The cycling in Los Angeles is world-class — if you know where to look.
With topography that ranges from flat coastlines to steep, lung-busting mountains — plus nearly perfect riding weather that lasts all year long — LA has the makings to be seventh heaven for cyclists. Though the city has a deeply rooted car culture which can make navigating LA by bike tricky, thanks to trails like the 22-mile beachside Marvin Braude and wild Griffith Park, it’s still a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community. Local nonprofit CicLAcvia even closes city streets on a regular basis.
The wilderness outside the city offers endless opportunities for mountain biking — and the trails are considered the best in Southern California. For the 4-1-1 on trails and group rides, hook up with CORBA, the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association. Jonesing for gravel? All the hills and canyons you see are crisscrossed with dirt roads, most topping out to spectacular views. There’s a bike event seemingly every weekend here: smaller community rides, major fundraisers (for arthritis and MS), and challenging races like the Mammoth Gran Fondo and the Tour de Big Bear.
These are our best rides in Los Angeles-area. If you’re looking for rides in a more specific part of the city, see the list below: