Southern California has a cornucopia of outstanding rides.  If you're a road cyclist or a mountain biker, there's something here for you.  Of our embarrassment of riches, these are the rides I like best.

The Fruit Loop

Ah, like swallows to Capistrano, so do me and my biking buddies return to the Fruit Loop?  Why the Fruit Loop?  There's some argument there, but it begins with the UCLA Cycling Team.  Some argue that it's the Fruit Loop because on every weekend there's a fruit stand at the intersection of Malibu Canyon and Mulholland Highway.  My friend Jenn says it's because one of her riding buddies commented on the final climb up Old Topanga Canyon that "I can really taste my fruit loops on that one."  Either way, there's a reason why I've done this ride so many times, and why so many of my cadre, when discussing a ride often preface it with "let's do something OTHER than a Fruit Loop."  Sure, variety is the spice of like and any ride done ad nauseum becomes stale, but what makes this ride so appealing is the very fact that it has so much variety.  Want some ocean views with cool breezes?  There's a pretty stretch of PCH to cover.  Like rolling mountain passes and canyons?  Malibu Canyon and Mulholland Highway beckon.  Like fast swoopy descents?  Go down Old Topanga and Topanga Canyon and keep your fingers off the brake levers.  Whichever you like.  It's a nice 57 mile loop from my place in Palms, and it's got 4300 feet of climbing to keep you interested.