Cruise through Beverly Hills to Benedict Canyon, and climb up to Mulholland. Turn west to Sepulveda for 30 slightly hilly miles (short ride), or head east on Mulholland to Griffith Park for 57 moderately hilly miles. Optional stop at Pricilla's in Toluca Lake for a coffee and snack break and then head back via Riverside, Valley Vista, and Sepulveda.

The usual trip up PCH to Malibu at which point the short distance riders return. Up Malibu to Piuma and then up this tough little 5 mile climb. Drop down to Schueren, turn left, and then up to the junction with Saddle Peak and Stunt. Enjoy the view, then take Saddle Peak back to the top of Tuna Canyon and turn left for the very curvy descent down Fernwood Pacific to Topanga Canyon. Go back to PCH and home. 50 miles with about 3600 feet of climbing.

We usually do this in the other order (Palisades, Amalfi, Mandeville) but I'm reversing it for this time: Mandeville, (Westridge?), Amalfi (Alta Mura) and Palisades Drive. People can do more if they want!

Mostly flat with one gentle grade and a lot of the Orange County coast. Start at the south end of Long Beach and cruise through Seal, Sunset, Huntington, and Newport Beaches. Slight diversion at Corona Del Mar to a scenic overlook and then continue to Laguna Beach. Up the slight grade of Laguna Canyon and then back via Turtle Rock and Irvine to Newport Back Bay. Then back up PCH for a possible brunch stop at Brix (or other). Then, just a few more miles back to the start. Here is the RideWithGPS version of the ride:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7885084

The whole ride is about 61 miles with less than 2000 feet of climbing.

Directions to the start: 405 South through Long Beach and exit on Studebaker. Right on Studebaker and go about 2 miles to where it tees into 2nd/Westminster. Turn right on 2nd, and just past PCH, turn left on E Marina Dr. Go past the farmer's market and park on the right side near what now San Pedro Fish Market. It's across the street from a Five Guys. Drive time from Marina Del Rey will be about 35 minutes. Meet at 8:15 am for an 8:30 am start. Any questions?

The regular Nichols - Griffith Park route. Through Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and up Nichols Canyon. East on Mulholland to Barham, Forest Lawn, and Griffith Park. Snack stop at Priscilla's in Toluca Lake. Return through the Valley via Riverside and Valley Vista, and then over Sepulveda, to jog through the VA to San Vicente to Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park in Santa Monica. A fairly hilly 51 miles.

Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road are traditionally closed to vehicular traffic on the July 4th weekend, and consequently has become a common bike ride for many. I was asked to mention it. Please coordinate with whoever wants to do the route. You can also start at Pioneer Park in Azusa, or even at the base of GMR!

The bike route is shown on this MapMyRide link:

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/azusa/149128928338962270

This spectacular ride is about 56.5 miles long, and if you click on the Show Elevation box, you'll see that it's mostly uphill on the way out and mostly downhill on the way back. Funny how that works! About 4800 feet of climbing. The steepest sections are shown as 6% and the pavement is generally good.

Ride start is at 8:00 am (be ready to roll at 8:00 am, not just arriving!) from Encanto Park in Duarte. This is a convenient and pleasant starting point and allows about 6.5 miles of warm-up before the real fun begins. Allow about 40 minutes from the 10/405 (SM/SD) freeway intersection. A suggested route to get there is shown on this link:

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/los%20angeles/800128928615290327

Through Playa Del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches to Palos Verdes. From Malaga Cove, climb to the crest of the peninsula via Via Del Monte, Monte Malaga, Silver Spur, and Crenshaw. Throw in Whitley Collins for fun. Back down Hawthorne and around PV Drive West, and a first scenic detour for Paseo Del Mar and then back for a second scenic detour via Via Coronel through the PV foothills in search of peacocks. Back down Via Del Monte and snack at Klatch Coffee (PCH and Torrance) A relatively hilly 54 miles with an annoyingly steep section on Silver Spur (and a short steep section on Whitley Collins!).

Here is an (updated and mostly correct) version of the RideWithGPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29995278

Zip up PCH to Trancas with the usual break in Malibu. The short ride turns around here (or back at Malibu). The long ride proceeds a few miles more to Encinal Canyon. A scenic climb up Encinal brings us to a choice of Mulholland or Upper Encinal to take us over to Kanan Dume for the long and fast descent back to the coast and optional brunch before returning on PCH. The short ride is about 45 miles; the long ride is about 65 miles with a fair amount of climbing. Encinal Canyon is about five miles but never too steep.

A tour of the Westside canyons above Sunset. Palisades Highlands, Amalfi, and Mandeville. We used to do Tigertail as well, but for years, everyone has wimped out after Mandeville for a total of 46 hilly miles. Bring a low gear for Palisades Highlands which gets very steep for the top mile and one half. We used to do the start of Sullivan Fire Trail, but the road has gotten so bad that now we just go up Alta Mura, a semi-private dead end (quiet!). And finally, bring your good behavior for manic motorists on Mandeville. A new variation for Mandeville is, on the way up, to turn left at Westridge, go to the top of it, and then back down to Mandeville via Banyon and Arbutus for the rest of that climb. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Through West LA to Santa Monica Blvd. Turn north at Beverly Glen and take a scenic tour all the way up to the top of Mulholland with one steepish section. Short ride turns left and returns via Mulholland and Sepulveda. Long ride turns right and takes Mulholland to Cahuenga Pass, then up and over on Barham Blvd., past Forest Lawn and Travel Town before turning back through Toluca Lake for a break at Priscilla's. Return via Riverside, Valley Vista, and Sepulveda Pass. 55 miles. Moderate climbing.

The southern route down to the Malaga Cove Plaza, continue on PV West with side route on Paseo Del Mar, where we will observe the stupid stop sign that Herwin and I once got ticketed at. On to PV South and then up PV East and the switchbacks. The usual Extra Credit for doing the domes on Crest (or Extra Rest for not doing!), and continue to PV North and back to Klatch Coffee in Redondo Beach. People wanting a shorter route can do the golf course (Via Campesina) and return.

Up Sepulveda to Moraga and then wind our way through scenic Bel Air, past a few way-to-big monstrosities, then up the steps of Stradella to Mulholland Drive. The short ride returns to the Westside via Sepulveda. The long ride continues on Mulholland over the San Diego Fwy to Encino Hills Drive for a steep descent into the Valley. From Hayvenhurst, continue to wind our way over the (not-so) secret commuter route to Valley Vista, Wells, and Dumetz, to Topanga Canyon. Take a break at the Starbucks, and then climb New Topanga over and down to PCH. The short route is 30 hilly miles. The long route is 48 miles with more hills and 3700 feet of climbing. There are a few steep sections.

Here is the route to help you from getting too lost:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19044553

Griffith Park via a Downtown route that we did a few years back, but we may include the Hollywood Sign, via Lake Hollywood. Here is the route without the Hollywood Sign:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31475911
To add the Hollywood Sign, we go up Barham to Lake Hollywood Dr., around the lake, up Tahoe Dr. and past the sign viewing area. Then back down through Beachwood to real Hollywood and back over to the Westside.

Up the coast on PCH to Malibu Canyon. After a quick stop at Cross Creek, up Malibu Canyon and continue on Los Virgenes, then west on Mulholland, around Malibu Lake (pit stop at Peter Strauss Ranch if needed).  Grind up Rock Store Hill and fly down Kanan to PCH. Optional stop at Malibu Seafood or Reel Inn for lunch on the way back down the coast.  A strenuous 61 miles.

Ride south through El Segundo, Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo to Malaga Cove.  From there the choice of routes is up to whoever is there.  Or just return to MDR - after all, it is Labor Day Weekend and this napping to do and grills to fire up!

Next week sees a return to the non-summer 8:00 am start time.

Over Sepulveda to Burbank Boulevard, Victory, and up DeSoto to Devonshire. If people are willing, add in Santa Susanna and Box Canyon. Or maybe just skip Chatsworth altogether and head to Topanga. Otherwise, around the Reservoir and stop for a break at Pedaler’s Fork in Calabasas. Return over Old Topanga Canyon to PCH. Moderately hilly 61 miles. Short route can return from the top of Sepulveda.

Up PCH to Malibu for a brief stop.  Short route returns from there.  Full route continues to Latigo Canyon, and up over the two summits to Kanan Dume,  From there, either back down to PCH or up to Mulholland and down "The Snake" and back to PCH on Malibu or Topanga Canyon.

The regular Nichols - Griffith Park route. Through Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and up Nichols Canyon. East on Mulholland to Barham, Forest Lawn, and Griffith Park. Snack stop at Priscilla's in Toluca Lake. Return through the Valley via Riverside and Valley Vista, and then over Sepulveda, to jog through the VA to San Vicente to Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park in Santa Monica. A fairly hilly 51 miles.

Out on PCH to Topanga and up to Old Topanga. Short route riders can turn around at the top of Old Topanga. Others continue down to Mulholland and over to Stunt for a steady four mile climb to Saddle Peak Junction. Enjoy the view and then down Saddle Peak to Tuna Canyon (turn left!) to Fernwood, back to Topanga. Back on PCH. 47 miles and 4000 feet of climbing.

Here is the RideWithGPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30988245

Through Playa Del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches to Palos Verdes. From Malaga Cove, climb to the crest of the peninsula via Via Del Monte, Monte Malaga, Silver Spur, and Crenshaw. Throw in Whitley Collins for fun. Back down Hawthorne and around PV Drive West, and a first scenic detour for Paseo Del Mar and then back for a second scenic detour via Via Coronel through the PV foothills in search of peacocks. Back down Via Del Monte and snack at Klatch Coffee (PCH and Torrance) A relatively hilly 54 miles with an annoyingly steep section on Silver Spur (and a short steep section on Whitley Collins!).

Here is an (updated and mostly correct) version of the RideWithGPS route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29995278

Cruise through Beverly Hills to Benedict Canyon, and climb up to Mulholland. Turn west to Sepulveda for 30 slightly hilly miles (short ride), or head east on Mulholland to Griffith Park for 57 moderately hilly miles. Optional jaunts to the Observatory and/or stop at Pricilla's in Toluca Lake for a coffee and snack break and then head back via Riverside, Valley Vista, and Sepulveda.

Over Sepulveda to Burbank Boulevard, Victory, and up DeSoto to Devonshire. If people are willing, add in Santa Susanna and Box Canyon. Or maybe just skip Chatsworth altogether and head to Topanga. Otherwise, around the Reservoir and stop for brunch (for those who want) at Pedaler’s Fork in Calabasas. Return over Old Topanga Canyon to PCH. Moderately hilly 61 miles. Shorter route can return from the top of Sepulveda.

Cruise up PCH to Malibu for a quick break. Lazy and out-of-shape riders can go home from here. Whoever is left will continue up Malibu Canyon to Piuma and then take the Dry/Cold Canyon/Creek side roads back and forth across Mulholland Highway. Then up  and down Old Topanga, down Topanga to the coast, and back to MDR. Short and full rides are about 31 and 50 miles, respectively.

The usual ride to the Malaga Cove Plaza drinking fountain. People who want a short ride can return from there.

The rest is the new route (done once before) on some roads we haven't used and in directions we don't usually go. It's got some new stuff going through the Hollywood Rivera section of Torrance, a little bit of the north part of San Pedro, and some familiar routing on PV East, Via Coronel, and a reverse Silver Spur back to PV North. RideWithGPS says it's 37 mile and 3,400 feet of elevation gain from Malaga Cove back to Klatch Coffee. Here is the RideWithGPS for the route:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35686487

A tour of the Westside canyons above Sunset. Palisades Highlands, Amalfi, and Mandeville. We used to do Tigertail as well, but for years, everyone has wimped out after Mandeville for a total of 46 hilly miles. Bring a low gear for Palisades Highlands which gets very steep for the top mile and one half. We used to do the start of Sullivan Fire Trail, but the road has gotten so bad that now we just go up Alta Mura, a semi-private dead end (quiet!). And finally, bring your good behavior for manic motorists on Mandeville. A new variation for Mandeville is, on the way up, to turn left at Westridge, go to the top of it, and then back down to Mandeville via Banyon and Arbutus for the rest of that climb. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Take anything to the Glendale Fwy (Hwy 2) north to the 210 East, and off at Angeles Crest Highway. Turn right on ACH and we will meet on the shopping center roof parking lot. Don't park there because of time limit restrictions but there is other street and lot parking in the immediate area. Meet at 8:15 am for an 8:30 am start. Car pooling is encouraged.

Ride proceeds up ACH to Clear Creek Junction (about 9 miles) then to Red Box Gap (another 5 miles) and finally up Mt. Wilson Red Box Road to the top (another 5 miles). Continue around to the right of all the antennas, toward the Solar Observatory, and up to the Mt. Wilson Skyline Park Picnic site (the giant gazebo). Regroup, rest a while, snack, and roll back down. 38 miles and about 4800 feet of climbing.

The regular Nichols - Griffith Park route. Through Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and up Nichols Canyon. East on Mulholland to Barham, Forest Lawn, and Griffith Park. Snack stop at Priscilla's in Toluca Lake. Return through the Valley via Riverside and Valley Vista, and then over Sepulveda, to jog through the VA to San Vicente to Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park in Santa Monica. A fairly hilly 51 miles.

Cruise up PCH to Malibu for a quick break. Lazy and out-of-shape riders can go home from here. Whoever is left will continue up Malibu Canyon to Piuma and then take the Dry/Cold Canyon/Creek side roads back and forth across Mulholland Highway. Then up  and down Old Topanga, down Topanga to the coast, and back to MDR. Short and full rides are about 31 and 50 miles, respectively.

Over Sepulveda to Burbank Boulevard, Victory, and up DeSoto to Devonshire. If people are willing, add in Santa Susanna and Box Canyon. Or maybe just skip Chatsworth altogether and head to Topanga. Otherwise, around the Reservoir and stop for a break at Pedaler’s Fork in Calabasas. Return over Old Topanga Canyon to PCH. Moderately hilly 61 miles. Short route can return from the top of Sepulveda.

Griffith Park via a Downtown route that we did a few years back, but we may include the Hollywood Sign, via Lake Hollywood. Here is the route without the Hollywood Sign:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31475911
To add the Hollywood Sign, we go up Barham to Lake Hollywood Dr., around the lake, up Tahoe Dr. and past the sign viewing area. Then back down through Beachwood to real Hollywood and back over to the Westside.

Happy Boxing Day! A slightly new (or old?) route variation as suggested by Erik.

Out to Malibu Beach for the usual break on Clear Creek. People who want a short route can turn around here. Otherwise, up Malibu Canyon out to Calabasas and parallel the 101 on Mureau and Calabasas Roads. Back over Old Topanga to PCH. Full ride is 53 miles with about 2900 feet of climbing. See https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29229538 for a RideWithGPS view of the route.