Newbie SoCal rider: source for good rides?

[Yen]

I'm new to the bike forums. We are both 50+ and buying our first new bikes in many years (decades). We both have artificial parts (my wrist, his shoulder) and I cannot bend my neck back for long without a lot of stiffness and pain. Therefore, we are buying comfort bikes. (Why do I feel like I need to justify this??? :( )

Anyway, we are wondering if there is a source (web site, book, etc.) that lists various bike paths in the eastern L.A. and Inland Empire areas. We know about the San Gabriel trail, Mt. Baldy (probably too rigorous for us right now), Mills Creek. We'd like to stay away from heavy traffic (at least at first).

Also, is there a resource that describes cycling etiquette and CA bike laws, so we won't seem like completely clueless idiots? :)

Thanks much!

Jen

[thomson]

I'm new to the bike forums. We are both 50+ and buying our first new bikes in many years (decades). We both have artificial parts (my wrist, his shoulder) and I cannot bend my neck back for long without a lot of stiffness and pain. Therefore, we are buying comfort bikes. (Why do I feel like I need to justify this??? :( )

Anyway, we are wondering if there is a source (web site, book, etc.) that lists various bike paths in the eastern L.A. and Inland Empire areas. We know about the San Gabriel trail, Mt. Baldy (probably too rigorous for us right now), Mills Creek. We'd like to stay away from heavy traffic (at least at first).

Also, is there a resource that describes cycling etiquette and CA bike laws, so we won't seem like completely clueless idiots? :)

Thanks much!

Jen


Welcome to cycling!! I can’t help with your bike path questions but here are a couple of links that describe bicycle laws in California

http://www.cvcbike.org/club/bikelaw.htm

http://lawheelmen.org/bikelaws.pdf

[ronjon10]

This link has all the bike paths in the area:

http://www.labikepaths.com/index.html

[BCIpam]

I know you are in LA but if you ever want to try some of the bike friendly roads and trails in Orange County, come join Bicycle Club of Irvine's newbie rides, the first Saturday of every month. For more information go to bikeirvine.org. Also there is other information posted at the site about road rules etc.

Good luck and most of all have fun!

[Yen]

Thanks so much everyone! This is exactly the information I was looking for.

Jen

[Psydotek]

Santa Ana River Trail (http://www.google.com/search?q=santa+ana+river+trail&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a) is another great trail that's easy to ride, easy to follow, and you almost never have to worry about cars (there's only 1 road intersection along the entire way from Yorba Linda to Huntington Beach where you need to watch for cars).

[Extort]

League of American Bicyclists (http://www.bikeleague.org/) - classes in safe cycling

Bicycle Source (http://www.bicyclesource.com/) - tips and information

Southern California Cycling (http://www.socalcycling.com/) - training, races, organized rides, and local clubs

Geo Ladders (http://www.geoladders.com/overview.php) - off road/dirt trails and some of them are perfectly acceptable for your style bike.

Justifying your bike is easy, you bought it to ride and you like it.... Enjoy the purchase and let us know if you have any other questions or want to join in on some rides!