agarose2000

Do any of you do any serious road training at night in LA? If so, what roads do you ride? I'd be running 300+lumens of lighting, and PB superflash in back.

roadfix

Rose Bowl

rooftest

I went on a 3+ hour ride last night thoughout Griffith Park. Loops, climbs, etc. That gets my vote.

endoverendo

I've been riding just about everywhere I ride during the day. Sometimes I also do a fun valley group ride called Bicykillers.

philos

Hey does anyone know if the LA river route is always open? I've always figured it closes somewhere near dusk, but it would be awesome if it's always open...

LawnChair

+1

roadfix

Riding from my house I do a weekly loop through GP, up to the observatory, and back. But riding solo at night through the gated canyon roads can get real creepy. I've done many night rides, but with a small group.

herbm

Yes..unless its raining hard, then they close it....

urbanknight

Good place to crash into holes left uncovered after someone stole the wiring for the lighting... or to get mugged.

That's a nice place as long as you're not afraid of Coyotes watching and racing with you. I haven't heard of any actual attacks, though, just curious following.

Best choice, in my opinion.

AdamD

The only time I've seen the LA river closed is during/after hard rains. The river runs through so many different cities/jurisdictions that the closing and subsequent reopening of the gates isn't completely predictable. They close it because most of the trail has no protection to keep people from tumbling into the river, and if you end up in that water when it's flowing strong you're likely taking a ride all the way to the port. I've developed a method of tossing my bike over the fence and hanging it by one of my bars drops and then hopping the fence. I call it my urban cyclocross commute and have fun with it.

Back to the original topic... I wouldn't want to ride the LA river trail at night.

rooftest

pfft - being afraid of coyotes is like being afraid of squirrels.

Gordo Grande

I'd be careful about Griffith Park after dark. I've been working within a mile or so of Griffith Park for nearly 30 years. There is indeed crime there, especially after dark. A close friend of mine was shot with a pellet gun while riding in the park about a year ago. No serious injury, but still scary. I've known of other people getting slammed with bricks and of females getting their butts grabbed by drivers.

Mabye try the L.A. Beach Bike Path. I know it's a shlep from the west side, but I think there is less crime after dark.

Just for the record, I still work a stone's throw from the park, and ride it, just not after dark. That's all I'm saying. I'd also suggest the Rose Bowl, or the Balboa Park Bike Path out in the west valley. It's a great loop, and I think there is a lot less crime out that way.

urbanknight

That's good to know. Until now, the only crime I've heard of is bodies being dumped there, but that doesn't make you the target... unless you witness it and start calling the cops or something.

munski1968

I hear that the Carson/Compton area is great for riding at night. You'll definitely pedal your arse off trying to get out of there!! Great for getting that heart rate up!! lol

LawnChair

People should always be careful, but for the record, I have been
all over the park at night by myself without any problems. My
biggest concern is to not hit a deer when decending from the hill.
Lately, if I ride the bikepath, I have to watch out for a dog that
seems to want to chase me as I approach Fletcher. Usually when
I am riding in the hills, I am the only one riding in the hills. So if
something goes wrong I am on my own. If you are riding with someone
else, I would not worry about being anywhere in the park after dark.

rooftest

+1. slammed with bricks?

philos

Thanks for the heads up, I do see a lot campers/vagabonds on the river path during the day, but it's good to know that once the sun goes down it's an option.

rooftest

Yeah - I'm sure they all clear out and go home after sundown.

AdamD

No need for them to go home, they're already there.

I see a few regulars on the LA River in the evening, and then still asleep in the same spot next to the trail in the morning.

f4rrest

Some nice quiet climbs up around DeBell golf course and Stough Cyn Park in Burbank
https://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/burbank/401303228735

The park climb (1/2mi, about 12%) is closed to cars, watch for coyotes and deer.

Gordo Grande

LOL! I had a squirrel run in front of me years ago coming down garbage hill. Poor little guy left the tip of his tail on the road that day! :-)

Gordo Grande

NO s**t! That was some years ago, but I guy I worked with was riding at lunch time, and some punks pulled up and threw a brick at him. Hit him in the head! Fortunately, the guy was ok.

Sewellymon

rose bowl

and chantry flats above arcadia

i run 400 lumens on helmet, 200 on handlebar, and DiNotte's killer 200 lumen rear red..

f4rrest

I bet the DiNotte keeps people off your wheel at the rose bowl. I just picked up a little Fenix light knockoff to hold in my teeth when it's dark.

Sewellymon

i am PASSIONATE about the DiNotte. it's like a cop car's flashing red light...

but yea. sux if you are behind me. but i am also one of the slowest guys out there, so anybody with any fitness is passing me...

i also like the 400 lumen on the helmet because if a driver starts to pull out in front of you, the penalty beam in their eyes is painful