Southern California - Losing my training turf - grrrrrrr

We don't have that many options to begin with in SB County (as compared to the Bay Area for example) and we are slowly but surely seeing more places to train go off-line (temporarily).

Gibraltar Road has been closed during the week for a month now and they say it will closed well into August. The claim falling rocks are a hazard for cyclists. Yet they allow us to ride it on weekends and early mornings or late evenings during the week. What, do rocks only fall and kill cyclists M-F between 8 am and 5 pm?

Now Figueroa Mt Rd is becoming a circus w the death of you know who. FMR used to be the ultimate country road and a great warmup before hitting the big climb. If they bury he-who-shall-not-be-named at Neverland the place will become a zoo, as all those that desperately need to get a life go on a pilgrimage. For god sakes 14 people have committed suicide over his death! :wtf:

Just venting here but its getting frustrating.

Guh. Thanks for the warning. I had thought Gibraltar would just be there for whenever I was ready to fail attempt it. With some of the more interesting roads still shut from the fire, I guess we'll just need to be creative.

Do they have a guard at gibraltar rd? Can you just sneak in? I remember when they closed parts of Griffith Park after the big fire, because of the fear of falling rocks, we would just sneak in. I know what it's like not to have access to a great training spot.

I had to bag Mt. Fig this weekend, cuz of the circus and now I find out that it's gonna be 10 mins. away from me. Only $25 a ticket.:p

Gene, I think Gibraltar is closed during the day because of construction (or potential construction/traffic) to fix it from fire related damage. I was just out in the valley today and while I didn't go up Fig, Bill did and the circus wasn't too bad.

Do they have a guard at gibraltar rd? Can you just sneak in? I remember when they closed parts of Griffith Park after the big fire, because of the fear of falling rocks, we would just sneak in. I know what it's like not to have access to a great training spot.

I had to bag Mt. Fig this weekend, cuz of the circus and now I find out that it's gonna be 10 mins. away from me. Only $25 a ticket.:p


I tried to do Gibraltar a few weeks ago and yes, there was a guard at the base of the road. Legitimate though, as they were actually setting off charges to dislodge suspect boulders. I was hoping to do it this Monday, but it looks like I may have to try for Sunday.

Do they have a guard at gibraltar rd? Can you just sneak in? I remember when they closed parts of Griffith Park after the big fire, because of the fear of falling rocks, we would just sneak in. I know what it's like not to have access to a great training spot.

I had to bag Mt. Fig this weekend, cuz of the circus and now I find out that it's gonna be 10 mins. away from me. Only $25 a ticket.:p

They have a guard there starting at 730 am and he leaves at around 5. What's maddening is he will let walkers up Gibraltar but not cyclists! Huh?

Insofar as MFR is concerned if the locals let NLand become the next GLand they will rue the day! Heaven help us (as cyclists) if that happens.

Gene, I think Gibraltar is closed during the day because of construction (or potential construction/traffic) to fix it from fire related damage. I was just out in the valley today and while I didn't go up Fig, Bill did and the circus wasn't too bad.

I'm hoping it dies down as we get past the madness Steve. I love FMR and that climb and use it as a secret getaway from "busy" S Barbara streets. Mt Fig is the ultimate SST climb.

g

There's still Refugio... dirt road coming down the back side's fun..

There's still Refugio... dirt road coming down the back side's fun..

I can't imagine going down the backside, although several teammates have been going around and up the dirt back side and down the front side. The worst thing about Refugio is how crappy the road is. The descent is steep and bone-jarring.

I have a set of beater wheels with 26mm tyres @ 80-90psi just for that road. :) The climb really is more steady and even going up the back side, but I do prefer the dirt downhill versus the pot-holed tarmac.

Any updates on this? Still closed off weekdays?