Southern California - Best places to train on the road at night in LA?

Do any of you do any serious road training at night in LA? If so, what roads do you ride? I'd be running 300+lumens of lighting, and PB superflash in back.

Personally I think the best place is the LA bike path. On a weekday nights it is empty and long. Totally safe from cars and drunk drivers.

Rose Bowl

I went on a 3+ hour ride last night thoughout Griffith Park. Loops, climbs, etc. That gets my vote.

I've been riding just about everywhere I ride during the day. Sometimes I also do a fun valley group ride called Bicykillers.

Hey does anyone know if the LA river route is always open? I've always figured it closes somewhere near dusk, but it would be awesome if it's always open...

i went on a 3+ hour ride last night thoughout griffith park. Loops, climbs, etc. That gets my vote.

+1

I went on a 3+ hour ride last night thoughout Griffith Park. Loops, climbs, etc. That gets my vote.
Riding from my house I do a weekly loop through GP, up to the observatory, and back. But riding solo at night through the gated canyon roads can get real creepy. I've done many night rides, but with a small group.

Hey does anyone know if the LA river route is always open? I've always figured it closes somewhere near dusk, but it would be awesome if it's always open...

Yes..unless its raining hard, then they close it....

Hey does anyone know if the LA river route is always open? I've always figured it closes somewhere near dusk, but it would be awesome if it's always open...
Good place to crash into holes left uncovered after someone stole the wiring for the lighting... or to get mugged.


I went on a 3+ hour ride last night thoughout Griffith Park. Loops, climbs, etc. That gets my vote.
That's a nice place as long as you're not afraid of Coyotes watching and racing with you. I haven't heard of any actual attacks, though, just curious following.


Rose Bowl
Best choice, in my opinion.

Hey does anyone know if the LA river route is always open? I've always figured it closes somewhere near dusk, but it would be awesome if it's always open...

The only time I've seen the LA river closed is during/after hard rains. The river runs through so many different cities/jurisdictions that the closing and subsequent reopening of the gates isn't completely predictable. They close it because most of the trail has no protection to keep people from tumbling into the river, and if you end up in that water when it's flowing strong you're likely taking a ride all the way to the port. I've developed a method of tossing my bike over the fence and hanging it by one of my bars drops and then hopping the fence. I call it my urban cyclocross commute and have fun with it. :)

Back to the original topic... I wouldn't want to ride the LA river trail at night.

That's a nice place as long as you're not afraid of Coyotes watching and racing with you. I haven't heard of any actual attacks, though, just curious following.



pfft - being afraid of coyotes is like being afraid of squirrels.

I'd be careful about Griffith Park after dark. I've been working within a mile or so of Griffith Park for nearly 30 years. There is indeed crime there, especially after dark. A close friend of mine was shot with a pellet gun while riding in the park about a year ago. No serious injury, but still scary. I've known of other people getting slammed with bricks and of females getting their butts grabbed by drivers.

Mabye try the L.A. Beach Bike Path. I know it's a shlep from the west side, but I think there is less crime after dark.

Just for the record, I still work a stone's throw from the park, and ride it, just not after dark. That's all I'm saying. I'd also suggest the Rose Bowl, or the Balboa Park Bike Path out in the west valley. It's a great loop, and I think there is a lot less crime out that way.

I'd be careful about Griffith Park after dark. I've been working within a mile or so of Griffith Park for nearly 30 years. There is indeed crime there, especially after dark. A close friend of mine was shot with a pellet gun while riding in the park about a year ago. No serious injury, but still scary. I've known of other people getting slammed with bricks and of females getting their butts grabbed by drivers.

That's good to know. Until now, the only crime I've heard of is bodies being dumped there, but that doesn't make you the target... unless you witness it and start calling the cops or something.

I hear that the Carson/Compton area is great for riding at night. You'll definitely pedal your arse off trying to get out of there!! Great for getting that heart rate up!! lol

I'd be careful about Griffith Park after dark. I've been working within a mile or so of Griffith Park for nearly 30 years. There is indeed crime there, especially after dark. A close friend of mine was shot with a pellet gun while riding in the park about a year ago. No serious injury, but still scary. I've known of other people getting slammed with bricks and of females getting their butts grabbed by drivers.


People should always be careful, but for the record, I have been
all over the park at night by myself without any problems. My
biggest concern is to not hit a deer when decending from the hill.
Lately, if I ride the bikepath, I have to watch out for a dog that
seems to want to chase me as I approach Fletcher. Usually when
I am riding in the hills, I am the only one riding in the hills. So if
something goes wrong I am on my own. If you are riding with someone
else, I would not worry about being anywhere in the park after dark.

People should always be careful, but for the record, I have been
all over the park at night by myself without any problems. My
biggest concern is to not hit a deer when decending from the hill.
Lately, if I ride the bikepath, I have to watch out for a dog that
seems to want to chase me as I approach Fletcher. Usually when
I am riding in the hills, I am the only one riding in the hills. So if
something goes wrong I am on my own. If you are riding with someone
else, I would not worry about being anywhere in the park after dark.

+1. slammed with bricks?

Thanks for the heads up, I do see a lot campers/vagabonds on the river path during the day, but it's good to know that once the sun goes down it's an option.

Thanks for the heads up, I do see a lot campers/vagabonds on the river path during the day, but it's good to know that once the sun goes down it's an option.

Yeah - I'm sure they all clear out and go home after sundown. :rolleyes:

Yeah - I'm sure they all clear out and go home after sundown. :rolleyes:

No need for them to go home, they're already there. :)

I see a few regulars on the LA River in the evening, and then still asleep in the same spot next to the trail in the morning.

Some nice quiet climbs up around DeBell golf course and Stough Cyn Park in Burbank
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/burbank/401303228735 (http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/burbank/401303228735)

The park climb (1/2mi, about 12%) is closed to cars, watch for coyotes and deer.

My
biggest concern is to not hit a deer when decending from the hill.


LOL! I had a squirrel run in front of me years ago coming down garbage hill. Poor little guy left the tip of his tail on the road that day! :-)

+1. slammed with bricks?

NO s**t! That was some years ago, but I guy I worked with was riding at lunch time, and some punks pulled up and threw a brick at him. Hit him in the head! Fortunately, the guy was ok.

rose bowl

and chantry flats above arcadia

i run 400 lumens on helmet, 200 on handlebar, and DiNotte's killer 200 lumen rear red..

I bet the DiNotte keeps people off your wheel at the rose bowl. I just picked up a little Fenix light knockoff to hold in my teeth when it's dark.

i am PASSIONATE about the DiNotte. it's like a cop car's flashing red light...

but yea. sux if you are behind me. but i am also one of the slowest guys out there, so anybody with any fitness is passing me...

i also like the 400 lumen on the helmet because if a driver starts to pull out in front of you, the penalty beam in their eyes is painful

I hear that the Carson/Compton area is great for riding at night. You'll definitely pedal your arse off trying to get out of there!! Great for getting that heart rate up!! lol

Actually, it IS a good place for riding at night - the roads are really smooth, traffic is low, and most if not everyone is really friendly.

I take it you've never actually ridden through Compton & vicinity at night, have you? :rolleyes:

Rose Bowl

+1

The Rose Bowl is good for doing intervals or other structured training where stop lights are a hindrance.

Actually, it IS a good place for riding at night - the roads are really smooth, traffic is low, and most if not everyone is really friendly.

I take it you've never actually ridden through Compton & vicinity at night, have you? :rolleyes:

Guilt-ridden white boys can be so cute.

15 seconds of google yielded this quote:

"Last year (2006) Compton was rated as the most dangerous city with a population of 75,000 to 99,999, and 4th most dangerous overall.

In 2007, the city of Compton comes in at number fourteen [ed: most dangerous of all cities in the United States]."

But yeah, I'm sure all that violent crime goes way down at night. :rolleyes:

Guilt-ridden white boys can be so cute.

15 seconds of google yielded this quote:

"Last year (2006) Compton was rated as the most dangerous city with a population of 75,000 to 99,999, and 4th most dangerous overall.

In 2007, the city of Compton comes in at number fourteen [ed: most dangerous of all cities in the United States]."

But yeah, I'm sure all that violent crime goes way down at night. :rolleyes:

Wow...

First of all, I'm not white. I'm a bit offended that you would make an assumption about race. What's with you?

Second of all - I've ridden those streets at night often not too long ago. So often that a few of the people living there looked forward to watching me do loops around their streets while they sat on the porch.

Third, RIDE-Arc went there - TWICE!

Fourth? Get some perspective. Crime doesn't happen as often to people who are not involved. Ever live in a neighborhood that's run by gangs? Guess what? Those gang members couldn't give a flying damn about you. As far as they're concerned, you're not an issue. They're running a business, and you're not involved. Heck, GETTING you involved would cause them more grief because of all the collateral that comes with you (media, police, spotlight attention). Bullets and violence don't happen to people who are not involved. Typically, if they're looking for a target, they'll make sure that the target is isolated - meaning there's nothing to possibly obstruct the path of the bullet. If there's anyone around who is not involved, nothing happens. Yes, sometimes (although it's statistically very rare) someone who is "innocent" gets hit... those people were usually too close to the target. Use your sense about you: if you see something going down, turn around.

Wow...

First of all, I'm not white. I'm a bit offended that you would make an assumption about race. What's with you?.

Save your mock offense. I'm white, and you're insulted that I assumed you were white? Is that because you think whites are inferior. Wow, now I'm offended.


Third, RIDE-Arc went there - TWICE!.

Quod erat demonstrandum. You have a future teaching logic at the third rate liberal community college of your choice.


Fourth? Get some perspective. Crime doesn't happen as often to people who are not involved. Ever live in a neighborhood that's run by gangs? Guess what? Those gang members couldn't give a flying damn about you. As far as they're concerned, you're not an issue. They're running a business, and you're not involved. Heck, GETTING you involved would cause them more grief because of all the collateral that comes with you (media, police, spotlight attention). Bullets and violence don't happen to people who are not involved. Typically, if they're looking for a target, they'll make sure that the target is isolated - meaning there's nothing to possibly obstruct the path of the bullet. If there's anyone around who is not involved, nothing happens. Yes, sometimes (although it's statistically very rare) someone who is "innocent" gets hit... those people were usually too close to the target. Use your sense about you: if you see something going down, turn around.

This is totally a hoot!!!! Do you ever watch local news or read the LA Times? Actually, points to you if you do neither. But, if you do, at least weekly you see stories of little kids getting shot from the stray bullets from drive-bys and other gang shootouts. These are just the ones that make the news. If you're an adult male innocent bystander that's shot, you probably don't even make the news cycle.

Just reread my first post. In 2006, it was the most dangerous city in the country for its size, and the 4th most dangerous in the country regardless of size! That's playing with the big boys, like Detroit, DC, and Newark (also, by the way, super places to race your lycra-clad self all over the streets at night:rolleyes:.)

Compton is a quagmire, from its thoroughly corrupt city administration, to its gang-infested streets. That doesn't mean that some great hard-working folks don't live and work there. But don't spread silly ideas that it's a viable and safe place to train on the road at night.

...Bullets and violence usuallydon't happen to people who are not involved. .

Fixed that for you. For example, in Highland Park, I am often reading about some 12 year-old girl who was a bystander killed in a gang shooting. (My wife grew up there, so stories about it always get my attention.)

I ride through Highland Park fairly regularly - There's not enough danger to keep me away, but I certainly don't think that there is zero danger.

Griffith, Los Feliz, Hollywood, Burbank & Glendale hills are pretty good at dark (AM & PM). These are all in the east SFV. Not to say occurances did not come up. Chased by folk & critter over 1/2 dozen times in 25 yrs. Although escaped harm, it will raise your heart rate a bit. If you have someone to ride w/you all the better.

If the west side is practical for you, I ride Westchester from Pershing to Sepulveda. I just do laps, crit training. Very well lit, designated bike lanes both directions, barely any cars at the busiest times. Same course as LAX circuit race if you've ever done that. I might try to hit that tomorrow night if my legs recover from killing it this morning.