SO-CAL GRVL GRINDER 2019 ITINERARY
Enjoy carefully planned daily gravel routes set to showcase the best that So Cal has to offer in the span of 4 1/2 -days of riding, in addition to the expert care and support SV Travel is known for.
Day 1
ARRIVAL INTO PASADENA
Ride: Short shake out
A late afternoon arrival into Burbank Airport will be followed by a transfer to Pasadena, the City of Roses. After we check into our hotel, we will take a short spin before heading off to dinner at Bone Kettle in Old Town Pasadena.
Overnight: Saga Motor Hotel, Pasadena
Day 2
L.A.'s VERDUGO MOUNTAINS
Ride: 30 MI / 3500 FT
The Verdugos are a small transverse mountain range that parallel the San Gabriels and divide the La Cresenta and San Fernando Valleys. It is literally a small island of wilderness in a sea of urban development. We ride up Hostetter Fire Road, following the twists and turns to the Verdugo Motorway which meanders along the ridge of the Verdugos and has great views of greater Los Angeles. On a clear day, you'll see downtown Los Angeles, the piers of San Pedro, and the Channel Islands. It is truly an amazing view to behold.
Overnight: Saga Motor Hotel, Pasadena
Day 3
MT LOWE RAILWAY TO MT DISAPPOINTMENT
Ride: 40 MI / 6200 FT
The locals will tell you this is possibly the best ride out of Pasadena. This loop takes in a number of steep climbs and technical descents. You'll suffer a bit as we ascend high above the city. We take in the majestic views that the San Gabriel mountains have to offer before we begin our flowing single track descent all the way back down to Pasadena.
Tonight we will take a short drive into the foothills to the small village of Sierra Madre. We will first stop at a mom & pop brewery for a fine crafted ale or two, and then head to Yui Sushi for dinner.
Yui Sush isn't just a sushi bar in Sierra Madre, it's a doorway to Tokyo, something very special, with a menu that changes daily. Be it bluefin tuna belly (honmaguro toro), albacore toro and salmon toro, they're wonderfully indulgent slices of fish, arguably as good as anything we've had in the stalls surrounding the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Which is serious praise, indeed.
Overnight: Saga Motor Hotel, Pasadena
Day 4
TRANSFER & AVALON LOOP
Ride: 16 MI / 1725 FT (longer options available)
This morning we will transfer to Long Beach to catch the AM Catalina Express ferry to Avalon, the main town on Catalina Island. Crystal clear
blue waters & sandy beaches await our arrival. After lunch, we climb steeply on a fantastic double track road up the tall peaks behind Avalon. We ride along the spine of the ridge taking in stunning views of the island & mainland in the distance, and keep an eye out for the island fox & bald eagles. Some may want to ride out & back to the airport for their famous chocolate chip cookies. With a fast descent back into Avalon, we will go for a swim before checking into our hotel & enjoying a night out on Avalon.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island
Day 5
AVALON TO TWO HARBORS
Ride: 46.5 MI / 5300 FT
We will ride the entire length of the island today, from south to north. The start sees us climbing straight up from Avalon through a Eucalyptus-lined road. We continue along the ridge lines exploring the craggy dirt roads in the remote & exposed interior. Adventurous types have always favored Catalina's wide-open interior and we love it's labyrinth of mountainous dirt roads -- traffic free & perfect for gravel bikes. Long climbs are welled earned with panoramic 360 degree views of the mountainous island. Keep an eye out for the wild bison that have called this island home since 1922. We finish this gorgeous ride with a sweeping descent into Two Harbors. Take a scenic boat ride back to Avalon, or for the truly ambitious, ride back to Avalon for a BO+mile day. We will dine beach-side tonight before heading to Luau Larry's to get your wiki wacked.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island
Day 6
DEPARTURE TO MAINLAND
Ride: None
We will depart this island this morning back to Long Beach, fromwhere we will provide a shuttle to Burbank Airport (45min) Bookyour return flights after 3pm this afternoon.