Touring - Southern Cali Topography?

this is repeated from the Road Cycling section (but since no one could help me there, i was hoping i'd try u guys... though this is not exactly long enuff to be considered touring :p

hey guys... i hope this is the write section to post this, but i need some help in planning my trip from the LAX (the airport) area to up to Ventura [some 70 odd miles up the PCH (pacific coast highway)]

can anyone tell me if there are any big big hills or the kinda of topography i would encounter? (couse the last time i rode down to San Diego, there were quite a few hills, but not all bad except one nasty long one :eek: )

i looked on the map and it looks like there's a section where the PCH (1) merges with the 101. i can't ride on the freeway rite? is there an alternative route anyone know about? or else i'm stuck

thanks ahead of time !

There are plenty of hills between LA and Oxnard. Get a copy of TopoUSA and you can judge for yourself if they are 'big'. By the way, although the PCH does merge with 101 in Oxnard, there are plenty of other streets you can take from there to Ventura.

I would consider PCH between south bay and Ventura to be more or less rolling terrain.....no serious climbs. You'll most likely be cursing at the wind instead...

supcom mentioned TopoUSA. I'm not familiar with that software. But, in National Geographic TOPO you can trace any route and the software will build an elevation profile for that route. If you don't want to buy the software I think some stores like REI will let you print out a map for a minimal cost . . . I think I saw something like that . . . . not sure though.

Here's what my old AIDS Ride route book said....