Sunday Remote Start Rides
Our regular rides are on Sundays, starting at many different locations in L.A. and Orange Counties, occasionally venturing into adjacent counties, to provide a wide variety of experience. The rides have 3 options: short (25-35 miles, few or no hills), medium (35-55 miles, some hills) and long (longer, hillier). As much as possible, we ride on reasonably bike-friendly roads with adequate shoulder clearance, occasionally with stretches on bikepaths. See the current ride schedule for ride descriptions and start time and location. Download and print route sheets from this website before arriving at the start.
Sunday "Corner" rides
SUNDAYS, 9:00 a.m. -Social, scenic rambles in Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Marina areas. These are rides for busy West Siders who like to stay close to home and finish early. They are not described in our current ride schedule as they always start in the same location. START: The "Corner": Le Doux Rd at Olympic Blvd, 1 block west of La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills. From Santa Monica (10) Fwy., off and north on La Cienega 1½ miles, L-Olympic Blvd., R-Le Doux. INFO: Marty November at marty011@sbcglobal.net
Recurring weekly rides:
- Wednesdays, Griffith Park group - 10:00 a.m. Come at 9:45 a.m. to get acquainted with the group. Short and medium rides, (20 and 40 miles), friendly riders who take care of newcomers and can introduce them to longer distances. START: L.A. Zoo parking lot, at "L" (for Lion) sign opposite entrance to Autry Museum. From Ventura (134) Fwy., or Golden State (5) Fwy., passing Griffith Park, off at any Museum or Zoo sign, follow signs into Park to Zoo lot. INFO: M.J. Grove, m.j.grove@att.net
- Thursdays, South Beach Ride- 8:30 A.M., SOUTH BEACH RIDE. Meet on bridge at end of Ballona Creek Trail in Marina Del Rey. Ride usually goes South to Palos Verdes on bike path and then some riding on the Peninsula decided by the group. Contact Nancy Domjanovich, nancyadnil@sbcglobal.net for details
- Usually Saturdays, San Fernando Valley - 9:00 a.m.. Richard and Nancy Wedeen usually lead a "show and go" ride on Saturday mornings, leaving the corner of Glenoaks and Sonora (Sesame Donuts) at 9:00 am, usually riding 20-40 miles total to breakfast/brunch. Info: Nancy Wedeen , (818) 985-8415
Our premier event! 200, 300 or 400 miles or the Century Challenge (200 km). Click on "Grand Tour" in the menu for complete information.
GRAND TOUR LITE (September)
Highland, Full, Metric and double Metric Centuries. Start/Finish: Malibu
The LA Wheelmen shortened their famous Grand Tour Double Century, by cutting the distance in half, but leaving the best scenery in a very challenging 125 miles, Highland Century Plus route (now also offered as part of the Grand Tour itself). Climbing Latigo Cyn., look back at that view, the ribbon of pavement behind you disappearing into the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Then make a fast and furious descent into Westlake-stay alert!-to enjoy the shoreline of picturesque Lake Sherwood. Cruise past mansions with their own stables and pastures, then go down Potrero. It's Moorpark for lunch, Oxnard, Port Hueneme (more food), and Pacific Coast Hwy. back to Malibu. OTHER OPTIONS: The Lowland Century, up PCH along the shoreline to Port Hueneme, lunch, Ventura, and return along PCH. The Metric Century, PCH to a lunch and turn around in Port Hueneme, PCH to return.
5 COUNTIES CENTURY RIDE and 4 COUNTIES MINI-CENTURY
Date: Late September or Early October (check ride schedule and home page.)
Incredible Course: Ride through portions of Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, all within a 101-mile route. About 8000 ft. of elevation gain, including a long climb late in the ride. But you can always opt for the mini-century and skip 1 county, 14 miles, and about 1000 ft. of elevation gain.
But it's worth the effort. You are rewarded with spectacular scenery, including a view of the central valley floor from over 6000 ft., some great downhills, and almost an entire century on low traffic roads. There are only half-a-dozen turns in the entire course, so you aren't likely to get lost either. Two snack/water stops, a lunch stop, and sag support.
LOCATION: Near the intersection of Frazier Mountain Rd. and Lockwood Valley Rd., Lake of the Woods, north of Gorman off I-5.
FARGO STREET HILL CLIMB (March)
This is one of the club's older traditions. Fargo Street is only two blocks long but is the steepest street in Los Angeles (32% grade). Each year we assemble to watch riders try to make it to the top. Many fail, but some are successful multiple times in one day. Those who succeed receive a patch. Start location: the intersection of Fargo St and Alejandro St, near the south end of the Glendale Freeway. For photos and list of finishers of the last event, click on Rides | Fargo Street on the menu.
GRAND TOUR SATURDAY TRAINING RIDES
Starting in late March or early April, these Saturday rides become increasingly difficult to help you train for the Grand Tour. If you do these rides faithfully, you should be ready for the Grand Tour. Check the ride schedule for Saturday training rides.
JANUS SEQUENTIAL CENTURIES
Back-to-back centuries Saturday and Sunday on a January weekend. January, festival month of Janus, ancient Roman god of beginnings and endings, gates and doors, who looks both forward and backward, inspiring these routes. Ride a century on Saturday, turn around and ride the SAME century in the OPPOSITE direction on Sunday.
It's hilly: Norwegian Grade, Grimes Cyn., Dennison Grade, and Potrero Rd. Here's your chance to go both up and down each of these "popular" grades. And it's VERY scenic countryside: Lake Sherwood, Hidden Valley, San Antonio Creek, Upper Ojai Valley, Sisar Creek, and South Mountain Road. Sequential Centuries are physically easier than a Double Century, but the mental demands are much greater, particularly on the second morning when the body would much rather stay in bed.
No support. If you can't ride both days, then join us on either day. The Sunday ride is slightly easier. Check the ride schedule for start time and location.
Multi-day rides and events
(not scheduled every year- check ride schedule)
- Presidents' Day Weekend (February): location varies
- Memorial Day Weekend: Great Western Bicycle Rally (Paso Robles)
- Labor Day Weekend: Ventura Triad
- Thanksgiving Day Weekend- usually Orange, San Diego and Riverside Counties.
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