Coming to Malibu or San Dimas in March to train. Which is best?
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Coming to Malibu or San Dimas in March to train. Which is best?
Hi folks,
My team is coming to the Malibu area in March to train for a week. But right now we are considering racing the San Dimas Stage Race, which may mean we'd have to spend the whole week in San Dimas to train due to logistics.
The question I ask you - which location is better for riding - Malibu or San Dimas? What is the traffic like in both areas? What are the routes like?
So far we are leaning towards Malibu because it also has a "vacation" feel to it. We'd probably end up with a pretty swanky vacation rental home. But if staying in San Dimas is just as nice and offers the same amount of climbing and training, we might as well do that and finish the week off with the stage race. But I expect that San Dimas is just a big, crowded suburb of LA.
Ten guys are awaiting your thoughts!
Thanks,
Rob
My team is coming to the Malibu area in March to train for a week. But right now we are considering racing the San Dimas Stage Race, which may mean we'd have to spend the whole week in San Dimas to train due to logistics.
The question I ask you - which location is better for riding - Malibu or San Dimas? What is the traffic like in both areas? What are the routes like?
So far we are leaning towards Malibu because it also has a "vacation" feel to it. We'd probably end up with a pretty swanky vacation rental home. But if staying in San Dimas is just as nice and offers the same amount of climbing and training, we might as well do that and finish the week off with the stage race. But I expect that San Dimas is just a big, crowded suburb of LA.
Ten guys are awaiting your thoughts!
Thanks,
Rob
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Tough choice Rob! I guess all things considered, I would go for Malibu, but not for the "vacation" feel. In Malibu you can ride up PCH for flat miles, and should you get the urge to climb there are many climbs (of various inclines and intensities) to pick from. Or, hey, you've got a week, you could probably do them all.
Don't miss Deer Creek, Decker and Latigo!
How 'bout you spend three or four days in Malibu and then head for San Dimas? Is that an option?
Lots of great climbs in the San Dimas area, plus you could do GMR/GRR (Glendora Mountain Road to Glendora Ridge Road) and Angeles Crest (CA Hwy 2) depending on weather conditions and snow levels. Of course, snow would not be a problem in the Santa Monica Mtns. (in Malibu).
If I were coming from MN this time of year, lets face it, either one would be excellent!
Rick / OCRR
Don't miss Deer Creek, Decker and Latigo!
How 'bout you spend three or four days in Malibu and then head for San Dimas? Is that an option?
Lots of great climbs in the San Dimas area, plus you could do GMR/GRR (Glendora Mountain Road to Glendora Ridge Road) and Angeles Crest (CA Hwy 2) depending on weather conditions and snow levels. Of course, snow would not be a problem in the Santa Monica Mtns. (in Malibu).
If I were coming from MN this time of year, lets face it, either one would be excellent!
Rick / OCRR
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Malibu for sure. There are great rides near San Dimas, but Malibu has some of the country's most spectacular beachside scenery and legendary climbs (described above).
You'll be convinced when you look out onto to vast Pacific and the gorgeous Malibu beachside scene (rural, actually) from 1400+ feet up en route. It's really spectacular.
You'll be convinced when you look out onto to vast Pacific and the gorgeous Malibu beachside scene (rural, actually) from 1400+ feet up en route. It's really spectacular.
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Hi Rob,
I live in san Dimas and race for the team that hosts the San Dimas Stage Race. Part of why I live where I do is because of all of the great riding available. From my door, I can ride to hour long climbs in 20 minutes. I can ride to the coast in less than 2 hours. I can head east and ride miles of flats if I want. I have done very limited riding in the Malibu area (a couple of training rides and a couple of races), so I can't comment to the riding in that area. If you are looking for a vacation feel, San Dimas may not give you what you want. There are a couple of nice hotels, but I wouldn't suggest it as a vacation destination.
I live in san Dimas and race for the team that hosts the San Dimas Stage Race. Part of why I live where I do is because of all of the great riding available. From my door, I can ride to hour long climbs in 20 minutes. I can ride to the coast in less than 2 hours. I can head east and ride miles of flats if I want. I have done very limited riding in the Malibu area (a couple of training rides and a couple of races), so I can't comment to the riding in that area. If you are looking for a vacation feel, San Dimas may not give you what you want. There are a couple of nice hotels, but I wouldn't suggest it as a vacation destination.
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From a pure training camp/ vacation perspective you'll probably enjoy Malibu more. It's got more of a 'California vibe' that you're probably expecting. On the other hand SDSR is a large, well run race and the nearby training is very good. The variety and views are better in Malibu but the climbing is just as good if not better near San Dimas.
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Not sure about Malibu, but I would assume traffic is worse there. Here in San Dimas it's only bad around rush hour. If you're worried about money, I bet Malibu is more expensive then San Dimas.
I would say San Dimas is a much better place, then again I am biased.
I would say San Dimas is a much better place, then again I am biased.
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Malibu means you'd be riding in the Santa Monica mountains, in March. Perfect conditions and no expected problems with the roads.
San Dimas in in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains which just suffered a huge fire last fall. Some of the roads are still closed because of it.
Depending on how wet our winter and spring is (Feb. is our rainiest month) there may be sizable mudslides in the burn area that could cause a lot of new road closures above San Dimas.
In any case, Malibu and San Dimas are only an hour drive apart.
San Dimas in in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains which just suffered a huge fire last fall. Some of the roads are still closed because of it.
Depending on how wet our winter and spring is (Feb. is our rainiest month) there may be sizable mudslides in the burn area that could cause a lot of new road closures above San Dimas.
In any case, Malibu and San Dimas are only an hour drive apart.
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Malibu means you'd be riding in the Santa Monica mountains, in March. Perfect conditions and no expected problems with the roads.
San Dimas in in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains which just suffered a huge fire last fall. Some of the roads are still closed because of it.
Depending on how wet our winter and spring is (Feb. is our rainiest month) there may be sizable mudslides in the burn area that could cause a lot of new road closures above San Dimas.
In any case, Malibu and San Dimas are only an hour drive apart.
San Dimas in in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains which just suffered a huge fire last fall. Some of the roads are still closed because of it.
Depending on how wet our winter and spring is (Feb. is our rainiest month) there may be sizable mudslides in the burn area that could cause a lot of new road closures above San Dimas.
In any case, Malibu and San Dimas are only an hour drive apart.
Or you could do the reverse (what I'd do!) - live in Malibu, ride the PCH & climbs, and if you want to mix it up, drive out to San Dimas and beyond (Mt Baldy!) for more.
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Thanks for all the input.
So many choices!
Seems like Malibu might be the way to go, as there will be no road closures/snow/mud slides/etc. And it's Malibu.
So many choices!
Seems like Malibu might be the way to go, as there will be no road closures/snow/mud slides/etc. And it's Malibu.
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It's hard to compete with Malibu but here's another option for you...Murrieta, CA.
If you're coming a week early your team can race in the 3 day Tour de Murrieta as a warm up for the SDSR. You can then train for a week in & around Murrieta before heading off to San Dimas. The Murrieta/Temecula/Fallbrook area has some of the best riding in So Cal with very little traffic. There are many beautiful routes that range from pancake flat to Mt. Palomar. (There is also a few casinos & and some excellent wineries).
Just a thought.
If you're coming a week early your team can race in the 3 day Tour de Murrieta as a warm up for the SDSR. You can then train for a week in & around Murrieta before heading off to San Dimas. The Murrieta/Temecula/Fallbrook area has some of the best riding in So Cal with very little traffic. There are many beautiful routes that range from pancake flat to Mt. Palomar. (There is also a few casinos & and some excellent wineries).
Just a thought.
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There really isn't much to see in Malibu and during March it might not be all that sunny and beach type weather. Its not like you can jump right in the ocean and have fun. The nightlife is further down the coast. But you will be training. Even the good restaurants aren't in Malibu.
Pepperdine University is in Malibu and its a real nice campus. It actually has lodging accommodations because of their Graduate Business School. You might call them to see if your team can stay in their facilities.
https://www.villagraziadio.com/accommodations/
Pepperdine University is in Malibu and its a real nice campus. It actually has lodging accommodations because of their Graduate Business School. You might call them to see if your team can stay in their facilities.
https://www.villagraziadio.com/accommodations/
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This is awesome... not even the locals can agree!
Garfield - thanks for the housing rec! We are looking to save money... I'll give them a call.
Garfield - thanks for the housing rec! We are looking to save money... I'll give them a call.
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San Dimas is close to the Glendora Mountain road. You can get directions from Mapmyride.com but you could get there via Foothill Blvd. There is a lot of traffic so I dont know if the intersections would hinder your training. Im not a racer so I only ride for enjoyment and there are plenty of routes in San Dimas to ride. Its a beautiful area in my opinion and very relaxed. The only confrontations I have had on the road were in La Verne or Pomona. Those are the bad parts where impatient "gangster" types want to tell you THEIR rules on the road. And its usually telling cyclists to get OFF the road. And if you ride to Upland you can ride up the Mount Baldy Road (or whatever its called) and thats a steep climb. There are some sections over 15% grade and guys like me would be crawling up at 5 mph while maxing my heartrate. I would think Malibu would have less interruptions and the scenery might be more enjoyable. For casual riders San Dimas is great.
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well, I didn't see Carlos Sastre, The Schlecks, or Jens Voigt in San Dimas, but I did ride with them in Malibu last Feb when their teams had their training camps here....
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Just to follow-up from Malibu. Here's a crappy cell-phone pic I took yesterday of the ocean from mid-way up Encinal Cyn. Rd.. This is just one of many climbs inthe area, a 5 mile effort with an average of 5-6% grade.
Encinal Cyn Road.jpg
Encinal Cyn Road.jpg