In the South Bay, nearly everything points at Palos Verdes. Palos Verdes Drive circles the peninsula for about 27.5 miles, and the flat beach path along the coast (the Strand, through Hermosa Beach) is how riders from Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo beaches and Torrance get there.
Humble and Kind 2 members
Big Orange Cycling
FDR Group-Friendly Donut Ride
Wheatgrass
Gruppetto
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The Palos Verdes loop
The loop follows Palos Verdes Drive North, West, South and East around the peninsula, with the ocean beside you along the West and South sections. A lap of the peninsula is about 24 miles with about 1,800 feet of climbing. The main climb is Palos Verdes Drive up to Crest Road: about 5.1 miles and 1,165 feet at a 4.4% average. For shorter efforts, Via del Monte in Palos Verdes Estates climbs about 576 feet in 1.9 miles.
The Donut Ride and weekday rides
The Donut Ride has gone around the peninsula every Saturday morning since at least the 1980s. The full ride, out and back from the beach cities, is about 43 miles with about 4,700 feet of climbing. It鈥檚 an open ride rather than a club ride, so learn the Palos Verdes loop and its climbs before you join it.
Weekday rides start along the coast too. The New Pier Ride leaves the Manhattan Beach Pier early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, before work.
Getting there on the Strand
Most riders reach the hills along the coast. The Marvin Braude Bike Trail ends at Torrance County Beach, at the foot of the peninsula, and its Hermosa Beach section is the Strand. It鈥檚 flat and shared with people walking, so South Bay riders treat it as a warm-up and a way home, not a place for hard efforts.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Palos Verdes loop by bike?
A lap of the peninsula on Palos Verdes Drive is about 24 miles with about 1,800 feet of climbing, and the full Palos Verdes Drive circle is about 27.5 miles. The main climb, up to Crest Road, is about 5.1 miles and 1,165 feet at a 4.4% average. Most riders come in from the beach cities along the coast.
What is the Donut Ride in the South Bay?
A Saturday-morning group ride from the beach cities around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, held every week since at least the 1980s. The full ride is about 43 miles with about 4,700 feet of climbing. It鈥檚 an open ride, not a club ride, so do the Palos Verdes loop on your own first to learn where the climbs are.
Where can I find a group ride in Manhattan Beach?
Along the coast. The New Pier Ride leaves the Manhattan Beach Pier early on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and Saturday rides from the beach cities head south to Palos Verdes. For club rides, check the start city on each club鈥檚 next ride in the list above.
Can you ride a road bike on the Strand?
Yes, but not fast. The Strand is the Hermosa Beach section of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, the flat beach path that ends at Torrance County Beach, and it鈥檚 shared with people walking. Use it to warm up or reach Palos Verdes, and save hard efforts for the climbs on Palos Verdes Drive.
Which cycling clubs ride in the South Bay?
The list above shows the clubs that start rides in the South Bay, each with its next group ride, start time and distance. Read a club鈥檚 profile to see how it rides before you join.