Los Angeles County Scenic Bicycle Routes and Safety Tips

Diverse Los Angeles County, California offers some of the best bicycle routes in the nation. Whether you're looking for a short safe bicycle trip with the tots along the Oceanside or a grueling test of your inner strength to keep going up steep and sometimes treacherous terrain in the hills, Los Angeles Bike routes have it all. But before you begin, take heed of the following:

10 Common Sense Safety Tips to Make Your Trip Happy, Safe and Comfortable

1. Helmets- By now everyone should know that wearing a bicycle helmet is a must. But everyday, people ride without one. Did you know that when you pack those adorable children up in that cute child trailer they should be wearing a properly fitted helmet also? Do make sure that cute trailer is fastened properly, checking it from time to time while on the road.

2. End Caps-A missing end cap on your handle bars can cause great injury during a spill. Don't leave home without both end caps.

3. Eye wear- Take the extra step to purchase eye wear designed for bike riding. This will not only make you look cool, but will help you in two ways. One it will protect your eyes from anything that might decide to fly up and hit you in the face and two it will protect your eyes from the sun.

4. Frame pump or Floor Pump- Never leave home without a bicycle pump. If you don't you'll eventually regret it.

5. Riding Rules- Know the Rules of the Road and Follow them- Learn how to make a proper left hand turn at an intersection and learn how to get into the left turn lane along with the cars. Allow your self plenty of room and be assertive.

6. Group Riding-Riding with a Group is a great way to go. As a team, you can help alert each other to potential hazards and have fun on those pit stops for ice cream.

7. Hydration- You'll need to bring plenty of water with you, even on short trips.

8. Clothing- Check the weather not only from where you are starting from but from where you are going to end up. Layer your clothing accordingly.

9. Snacks- Cycling burns up calories and you can find yourself dragging if you don't recharge yourself with snacks. Trail mix, granola bars, frozen squeeze tubes of yogurt; all of these are great choices.

10. Emergency Needs -Do carry your I.D, a small amount of cash or credit card and a cell phone. Don't answer the phone while riding; that would be just plain dangerous and no texting either (sheesh, shouldn't have to say it but feel I must). Always inform someone of the route you are planning to take, your start time and expected time to finish especially when traveling solo.

Some of my favorite routes in Los Angeles are: The Beverly Hills and Hollywood Route, The Big Tujunga Loop, Bike Ride to the Ocean Route, The Griffith Park Loop, and the PV to PV Route. (Please see the slide show for maps) Most of these routes can be pared down to suit almost anyone's riding abilities. A personal favorite of mine is the PV to PV route. It's easy to pare down from just a few short flat miles known as 'The Strand' running the length of the Pacific Ocean from Redondo Beach to El Porto; to the entire route spanning 51.9 miles over the hilly scenic terrain of the Palos Verde's Peninsula. For great information on Bike routes and to add your own, visit Map my Ride .com.