telawrence

Hello - I'll be relocating from the Chicago suburbs to LA this summer. We are looking at areas such as Santa Monica, Westwood and perhaps Manhattan Beach. I know there are great rides once you get out a ways on the PCH and in the canyons, but I'm hoping to find a place to live where I can hop out of bed and take my road bike out for a 30-45 minute ride before work every morning. I know the westside of LA is pretty congested, and I'm worried about having to deal with too much traffic. I'm skeptical of bike trails because of walkers, joggers, dogs, etc. Any words of encouragement? Are any westside areas better than others for riding on the roads?

Thanks.

Garfield Cat

Ok, that means your relocation is a new workplace like Santa Monica? And so you're commute needs to be as short as possible and you're willing to sacrifice ride quality for the commute, right?

mkadam68

Well, this will be an issue. Traffic (and parking!!) is the biggest shortcoming of that whole area, potentially detracting from an otherwise great place (IMHO).

Look up some of the local clubs in that area and they'll be able to tell you best places to ride. La Grange comes to my mind.

Garfield Cat

Try Helen's Cycle in Santa Monica. Their web site has local rides in the morning. This link and scroll down and you will find their daily rides. It doesn't mean you need to ride with them all the time. You will get an idea of their local ride routes. Also if you ride with some of them, you get to know who does what.

Local Rides - Helens Cycles Santa Monica California

By the way, Helens Cycle in Santa Monica, that's where Nate Loyal does pro fittings. One time I was there and he was doing a fit for Olympian track cyclist Sara Hammer.

telawrence

Will be working at UCLA. So, ride quality will have to take second place to a short commute.

telawrence

Thanks. Nothing like linking up with the local riders for good advice.

Garfield Cat

San Vicente Blvd is close to UCLA. That's where the Helen's ride group start in the morning.

UCLA also has a cycling and tri team. Its not a school sport, just a recreational thing. You may want to contact them too.

Good thing working at UCLA. You can use their showers. And if you're a swimmer, try their Sunset Recreation Center with the Olympic size pool.

lesiz

If you end up in Manhattan then Palos Verdes peninsula will be in your back yard. Lots of great cycling there.
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