gmharle

I am in the Glendale area for the month of April on business and am looking for some good routes or groups to ride while I am here. I have looked around on map my ride for routes, but I am not that familiar with the surrounding areas. I am looking to do maybe 30-40 miles on Sat and Sun and would like to get in some decent climbs. Any recommendations from those that know the area? Thanks in advance.

jimxyz

I would suggest a climb up Angeles Crest.
This link is not from one of my rides (it starts in Pasadena) - but it shows the area. Getting to Angeles Crest from Glendale is pretty easy and doesnt add many miles (either take Colorado to Linda Vista up to Foothil to hwy 2 or from downtown Glendal take Glendale Ave to Verdugo, to Foothill to hwy 2).
Pasadena/Angeles Crest in Pasadena, CA | MapMyRide
Griffith Park area has some decent riding areas - Map my Ride lists the varius routes. I have only done it a few times, so hopefully someone else can provide better guidance than I can.
If you can easily drive somewhere and then ride, you may want to consider riding in the Calabassas/Malibu Canyon areas. Not too far from Glendale, but far enough that you will need to drive. Lots of great up and down sections and ocean views

Biker395 

^ +1

Or, drive over to Encanto Park (near the northern terminus of US605) at 8AM. There are usually clouds of cyclists there and you can join a group for a ride down to the beach and back, up Highway 39 or up Glendora Mountain Road.

f4rrest

I ride your area regularly. Where are you staying?

Griffith Park and the LA River Trail are good. Super easy to get to from Glendale using Glenoaks Blvd. to Sonora. And/or ride the foothills in Glendale/Burbank by heading north on Brand Blvd to Kenneth and turn left.
Bike Ride Profile | 56 miles near Burbank | Times and Records | Strava

Angeles Crest Highway is best reached via Chevy Chase from Glendale. (Chevy Chase itself is a nice moderate climb.)
Avoid Angeles Crest during rush hours! No cell phone reception once you're in the mountains, best to save the GPX to your garmin and bring a printed map if you go alone.
I'll likely be doing something similar this Sunday with some coworkers at a very easy pace.
Bike Ride Profile | Chevy, ACH, BIg T, Hansen, Burbank loop near Burbank | Times and Records | Strava

Chevy Chase itself is a fun road, which you can take to the Rose Bowl. There is a fast group ride Tue and Thur nights 6pm at the Rose Bowl (10 laps, 30 mi).
Bike Ride Profile | commute + bowl + messenger bag near Burbank | Times and Records | Strava

La Tuna Canyon loop clockwise through Montrose to Glendale. In this one, I've combined Griffith Park and LA River as well. Of course you can split it up.
Avoid La Tuna Canyon during rush hours or late day weekends.
https://app.strava.com/activities/115588571

gmharle

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions!

Embassy Suites on Central


Any chance that I could meet up with you somewhere and tag along?

f4rrest

Sure. Here's the route (47 miles). I could stop by Embassy Suites on the way around 8am. We'll meet the rest at 8:30 after the 7.5 mi Chevy Chase climb where it intersects Foothill.
https://goo.gl/maps/Uy1oR

I also plan to ride Griffith Park and LA River on Sat afternoon if you're up for that. It would be a good one to be familiar with for your own quick rides after work.

gmharle

Thanks. 8:00 am Sunday would be great. Saturday afternoon would work too. I was going to head over that way myself, but I am sure it would be better with someone that knows the area. What time were you thinking?

f4rrest

Maybe around 1pm, but I'll have a better idea after some family commitments in the morning. Sending PM, so we can coordinate a little easier.

herbm

I rode by there on my commute to work....i did see a cyclist making a left off Central to the hotel....was that you?

gmharle

It could have been. Red helmet and blue jersey? I had a pretty bad mechanical issue on my way out and had to come back. The replacement parts should be here tomorrow and I'll be ready for the weekend.

herbm

Yes I think that was you....maybe 6:45 to 7ish...

PhotoJoe 

Did my friends come find you? They said they would.

gmharle

They did! Thank you very much for putting me in touch.

PhotoJoe 

You are welcome. Good group of people and know some really good rides.

poonkorama

Thanks for sharing these routes! I live in Northern California, but I grew up in the area, near Cumberland/Cleveland Rd, and my folks still live there. I plan to bring my bike down at some point on a future visit to the fam, so your Strava routes have given me some great ideas for where to ride. Last time I rode in Glendale/Pasadena was probably in the late 80's/early 90's as a teenager Cheers!