Southern California - Best 50 miler from MDR

New to this forum and relatively new to riding (about 3 months). Live in Marina Del Rey. I have generally been riding approx. 25 miles from MDR to Redondo and back on weekends, but looking to extend this route or try a different one in the 50 mile range. I have not figured out the transition yet from Redondo to PV. However, I'm sure it's easy but did not try that hard. Going south seems like the best route to me. Going north would stick me on me on PCH which seems more sketchy. Don't know how to go in-land. Any suggestions would be helpful. Also is there any no-drop group rides originating around MDR?

Hi Porter

There are two ways to get to Malaga Cove, which is generally considered the starting/end point for most PV rides. There is a small convenience store here, and a drinking fountain outside to refill if it's closed. Once you get to Malaga Cove, you can do the loop or just a portion of it.

Route #1: Follow the bike path until it ends at Rat Beach in Torrance. You'll see an Alfredo's food stand there. Walk or ride your bike up the ramp. As you look towards the hill, you will see a road called Paseo de la Playa going up. It might seem a bit steep for a beginner, but it's very short. Follow it until it plateaus and curves to the left. It ends at Palos Verdes Blvd. Make a right and merge with traffic lanes (be careful) as you swoop down into PV and around to the right. You'll see Malaga Cove Plaza on your left.

Route #2:
When you reach the Redondo Beach Pier, go up Torrance Blvd about 100 yards and make a right on Catalina. That will take you right through the Redondo Riviera until you reach Palos Verdes Blvd. Make a right and start climbing up. This grade is a bit shallower (3-5%), although there is some traffic. As you near the peak of the hill, you'll pass Paseo de la Playa. Continue on and again, merge with traffic lanes as you swoop down and around to your right. You'll see Malaga Cove Plaza on your left.

Try the Dock Riders bike club:

http://www.dockriders.com/Calendar.htm

I've only ridden with them once, but its a nice club, with good people.

They ride out of MDR on Saturdays (a fast group) and Sundays (a mixed group of faster and slower riders).

Try MDR too http://www.mdrcc.org/ They roll at a moderate pace, and have a ton of great routes from the marina.

If you're into climbing, then explore the palisades. There are several canyons with great climbs. A round trip from where you are would be about the right mileage.

In no particular order...

Mandeville (Nice tree cover)
Amalfi (easy climb, wide streets, lots of trees, big houses)
Tigertail (moderate, then steep, then very steep at the top-great climb)
Kenter (moderate, then relentless. 10+ at the top
Bienvienda (very steep 10-15%)
West Ridge (very steep 10-15%)

The Three B*tches- Chalon, N. Artibus, and Bayan. Finish on the top of Westridge. The name speaks for itself.

If you get bored with that (it takes a while, but it can happen), then a brief spurt up the PCH gets you to Tuna Canyon, one of the most challenging climbs in the santa monicas. That takes you to Saddle Peak, which leads to the Stunt/Piuma loop, which is also epic.