MDRCC Event and Ride List – January - June 2012
********************************************************************************

All Sunday rides, unless otherwise listed, leave from Helen’s Marina Del Rey Bike Shop, 2472 Lincoln Boulevard, between Washington and Venice Boulevards. Departure time is 8:00am January through June, moving to 7:30am in July, except as noted on out-of-town rides. Please be ready to roll at the specified departure time! It is recommended that you come equipped to fix a flat (i.e., spare tubes, tire levers, patches, inflators, etc.), and bring filled water bottles, snacks, and lunch money. Helmets are required and no headsets or earbuds on the rides, please!

January 15, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. - Stradella to Mulholland

Wind your way through scenic Bel Air to Mulholland Drive. The short ride will return to the Westside via Sepulveda. The long ride will continue on Mulholland past the San Diego Fwy and on up to a steep descent into the Valley and Wells Drive to Topanga Canyon. Take Old Topanga up and over and down to PCH. The short route is 30 hilly miles. The long route is 50 hilly miles.

January 22, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. - Malibu Canyon

Ride through Santa Monica to PCH, to Malibu Lagoon. The short route will turn around at the Texaco station and return to Santa Monica for brunch, 30 flat, fast miles. The long ride proceeds up Malibu Canyon, then heads East on Mulholland, past Topanga, and down to Calabasas. Return via Wells Drive and Ventura Blvd. through the valley, stopping for brunch in Encino at “More than Waffles” or “Encino Deli” (formerly Bagel Nosh). Climb Sepulveda Pass and return to the Westside via San Vicente Blvd. A fairly hilly 60 miles.

January 29, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. -  PCH to the Rock

Long, slow, distance – Up PCH through Malibu, by Zuma, past Trancas to the Rock at Pt. Mugu, then back.  A relatively flat 75 miles.  Lunch at Malibu Seafood.

February 5, 2012 –– 8:30 a.m. - Larry’s 5 County Ride (Out of Town Ride) Larry to provide route slip

February 12, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. - San Pedro

South through beach cities to Palos Verdes. The short ride will turn around at Malaga Cove and return to CJ’s for Breakfast. Our long ride will proceed around the peninsula on P.V. Drives West and South to San Pedro. We stop for brunch at the San Pedro Café & Diner before returning via PCH and P.V. Drive North. The short route’s mileage is 36 and fairly flat. The long route is 59 moderately hilly miles.
February 19, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. Chatsworth Reservoir
Over Sepulveda to Burbank Boulevard, Victory, and up DeSoto to Devonshire. Around the Reservoir and stop for brunch at Label’s Table in Calabasas. Return over Old Topanga Canyon to PCH. Moderately hilly 61 miles.

February 26, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. Henry’s Griffith Park Ride – Henry to provide route.

March 4, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. - Topanga Canyon

Cruise up PCH to Topanga Canyon. Climb to the intersection of Topanga and Old Topanga and stop for breath at the old gas station. The short ride will return to the Westside for brunch. The long ride will continue up Old Topanga and return through the Valley via Wells Drive, stopping off Ventura Blvd. in Encino at “More than Waffles” or the “Encino Deli” (formerly Bagel Nosh). The short route consists of 27 hilly miles. The long route is 49 hilly miles.

March 11, 2012 – (Daylight Savings Time!!!) 8:00 a.m. – Latigo Canyon

Through Santa Monica, and up PCH to Malibu. The short route will turn around at the Shell station just past Malibu lagoon, and return to Santa Monica for brunch. 30 flat fast miles. The long ride proceeds up Latigo Canyon for a very scenic and long climb. Bring plenty of water and a snack for the top. At Kanan Dume Road we will take a fast descent to the coast and return on PCH for lunch on the Westside. 60 miles, with one long hill. 

March 18, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. – 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 Drive West & South. Up over Palos Verdes Drive East and back via Palos Verdes Drive North. Stop for refreshment at California Coffee or CJ’s in Redondo Beach on the way back. 56 miles with one long climb.

March 25, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. – Benedict Canyon

Cruise through Beverly Hills to Benedict Canyon, and climb up to Mulholland. Turn back to Sepulveda Blvd. for 30 slightly hilly miles, or head East on Mulholland to Griffith Park, for 57 moderately hilly miles. Stop at Priscilla’s in Toluca Lake for the long ride, or a coffee break on the Westside for the short ride.  53 moderately hilly miles.

April 1, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. Up Stunt/Down Piuma

Follow PCH to Topanga Canyon and Old Topanga Canyon to Mulholland Hwy. The short ride returns via Wells Avenue, Ventura Blvd, and Sepulveda Pass to the West Side. The long ride follows Mulholland West to Stunt Road, up to Schueren Road, and on to Piuma. Down Piuma to Malibu Canyon, and return via PCH. Lunch back on the West Side. A very hilly 58 miles.

April 8, 2012 – 8:45am – Fillmore/Ventura (Out of Town Ride)

Allow 1 hour drive time. Go north on 405 Freeway to 5 Freeway.  Exit at Castaic Junction Route 126.  Drive west on 126 approximately 10 miles toward Fillmore.  After crossing a bridge, look for a gas station and store on your right.  Meet there at 8:30am for an 8:45am start.  Cycle on toward Fillmore and Santa Paula, then turn right and loop through spectacular orange groves (blossoms should be at their peak) before returning to gas station and cars.  58 miles. 

April 15, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. - Long Beach/Belmont Shores

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

April 22, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. - Chatsworth Reservoir Reverse

PCH, over Topanga/Old Topanga, through Calabasas and around the reservoir.  Find a lunch stop and return by Devonshire, DeSoto, Victory, Burbank and Sepulveda.  Moderately hilly 61 miles.

April 28 – Wildflower Century

April 29, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. – Palos Verdes Summit  

Through Playa Del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches to Palos Verdes.  Climb to the crest of the peninsula via Via Del Monte, Monte Malaga, 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 section on Silver Spur.

May 6, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. – PCH to the Rock

Up PCH through Malibu, by Zuma, past Trancas to the Rock at Pt. Mugu, then back.  A relatively flat 75 miles.  Lunch at Malibu Seafood.

May 13, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. – Malibu/Lost Hills/Cornell Rd.

Up the coast on PCH to Malibu Canyon.  Up Malibu Canyon.  Continue on Los Virgenes, (optional loop: through Lost Hills = left on Lost Hills Rd., left on Agoura Rd., and left on Cornell Rd. past Paramount Ranch) then west on Mulholland, around Malibu Lake (pit stop at Peter Strauss Ranch if needed) and (just past Rock Store), right turn on Sierra Creek Rd. to Rustic Canyon Cafe at Kanan for a cold drink and handmade sandwich/snack.  Now fueled, back to Mulholland, grind up the hill and fly down Kanan to the coast…(option - Malibu Seafood for lunch). A strenuous 70ish miles.

May 20, 2012 – Tour of CA finish in downtown  - Canyon Premium Palisades
Highlands/Amalfi/Mandeville Hollywood Reservoir - 8:00 a.m.

May 27, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. Benedict Canyon

Cruise through Beverly Hills to Benedict Canyon, and climb up to Mulholland. Turn back to Sepulveda Blvd. for 30 slightly hilly miles, or head East on Mulholland to Griffith Park, for 57 moderately hilly miles. Stop at Priscilla’s in Toluca Lake for the long ride, or a coffee break on the Westside for the short ride.  53 moderately hilly miles.

June 3, 2012 – Lake Casitas (Out of Town)

Drive Highway 101 north to Ventura and exit on California. Turn right on California to the top of the hill. Turn right then left into driveway and park behind City Hall/Court House. 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 spectacular north end of lake before climbing up and over toward the 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 big climbs.  

June 10, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. – Latigo/Mulholland/Old Topanga

Through Santa Monica, and up PCH to Malibu. The short route will turn around at the Shell station just past Malibu lagoon, and return to Santa Monica. 30 flat fast miles. The long ride proceeds up Latigo Canyon for a very scenic and long climb. Bring plenty of water and a snack for the top. There is a market on the top for refills.  Continue on Mulholland around Malibu Lake to Old Topanga and return on PCH for lunch in Topanga or the Westside. 73 miles, 5,000’ of climbing.

June 17, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. Piuma via Sepulveda

Climb Sepulveda Pass into the Valley, following Ventura to Topanga. The short ride will turn around at Topanga. The long ride will take Topanga to Mulholland and on to Cold Canyon, where we turn left and soon find ourselves at the west end of Piuma. We start a long climb up Piuma Road for a spectacular summit view of the ocean. Descend via Rambla Pacifica/Los Flores, and return via PCH. The short route totals 38 miles. The long route tops out at 56 hilly miles, with lunch on the Westside.

June 24, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. – Palos Verdes Big Loop (Clockwise)

South through Playa del Rey, Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches to Palos Verdes. Short ride turns back at Malaga Cove. Long ride continues up past golf course to Palos Verdes Drive North and rides south before turning right and climbing up Palos Verdes Drive East and down to the coast and back via Palos Verdes Drives South & West. Stop for brunch at Catalina Coffee in Redondo Beach on the way back. 56 miles with one long climb.

July 1, 2012 – 8:00 a.m. - Mullholland/Kanan or Encinal

Through Santa Monica, and up the coast on PCH. The short route turns around at the Shell station just past Malibu lagoon and returns to Santa Monica for brunch: a flat fast 30 miles. The long ride continues out PCH until we get to Mulholland, then up the canyon on Mulholland. 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 the descent to PCH. Stop at the Von’s plaza or Malibu Seafood for lunch.  About 70 miles, with one long hill.