routes in Garden Grove, Seal Beach, Stanton, Anaheim. Sometimes I get to ride on the SGRT. In fact, this picture was taken just before I rode 20 miles in less than an hour on the SGRT. Note the "Best Young Rider" jersey from the Tour of California. I'm young only in terms of centuries, but the jersey was on sale :lol:

216766

Chilero, Thanks!, I'm a fan of it myself. Not sure about the fenders, and I have a little bit of time before there is a real chance of rain here in LA, but I think it'd look real nice.

Hello my name is Albert and I have finally decided to introduce myself after a couple of months of just lurking around.
I have been riding around West LA for 1 year now and have been training for 6 moths or so.
I mostly ride the LA River Bike Path or Griffith Park and do ~32 miles 5 times a week.
I ride Fixed for training and race a road bike.
I really love to ride and race.
Riding is my passion.
Below (Click on the pics for full size), the fixed gear is my trusty steed.
I bought it with my own money for $370(I know I got ripped off, ohh well sh*t happens.) and have spent around $500 max on repairs and extra parts.
I love it, it is about 1 inches to tall for me but it rides like no other bike I have ever ridden. I would not sell it, ever and would ride it anywhere, anytime, all the time. In fact i prefer it more than my road bike(For now maybe I will get hooked to my road bike later.).
I'm not ones of those hipster teens and don't do tricks or skid(Yes, I ride a front brake after I learned not to skid when going fast the hard way ||speedy|| ||injured||.).
It may not be a eye catching as my roadie but its not whats on the outside its about whats on the inside.
As for my road bike all I can say is:it looks fast and it goes fast :).
I really don't ride because I'm scared of getting jumped/jacked so I just race it.
I prefer a track geometry for all day use for training any ways. Road bikes are complicated but I need one to be able to be competitive in races. I doubt I will win a CAT5 crit with a $500 steel bike but a full carbon fiber will. I really don't ride it much, I have only ridden it like about 12 times and raced 3 times. I love the feel though, its so comfy and I can show of when I do ride it. I got it 2 monts ago (I think i got it 2 months ago, I may be wrong because of my short term memory.)for a steal, around $1500 and I think there is no better bike i could of bought with $1500 that is full carbon fiber and has the 105 groupo and a name brand frame :).
Well that's my 2 cents and i hope I can help out and see you guys around town.
Have a good life.
PS: We should ride sometimes :).
http://s4.postimage.org/178juhzqc/IMG_0216.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/178juhzqc/)

http://s4.postimage.org/178juhzqc/IMG_0216.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/178juhzqc/)

http://s4.postimage.org/178ot417o/IMG_0217.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/178ot417o/)

http://s4.postimage.org/178vf9f6s/IMG_0218.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/178vf9f6s/)

http://s4.postimage.org/17a91du04/IMG_0222.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/17a91du04/)

http://s4.postimage.org/17afnj7z8/IMG_0223.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/17afnj7z8/)

http://s4.postimage.org/17am9olyc/IMG_0224.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/17am9olyc/)

http://s4.postimage.org/17bt9nmsk/IMG_0246.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/17bt9nmsk/)

http://s4.postimage.org/17cern57o/IMG_0247.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/17cern57o/)

http://s4.postimage.org/17b644rvo/IMG_0239.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/17b644rvo/)

More pics. (http://postimage.org/gallery/7fy99a6iw/)

Hello, My name is Gaston I live in the San Bernardino Mtns around Lake Gregory I just got my road bike fixed so I'll be riding that for now on. I just started riding but plan on riding at least twice a week.

hello, my name is martin i live in baldwin park ( san gabriel valley) just got into road biking and here's my first bike.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6084294543_c87fb8c7ee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/reflexivephotography/6084294543/)
rocky mtn road bike (http://www.flickr.com/photos/reflexivephotography/6084294543/) by martin L photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/reflexivephotography/), on Flickr

Hi, we're Randy and Barbara and we mainly ride the Santa Ana River path. The car traffic in OC just seems to be getting worse every year (or are we just getting older?)

We currently ride a white Schwinn Duo-Sport tandem. It's about 20 years old and we intend to upgrade when we find the right tandem, since our next tandem will probably be our last tandem. We tend to keep sports equipment in good condition and treat it gently so it lasts a long time - cars, skis, bikes, etc.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y251/skibum4now/IMG_20110920_172938.jpg


If you see us say Hello.

just an update...my name is Coi, been MIA here for a while, cus im actually out there riding my bike LOL

anyway...you can catch me and a few of my buddies riding the SGRT or the SART during the week...here is my latest ride

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/e4019ec6.jpg

if any of you guys/gals are interested in joining a weekday cycling group 15mph avg speed, feel free to message me and ill send you our ride info

thanks

just an update...my name is Coi, been MIA here for a while, cus im actually out there riding my bike LOL

anyway...you can catch me and a few of my buddies riding the SGRT or the SART during the week...here is my latest ride

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/fluxmr2spyder/e4019ec6.jpgif any of you guys/gals are interested in joining a weekday cycling group 15mph avg speed, feel free to message me and ill send you our ride info

thanks



Whats up Coi! Charlie B here!
Hello peeps. Im slowly getting into riding again. I have been going locally around OC at the Santa Ana River Bed as well as El Dorado Park with my '91 GT Avalanche. The bike has seen better days but it will do until i get my Trek DS 8.5 in. Only a couple more weeks. I decided to start riding again for fitness. 7 months ago, i was at 294lbs and had very high blood pressure. I have been going to the gym 5 days a week and got myself down to 230lbs. My goal is to go down to 200-210lbs and i know riding will do it. Looking forward to riding with some of you!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/292038_10150366525518491_796023490_8147952_1709067805_n.jpg

yes charlie come join our rides :) awesome!

Hi,
my name is Mitz from Huntington Beach
this is my bike
http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy308/mitz501/bike/DB.jpg

and this is where i usually ride
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/hb/378128197349240087

Hi Mits..im new to all the Biking stuff. I have mapmyride and i am still trying to learn everything on it. How would i find your route and would i be able to get it onto my account so i can try that out as well? Sorry for the noob question.:)

yes charlie come join our rides :) awesome!

Coi..you guys mainly run Onroad right?

Hi Mits..im new to all the Biking stuff. I have mapmyride and i am still trying to learn everything on it. How would i find your route and would i be able to get it onto my account so i can try that out as well? Sorry for the noob question.:)

just click on the link. btw, that was a year ago. ride with coi and chances are you'll see me too

Coi..you guys mainly run Onroad right?
yesir

just click on the link. btw, that was a year ago. ride with coi and chances are you'll see me too
^what he said :)

Hey everybody!
I just recently located to California from Northern Georgia. I still consider myself a little southern girl! I picked up biking while I was looking for a job here in LA. While I'm employed now, I still try to hit up the bike as much as I can during the week. I normally ride the Marvin Braude sp. trail from Playa Del Rey out to Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach. I'm a complete newbie with the whole biking scene but have realized that I love it! I have a simple mountain bike that I picked up on Craigs List when I moved out here. If anybody is looking to ride with a newbie in this general area or knows of any other cool paths nearby....hit me up!

Hey everybody!
I just recently located to California from Northern Georgia. I still consider myself a little southern girl! I picked up biking while I was looking for a job here in LA. While I'm employed now, I still try to hit up the bike as much as I can during the week. I normally ride the Marvin Braude sp. trail from Playa Del Rey out to Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach. I'm a complete newbie with the whole biking scene but have realized that I love it! I have a simple mountain bike that I picked up on Craigs List when I moved out here. If anybody is looking to ride with a newbie in this general area or knows of any other cool paths nearby....hit me up!

Welcome Val! Never heard of the Marvin Braude but since im a noobie like you, i wanna check out new places to ride. Maybe next time you go there i'll join you..maybe even with a few friends! =)

if u take the bike path on the beach from marina to hermosa watch the speed limit and as you might already know, theres a short strip at the strand where u need to walk your bike when it gets busy
if u want to ride something more serious there are a few people that ride palos verdes loop
welcome to California, Val!

Hi my name is Gary. I have been riding since May to get fit and drop weight. I ride solo around town and also most sundays with the West LA Cycling club they are on meetup.com. They ride from Marina Del Rey to either Redondo beach or Palos Verdes. I have road and hybrid bikes. I am looking for people to ride with weeknights 8pm or later or Saturdays. Sundays i already have that WLACC ride i can do. Weekdays before 8pm i am tied up. I am riding 10-12mph pace which is too slow for most group rides. I went on a midnightridazz.com ride and they were about 17-18mph so I dropped out. IF anyone knows any group rides 20 miles+ in distance that are 10-14mph let me know. Other rides i sometimes do are the bike rides put on by the Flying Pigeon bike store (google that and add Los Angeles). But these are not so many miles. The Spoke N Art ride once a month is about 15 miles roundtrip and the Brewery Ride is about 6 miles roundtrip so those arent so much of a workout you can email me at g a r y in la and then at a o l dot com

^if u were closer to OC u can join my small group, we'll slowly pick up your pace :)

Hi, I'm Ed from Ontario but living in San Berdu for now and hopefully going to be moving to the Irvine area soon I've been riding for a few years now and this year started doin triathlons but want to focus more on cycling racing. Crits and some road racing. I ride both the upper and lower Santa River trail along with various routes around Upland, Claramont, and Baldy. I'm tired of riding by myself so if anyone is down for weekend rides hit me up. Also if anyone out there is lookin to add another person to their team roster let me know. I'm 28, fit, and am very competitive in nature. I may not have been riding as long as most but you can count on me to train as hard and as smart as I have to so I can kick some a$$. Sorry for my lame post that sounded more like a cheap personal add.