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5 BUCKET-LIST BIKE RIDES IN CALIFORNIA
California is one of the most varied, beautiful and challenging cycling destinations in the world. Within this massive state, which is the size of some small countries, you can cruise bike paths along endless sandy beaches, climb for hours up mountains, sweat buckets in the desert and explore the Giant Redwood Forests. I have been fortunate to spend a lot of time in California as an athlete and coach.
1. SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS
The Santa Monicas are the range just north of Los Angeles. Running right along the ocean so you can ride the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, which is the setting for many of the car commercials you see on television. Riding with amazing ocean views on one side and beautiful mountains on the other is an amazing feeling and provides a full day of riding and scenery. Many professional cycling teams hold winter training in these mountains to take advantage of spring-like conditions and numerous cycling routes. Latigo and Mulholland, including the twisty Rock Store descent, makes for a very challenging day in the saddle.
LINK TO ROUTE – CLICK HERE
2. SANTA BARBARA
This area offers many beautiful roads through Montecito and the foothills above Santa Barbara. Riding the East and West Mountain Roads provides a rolling, twisty route with amazing ocean views and a tour of some of the best real estate in the country. Those interested in testing themselves on one of the toughest climbs in the U.S., Gibraltar, can access it from East Mountain Road. Many riders do the first 10 km to East Camino Cielo then descend back to East Mountain. More adventurous riders continue across the mountaintop road and tackle the technical road descent at Painted Caves. However you choose to descend, stop at cycling-themed cafe Handle-Bar Roasters post ride for a much deserved coffee & treat!
LINK TO ROUTE – CLICK HERE
3. INLAND EMPIRE TO MT. BALDY
The Inland Empire is the urban region extending east from Los Angeles. Mount Palomar and Big Bear offer two mountainous area to explore on road or mountain bikes to the north of the region. Those who enjoy the Tour of California likely recall the epic Mt. Baldy stage finishing in the ski resort. The first stage of the San Dimas Stage Race also does a time trial up Glendora Mountain Road, which itself provides a challenging climb and descent if done as an out and back.
LINK TO ROUTE – CLICK HERE
4. SO CAL TO PALOMAR
Mount Palomar is near Escondido, inland from Carlsbad, and not far from San Diego. It offers some of the best corners for descending and climbing and can net more than 1,500 meters of climbing if you start at Highway 76 near Rincon or ride from Escondido. There are two paved options to reach the summit and a gravel road up the backside of the mountain that can be passable depending on the conditions. Nearby Black Canyon offers another gravel adventure, while the town of Santa Ysabel offers great post ride pie!
LINK TO ROUTE – CLICK HERE
5. SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
This is a pure road ride looping over a route that includes some of the roads most liked by road cyclists in the Peninsula. The ride starts from Skyline Boulevard on the spine of the Santa Cruz Mountains, descends all the way to Highway 1 on the coast, and then climbs back up to Skyline. If you insist on doing your climbs before your descents, it’s also possible to start and end the loop on the coast, naturally, as long as you live closer to that area or don’t mind the longer drive to get there.
The ride takes you through a healthy variety of terrain, including dense redwood forests; pumpkin patches; cute open ranch land where horses, cows, and sheep graze; a flower farm or two; and wind-swept coastal scrubland. You also string together a couple of tiny hamlets along the way that make for interesting rest stops.
LINK TO ROUTE – CLICK HERE
