BF Palos Verdes Ride - Interest/Advice/Suggestions??
06-03-07, 02:01 PM
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BF Palos Verdes Ride - Interest/Advice/Suggestions??
Marina del Rey - Palos Verdes Ride
I'm thinking about organizing a BF ride through the South Bay/Palos Verdes Peninsula. It will be 64 miles, which includes three short, but progressively-harder climbs (approx 3 miles each) for a total of 4400 ft. It will be a very scenic ride, with stunning views and just enough climbing to give you a good workout. The climbing isn't too difficult for experienced mountain goats, but there are a few narrow parts where you will have the share the road with traffic. I would not recommend it if you are squeamish about descending with cars in front and behind you.
Here is the basic description:
• Park/start at Marina del Rey, which has easy freeway access (not like other parts of the S. Bay)
• 13 mile flat, easy ride along the beach bike path, passing along the 2006 Tour of California route in Redondo Beach
• A short 200-300 ft. ascent to Malaga Cove water stop
• Climb No 1 is Via del Monte, about 1000 ft., with views of Santa Monica Bay showing you exactly how far from sea level you're ascending.
• Fast, twisty descent, and then a scenic ride along Paseo del Mar
• Climb No 2 is Via Zumaya/Castillo/Coronel, about 1000 ft., with one short, steep pitch and a rolling break in the middle of the climb
• Fast, straight descent down Hawthorne Blvd (40mph+) with a regroup/refuel at Starbucks
• Rollers along PV South Drive, with gorgeous ocean views and plenty of photo ops
• Climb No. 3 is PV East/Ganado/Crest, approx. 1400 ft. but with switchbacks and gradients over 10% (one short segment at 20+%)
• Fast, wind-y descent down Crest and PV East.
• 10 miles of rollers back to Malaga Cove for another water stop.
• Head back down into the bay, and then a flat ride along the beach to spin out those legs
• Finish at Marina del Rey for tasty eats at one of the many waterfront restaurants.
Some thoughts about this ride:
• I will have to limit the ride participants to 10-15. Not only because a few of the roads are narrow, but because it is very easy to get lost (the route I'm planning is not well known to non-locals). It will be that much harder to keep track of everyone if the group is large... Plus, there are notorious "dead spots" for cell phones in PV. The more "helpers" I can find who are familiar with PV, the more riders we can accommodate.
• I will try to enlist a fast friend or two to lead the way. That means the folks who want to do a hammerfest on Climb #3 can do so, while the rest of us peons/hill slugs wait for a main regrouping before the final descent.
• It will probably be on a Sunday morning, as there will be less traffic (both auto and bicycle) to contend with
• I will ride sweep, and give instructions at each regroup regarding route, road conditions, police hot spots and so on.
***UPDATE***
South Bay Scouting Trip/Ride
***Please note: The Scouting Trip is not the actual BF ride, which will be held later in the summer. For this ride I want to educate fellow scouts about the route so I can have some assistance organizing a bigger ride.
Date: Sunday, June 17 (Father's Day)
Start time: 7:00am
Start/Finish location: Marina del Rey
Route: To be posted
Estimated time: 6 hours
Scouts:
Happytime
M.E.rider1
flipflops
jschen
Scootcore
Cleave (maybe)
4mirswimr (partial route/maybe)
DScott (partial route/maybe)
I'm thinking about organizing a BF ride through the South Bay/Palos Verdes Peninsula. It will be 64 miles, which includes three short, but progressively-harder climbs (approx 3 miles each) for a total of 4400 ft. It will be a very scenic ride, with stunning views and just enough climbing to give you a good workout. The climbing isn't too difficult for experienced mountain goats, but there are a few narrow parts where you will have the share the road with traffic. I would not recommend it if you are squeamish about descending with cars in front and behind you.
Here is the basic description:
• Park/start at Marina del Rey, which has easy freeway access (not like other parts of the S. Bay)
• 13 mile flat, easy ride along the beach bike path, passing along the 2006 Tour of California route in Redondo Beach
• A short 200-300 ft. ascent to Malaga Cove water stop
• Climb No 1 is Via del Monte, about 1000 ft., with views of Santa Monica Bay showing you exactly how far from sea level you're ascending.
• Fast, twisty descent, and then a scenic ride along Paseo del Mar
• Climb No 2 is Via Zumaya/Castillo/Coronel, about 1000 ft., with one short, steep pitch and a rolling break in the middle of the climb
• Fast, straight descent down Hawthorne Blvd (40mph+) with a regroup/refuel at Starbucks
• Rollers along PV South Drive, with gorgeous ocean views and plenty of photo ops
• Climb No. 3 is PV East/Ganado/Crest, approx. 1400 ft. but with switchbacks and gradients over 10% (one short segment at 20+%)
• Fast, wind-y descent down Crest and PV East.
• 10 miles of rollers back to Malaga Cove for another water stop.
• Head back down into the bay, and then a flat ride along the beach to spin out those legs
• Finish at Marina del Rey for tasty eats at one of the many waterfront restaurants.
Some thoughts about this ride:
• I will have to limit the ride participants to 10-15. Not only because a few of the roads are narrow, but because it is very easy to get lost (the route I'm planning is not well known to non-locals). It will be that much harder to keep track of everyone if the group is large... Plus, there are notorious "dead spots" for cell phones in PV. The more "helpers" I can find who are familiar with PV, the more riders we can accommodate.
• I will try to enlist a fast friend or two to lead the way. That means the folks who want to do a hammerfest on Climb #3 can do so, while the rest of us peons/hill slugs wait for a main regrouping before the final descent.
• It will probably be on a Sunday morning, as there will be less traffic (both auto and bicycle) to contend with
• I will ride sweep, and give instructions at each regroup regarding route, road conditions, police hot spots and so on.
***UPDATE***
South Bay Scouting Trip/Ride
***Please note: The Scouting Trip is not the actual BF ride, which will be held later in the summer. For this ride I want to educate fellow scouts about the route so I can have some assistance organizing a bigger ride.
Date: Sunday, June 17 (Father's Day)
Start time: 7:00am
Start/Finish location: Marina del Rey
Route: To be posted
Estimated time: 6 hours
Scouts:
Happytime
M.E.rider1
flipflops
jschen
Scootcore
Cleave (maybe)
4mirswimr (partial route/maybe)
DScott (partial route/maybe)
Last edited by Happytime; 06-14-07 at 08:07 PM.
06-03-07, 02:24 PM
#4
hello
Sounds like a great ride! But I can only do Saturdays..
.....(except 6/23, Grand Tour day) 
.....(except 6/23, Grand Tour day)
Last edited by roadfix; 06-03-07 at 05:03 PM.
06-03-07, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by roadfix
Sounds like a great ride! But I can only do Saturdays.. .....(except 6/23, Grand Tour day)
.....(except 6/23, Grand Tour day) Two words, George: RECOVERY. RIDE.
06-03-07, 05:49 PM
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I'm interested, and would like to get to know you guys (and the PV area) better...
Unfortunately, I have no June dates that work out. Just about any Sunday in July is open right now, but family matters can crop up at times. That would make me a definite maybe at this point.
FWIW, June 17 is Father's Day.
Unfortunately, I have no June dates that work out. Just about any Sunday in July is open right now, but family matters can crop up at times. That would make me a definite maybe at this point.
FWIW, June 17 is Father's Day.
06-03-07, 05:53 PM
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I'm very interested and thanks for organizing a BF ride! 
Bad dates for me are the 10th and 24th (I will not be able to ride a 50-60 mile ride after Grand Tour). The Sunday before GT might work (what date is that, the 18th?
Bad dates for me are the 10th and 24th (I will not be able to ride a 50-60 mile ride after Grand Tour). The Sunday before GT might work (what date is that, the 18th?
06-03-07, 05:58 PM
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I'm not good for the 10th. The following Sunday is Father's Day. I'm OK with that day (my dad's going to be in Europe) but it may impact other people's family schedules.
Input anyone?
Input anyone?
Last edited by Happytime; 06-03-07 at 06:16 PM.
06-03-07, 06:01 PM
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Well, if we start out early enough (7am), we can have people back at home by early afternoon (if they cut out the post-ride eats)
06-03-07, 06:06 PM
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Markaj and I are interested...10th is LA River Ride so thats out....otherwise I am good...
of course...I will be the one you have to wait for!!
of course...I will be the one you have to wait for!!
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06-03-07, 06:09 PM
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Okay, I PM'd a bunch of people and from their responses it looks like finding the perfect Sunday in June is going to be hard to pin down.
M.E. and I did "secret girl things" behind the scenes and decided to do a scouting ride of this route on Sunday, June 17th (Father's Day). I will schedule the BF group ride for later in the summer or fall, which will be perfect since other areas around So Cal, unlike PV, will become unbearably hot. Plus, with Mary becoming familiar with the route, I can have more ride support/lost people finders.
We will still be open to people joining in on the 17th!
M.E. and I did "secret girl things" behind the scenes and decided to do a scouting ride of this route on Sunday, June 17th (Father's Day). I will schedule the BF group ride for later in the summer or fall, which will be perfect since other areas around So Cal, unlike PV, will become unbearably hot. Plus, with Mary becoming familiar with the route, I can have more ride support/lost people finders.
We will still be open to people joining in on the 17th!
06-03-07, 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by herbm
I will be the one you have to wait for!!
, I'm going to ride alongside you and FATBAG the whole way. 
06-03-07, 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by merider1
If you SANDBAG one more time, mister , I'm going to ride alongside you and FATBAG the whole way.
, I'm going to ride alongside you and FATBAG the whole way. And I have been terribly lost in PV in my car...cant figure those roads out for anything
BTW..I would hate to live here and have to ride...way too humid...I am in Orlando...yucky sticky...and it sure is flat!
I am on the 9th floor and can probababy see 50 miles...or at least til the earth curves!
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06-03-07, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by herbm
hey hey hey...you have seen me climb...slow but steady...so I am not making anything up...
And I have been terribly lost in PV in my car...cant figure those roads out for anything
And I have been terribly lost in PV in my car...cant figure those roads out for anything
06-03-07, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Happytime
That would be perfect, Herb. On every climb on this route there are plenty of places to stop and just marvel at the view. Slow and steady is the way to go!
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06-03-07, 09:17 PM
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just did that ride today. For those who want to add on the pain you could also go back about halfway up Hawthorne, then go thru crest adn Silver spur.
51 miles with about 5500 feet of climbing.
51 miles with about 5500 feet of climbing.
06-03-07, 09:30 PM
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Since I'm local I will probably be riding very early on the 17th (as a good start to Father's Day ) Perhaps, I can ride part or all of the route (that is if you don't mind an old guy tagging along). Good thing though is you wouldn't need to wait for me since I can find my way home from PV usually
) Perhaps, I can ride part or all of the route (that is if you don't mind an old guy tagging along). Good thing though is you wouldn't need to wait for me since I can find my way home from PV usually
06-03-07, 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 4mirswimr
Since I'm local I will probably be riding very early on the 17th (as a good start to Father's Day ) Perhaps, I can ride part or all of the route (that is if you don't mind an old guy tagging along). Good thing though is you wouldn't need to wait for me since I can find my way home from PV usually
) Perhaps, I can ride part or all of the route (that is if you don't mind an old guy tagging along). Good thing though is you wouldn't need to wait for me since I can find my way home from PV usually 
06-03-07, 10:01 PM
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The 17th will work for me, but I've got to be back in time for the Dodger/Angels freeway series. And I'm local for those not wanting to get lost, unless you consider that an adventure.....
06-03-07, 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Happytime
Okay, I PM'd a bunch of people and from their responses it looks like finding the perfect Sunday in June is going to be hard to pin down.
M.E. and I did "secret girl things" behind the scenes and decided to do a scouting ride of this route on Sunday, June 17th (Father's Day). I will schedule the BF group ride for later in the summer or fall, which will be perfect since other areas around So Cal, unlike PV, will become unbearably hot. Plus, with Mary becoming familiar with the route, I can have more ride support/lost people finders.
We will still be open to people joining in on the 17th!
M.E. and I did "secret girl things" behind the scenes and decided to do a scouting ride of this route on Sunday, June 17th (Father's Day). I will schedule the BF group ride for later in the summer or fall, which will be perfect since other areas around So Cal, unlike PV, will become unbearably hot. Plus, with Mary becoming familiar with the route, I can have more ride support/lost people finders.
We will still be open to people joining in on the 17th!
Rats!! All my baby mommas be making me eat brunch/lunch . . . so no good for me, but I'd be more than happy to head down to PV to ride any other weekday (I graduate next weekend and don't start work-work until late July!)
06-03-07, 10:17 PM
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hey happytime-- i'd love to do this-- i'd be down for the scout ride and the ride later on! I've ridden these hills before! I'm always around so any Sat or Sun will work for me.
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