How I was preparing for the Tour of California (with the maps of our routes)

California is one of our favorite places — fantastically warm weather almost all year round, smooth and wide roads, safe traffic (the local drivers are the most bike-friendly in the world).

It's a cyclist's paradise with the countless options of routes to ride. We would usually ride one of the canyons down to the ocean (even took a swim a couple of times), then we would hit the legendary Pacific Coast Highway which is basically one of the most scenic roads in the world, have a coffee break at one of the Malibu coffee shops and come back up through the Santa Monica mountains with a different canyon, usually -- Encinal, Latigo, Mullholand or Yerba Buena.

The trip to California was intense but great. We even managed to meet our old good friends from L.A. and have a ride with them. Indeed, L.A. has one of the strongest cycling community in the US.

Here, you can find almost any type of climbs: long and steady, steep, punchy and short, roads full of tight turns — and all of them with breathtaking views over LA.

Descends are the best part. With the nicely angled corners, it feels like you are riding in sleds.

The trip to California was intense but great. We even managed to meet our old good friends from L.A. and have a ride with them. Indeed, L.A. has one of the strongest cycling community in the US.

Our Routes

Potrero - PCH - Latigo
We usually do this loop when we want to have little bit more flat ride and do just one proper climb for the day.

Stunt - PCH - Yerba Buena

When we want to do more climbing, but still don't want to miss the views of Pacific Coast Highway, we choose this route. Starting with the Stunt road climb, and coming back with Yerba Buena which is around 40min climb with a fantastic view on top.