Southern California - Not just ride suggestions, but LEGENDARY ride suggestions

So, in about 6 months, I'll be leaving Southern California (Redlands) and moving to Washington State. Forever. I'll never be moving back here. Ever. Visiting is even doubtful.

I live in Redlands, I ride the SART out here, Greenspot, Sunset, the usual for this neck of the woods.

I want to make sure I fill my last 6 months in SoCal, theoretically the home of epic cycling, with The Most Amazing Road Rides. I want to leave with no regrets.

So, what are the most legendary rides in Southern California? The kind that, if I don't do them, I'll kick myself for having not done them. You'd use words like "Legendary," "Epic," "Amazing," "Breathtaking," "Scrum-diddly-umptious" to describe these rides. These are the rides that make you sleepless the night before, because you're excited and scared. The rides that break you down before building you up; the rides that test your worth as a Human Being.

These should be road rides, and there are no limits in terms of distance, elevation, climbing. If it's something I have to do before I leave, I'll do it. I'll drive to San Diego, to Los Angeles, preferably not more than two hours (one way) from the Inland Empire, but if it's Truly Epic, I'll go to it.

Links to maps/routes/cue sheets are appreciated, and thanks for making my last six months in Southern California truly Legendary!!

Have you ridden OakGlen, damnation Alley to Onxy Summit?

Have you ridden OakGlen, damnation Alley to Onxy Summit?

Ugh! That's definitely breath taking.

Hwy 39 (start at west Fork) up to Hwy 2, on to Wrightwood and Back. I would take someone with me, it is pretty desolate up there.

~Palomar down here in San Diego.
~GMR up to Baldy Skilift Parking Lot.
~Highway 36 west of Red Bluff, up in NorCal. (I would rate it as even spectacularer than most roads in Colorado, though I've yet to do it on a bicycle.)
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/080724-hwy36.jpghttp://www.calamarichris.com/images/chris36.jpg

Yesss.....this is *exactly* the kind of stuff I'm talking about....I like this.

Yeah, Oak Glen is definitely on my shortlist, Beanz. Thanks for that reminder, though.

Awesome....keep em comin!!

Yeah, Oak Glen is definitely on my shortlist, Beanz. Thanks for that reminder, though.


Oh but you have to do all 3 together!:thumb:...We did this on Breathless Agony. UP OakG, Damnation Alley (hyw 330?, I can't ever remember the number!:mad:) then up the 20'ish mile climb of Angeles Oaks to Onyx Summit. I liked this section!:D

Now Jackrabbit Trail that sucked so I wouldn't rec the area!:p


Profile might look sumthin' like this, from mile 32 on!:D

Figueroa Mountain (click on the picture for my ride report and routemap):

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Si3a5Ong-XI/AAAAAAAAFiM/3iufneDxkXk/s800/CIMG3859.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Si3YUKiZEoI/AAAAAAAAFgM/D0_8fHdnhRc/s800/CIMG3834.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Si3gWZNaujI/AAAAAAAAFkU/wswdM0pmxCU/s800/CIMG3890.JPG (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=39)

Palomar Mtn in San Diego.
Gibraltar Rd in Santa Barbara (if you consider Santa Barbara so cal).

Hmm... there are rides/aka "events" (i.e.: Mulholland Challenge, Death Ride, etc...). Then there are sections of roadway (i.e.: GMR, Route 39, etc...). Which are you looking for?

There's a bunch in the Santa Monica Mtns. Stunt Rd up to Saddle Peak always had some nice views for me. But there are longer/harder climbs. I like the climb to Camp 9 up Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. And, there's a harder ascent from the Valley side up May Canyon to Camp 9. Both offer awesome views--just different subjects.

Some o' the best rides: I think Tucson does it very well--nothing like riding a century with 9,000 of your closest friends. Levi's Gran Fondo (in NorCal, though) was also very good. Any of the regulars here would also vouch for any Tours de Francis, too.

Why don't you come to the L.A. Wheelmen ride this Saturday? Frazier Park area. There is a thread on this page titled "5 Counties Century".

Hwy 39 (start at west Fork) up to Hwy 2, on to Wrightwood and Back. I would take someone with me, it is pretty desolate up there.

Hwy 39 last Spring.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/S20100062-1.jpg

You guys, all of these pics are beautiful. Makes me want to get on my bike and try these epic rides.

Is camp 9 the same place via May cyn and Little T? I've been up May cyn and have to agree the view are amazing.

Chris, why are you kissing that sign?

how are you on time? maybe pack your panniers and make a tour out of it? if weather/snow/roads permit...

redlands -> joshua tree -> mojave -> death valley -> eastern sierras -> yosemite -> bay area -> south down the coast

redlands -> joshua tree -> mojave -> death valley -> eastern sierras -> lake tahoe -> lassen -> shasta -> humboldt -> pacific coast

or any permutation of the up-the-inside, down-the-outside california tour. i dunno. i'm drunk. just a thought. imo, if you want to get the california experience, you should pack your bags and travel by bike.

gmr > grr > baldy

gmr > grr > baldy

This.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Scw1BfFUrDI/AAAAAAAADxg/65mK5d6BQH8/s800/CIMG3018.JPG

Well, here's what I've got so far, gathered from everyone:


Oak Glen, Damnation Alley, Onyx Summit (Breathless Agony)
Topanga Canyon, Mulholland (Mulholland Challenge)
Frazier Park (Heartbreak Hundred - why not do all three? KOM!)
Highway 39 (you said West Fork...is that in Azusa?) to Wrightwood
Palomar in San Diego
Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) to Baldy Skilift
Glendora Ridge Road (GRR)
Figueroa Mountain (Two Loops)

mkadam68 asked about sections of road vs. events. I'd prefer general sections of roadway over events, but if there's an event that must be experienced, then I'm down for that.

big john, yeah, I saw the other thread about the 5 county ride, and was instantly bummed that I have concrete plans that don't allow me to do that ride on such short notice. Which SUCKS because it looks GORGEOUS.

Sounds like there's a lot to be done in the Santa Monica Mountains, so I'll be looking more into those.

jabantik00 Riding up/down the coast is absolutely a long-term dream of mine...but probably best saved for retirement, unfortunately. Good idea, though.

Thanks everyone! Anything else? I hear people talk about Griffith Park in LA...any thoughts on that as a legendary ride?

Hwy 39 last Spring.

Just don't go too early in the season...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/SbiHSf1-yCI/AAAAAAAABNo/Y77KOKA0z1E/s800/CIMG2744.JPG

This.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Scw1BfFUrDI/AAAAAAAADxg/65mK5d6BQH8/s800/CIMG3018.JPG

:twitchy:

Yes. A thousand times, yes.

So, there's one route that connects all three? (gmr > grr > baldy)

Holy cow. Jaw, meet floor.

Thanks everyone! Anything else? I hear people talk about Griffith Park in LA...any thoughts on that as a legendary ride?

Legendary? No, not compared to the other suggestions. However, it is a fun area to ride; getting views of the Hollywood sign followed by chilling at the observatory is pretty cool.

:twitchy:

Yes. A thousand times, yes.

So, there's one route that connects all three? (gmr > grr > baldy)

Holy cow. Jaw, meet floor.

Here you go, full ride report with pictures and maps (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=59). Enjoy :thumb:

So, really rallison, I should probably just use your blog as my guide. Seems like legendary rides are your cup of tea! :p

Gibraltar Rd in Santa Barbara (if you consider Santa Barbara so cal).

Gibraltar Rd:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Snpju-6P_gI/AAAAAAAALvg/A4t6bYq13w0/s800/CIMG4358.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/SnpjwvT8BII/AAAAAAAALvw/oMGhd7jSci8/s800/CIMG4361.JPG

Make sure to connect with E Camino Cielo and ride along the ridge line above Santa Barbara/Goleta:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/SnpkPFCdRTI/AAAAAAAALx8/UBV4oFxrwTw/s800/CIMG4394.JPG

So, really rallison, I should probably just use your blog as my guide. Seems like legendary rides are your cup of tea! :p

Nothing beats the feeling of climbing thousands of feet and being rewarded with the most incredible views imaginable :thumb: Although I have a backlog of rides to get up there..Gibraltar, Refugio, Nacimiento Fergusson (north of San Luis Obispo). Hopefully I'll have time to catch up on them soon.

Chris, why are you kissing that sign?

Because I've been so lonely!! (Sobs.)
http://kinosaur.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/yanagita3b.jpg

Actually because Highway 36 is the best piece of @$$ I've ever had, and I've had 'em all over the world! Seriously; I've been a lover of great roads for most of my adult life and I've journeyed to and seen some of the best: Blue Ridge Parkway... Tail of the Dragon... Palomar... GMR... The Million-Dollar Highway near Ouray, CO... The 191 in Eastern Arizona...
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/050805-hwy171.jpg

All these roads are glorious, but 36 is the best I've ever seen. Baby-smooth asphalt, pretty much zero traffic, you travel through several ecospheres, Red Woods, farmlands, hippy communes, ranches, rivers, bridges, and the last time I was there I saw dozens of braless young women hitch-hiking to the Raggae-on-the-River festival. :)
http://www.calamarichris.com/images/bc05/050804-trinity3.jpg

A few years ago, I stopped at the campground for some lip balm and complimented the older gentleman on his lovely road:
"MONKEYS! This d@mned road was designed by monkeys!"
(me): "These must be some kind of super-monkeys with enlarged craniums, or..."
(him): "You wouldn't say that if you had to drive on it every day to get to work."

If you'll be in the Malibu-Topanga area, there are a bunch of noteworthy climbs that I'm surprised nobody has mentioned yet here.

The one that has been listed as a "classic" in some road cycling books is the Latigo Canyon Road climb off the PCH. It leads to some truly breathtaking views of Malibu from up high if you continue via Mulholland or any of the other climbs/descents in the area.

If you'll be in the Malibu-Topanga area, there are a bunch of noteworthy climbs that I'm surprised nobody has mentioned yet here.

The one that has been listed as a "classic" in some road cycling books is the Latigo Canyon Road climb off the PCH. It leads to some truly breathtaking views of Malibu from up high if you continue via Mulholland or any of the other climbs/descents in the area.

Deer Creek is fun as well ;)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8HKEZakuboQ/Sh4M_Ye2gsI/AAAAAAAAFG4/kDXJZ1sXIuA/s800/CIMG3670.JPG

One I like is in the Santa Clarita area. San Francisquito Road up to Spunky Canyon, then down Bouquet Canyon. 40+ miles give or take, but you can extend it by continuing past Spunky.

Also, for about two years, the Tour of California Stage 7 ended in my town. Not sure of the route, but they went from Santa Barbara>Venutra>Ojai>Highway 126>Santa Clarita. A bunch of guys at my LBS do that ride a couple of times a year and have their wives pick them up.

Legendary? No, not compared to the other suggestions. However, it is a fun area to ride; getting views of the Hollywood sign followed by chilling at the observatory is pretty cool.

Don't forget that unlike all the aforementioned climbs, Mt. Hollywood is closed to vehicular traffic. You can go up Mt. Holly from the east (travel town) to the observatory, then take western cyn (ferndell) to Los feliz then to franklin, go up beachwood to deronda and ride up behind the hollywood sign. If you have more energy come down and do Nichols cyn and ride back to GP via Forest Lawn. Nichols, Mt. Hollywood and the Hollywood Sign climbs are roughly around 2.5 miles each, but each has parts that pitch above 10%. :)

I would recommend the Mt. Wilson, Baldy Double...and reverse.

Start at Angeles Crest. Go to Mt. Wilson, then continue on to where the 2 meets the 39, descend 39, go across on East Fork, then up the backside of GMR, then over Glendora Ridge to Baldy Village, then up to the ski slopes.

Or, you can start from the East and go west too. Going up 39 is perhaps a little more difficult than going up the Crest.

One I like is in the Santa Clarita area. San Francisquito Road up to Spunky Canyon, then down Bouquet Canyon. 40+ miles give or take, but you can extend it by continuing past Spunky.

Also, for about two years, the Tour of California Stage 7 ended in my town. Not sure of the route, but they went from Santa Barbara>Venutra>Ojai>Highway 126>Santa Clarita. A bunch of guys at my LBS do that ride a couple of times a year and have their wives pick them up.


This is a fantastic ride. I did it a few years back. You ride past the ruins of the St Francis Dam that busted in 1928.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Francis_Dam

Seriously, I love this thread. Ya'll are awesome!:thumb: