Roads in Malibu ??
11-19-07, 02:44 PM
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Roads in Malibu ??
I was wondering if the Malibu area is good for road biking. I used to spend some time in that area but I remember Decker, Mulhuland, Kanan and other roads as being very popular with motorcylists and cars racing through there. Are they safe roads to bike on ?
11-19-07, 03:28 PM
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Having been a life-long resident of the area (and motoring enthusiast) I'm going to have give the thumbs-down on that idea. Out of any of those I'd say Kanan would be the best.. but I'd still advise against riding it on the weekend.
Since some of the local guys might chime in, I was wondering if someone could explain the need to be on Las Virgenes during commute hours? Yes, you have a right to be there.. but it seems like suicide to me.
Since some of the local guys might chime in, I was wondering if someone could explain the need to be on Las Virgenes during commute hours? Yes, you have a right to be there.. but it seems like suicide to me.
11-19-07, 03:37 PM
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Having been a life-long resident of the area (and motoring enthusiast) I'm going to have give the thumbs-down on that idea. Out of any of those I'd say Kanan would be the best.. but I'd still advise against riding it on the weekend.
Since some of the local guys might chime in, I was wondering if someone could explain the need to be on Las Virgenes during commute hours? Yes, you have a right to be there.. but it seems like suicide to me.
Since some of the local guys might chime in, I was wondering if someone could explain the need to be on Las Virgenes during commute hours? Yes, you have a right to be there.. but it seems like suicide to me.
11-19-07, 03:40 PM
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11-19-07, 03:46 PM
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Great cycling through the Santa Monica's. It is better on Saturday's there seem to be many more motorcyclists on Sunday.
Unfortunately there are a few inconsiderate motorcyclists that ruin it for the rest and has caused increased patrol. If you get buzzed by a motorcyclist, call the Malibu Sheriff at 1-818-878-1808 (I have it on speed dial). They won't be able to do anything about that particular motorcyclist but they will send units and start writing tickets.
Ok, for bicycling, as Mary said, Latigo and Stunt are great. All roads up to SaddlePeak are great (the top of Stunt).
Also, Decker, Deer Creek Rd, Yerba Buena, Mulholland, well, just about all. The ones I avoid are Malibu Canyon and Kanan Road.
Unfortunately there are a few inconsiderate motorcyclists that ruin it for the rest and has caused increased patrol. If you get buzzed by a motorcyclist, call the Malibu Sheriff at 1-818-878-1808 (I have it on speed dial). They won't be able to do anything about that particular motorcyclist but they will send units and start writing tickets.
Ok, for bicycling, as Mary said, Latigo and Stunt are great. All roads up to SaddlePeak are great (the top of Stunt).
Also, Decker, Deer Creek Rd, Yerba Buena, Mulholland, well, just about all. The ones I avoid are Malibu Canyon and Kanan Road.
11-19-07, 03:48 PM
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11-19-07, 03:53 PM
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Like you said, Malibu Canyon is hard to avoid sometimes. But I always avoid Kanan (except to cross it on Mulholland or the little stretch from Mulholland to Latigo), not that it is particularly bad, it just lacks the character of the other canyons, it seems to be more of a freeway through the mountains.
11-19-07, 04:05 PM
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Having been a life-long resident of the area (and motoring enthusiast) I'm going to have give the thumbs-down on that idea. Out of any of those I'd say Kanan would be the best.. but I'd still advise against riding it on the weekend.
Since some of the local guys might chime in, I was wondering if someone could explain the need to be on Las Virgenes during commute hours? Yes, you have a right to be there.. but it seems like suicide to me.
Since some of the local guys might chime in, I was wondering if someone could explain the need to be on Las Virgenes during commute hours? Yes, you have a right to be there.. but it seems like suicide to me.
As Mary and Jim stated, I avoid Kanan and Malibu Cyn as much as possible...
I am on Las Virgenes from Lost Hills until I turn on Mullholland but that is it...
I go though Calamigos Ranch from Latigo to avoid Kanan...
I love all the other roads though...Stunt, Piuma, Deer Creek (Up not DOWN!!), Decker,
Encinal, etc.....
I do try and avoid Rock Store on Sundays though
My sunday ride is normally Up Westlake, Down Encinal, to PCH, up Latigo and back....
11-19-07, 04:08 PM
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perfect ride. Oh, and by the way, it also depends on weather conditions. I did avoid riding those canyons yesterday due to the heavy fog. Cyclists do need to be smart about riding any roads in bad conditions since we are more vulnerable. No way I wanted to climb Latigo or Stunt in that dense fog. A car wouldn't have seen me until right up on me. But other than that, I've found many of those roads have little traffic on them excepting the above mentioned Mulholland and Kanan, but even those can be utilized smartly (i.e. alert and single file).
11-19-07, 04:12 PM
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11-19-07, 04:13 PM
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perfect ride. Oh, and by the way, it also depends on weather conditions. I did avoid riding those canyons yesterday due to the heavy fog. Cyclists do need to be smart about riding any roads in bad conditions since we are more vulnerable. No way I wanted to climb Latigo or Stunt in that dense fog. A car wouldn't have seen me until right up on me. But other than that, I've found many of those roads have little traffic on them excepting the above mentioned Mulholland and Kanan, but even those can be utilized smartly (i.e. alert and single file).
11-19-07, 04:13 PM
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perfect ride. Oh, and by the way, it also depends on weather conditions. I did avoid riding those canyons yesterday due to the heavy fog. Cyclists do need to be smart about riding any roads in bad conditions since we are more vulnerable. No way I wanted to climb Latigo or Stunt in that dense fog. A car wouldn't have seen me until right up on me. But other than that, I've found many of those roads have little traffic on them excepting the above mentioned Mulholland and Kanan, but even those can be utilized smartly (i.e. alert and single file).
11-19-07, 04:14 PM
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I figured that would elicit a reaction. Not trolling, just trying to figure it out as I'm coming from one end of the spectrum to the other (slowly).
It wasn't so long ago that you could find me tearing through the canyon roads on weekend afternoons- idiotic now that I think about it- but having experienced more than a few ugly situations in the past I simply wouldn't put myself in that position (in a car or otherwise). Few shoulders, no bike lanes and blind corners everywhere.
It's great to hope that motorists are aware of the legal right for bikes to share the road.. but when Joe Porsche is trying to apex a turn such thoughts usually don't cross their mind. I'm not saying bikes shouldn't be on these roads (as I'd love to try most of them) but having been that lunatic behind the wheel before I just wouldn't feel safe. I can't call the Sheriff's department from the afterlife.
-Chris
It wasn't so long ago that you could find me tearing through the canyon roads on weekend afternoons- idiotic now that I think about it- but having experienced more than a few ugly situations in the past I simply wouldn't put myself in that position (in a car or otherwise). Few shoulders, no bike lanes and blind corners everywhere.
It's great to hope that motorists are aware of the legal right for bikes to share the road.. but when Joe Porsche is trying to apex a turn such thoughts usually don't cross their mind. I'm not saying bikes shouldn't be on these roads (as I'd love to try most of them) but having been that lunatic behind the wheel before I just wouldn't feel safe. I can't call the Sheriff's department from the afterlife.
-Chris
11-19-07, 04:18 PM
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It's great to hope that motorists are aware of the legal right for bikes to share the road.. but when Joe Porsche is trying to apex a turn such thoughts usually don't cross their mind. I'm not saying bikes shouldn't be on these roads (as I'd love to try most of them) but having been that lunatic behind the wheel before I just wouldn't feel safe. I can't call the Sheriff's department from the afterlife.
-Chris
-Chris
11-19-07, 04:22 PM
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I figured that would elicit a reaction. Not trolling, just trying to figure it out as I'm coming from one end of the spectrum to the other (slowly).
It wasn't so long ago that you could find me tearing through the canyon roads on weekend afternoons- idiotic now that I think about it- but having experienced more than a few ugly situations in the past I simply wouldn't put myself in that position (in a car or otherwise). Few shoulders, no bike lanes and blind corners everywhere.
It's great to hope that motorists are aware of the legal right for bikes to share the road.. but when Joe Porsche is trying to apex a turn such thoughts usually don't cross their mind. I'm not saying bikes shouldn't be on these roads (as I'd love to try most of them) but having been that lunatic behind the wheel before I just wouldn't feel safe. I can't call the Sheriff's department from the afterlife.
-Chris
It wasn't so long ago that you could find me tearing through the canyon roads on weekend afternoons- idiotic now that I think about it- but having experienced more than a few ugly situations in the past I simply wouldn't put myself in that position (in a car or otherwise). Few shoulders, no bike lanes and blind corners everywhere.
It's great to hope that motorists are aware of the legal right for bikes to share the road.. but when Joe Porsche is trying to apex a turn such thoughts usually don't cross their mind. I'm not saying bikes shouldn't be on these roads (as I'd love to try most of them) but having been that lunatic behind the wheel before I just wouldn't feel safe. I can't call the Sheriff's department from the afterlife.
-Chris
I have had Motorcyclists and Cars come up slowly behind or beside me and slow down and comment on my bike and my attire!
No negitivity at all that I have experienced....
I got buzzed before up @ AC, but not in the Malibu area....
11-19-07, 04:25 PM
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I figured that would elicit a reaction. Not trolling, just trying to figure it out as I'm coming from one end of the spectrum to the other (slowly).
It wasn't so long ago that you could find me tearing through the canyon roads on weekend afternoons- idiotic now that I think about it- but having experienced more than a few ugly situations in the past I simply wouldn't put myself in that position (in a car or otherwise). Few shoulders, no bike lanes and blind corners everywhere.
It's great to hope that motorists are aware of the legal right for bikes to share the road.. but when Joe Porsche is trying to apex a turn such thoughts usually don't cross their mind. I'm not saying bikes shouldn't be on these roads (as I'd love to try most of them) but having been that lunatic behind the wheel before I just wouldn't feel safe. I can't call the Sheriff's department from the afterlife.
-Chris
It wasn't so long ago that you could find me tearing through the canyon roads on weekend afternoons- idiotic now that I think about it- but having experienced more than a few ugly situations in the past I simply wouldn't put myself in that position (in a car or otherwise). Few shoulders, no bike lanes and blind corners everywhere.
It's great to hope that motorists are aware of the legal right for bikes to share the road.. but when Joe Porsche is trying to apex a turn such thoughts usually don't cross their mind. I'm not saying bikes shouldn't be on these roads (as I'd love to try most of them) but having been that lunatic behind the wheel before I just wouldn't feel safe. I can't call the Sheriff's department from the afterlife.
-Chris
For the first time in a long time, I actually saw two deer on Mulholland between the Rock Store and the start of the climb. Sure, I see them off the road a lot, but they were right in the middle of the street. They were not moving either, I had to startle them to get them off the street.
11-19-07, 04:29 PM
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For the first time in a long time, I actually saw two deer on Mulholland between the Rock Store and the start of the climb. Sure, I see them off the road a lot, but they were right in the middle of the street. They were not moving either, I had to startle them to get them off the street.
11-19-07, 04:36 PM
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My point is that this particular area seems to encourage Mr. Porsche to take more risks than anywhere else (and I speak from experience). If someone is looking for new places to ride would you not do them the favor of at least mentioning this?
11-19-07, 04:44 PM
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Again, I have no problem with cyclists bring on any road.
My point is that this particular area seems to encourage Mr. Porsche to take more risks than anywhere else (and I speak from experience). If someone is looking for new places to ride would you not do them the favor of at least mentioning this?
My point is that this particular area seems to encourage Mr. Porsche to take more risks than anywhere else (and I speak from experience). If someone is looking for new places to ride would you not do them the favor of at least mentioning this?
I just feel very strongly opposed to what you wrote. I also don't imagine that you have ridden up there on a bike based on what you stated. Yes, motorists take risks in Malibu, but no, that area is not the worst. Motorclists take extreme risks on Angeles Crest (and are very often killed because of it). Although I would warn a rider to stay as far over to the right as possible on AC, I wouldn't discourage them from riding in that area. Again, it's about riding smart and alert (right here I could start the whole wearing an iPod debate...but I'm not that bored today 
) Your comments seem discouraging, IMO. If you are a cyclist, why not try out an area before stating that other cyclists should avoid it? That's all.
11-19-07, 04:51 PM
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Chris, it goes in waves. I was through there Saturday and there was very little motorcycle traffic and the motorcyclists that were there were not ripping each turn. That leads me to believe that there were enough tickets given recently to quell the crazies there for a while. It won’t last but our only defense is to call the Sheriff and say “they’re back’.
11-19-07, 04:53 PM
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Chris, I look forward to riding with you through the mountains and get your perspective. I bet we both learn.
And the wave length is measured in weeks not years.
And the wave length is measured in weeks not years.
11-19-07, 04:58 PM
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Well, rather than continue the debate, as all points have been covered, let us extend an invitation to you to see for yourself and ride the SM's! There are numerous opportunities to ride it with a group, if you want. Both Agoura stores, Sundance Cycles and Agoura Cycles, have a Saturday morning group ride that often covers the SM's. (Check www.sundancecycles.com for the upcoming routes each week. AC doesn't do that yet despite our pleas to Joel!)
Conejo Valley Cyclists (www.cvcbike.org) hits it constantly. This Thursday, several of us will be riding with CVC along Mulholland to Stunt and back, a good way to work up an appetite for Turkey!
Sheldon
Conejo Valley Cyclists (www.cvcbike.org) hits it constantly. This Thursday, several of us will be riding with CVC along Mulholland to Stunt and back, a good way to work up an appetite for Turkey!
Sheldon
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11-19-07, 05:00 PM
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Good idea, Sheldon! Or, Chris, come out and play with some local BFers. We ride up there in small groups all the time. Thomson is the best tour guide through there I've met and he knows all the less trafficked roads.
11-19-07, 05:04 PM
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11-19-07, 05:05 PM
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