Southern California - Club Rides near downtown LA Sat/Sun?

All,

I am going out to LA for some time with family. I have a bike lined up to use there. Can anyone recommend some Saturday/Sunday decent paced club rides that leave out of close to downtown LA? Main St. to be exact.

Thanks

Pick up the Montrose Ride in South Pasadena on Saturday mornings. Decent paced is a mild term for that ride, they can get going pretty darn fast.

http://www.socalcycling.com/Group%20Rides/weekly/montrose.htm

The Love Ride on Sundays is also pretty good, slower but with climbing. Starts in Griffith Park

http://www.socalcycling.com/Group%20Rides/weekly/loveride.htm

Looks like I will be doing the Montrose ride!

I hope I don't get dropped...because I will suuuure be lost! I guess I will pick up a map and bring a cell phone.

Hit me up anyone if you regularly do this ride and will be there this Sat.

Here's a map (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Montrose-Ride-short) for the short route. Bear in mind, on the eastern end of the route, the groups split up. The shorter route goes to the left/straight while the longer route goes off to the right. I don't have a map of the longer route.

Also, the finish is in a different location than the start. So bring a local map or GPS or something so you can get back to your car.

Enjoy the ride!

yeah this will be awesome. I will be on a unfamiliar borrowed bike, we will see how it goes.

Are a lot of these fella's doing off season training or is this ride a hammerfest in the offseason too?

yeah this will be awesome. I will be on a unfamiliar borrowed bike, we will see how it goes.

Are a lot of these fella's doing off season training or is this ride a hammerfest in the offseason too?

They always go the same speed -- faster than me.

yeah this will be awesome. I will be on a unfamiliar borrowed bike, we will see how it goes.

Are a lot of these fella's doing off season training or is this ride a hammerfest in the offseason too?I haven't ridden it at all in the off-season and last time was probably 4-5 weeks ago. So, I'm not sure. I am sure you'll get a mix. I would think best preparation would be to assume hammer-fest just in case. Be prepared for extended stretches of 30mph+ on flat roads.

There is a version of the ride that leaves earlier and doesn't go quite so fast. I don't know anything else about it though.

I won't be there this Saturday due to a prior commitment (http://www.socalbikeforums.com/showthread.php?t=4127), if you're interested: we'll be going slightly easier pace.

mkadam,

Thanks bro. That looks like an awesome time. I think getting out to Malibu for that ride would be tough for me. Also I am an east coaster!..we don't have descents like that. I think I would probably smash my ass on some of em'.

If you have any recommendations for a Monday or Tuesday ride let me know. Even if it just a route. I would love to see some of the city and area via bike...tourism and getting my training miles in.

If you have any recommendations for a Monday or Tuesday ride let me know. Even if it just a route. I would love to see some of the city and area via bike...tourism and getting my training miles in.

There's a Mon morning ride in Northridge that goes out to Simi Valley. Website is SFVBC.org. Easy pace leaves at 8:15. Faster ride at 8:30. They (almost) always stop at the halfway point (20-miles) for a long break at a coffee shop. Get back around 11:30 or so. I work and can't go.

hey whats the weather like currently?

Will arm and knee warmers suffice?

Out here in DC I need about 3 layers right now to keep warm...

It's interesting out here. I'm from the Northeast and the cold weather always seems cooler here than it should. 50-degrees here is equivalent to like 35 or so back east. Going theory: there's less moisture in the air here, so your body loses more moisture and more temperature with it.

Anyway, bring an assortment of layers. Currently, I get away with arm- & knee-warmers and two layers up top, sometimes with a wind-vest over. Probably bring some long-fingered gloves just in case as well, maybe a head band.

Of course, if you do Montrose, you'll be generating lots of body heat anyway.

:D

haha. I will...

If I don't party too much the night before!

I will just do base layer with jersey and the rest of the kit will be removable.

Thanks for all the advice man. I am super stoked!