RVD72

Hi Everyone,

I'm pretty new to road bikes. I live down in Redondo Beach so it's easy to head over to the bike trail on the beach. However, last weekend it was just so crowded with pedestrian, beach cruisers, rollerbladers, joggers, etc. that I found myself constantly slowing down or stopping. So I then moved over to the street (Esplanade, Harbor in Redondo, Hermosa Ave. in Hermosa, etc.) but then I have to constantly stop because of stop signs, red lights, etc. I went out again last night figuring maybe it would be more empty since it's not a weekend but it was still just as crowded.

As a result, I've only been on relatively short 10 miles rides so far. I'd like to go on a good 20-30 mile ride and beyond.

A few questions:

1) Are there any good routes that don't have the constant stop and go? Bike routes along the beach are good because no red lights/stop signs but too many people. Streets don't have people but have cars and red lights/stop signs.

2) I was going to head up the PV loop next week. How is this route? There are so many curves and turns along PV Blvd. W, Portuguese Bend, etc. that it seems like it'd be kind of dangerous because of the cars. Is there a bike path or a large enough shoulder?

3) My work is near the airport (LAX). Is there a decent route that will take me there? It's only 8 miles by car but I figured the safest route would be to ride along the beach and then head east at around Rosecrans and then head north on Aviation (no bike traffic on Sepulveda near the airport (where the tunnel is (I believe))).

Thanks all.

RVD.

Dubbayoo

https://www.sbwcycling.com/Schedule.html
https://www.bccclub.org/Calendar/Calendar0409.html

there is a large group that rides up and down Westchester Pkwy near LAX on Tuesdays around 6-6:30.

allroy71

Check out mapmyride.com for suggestions of routes. Type in "Palos Verdes".

RVD72

thanks for the suggestions everyone. if anyone also has some firsthand experience that would be great. but otherwise, thanks for the info. happy riding.

allroy71

Oops to answer question 2. Good bike lanes around the different PV Drives. But when you are climbing slow, any fast car passing by is still freaky. (but then again I have only been riding road for about 6 months)

RVD72

Yeah, I hear you. I've never biked up PV yet but I've driven up there a lot and some parts of the roads gets pretty curvy, bumpy, etc. so a bike on the right side might be a little freaky. I think I would be a bit squeamish out there. I even get spooked on Catalina sometimes...so maybe it's just me.

JTGraphics

We like early mornings we start at 6:00 - 6:30 am done by 10:00 am every sunday cars and people just starting to come out by the time were done.

wcoastbikr

For someone who hasn't been riding for long I'd suggest heading out to one of BCC's rides. They're a bunch of friendly guys that like to ride at a moderate-slow pace with a no-drop policy. They'll teach you the basics of riding with groups and just how to be safe on the road.

As for how to get to el segundo, the safest route is to take the beach path all the way then take the streets inland. If you want to stay off the path, stick on the streets next to the ocean, it's that simple. Since you haven't been riding for very long you're probably not used to fast cars and tight shoulders. So I'd recommend staying on the path till you get a bit more comfortable keeping your line and having cars buzz past you. Catalina isn't even that aggressive of a street, so you'll probably be crapping your pants in fast streets, especially in some parts in PV.

As for PV, I'd recommend going with BCC again, they head up to PV every now and then and you'll probably feel a bit more comfortable riding up there with a small group instead of alone. You'll also learn some of the good routes in the area from them.

Start simple trying to ride along the beach instead of on the path with faster cars, you need to almost be desensitized to the environment. Also have you ever descended down PV on a bike? It's something you have to get used to when it comes to leaning into corners at speed. Especially the switch backs on PV Drive East. Riding in a group with people who have done it before is nice because you can follow them down and know how to take it.

Wkend_Warrior

++1
hi wcoastbikr....long time no C
Do you still ride with the "donut ride" group?