Southern California - PCH/Malibu

I have a love/hate relationship with PCH. It is a gorgeous ride, flat and fast (I can easily average 24MPH, where I am usually averaging 17MPH), you can go forever (great for getting in a century), and there is great access to some great climbs.

However, it is not in great shape (potholes, grates, glass, etc.), it is narrow in spots and everyone is either doing 80MPH (locals) or 30MPH (tourists). Also you have to ride a fine line between the car door zone and the traffic zone. While I was changing my tire, I witnessed 4 cars almost get in to a nasty wreck.

It seems to be getting worse lately. I am wondering if it is even worth it. I am considering putting the roof rack back on the car and just driving to the canyons. Has anyone given up on PCH? Would it be better for me to join a club and ride it with a large group?

Dazedone, I hate PCH with a passion. The views are outstanding (duh...ocean!), but I agree, the roads are too narrow with tons of debris and crazy drivers! The canyons in Malibu, however, are wonderful. You can go up and down those all you want and only be on PCH for a short stint (or not at all). My two cents: jump on either a BF ride or a SFVBC ride. The later has rides every weekend, both days, and you will eventually (sooner rather than later) end up on a Malibu/Santa Monica Mountains route complete with climbing galore! We BFers plan rides too, so perhaps you'd like to join on one or two of those (if you're off on Presidents' Day - come out and climb in the San Gabriels. No ocean, but views that will take your breath away).

Oh, and one last opinion - I rarely ride on PCH alone (I had to last year in the dark on the Grand Tour Double) and would definitely recommend being in a group out there. That a way, if one of the Porche drivers does hit and drag you 1/4 mile, someone will witness it. :o

Whom have you contacted about the disrepair?

Maybe you can start with these:

http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a41/

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/index.php

Remember these are your roads and these people work for you. Be part of the solution.

Whom have you contacted about the disrepair?

Maybe you can start with these:

http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a41/

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/index.php

Remember these are your roads and these people work for you. Be part of the solution.

Jim, I respect what you're saying, but this will not solve the issue of crazy, speeding drivers. They can widen that road and keep it debris-free (if that is even possible), and some speeding fool can still take you out in a second. I realize that is true of ALL roads with traffic, but PCH feels particularly precarious, IMHO.

I always keep an eye on the BF on SFVBC rides here on BF, but I live near LAX and most of those rides start out too far from me. The gang here on BF looks really cool and I'd love to go out riding with you all.

The San Gabriels look really nice. I am getting kind of bored with all of the rides around here. I have ridden over 4000 miles around here (West LA, Malibu, Redondo, PV) and am looking for a change of scenery. I think I see the roof rack getting put on the car real soon...

Also, I have been off my MTB for 7 months due to lack of a riding partner. I would love to find a group to go MTBing with. I usually went MTBing solo, I wrecked real bad in Tahoe this summer and had to ride 4 miles downhill with a broken shoulder. I am glad I was out of the technical stuff and on the fire road when it happened. I had to beg someone in the parking lot to put my bike on the roof rack and then I had to drive myself to the ER. I will never go out MTBing alone ever again.

Jim, I respect what you're saying, but this will not solve the issue of crazy, speeding drivers. They can widen that road and keep it debris-free (if that is even possible), and some speeding fool can still take you out in a second. I realize that is true of ALL roads with traffic, but PCH feels particularly precarious, IMHO.

I agree, but I also think we should make our voice known. The more people that contact their representatives, the more likely something will be done. Perhaps done in vain, I just don't feel like capitulating.

I agree, but I also think we should make our voice known. The more people that contact their representatives, the more likely something will be done. Perhaps done in vain, I just don't feel like capitulating.

I like your attitude, Jim. Honestly, I do and you bring up a very valid point! :)

Jim, I respect what you're saying, but this will not solve the issue of crazy, speeding drivers. They can widen that road and keep it debris-free (if that is even possible), and some speeding fool can still take you out in a second. I realize that is true of ALL roads with traffic, but PCH feels particularly precarious, IMHO.

There are tons of cops on PCH and there still are tons of crazies out there. I am tempted to call the Malibu Sheriffs to get their thoughts on riding a bike out there.

Actually the only really bad part of PCH is the stretch between Santa Monica and Pepperdine. This is good since all of the canyons are north of Pepperdine. I could just park my car at Latigo and go up from there. It might be nice to try Latigo without riding 25 miles just to get to it.

I usually ride up Latigo and down Kanan. Some of my cycling friends say Kanan is dangerous. I like it because it is wide, not to curvy and in good shape. The drivers do tend to go a bit fast, but I have never had a problem. Whenever I ride it, it seems I am the only cyclist on it. Is there some kind of danger on Kanan that I am not seeing?

Actually the only really bad part of PCH is the stretch between Santa Monica and Pepperdine.
I usually ride up Latigo and down Kanan. Some of my cycling friends say Kanan is dangerous. I like it because it is wide, not to curvy and in good shape. The drivers do tend to go a bit fast, but I have never had a problem. Whenever I ride it, it seems I am the only cyclist on it. Is there some kind of danger on Kanan that I am not seeing?
+1 on the the SM to Pepperdine stretch. Scary!
As for Latigo, that is my favorite climb out there, but you have so many others including Mulhullond and Stunt. Kanan I think I've been up, but I'm not sure. I've never heard anyone complain about it, but there are many experienced riders on here that will weigh in better than I can. Just be safe out there and I hope to meet you on a ride at some point. :)

There are tons of cops on PCH and there still are tons of crazies out there. I am tempted to call the Malibu Sheriffs to get their thoughts on riding a bike out there.
Do it.


Actually the only really bad part of PCH is the stretch between Santa Monica and Pepperdine. This is good since all of the canyons are north of Pepperdine. I could just park my car at Latigo and go up from there. It might be nice to try Latigo without riding 25 miles just to get to it.
I used to just take the path to Temescal Canyon. From there to Topanga is bad, very bad. But after Topanga it is OK. After Pepperdine, I agree, it is great.


I usually ride up Latigo and down Kanan. Some of my cycling friends say Kanan is dangerous. I like it because it is wide, not to curvy and in good shape. The drivers do tend to go a bit fast, but I have never had a problem. Whenever I ride it, it seems I am the only cyclist on it. Is there some kind of danger on Kanan that I am not seeing?

Kanan lacks character, has tunnels, too much traffic. How about Latigo up and Encinal down?

how about the coalition to pave latigo. its crumbling, and it needs a new coat.

We regularly hit the pch. most of the time, we go up tuna to saddle peak, then schuren to rambla to los flores, then back to santa monica. los flores to santa monica is insane, especially near big rock

mulholland is nice. skated the rock store today. road was a bit dirty, with some wet spots under the trees. too many motorcycles. I guess they thought no one else would be out.

how about the coalition to pave latigo. its crumbling, and it needs a new coat.

We regularly hit the pch. most of the time, we go up tuna to saddle peak, then schuren to rambla to los flores, then back to santa monica. los flores to santa monica is insane, especially near big rock

mulholland is nice. skated the rock store today. road was a bit dirty, with some wet spots under the trees. too many motorcycles. I guess they thought no one else would be out.

You went down Rock Store? Wow. So, how do you get up climbs like Rock Store?

car...

kinda hard to skate uphill in motorcycle leathers.

btw, there's a "weeper" in the last right hairpin about two feet right of the centerline. there must be a spring under the road. it almost took me down yesterday, and I've hit it before. on two feet, I can recover from a slide. On two wheels, I don't think i'd be able to hang on.

rock store (http://homepage.mac.com/timothyhuber/downhill/iMovieTheater85.html)

i was on the pch briefly yesterday. scared for my life. i drive up to the base of latigo and then come down near decker or something (bad with actual road names) and ride back to my car on the pch. yesterday i started at pepperdine park and rode up and back to latigo. love the mountains (my back is starting ot resent them, but that's another story), but i always wonder how people can ride the PCH coastal route all the way from nocal.