Mayday.JP

Took a nice 15 mile ride today from sunset beach to just passed HB pier and experienced alot of rude riders. People going the opposite direction of the bike path and getting upset at me for going the right direction, groups taking up the entire lane and not moving even when asked to, riders get upset because i yell "on your left" when i'm passing...Was wondering if anyone else experiences that when they go down there?

Pamestique 

Unless just out for a cruise, best to not use the bike path and stay out on the street. The path is used by ****ers, beach goers and general non-bikey types who don't understand a need for speed...

BTW I ride the bike path often... at a slow easy pace. I politely call out and generally get a "thank you" in return. I do of course, encounter folks who don't speak english or aren't familiar with the beach and beach traffic... they just don't know any better but I do... so 1) I usually avoid doing my traning rides at the beach during the summer and 2) if I ride at the beach, I remember that alot of people don't know the rules so I act accordingly. I am extra nice and polite so people get the message in return.

Also I must remember it's not a bike path but a multi-use trail which means walkers/runners, hikers/joggers/people have first rights over bikes. No excuse for rude cyclist - but I assume its because they aren't really "bikey" types...

gamuell

I ride that stretch a lot but never on the bike path. The shoulder on PCH through there is nice and wide, and I don't encounter much bike traffic.

Mayday.JP

I meant to say actual PCH shoulder. My mistake. I never ride the public path. Too many dogs, strollers and beach cruisers. I experienced all of that on PCH shoulder lane. BTW it was a BEAUTIFUL day for a ride!

Mr. Beanz

Just that it was a busy weekend. I've actually never had anybody walking against me the several times I've been on PCH.

Dj Hunny

I ride that direction quite a few times, but never on the bike path. I prefer the street to avoid the beach goes/walker/joggers and so on...

tFUnK

can't say i've experienced that on pch from LB to HB. depending on time/day, the door zone as one gets closer to HB can become dicey, but other than that, haven't had any problems with rude cyclists. the bike path would be another story.

playrider

I totally agree with the "share the path politely" sentiment. I just thought I'd chime in with regards to using the path vs the street.

I truck through Huntington Beach pretty often these days between riding on the SART and the SGRT. Where I can, I usually ride on the path. It's not that I'm new to cycling; I just see the speed at which riders on the street go and (tipping my helmet to them) dream of the day I can hit those speeds. Until then, I just figure it's safer to stay on the path. But the day will come when I can ride comfortably out there with the rest of you. I promise you that.

chefxian

I had some ***** and her boyfriend throw change at me today on Colorado blvd.

alicestrong

That's really crummy. Next time demand folding money...

sd_mike

That is easy. Get the plate, call the police. If they are throwing things at you, regardless of what, they need to be reported.

Mr. Beanz

That's really crummy. Next time demand folding money...

Or pull out a guitar and start singing like the guy a the pier. People thew a whole jar of money at him!

insidious meme

I get to the beach using SART for much of my rides, but I don't venture onto PCH that often. I guess I fear cars more than I do MUP denizens.

Quite the ride from Whittier. Have you been to the Coyote Creek path? It's somewhat a choppy stretch of MUP, but at least it's not crowded.

rallison

The upper 5 miles of Coyote Creek have been repaved with perfect asphalt, FYI.

Mayday.JP

I haven't been to the coyote creek path yet. Ive heard about and am hoping to take a nice ride out there soon. Saw some pics of it on another thread might of been from rallison and it looks like fun! Where can I catch the start of that from Whittier blvd/Santa gertrudes? And is there a place I can drive to and park by the trail?

rallison

You can hop on the trail at its northernmost tip here.

As for parking, sorry, I wouldn't know. Edit: Although, looking on the map, there is a Frontier Park listed a half block away. That might be a possibility.

There is also this short little bike path not to far away that you could possibly integrate into your route. Since I haven't ridden it though, no promises!

LAriverRat

That's how i felt last year when i first started riding. I keep off the bike path now (to many people, dogs, etc.) and just ride the streets at HB. I can now ride 18 to 24 mph so i can keep up most of the time. Most everyone i find has been helpful and pleasant. Keep at it, you will improve.

insidious meme

Actually some time ago, I saw the trail north of Rosecrans to Foster was paved. I haven't been there since to see the rest of it. However, much of the trail is kinda bumpy esp. south of the regional park. Hopefully they'll get around to that.

As Rallison mentioned, you could probably park at Frontier Park based on the map. But I usually ride down the 5.5 miles from my place to the Rosecrans entrance of Coyote Creek then go down from there. Not sure how you are with riding on roads, but it's doable from Whittier and Santa Gertrudes. La Mirada has an alot of bike lanes on the major streets, though north of Imperial you won't see them on Santa Gertrudes.

Mr. Beanz

I'm not sure what time you ride but we start rather late (10 am). First half the ride, there are a bunch of riders. Half way through, they all seem to vanish, avoiding the heat I guess. We don't encounter too many SART riders on the return.

Pamestique 

OK my rant. Saturday I did a training ride with a friend. We started in Dana Point, rode PCH north to Jamboree where we caught the Back Bay Trail, took that up to Portola, then Jamboree again to Santiago Canyon Rd to El Toro, caught the Aliso Creek trail took that down to Aliso Viejo and then found our way, via Crown Valley, back to Dana Point. Alittle over 63 miles, some good climbing.

I spent the first off the ride pissed! Large groups of near do well think their sh*t don't stink roadies came blasting by, in long pacelines, no call out at all. My friend and I stopped for a light but this jerk, going abour 25 - 30 mph rode through and was always hit by a left turn driver (who had the right of way). On the San Diego Creek trail, where they don't belong, big packs of riders again blasting by, no call out. Pity the poor mom pushing a stroller or old lady with a dog. But that all changed when we hit Santiago Canyon Rd. Only the hardy , experienced riders there and everyone was polite and call out or nodded in passing. Thankfully that mellowed me out and I enjoyed the rest of my ride!

rallison

Yes, that section is repaved and rides excellently.

d4c4c8

When we ride Coyote Creek we start at Frontier Park it really is close. Also there are a number of parking lots along Alondra Blvd, including the drive in/swap meet. Farther south, is the parking lot at the McDonald's where Orangethorp turns into South St.

CritEastwood

The only way to avoid idiot riders in Southern California is to ride at night. It's almost 100% foolproof. Most of my weekend rides are after 10PM and before 5AM. I do sprints a few nights a week on my meal break at work and don't encounter anyone then either.

Konishi

I took the San Gabriel River Trail to PCH today around 9am and there weren't to many people riding, pretty nice day, People calling out where they were as they passed even when it wasn't necessary, overall nice day.