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CONTINUED
SANTA MONICA TUNA CANYON
SANTA BARBARA GIBRALTAR ROAD
With it’s many canyons, and winding climbs and descents, the Santa Monica Mountains are the antithesis of what comes to mind when you mention SoCal. Between Mullholland, Topanga, and the many other routes through the mountains, my favorite is the 27 mile loop of Tuna Canyon. Ride this route in the spring, and you’ll see tons of wildflowers, and very few cars or homes. To get to Tuna Canyon, head east on Piuma Canyon Rd road through the steep canyons that will take you up to Saddle Peak Rd. where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the SoCal shoreline. From this point on, Tuna Canyon will reward you with an epic descent. Tuna Canyon is a cyclist’s nirvana—a one way, slaloming road, that hugs the pristine canyon’s every bend. The road spills you out onto the Coast Hwy where you can head over to Malibu Farms for a post ride meal, or explore one of the other canyons leading up into the mountains. Recommended for: Novice to Expert Cyclists
If you look east in Santa Barbara you’ll see mountains, and that’s exactly where Gibraltar Road goes—into the mountains. I like to start at Tucker’s Grove for this 22 mile ride so that I can get a few miles in to warm up before I hit reach the This is a relentless climb with 8 miles of inclines ranging from 6-12% grade. Save some gears as the top half is steeper than the bottom half on this climb. At the top of the climb, you’ll roll onto Camino Cielo and its breathtaking views spanning 360 degrees of Santa Barbara County. The return trip down to the coast is a fun one on an old stage road that will keep your heart rate high and test your handling skills. Depending on your preference, finish up by heading over to Handlebar Roasters or Hollister Brewery for the perfect atmosphere to revel in your achievement. Recommended for: Seasoned Novices and Expert Cyclists
HONORABLE MENTIONS Henshaw Loop– 100+ mile route in San Diego includes Palomar Mountain, and very pro cyclist or triathlete uses this to route as part of their training. Thousand Palms/Dillon Road – 20 miles of non stop pedaling on this often windy ride. Santiago Canyon OC’s longtime premier location for time trials. Upcoming SoCal Cycling Events Kenda Cup 5 - May 15 Kenda Cup 6 - June 4 Salsa Ride at the Border - June 12 Low Tide Ride & Stride - June 26 Central Coast Classique - Aug 27 Giro di San Diego- Sep 11 Tour De Camp Pendleton - Oct 1 Dinosaur Dash 15K, 50K Bike Tour - Nov 6 Check out all of the upcoming cycling events on raceplace.com