abrinton

Hi Everyone-

I'm going to be spending a few days in Santa Monica in April and was wondering if anyone can recommend a good route around the Santa Monica Mountains. I'm hoping to get in a couple of rides of around 40 to 50 miles.

Any pointers would be appreciated!


Adrian

urbanknight

How much climbing would you like and is there a percent grade you'd like to avoid? They may not be tall mountains, but they can get rather steep in some sections. Are you staying specifically in the city of Santa Monica? And will you be riding from there or could you drive to a start location?

abrinton

Climbing is fine, and steep is ok. I'm not looking for a death ride type of outing I did a little research and it looks like they're changeling hills but within my capabilities. I live in the Bay Area so get a fair amount of hill riding in normally. I'm more concerned about ending up on a steep, busy highway type of road, so a route of decent hills that are not too busy would be ideal.

I'm staying in Santa Monica, and could either start there or drive somewhere. I was thinking that riding up to the hills along the beach might be a good way to get warmed up... but I'm open to suggestions if there are better options.

Thanks for your help!

Adrian

nesdog

CVC bike club has rides during the week starting in Westlake and mostly climbing into the Santa Monica's. See their website: www.cvcbike.org Might not be quite as long as you like however you'd be riding with a local group. The regular rides are usually later in the day for us working folk. Also weekend rides.

I think you'd be happier driving to a start rather than heading out from SM, what with road traffic, etc.

Other possiblities if you are around on a Saturday include San Fernando Valley Bike Club (sfvbc.org), Agoura Cycles shop ride (www.agouracycles.com leaves at 8:00 with rides from 20-50 miles) and Sundance (www.sundancecycles.com leaves at 7:30 with both long and short options)

sheldon

DScott

Try some or all of this route: https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...llenge-Trainer

... just recently mentioned in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-california/369474-mulholland-challenge-thread.html

For more info, try a search here and on Bikely.com using "mulholland challenge".

Also, I can't recommend Latigo Cyn. highly enough- it's a great, moderate climb that goes (mostly up) for 10 miles between PCH and Kanan-Dume road. Here's Lagrange's description:

Some good local climbing rides info here: https://www.lagrange.org/local_climbs...erestchallange


If it were me, I'd ride from Santa Monica, but you have to ride north up PCH and from there til about mid- Malibu, it can be pretty hairy (unless you go real early, mid-day, or on weekend days). Not for the squeamish, at other times. you can drive up to Malibu, park near the courthouse or at Malibu Cyn. at the Malibu Bluffs park, and be clear of most of the tough stuff.

Caution: due to ongoing roadwork, there is a short stretch of PCH Northbound, between Corral Cyn. and Latigo Cyn. that narrows to one lane with no shoulder. I've been switching to the other side for that section if there's much traffic, then back over after it opens up again.

If that bothers you, just park and ride further up the coast.

Hope you have fun! Let us know when you're coming, there might be folks here able to ride with you.

abrinton

That sounds like a good one. So would you come straight back down on Kanan-Dume Road? How is the road going down Mulholland Hwy to Las Virgenas Road to Pluma Road? Looks like a 40 mi or so loop. Or is there a better loop from that climb?

I'm down there 4/16-4/20, hoping to ride maybe Wednesday or Thursday.


Thanks!

nesdog

Coming back via Mulholland is a good ride. When you get to the top of Latigo, hang a right on Kanan. Then right on Mulholland. You'll be descending Rock Store section, 2-1/2 miles of 6%+ grades. Be aware that Mulholland attracts lots of motorcycles, even during the week so keep sharp. It's two lanes and narrow in spots.

Sheldon

nesdog

Here is the Rock Store descent someone posted on Youtube:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcwunFp9kAw

Sheldon

urbanknight

https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...ibu/1161851352
Includes going up Latigo, down Rock Store, up Piuma, and down Tuna (curvy and steep but no opposing traffic)

esammuli

A video my teammate made a while back. Gotta love Tuna.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SGULCXyhNes

urbanknight

^ Sweet!!!

abrinton

This ride looks like just what I'm looking for. Thanks a lot!! I'll let you know how it works out. Tuna Canyon looks like fun!

esammuli

I was out at Latigo this morning. They still have the right lane blocked going northbound from the 76 station to the base of the climb, so be careful! Also be careful going down Tuna. If you can't tell from the video it's one way but very steep.

DScott

Another option for a moderate Latigo route (from PCH) is to go up Latigo, then right at Kanan from Latigo. Then LEFT at Mulholland Hwy to the junction of Encinal Cyn. and Mulholland. Hang a right onto Lechusa for a short bit, then Left onto Decker Cyn. It's a fast and fun descent for about 4 miles. The road's been newly paved.

You can also hang a right on Mulholland at the Encinal cyn junction, continuing on around until you get to Decker again, and then left there to descend to the coast. Round trip, it's about 35 miles either way.

Or, you can do up PCH to Encinal or Decker, climb up to Mulholland, come down Kanan, then up Latigo, and down Decker to PCH. You'll be next to where you started at Encinal and PCH. That's close to 50 miles, and has the two big climbs (Encinal or Decker and then Latigo) and two fun downhills.