wkndwarrior

This.

The humidity is something else down here. It's so hot here that a riding in a tailwind could be even worse than riding into a headwind... when you're going at the same speed as the wind, you don't feel any relief, the sun just beats down on you and you feel like you're going to spontaneously combust. At least with a headwind, you're getting a breeze on your face, although it can be like pointing a blow dryer in your face at point blank.

Velo Vol 

This just in: Californians are soft.

Palomar01

The high 80's was the good day.

In any case, it's too bad that you have to deal with 99 degrees at midnight. Move near water.

Palomar01

Very true.

I don't have to deal with the crowds when I'm on the bicycle though. I do prefer riding the motorcycle in your area. No crowds.

Palomar01

When it comes to weather, I believe you. We have it good compared to the rest of the country.

But we have lots of hills and mountains, which makes us stronger. I think this is why the Tour of CA has been very well accepted.

rooftest

Take a look at Google Maps. Riding through the canyon and looping back using Portola-Bake-Irvine-Portola-Jamboree is about a 34 mile route.

If you're asking "Is it better to ride it North or South?" - that's a personal preference thing.

pallen

Tis the season for night time riding

Palomar01

I believe if you ride North (counterclockwise pattern), it's way more challenging due to all the climbs. Although the valley section of Santiago on the southern (clockwise) pattern would have a false flat and a nice climb before reaching the junction of Cook's Corner. The downhill portion of Bake Parkway is a blast.

So more climbing/challenge = north (counterclockwise).

Less climbing = south (clockwise).

rooftest

See what I mean by "personal preference?" I completely disagree. If you ride North, once you finish the little hill past Cook's Corner; it's pretty much all downhill. I've been in some crazy-fast pacelines while riding that direction. I happen to think that traveling south is probably a 4 of the "1-10 difficulty scale" while going north is a 3.

Palomar01

When you get over the hill after Cook's it's downhill into the valley with a false flat. It does roll up and down in a few place then there is another climb towards the end of Santiago, then down hill on Jamboree, flat across North Irvine, then the long climb up Bake Parkway, then flat back to the beginning.

The Clockwise ride has you careening down Bake Parkway, flat in North Irvine, gradual climb on Jamboree, gradual climb at the beginning of Santiago Canyon, then the long downhill into the valley, false flat for a while, then a short climb towards Cook's Corner.

The gist of it is, Northbound the climbs are steeper with a lot more false flat downhills. The Southbound direction the climbs are more gradual but longer. I find it easier to climb gradually even if the distance is greater.

In either case, it's not an easy ride, although it's not overly difficult. I'm just glad I have easy access to a nice bicycle loop in either direction.

Carbon Unit

I live very close to Jamboree and Chapman but only rode Santiago Canyon once. I go down Jamboree towards the beach instead. I should probably ride Santiago more often but the last time I rode it, I didn't care for the speed of the traffic. Maybe I should try it again.

ilvwhtgrls

we did 92 miles on sunday with similar weather. however, it helped a lot by leaving at 6:30 in the morning.

Carbon Unit

If you haven't riden through Shady Canyon, that makes for a nice ride too.

Elvo

You forgot to go up Modjeska, Silverado, Ridgeline, and Live Oak, which puts the elevation gain at almost 3500 ft.

Elvo

I disagree. It's a great view but the bridges are rickety (my Garmin GPS fell off on one of them) and that part where you have to ride on the crosswalk by the gate is a bit iffy.

javal

Recovering from hard riding in extremely hot or humid weather takes time for me. At the same time, the body (muscle reactions) is usually not a problem. Drained but strong somehow...

FactVord

You should be fortunate you have longer days than here at East Coast. I'd rather be roasting than be riding in the dark, but that's my preference.

shrinkboy

at the start line of 530pm crit last week, temp: 100 degrees

GP

As far as hills go, OC rivals Florida . Who wants to do Palomar on Friday? https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Palomar-7-8-11

Vicelord

ooooh boooo hooooo hooooo

I haven't ridden in anything less than 100f in about 3 weeks. Night, morning, doesn't matter. The past few days it's been about 105 and 40% humidity.

If you don't like it, don't ride.

Carbon Unit

The wooden bridges make a lot of noise when you roll across them but it has never caused me any problems. It is nice to not have to listen to cars and the view is good. It is a rather short ride but there is a lot of great roads coming out out of the Shady Canyon.

Palomar01

I'm used to cars zooming by. It's the damn loud piped motorcycles that really bug me. Riding it early avoids most of that.

Palomar01

I've heard about that route but I'm very hesitant to ride a bicycle through Live Oak because it has absolutely zero space for a bicycle if there are two vehicles approaching at the same time. It's too close for comfort, although I've seen many riders going in there.

Palomar01

Oh you're so tough out there in the desert.

Where in my post did I say I didn't like it? If I didn't like it I would not have ridden. However, I'm not going to keep riding when my body is telling me I'm about to get dehydrated. Being wise and listening to your physical condition as well as the weather is a good thing. Just like you don't ride when there is a lightning storm or a hurricane warning. If you are a desert rat and are used to high heat then good for you. I don't live in the desert nor have any desire to do so that's why I live near the coast where it's cooler.

heidiinla

You're complaining about riding in the low 90's (maximum) in the desert?!?!

And for fun, not commuting?

How about you come down here to South Louisiana and see how long you last.