I have family who live in ArrowBear. I've riden a few times around the lake from there. I rode to the north side of the lake first (Fawnskin). My reason for doing this 1. I would always have the lake on the right side so the view would be better. 2. To me this was more important. From the dam to Big Bear it's a climb. The road has no sholder. Someplaces the rocks/boulders are almost sticking out into the road. By riding from Big Bear to the dam it makes this section downhill and now I can keep up with traffic. In most places having to brake as the cars were much slower than I.
I really like riding up there. Never had a problem with traffic. They always seemed to give me plenty of room.
Have a good time.