Biking in LA isn’t always easy. The streets weren’t designed with cyclists’ safety in mind, and mountain bike trails can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with steep terrain.
That’s part of the reason more people are heading to the dirt. They embrace gravel riding (also known as grinding), which is somewhere between road riding and mountain biking on dirt roads and trails.
“When I got my first mountain bike, I crashed a lot on the trails,” recalls Isabel King, who started gravel riding during the pandemic and is now a gravel racer in Los Angeles. It’s slower, but still gives you a good workout. Away from the car, you can do many trail runs like trail runs. “
The activity has been around since the invention of the bicycle, dating back to the early 1800s when most of the roads were unpaved, but its popularity has grown significantly in the last decade. Southern California has thousands of miles of fire roads that are good for pedaling.
Nearly all bikes can be ridden on basic dirt roads, but wider tires inflated with lower pressures are best for difficult terrain such as unpaved forest roads and loose sand. According to market research firm NPD Group, sales of gravel bikes (which typically feature dropped handlebars, lower gearing, wider clearance, longer wheelbases, and stiffer frames than road bikes) increased in February 2020. increased by more than 60% from to February 2022.
Zachary Reineu is a longtime cycling advocate in Los Angeles and runs a website. gravel bike californiaIt details the many gravel rides in the area. He’s been riding motorcycles since he was in elementary school, and he says riding on gravel roads makes him feel like he’s a kid again. Getting around LA will also be more efficient. “I used to commute from the San Fernando Valley to UCLA, and I cut my driving time in half by running the gravel, through Freyman Canyon Park and then through Franklin Canyon,” he said. .
Rineu believes Southern California has plenty of off-road opportunities. “You can have your own adventure from the Santa Monica Mountains to the San Gabriel Mountains to the hills gravel above Redlands and Chino,” he said. “I like the diversity around here.”
Gear up before you leave the smooth trails and venture into gravel cycling. Plan your route, carry a puncture kit, and bring water, snacks and extra layers. “The gravel roads in Los Angeles can look a little civilized, but they can still get you in some sticky situations,” says staffer Cody Chouinard. Luft Bicycle shop in Venice. Start slow. Many people find gravel riding more difficult than road riding due to the different muscle groups involved. Sure, your calves will be sore after a ride, but your arms, back and core will be sore as well.
And whether you’re new to gravel cycling or have been doing it for a while, it’s wise to run with a friend. Every Thursday in June, Luft leads a group ride on his 45-mile gravel loop through the Santa Monica Mountains. Your local bike shop might be able to introduce you to fellow gravel grinders.
ready to get off What about the road? Here are his 11 gravel rides (some on pavement) around LA as suggested by his Rynew of gravel bikes, California. They are listed by difficulty, from easiest to hardest, and each is linked to the following link. Ride with GPS Maps you can learn and customize.
