bridgestone93

Sup guys, "newbie" here
Im trying to prep to do a complete century and then some.
The most I have done was ~80 miles but with some real killer hills in the end of it. So now I'd like to do it but with less hills. Im thinking it wouldn't be as bad.
So my question is how safe is PCH ( Pacific coast highway ) up towards Malibu ? I've ridden on it but not far enough to hit Malibu. I've heard of enough accidents, car, pedestrian, and cyclist alike, to make me weary. I really love the beach and that type of environment so I am prepared for the inevitable tough winds and what ever else it throws at me.
I would start this "adventure" early so I won't have to be too worried about visibility in the night time.
BUT JUST IN CASE, I want to hear past experiences incase I don't make it fast enough to stay within daylight.
So TL;DR version
1: Have any of you guys ridden down PCH?
2: If so how safe is it ? Specially during the night ?
3: How should I prep?
4: What should I take with me on this trip ?
Im new here guys, so if I posted this thread in the wrong place. Please, don't throw tomatoes at me.

Long Tom

A century on the PCH in Oregon would be pretty brutal as its very wīndy, and also windy, and hilly. But it'd be scenic as heck!

Narrow, winding roads are sketchy for cycling... at a minimum, put a daylight-bright red taillight blinker on the bike. I have one that'll go 8+ hours... could save your life...

Slackerprince

If I was going to roll a century, I wouldn't include any night-time hours.
Why don't you call some bike shops in the area that you're planning on riding, and ask them?
Good luck and stay safe.


S

bridgestone93

I guess I should have mentioned Im in Los ANgeles so in order for me to actually get to PCH would be 25 miles in itself. So from Venice Beach to Paradise Cove Malibu California would be about 20 miles. I know its not a full century but I don't want to push myself. I don't think its as windy and hilly on this side of PCH. But still, it is very scenic aswell. Day light whattt!!! I haven't seen those lights . Link please (: . Well I heard PCH on this side has more shoulder to space. I wouldn't know yet though.
Thanks for your input man cheers

bridgestone93

The only bike shop that wouldn't take me off course would be around Santa Monica BLVD. Yeah Hopefully I don't Im going to wait until summer time for this. The sunlight ends right around 5:30 pm in LA right now

hhnngg1

PCH is fine during the day. Avoid it for sure at night, mainly because cars won't expect to see you and they go fast (70+).

You can definitely get a 100 miler in there from Santa Monica to Camarillo, and the extra miles you mentioned en route to PCH. No problem. You could even do it with company - lots of riders leave Santa Monica 8AM at Ocean Blvd/San Vicente - just tag along with one of the groups until they go off on their own route. (Almost everyone rides the PCH north who meets there.)

jerk85

Where are you starting from? I live in Westwood and ride PCH solo all the time. You have to be vigilant with traffic, but it is safe enough if you take the lane at appropriate times. Plenty of places to stop and refuel. Wind is generally not an issue (usually slight headwind heading north/west, so starting from LA means you'll usually have a slight tailwind on the return).

scott967

Used to live in Oxnard and rode down PCH often. Typically down to Mulholland. At least the Ventura Co section is perfect for riding, other than prevailing wind against you going north. Propably would't do it at night, just kind of dark and traffic not expecting to see cyclists.

scott s.
.

bridgestone93

I start off in Boyle Heights. Real close to East Los Angeles. That sounds good man. I hate traffic speeding next to me specially when you can see the glare of their cellphones in the glass. But if you've done it then Im sure I could try it out . Thanks

bridgestone93

Sound advice. Thanks scott

xjustice09x

I ride PCH fairly often. From the end of the bike path at will rogers state beach to malibu canyon its pretty flat. Then its rolling hills for a while. Ive only ridden up to Leo Carillo state beach.

Its fine during the day. On the weekends there are plenty of cyclists around. I wouldnt ride it at night.

Lasrsktr

I echo the comments of not attempting to ride PCH at night..

I ride a lot north bound from Santa Monica to Malibu and back. Start your century early (Sunrise at 6:15ish am these days) and you will finish in plenty of time to avoid night time riding.

You cannot avoid rolling hills on this route once you get past Malibu Canyon (its dead flat from Santa Monica to Malibu Country Mart).

There are quite a few bike shops in the Santa Monica and surrounding areas that joining up with a ride wouldn't be to difficult.

There are also plenty of ways to complete a century by just linking up with bike trails and city streets....


~Steven

lyrictenor1

Bridgestone, you may get even more responses if you post in the SoCal regional forum here: https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ern-California

ovoleg

I've ridden down PCH a lot and I've never been hit...I don't think you have anything to worry about.

hhnngg1

I've also never been hit, but I defininitely wouldn't say it's nothing to worry about. You really should try and go with groups if possible, even if to just get to the wider shoulder areas past Topanga, and avoid dusk/night.

The cars go FAST. There will be no good or even slightly bad outcome of car vs cyclist on PCH. It's 65-80mph traffic, a few feet off your left arm, most of the time, so definitely be aware and careful, and try and ride with groups for maximal safety/visibility.

(I've ridden the for 3 years every wknd without incident, but I go on Saturdays with a group. The few times I've ridden it solo on weekdays, I didn't feel safe at all.)

ovoleg

I've never ridden there during the week so you might be right. Only on the weekends for me. I never felt super unsafe but yeah the cars go by pretty quick.

big john

In my opinion PCH is a terrible road to ride on, especially south of Malibu. North of Malibu it's better, but it's still a freeway. I get tired of the sound of traffic racing by. It's doable, but it sucks and there are so many nice roads to ride on I prefer to only use PCH to connect other roads.

Seattle Forrest

Get bright head and tail lights. You won't see the road as well, but you'll be seen by drivers, and they'll be running their lights so you'll have better visibility of them.

I haven't ridden such a southern route so I can't comment on that.

big john

I probably rode it before you were born. How's that for some bitter old man crap?

eja_ bottecchia

Excellent advice. I live in the Conejo Valley and one of my favorite rides is from home down to PCH, to Trancas Canyon and then back home on PCH...with a refueling stop at Neptune's Net.

hhnngg1

Despite all the car traffic, it's still a must-do for anyone cycling in Socal. It's epically beautiful with the ocean off your arm, and hits some epic mountain climbs in the Santa Monica canyons. In a group, I would definitely consider it a safe ride. As a solo rider, still safe on weekends, but I'd avoid at all costs at night/dark.

ovoleg

you better come out this saturday for the ride. I'm going to hammer of the front in your name.

peckma

How to prep for PCH? Update your life insurance first. Then go ride it. Lots of traffic from Santa Monica up to Pepperdine. The shoulders get a little wider, and the traffic thinner, the further you get from Pepperdine. Plenty of mini-marts and state/local parks along the way, but there is no bike shop once you leave Santa Monica (the one at Zuma Beach closed). Careful around Neptune's Net both ways - cross traffic and cars parked on the shoulder ocean-side.

PCH is as safe as any other state highway where the cars whiz by at 50+ miles an hour 2-3 feet (or less) from your ear....still......it's one of the best rides in SoCal. Get up and go early to beat the traffic. Find a group and latch on - cyclists tend to congregate at Will Rogers State Beach at PCH & Temescal waiting for the light. Or, Ocean & San Vicente in Santa Monica. The Kettle Ride from Manhattan Beach would hit PCH/Temescal around 815/830AM on Sundays - usually a fast ride but there are others content to do tempo off the back.

Dylan Roberts

I live in Santa Paula and I'm planning to ride to the Santa Monica Pier and back. I'm thinking about starting at 3 or 4 in the morning since the first part of my ride is a very straight road with little to no cars on it, and then I can pass through Saticoy/Oxnard area with few problems. Riding PCH before everyone gets on the road is a nice plus as well

big john

We'll see, I've been avoiding the club Saturday rides lately. Plus, it might rain.