MDRCC 2013 Event and Ride List

All Sunday rides, except out-of-town rides, leave from the front of Helen’s Cycles, 2472 Lincoln Blvd., Marina Del Rey.  Helen’s is located between Washington and Venice Boulevards.  Most people ride to the start, but some drive and park on nearby streets.

Sunday departure time is 8:00 am up to Memorial Day weekend and then switches to the summer start time of 7:30 am through Labor Day weekend, except for out-of-town rides. Please be ready to roll at the departure time!

Your bike should be in good working condition and you should be prepared to fix a flat (i.e., have spare tubes, tire levers, patches, tire boots, inflation device, etc.).  You should also carry two filled water bottles, snacks, and lunch money.  Helmets are required at all times, but no headsets or earbuds, please!

This schedule is always subject to change.  See bottom of list for (New) Sepulveda Alternate.  Ride descriptions for rides after June will be included in an update.

January  2013 

Sunday, January 06, 2013 - 8:00 am – Palos Verdes Clockwise Loop

The usual route through the South Bay beaches to the Malaga Cove drinking fountain, around the golf course to PV North, to PV East.  Then up PV East to Crest (radar domes for extra credit), and then down the switchbacks to PV South and PV West. Snacks and good conversation at Catalina Coffee in Redondo Beach on the way back.  Short route rider can go back after the fountain or golf course.  Full route is about 58 miles.

Sunday, January 13, 2013 – 8:00 am – Malibu, Mulholland, and Topanga

Cruise up PCH to Malibu for a quick break.  Lazy and out-of-shape riders can go home from here.  The rest of us will continue up Malibu Canyon to Mulholland Highway and enjoy the gentle rollers back to Old Topanga.  Up and down Old Topanga and Topanga, back to the coast, and the zip back to MDR.  Lunch or snacks in the valley or back on the Westside.  Short and full rides are about 31 and 50 miles.

Sunday, January 20, 2013 – 8:00 am – Benedict Canyon to Griffith Park

Saunter through Beverly Hills to Benedict Canyon, and climb up to Mulholland.  Turn back to Sepulveda for 30 slightly hilly miles, or head east on Mulholland to Griffith Park, for 59 slightly hillier miles.  Stop at Priscilla’s or Paty’s in Toluca Lake for the long ride. NEW: Try Sepulveda Alternate (*) to avoid bad section between Moraga and Montana.

Monday, January 21, 2013 – Martin Luther King Day

Sunday, January 27, 2013 – 8:00 am - Encinal Canyon to Kanan

Journey up PCH to Trancas.  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, and then over to Kanan Dume for the long fast descent down to the coast and brunch before returning on PCH.  The short ride is about 45 miles; the long ride is about 68 miles with a fair amount of climbing.

February  2013

Sunday, February 3, 2013 – 8:00 am - (New!) PV Summit Crest Backwards

The usual route down to the Malaga Cove drinking fountain.  Short routers return.  Adventurous routers go up Via Del Monte and then over to and down Via Coronel to PV West.  Continue south to Hawthorne and then climb up to Crest via “Hawthorne Deluxe” (see below).  Take Crest over to Crenshaw and shoot down to Silver Spur.  Left to Montemalaga and back to the top of Via Del Monte.  Stop at Catalina Coffee for snacks or lunch.  Should be a rewarding 49 miles.  “Hawthorne Deluxe” parallels some of Hawthorne.  Start up Hawthorne, turn right Vallon (1st signal on Hawthorne) then left at Marne (the steepest stretch) and left on Cartier. Or continue on Hawthorne to Dupre (2nd signal on Hawthorne) and left on Cartier (a steep stretch) which becomes Sattes.  Then jog over to Crest at La Croix.

Saturday, February 9, 2013 – Tour De Palm Springs

Sunday, February 10, 2013 – 8:00 am - Stradella – New Topanga

Up Sepulveda to Moraga and then wind our way through scenic Bel Air, up the steps of Stradella to Mulholland Drive.  The short ride returns to the Westside via Sepulveda (or Sepulveda Alternate).  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 Carl’s secret commuter route to Valley Vista, Wells, and Dumetz to Topanga Canyon.  Take a break at the Starbucks, and then take New Topanga up, over, and down to PCH.  The short route is 30 hilly miles.  The long route is 50 more hilly miles.

Sunday, February 17, 2013 – (Out-of-Town!) – 8:30 am – Lake Casitas – Santa Barbara

The ever popular Lake Casitas – Santa Barbara ride.  Drive Highway 101 north to Ventura and exit on California.  Turn right on California and go to the top of the hill.  Turn right then left into driveway and park behind city hall.  Allow about 1:15 driving time from Santa Monica.  Meet at 8:15am for an 8:30 am start.  Ride through Ventura before climbing up to Lake Casitas.  Ride around the spectacular north end of lake before climbing up and over toward coast.  Also, we add the usual side route over Gobernador Canyon Road, just because we like the name.  Continue north through Carpinteria and on to Santa Barbara for lunch.  Zip back to Ventura via the coast.  68 miles with a few climbs.

Monday, February 18, 2013 – President’s Day

Sunday, February 24, 2013 – 8:00 am – Sepulveda, Stunt, Fernwood

Take Sepulveda to the Valley, then Ventura out to Topanga.  The short ride returns on Topanga.  The long ride detours from Topanga on to Mulholland and then climbs Stunt Road up to scenic Saddle Peak.  Return from the top via Saddle Peak Road to Tuna to Fernwood and then back down Topanga.  40 to 50 miles.  Crazy people options: test your brakes and rim temps on Rambla Pacifica or Tuna to the coast!

March 2013

Saturday, March 2, 2013 – Death Valley Spring Century/Ultra/Double

Sunday, March 3, 2013 – 8:00 am -- San Pedro

We head south through beach cities to Palos Verdes.  The short ride turns around at Malaga Cove and returns, perhaps stopping at Catalina Coffee in Redondo Beach.  The long ride proceeds around the peninsula on PV Drives West and South to San Pedro.  We stop for brunch in San Pedro or continue on via Gaffey and PV Drive North and stop at Catalina Coffee.  The short route is 36 and fairly flat miles.  The long route is 59 less flat miles.

Saturday, March 9, 2013 – Solvang Century

Sunday, March 10 , 2013 – (Daylight Saving Time Begins!) – 8:00 am – Nichols Canyon

Ride through Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, and up Nichols Canyon.  Then, east on Mulholland to Cahuenga, Barham, Forest Lawn, and Griffith Park.  Brunch stop at Priscilla’s or Paty’s in Toluca Lake.  Return through the Valley via Moorpark, over Sepulveda or Sepulveda Alternate(*), and down San Vicente to Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park in Santa Monica.  A moderately hilly 51 miles.

Sunday, March 17, 2013 – 8:00 am – Malibu, Rockstore, Kanan

Cruise up the coast on PCH to Malibu Canyon.  Up Malibu Canyon and west on Mulholland to Cornell.  Loop around Sierra Creek Road for a snack at the Rustic Canyon Café on Kanan, and continue back to Mulholland on Troutdale.  A quick stop at the Rock Store to knock over a few Harleys before escaping up Rock Store Hill.  Zoom down Kanan Dume for the alternate lunch stop.  Return via PCH.  A hilly 62 miles.

Saturday, March 23, 2013 – Spring Rush Century

Sunday, March 24, 2013 – 8:00 am – Chatsworth Reservoir

Over Sepulveda to Burbank Blvd., Woodley, Victory, and up DeSoto to Devonshire.  Around the Reservoir to Valley Circle and stop for brunch at Label’s Table in Calabasas.  Extra credit for doing Santa Susana Pass and Box Canyon.  Return over Old Topanga Canyon to PCH.  Moderately hilly 61+ miles.

Saturday, March 30, 2013 – Santa Clarita Century

Sunday, March 31, 2013 – (Easter!) – 8:00 am – Palos Verdes Summit Crest

South through Playa Del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches to Palos Verdes.  Climb to the “Crest” of the peninsula via Via Del Monte, Montemalaga, Silver Spur, and Crenshaw.  Back down Hawthorne and around PV Drive West, with a scenic detour via Via Coronel through the PV foothills in search of peacocks.  Lunch at Catalina Coffee in Redondo Beach on the way back.  A relatively hilly 49 miles with an annoyingly steep but short section on Silver Spur.

April   2013

Saturday, April 6, 2013 – Grand Fondo Las Vegas

Sunday, April 7, 2013 – 8:00 – Latigo Canyon to Kanan

Everyone’s favorite PCH climb!  Through Santa Monica and up PCH to Malibu.  The short route bails and returns to Santa Monica for brunch.  30 flat fast miles.  The long ride proceeds up Latigo Canyon Road for an incredibly scenic but long climb.  At Kanan Dume Road we take the speedy descent back to the coast, where we stop for brunch before returning on PCH.  60 miles, with one fun climb.

Saturday, April 13, 2013 - Mulholland Challenge

Sunday, April 14, 2013 – (Out of Town!) – 8:30 am – Fillmore toVentura

 Allow 1 hour drive time.  Go north on 405 Freeway to 5 Freeway.  Exit at Castaic Junction Route 126.  Drive west on 126 for 11.8 miles toward Fillmore.  After crossing a bridge, look for a gas station and store on your right (Valero?).  Meet there at 8:15 am for an 8:30 am start.  Cycle on toward Fillmore and Santa Paula, then turn right and loop through spectacular orange groves (blossoms could be at their peak depending on when we go) before returning to gas station and cars.  58 miles.  Anyone have a route slip?

Saturday, April 20, 2013 – Mount Laguna Bicycle Classic or
Saturday, April 20, 2013 – Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia (part of Sea Otter Classic) or
Saturday, April 20, 2013 – Ventura Ojai Century

Sunday, April 21, 2013 – 8:00 – Beverly Glen to Griffith Park

Go through West LA to Olympic Blvd.  Turn north at Beverly Glen and take a winding, varied, and scenic tour all the way up to the top at Mulholland.  Short ride turns left and returns via Mulholland and Sepulveda or Sepulveda Alternate(*).  Long ride turns right and takes Mulholland to Cahuenga, then over on Barham Blvd to Forest Lawn and Griffith Park before turning back through Toluca Lake for a brunch stop at Priscilla’s or Paty’s.  Return via Moorpark and Sepulveda.  55 miles.  Moderate climbing.

Saturday, April 27, 2013 - Wildflower Century

Sunday, April 28, 2013 – 8:00 – Sepulveda Topanga Loop

Take Sepulveda to the Valley out to Burbank Blvd.  Then west to Reseda, back across Ventura to Wells, then west to Topanga.  Quick stop at Starbucks on Dumetz, then up to Mulholland, over to Old Topanga, up to the summit and then down through one of the most beautiful canyons in LA county.  Return on PCH.  46 miles.

May  2013

Saturday, May 4, 2013 – Breathless Agony

Sunday, May 5, 2013 – 8:00 – Palos Verdes Counter Clockwise

 South through Playa Del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo Beaches to Palos Verdes.  Short ride turns back at Malaga Cove.  Long ride continues counter-clockwise around PV down Palos Verdes Drives West and South.  Up the “switchbacks” of Palos Verdes Drive East (visit the domes?) and back on Palos Verdes Drive North.  Stop for refreshments at Catalina Coffee in Redondo Beach on the way back.  56 miles with one good climb.

Saturday, May 11, 2013 – Crusin’ the Conejo or
Saturday, May 11, 2013 – Montezulomar Bicycle Classic

Sunday, May 12, 2013 – (Mother’s Day!) – 8:00 – Pium, Stunt, Topanga

The usual trip up PCH to Malibu at which point the weenies go back.  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 descend Stunt to Mulholland, turn right and continue to Old Topanga.  One more climb, and then the long descent back to the coast.

Saturday, May18, 2013 – Heartbreak Hundred

Sunday, May 19, 2013 – 8:00 am – Nichols Canyon with Henry’s, Anna’s, and Carl’s Variations

Ride the Tour of California 2012 Stage 8 route through Beverly Hills, the Sunset Strip, and Hollywood to Nichols Canyon.  Start up Nichols, but turn left on Willow Glen to Woodrow Wilson.  Depending which way we go, we either come out near Laurel Canyon or get the final “Wall” section of the Nichol’s ride.  Continue on Mulholland to Cahuenga and then turn right on Wonderview Dr. to Lake Hollywood Dr, and then down to the reservoir.  Continue to Tahoe Dr. up Canyon Lake to a great photographic spot of the Hollywood sign.  Then continue to Ledgewood and down to Beachwood.  Return through Hollwood.

Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27, 2013 – Great Western Bike Rally

Sunday, May 26, 2013 – (Begin Summer Start Time!) – 7:30 am – Sierra Madre

Down Venice Blvd. to downtown LA.  Up Figueroa and over through Chinatown and on to the palatial manors of South Pasadena.  Through Huntington Park and San Marino before stopping for brunch in Sierra Madre.  Back along part of the Rose Bowl Parade route. Return through the San Fernando Valley and the Sepulveda Pass.  Except for Sepulveda, a flat 74 miles

Monday, May 27, 2013 – Memorial Day

June  2013

Saturday, June 1, 2013 - Ojai Valley Century

Sunday, June 2, 2013 – 7:30 am – Long Beach

Head south through beach cities to Redondo Beach.  Cross PCH at Torrance Blvd. and head southeast through Lomita, Harbor City, and Wilmington.  Leave PCH for bike path along Los Angeles River.  Cycle south to downtown Long Beach and follow coastline to Belmont Shores for brunch before returning one of several routes through South Bay cities.  A flat ride of 70 miles.

Saturday, June 8, 2013 – Ride Around the Bear

Sunday, June 9, 2013 – 7:30 am – Up Fernwood, DownPiuma

Up Topanga to Fernwood.  Then a winding, wooded ascent through this bucolic Topanga neighborhood up to the Saddle Peak, Stunt, Schueren junction.  Go down Schueren to Piuma, turn right and climb up to its summit and then descend down to Las Virgenes.  Back to PCH for a snack, and then on home.  About 50 challenging miles.   The short ride turns back at Fernwood.

Sunday, June 16, 2013 – (Father’s Day and Out of Town!) – 8:00 am – Glendora Mountain and Ridge Roads to Mt Baldy Village

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

Sunday, June 23, 2013, – (New!) – Karl’s Krazy Kanyon Kanvassing

This new ride was conceived by Carl’s krazy twin, and is a tour of canyons east of Sepulveda.  Start by climbing Beverly Glen and descending Benedict.  Then back up Coldwater to Mulholland but turn off on Laurel Pass.  Take this to Wonderland and then to Sunset Plaza.  Turn left on Sunset, go left at Genesee and up Nichols back to Mulholland.  Cross Cahuenga and take the Wonder View route to the Hollywood Reservoir and then up Tahoe to connect over to Beachwood and back down.  Back to the start through Hollywood.  Less krazy people can bail earlier.

Saturday, June 29, 2013 – Climb to Kaiser

Sunday, June 30, 2013 – 7:30 am – Up Mulholland Down Encinal

Through Santa Monica, and up the coast on PCH.  The short route turns around at the gas station just past Malibu Lagoon for a flat 30 miles.  The long ride continues on PCH just past Leo Carillo to Mulholland, then up the scenic highway.  We can jog over to the top of Encinal via Decker, then descend back down to PCH on Encinal or, alternatively, continue on Mullholland to Kanan Dume for that descent to PCH.  Stop at the Pavilion’s plaza, Malibu Seafood, or Malibu for lunch.  About 70 miles, with one long uphill section.

July 2013

Thursday, July 4, 2013 – Independence Day

Sunday, July 7, 2013 – (Manhattan Beach Grand Prix!) – 7:30 am– Palos Verdes Clockwise

Sunday, July 14, 2013 – 7:30 am – Up Topanga, Up Stunt, Down Piuma, Down Malibu

Sunday, July 21, 2013 – 7:30 am – Benedict Canyon, Griffith Park

Sunday, July 28, 2013 – (Out of Town!) – San Diego Amtrak

August 2013

Saturday, August 3, 2013 – Tour De Big Bear

Sunday, August 4, ,2013 – (Brentwood Grand Prix!) – 7:30 am – Westside Three (or Two or Four) Canyon Ride

Sunday, August 11, 2013 – 7:30 am – Yerba Buena, Kanan

Sunday, August 18, 2013 – 7:30 am – Stradella, New Topanga

Sunday, August 25, 2013, – (Out of Town!) – 8:15 am – Mt. Wilson

September 2013

Sunday, September 1, 2013, – 7:30 – (New!) – Up Fernwood, Down Stunt

Monday, September 2, 2013 – Labor Day

Sunday, September 8, 2013 – (End Summer Start Time!) – 8:00 am – Beverly Glen, Griffith Park

Sunday, September 15, 2013 – 8:00 am – San Pedro

Sunday, September 22, 2013 – 8:00 am – Stunt via Sepulveda

Sunday, September 29, 2013 – 8:00 am – PCH to Mugu Rock

October 2013 (Backwards Month!!!?)

Sunday, October 6, 2013 – Tour de Poway (Nick Venuto Century)

Sunday, October 6, 2013 – 8:00 am – Chatsworth Reservoir Backwards

Saturday, October 12, 2013 – Solvang’s Finest Century

Sunday, October 13, 2013 – 8:00 am – Latigo Backwards

Saturday, October 19, 2013 – Santa Barbara Century

Sunday, October 20, 2013 – 8:00 – PV Summit Crest Backwards

Saturday, October 26, 2013 – Death Valley Fall Century/Ultra/Double

Sunday, October 27, 2013 – (Out of Town!) - 8:00 – Bouquet Canyon Backwards

November 2013

Sunday, November3, 2013 – (Daylight Saving Time Ends!) – 8:00 am - Nichols Canyon– Hollywood Reservoir

Sunday, November 10, 2013 – 8:00 am – Topanga Sepulveda Loop

Sunday, November 17, 2013 – 8:00 am – Palos Verdes Clockwise

Sunday, November 24, 2013 – 8:00 am – (New!) - Encinal to Westlake

Thursday, November 28, 2013 – Thanksgiving Day

December 2013

Sunday, December 1, 2013 – (Out of Town!) – Potrero to Camarillo

Sunday, December 8, 2013 – 8:00 am – Long Beach

Sunday, December 15, 2013 – 8:00 am – Benedict Canyon – Griffith Park

Sunday, December 22, 2013 – 8:00 am – Malibu, Rock Store, Kanan

Wednesday, December 25, 2013 – Christmas Day

Sunday, December 28, 2013 – 8:00 am – Palos Verdes Summit Crest Route

(*) Sepulveda Alternate
To avoid southbound Sepulveda construction between Moraga and Montana:

Go up Sepulveda from the valley as usual, but after after going through the tunnel and dropping down to the signal, cross over the freeway and then go up Mulholland to Roscomare.  Down Roscomare to the bottom, bear right onto Chalon and then left on Bellagio and down to Sunset.  Right on Sunset to Veteran, left on Veteran to Montana, right on Montana.  Continue across Sepulveda and under the freeway and left on Church.  Follow to the end and then take the short bike trail to Constitution.  Continue from there as usual.