Tour Summary
Duration
5 DaysDistance
310+ milesElevation Gain
35,510+ feet2013 Dates
Apr 29-May 3Oct 21-25
Nov 4-8
Nov 11-15
Nov 25-29
Dec 2 - 6
2014 Dates
Jan 20-25Jan 27-31
Feb 10-14
Feb 24-28
Mar 3-7
Mar 17-21
Mar 31- Apr 3
Apr 14-18
Apr 28-May 1
Got Two Weeks?
Cycling Camps:Classic California
Classic Sierras
Classic Lake Tahoe
2013 Price
Climbing Camp Only: $395.00 includes full ride support, guide, route slips, 3-4 SAG stops, lunchDinner & Breakfast on your own
Book your own Hotel (see lodging below)
Rider Limit
20 Rider LimitBike Rental
$245.00Highlights
Santa Monica MtsMalibu Creek Park
Malibu
Road Bike review
2011 Rider Blog
Hotels
Book Your OwnWestlake Village $145
(Host Hotel)
Best Western - $100
Hampton Inn - $120
Homewd Suite - 139
Sheraton - $189
Good Nite Inn - $50
Camping:
Malibu Creek ParkDining
Zin Bistro
Lady Face
Mediterraneo
Tuscany
Boccaccio's
The Old Place
Start / Finish
Westlake Village, CA(Map to Start)
Airports
LAX -37 milesBurbank -30 miles
Shuttle Services: Roadrunner
Supershuttle
Primetime
Bike Shipping: Serious Cycling
About Cycling Escapes...I don't think I can rave and promote it enough!
- Monique Swansonn
I am already thinking about 2013. I can honestly say that the week I spent riding in Santa Monica was one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. Next year, although the variety of a different ride is apealing, I am pulled to Santa Monica .
- Don Brazelton
* Mar 2011
Arlene and I had so much fun in March at the Santa Monica Climbing Camp, I am thinking of coming down in November for another go around with you guys.
- Mark P, Canada
* Mar 2012
Amazingly, the roads are very quite with almost no traffic. I spent an hour climbing Latigo Canyon and was passed by not a single car. And the pavement quality is much better than most of our roads. The views rival the Alps, very different but spectacular. Most of the climbs switchback up the sides of mountains so you get a real sense of how high up you have are, looking down at the road and ocean far below.
- Richard F
* Jan '10 & Mar '11
Did the Santa Monica Mountains Climbing Camp - amazing experience! Perfect location for some off-season (Jan/Mar) training, the routes are challenging, but rewarding with fantastic views and the roads are very cyclist friendly.
The organisation was great, the SAG was filled with great food and drinks all the time and everyone could ride at their own pace. As the rides are centred around one location it was possible to cut short the routes if anyone wanted to take it easy for a day. Hotel, recommended restaurants and company were all awesome!
I rented a bike from Cycling Escapes - Specialized Roubaix in great condition, plus it saved me the hassle of having it shipped over.
- Amalas W, UK
* Jan 2012
It has been over a week now since our 'camp' but wanted to write you all. We returned to Vermont on Tuesday, to not much better weather than what Kim encountered. However, the glow of sunny CA and the images of all the great rides and vistas remain with us.
- Robert B, VT
* Apr 2011
Thanks again for an outstanding 5 days of riding. To be honest, with my distance and hill training (or should I say lack thereof) I went out there thinking I'd probably do 3 days of riding. Still not sure how I managed to ride every day, but I'm so glad I did. The scenery was outstanding. I'm already checking out some of the other trips you offer......Utah just may be next for me. :)
- Jennifer H, Canada
* Apr 2011
The Sierra Camp sounds amazing. That might have to be my next one. I did my first climbing ride with my group yesterday and believe the Santa Monica camp helped improve my fitness quite a lot.
- Michelle L, Vancouver
* Apr 2013
Just a quick note to thank you for the climbing camp and all of your input. I had a blast and loved the riding. I have already planned for next year and am planting seeds with others to join me.
- Hayden J, NY
* Mar 2013
That was a fun ride. The sites were beyond description, the roads were great, the rides were exceptional and you, Michael and Eric were hard working. I am looking forward to my next ride with you.
- Glen O, CA
Great camp!!! Can't beat the hills and the scenery. Richard and his staff were great, accommodating of any special needs and well organized. Very reasonably priced and great mapping. Highly recommended!!!
- Max L, NY
* Mar 2011
Cycling Climbing Camps
Santa Monica Mountains
5 Day Bike Camp • 310 Mi • 36,000' Elevation Gain • $395.00
Why spend the winter spinning on a trainer or riding in the cold when you can join our cycling training camp in the mountains of southern California! Climb all day in warm weather and blue skies.
Day |
Weekday |
2013 Route |
A Loop |
Elev Gain |
B Loop |
Elev Gain |
|
Sun |
Arrive Westlake Village, California |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
||
1 |
Mon |
Mulholland / Decker / Yerba Buena |
58 |
6,821' |
47 |
4,500' |
|
2 |
Tue |
Piuma / Old Topanga/ Fernwood |
59 |
6,900' |
40 |
4,200' |
|
3 |
Wed |
Westlake / Latigo Canyon Loop |
47 |
4,589' |
47 |
4,589' |
|
4 |
Thur |
Mulholland Super Loops |
94 |
11,000' |
76 |
7,273' |
|
5 |
Fri |
Piuma / Stunt / Piuma |
52 |
6,200' |
40 |
4,200 |
|
. |
...... |
Depart Fri 3:00pm or Stay over |
--- |
--- |
--- |
||
... |
. |
Total |
310 |
35,510' |
250 |
24,762' |
Scroll Down For 2013 Itinerary
Many pro cycling teams are using the Santa Monica Mountains in California for their winter and spring training camps and now you can too. Check out the article in Road Bike Action for rave reviews of the area. --->
The Santa Monica's tower above Malibu and the Pacific Coast like a jewel carved just for cyclists. We climb all the classic passes from Agoura Hills and Calabasas to Malibu and back. The climbs range from 3-10 miles with grades averaging 6-7%
and sections of 8-15%. Each day choose between an A or B Route for difficulty.
This California Cycling Camp is set up slightly different than our Tours. It includes all our great SAG support during the ride, all the snacks and drinks you want, unlimited energy bars and drinks, a lunch stop, route slips, a guide and van support if you need it. But Riders are responsible for booking their own hotel, and meals when not riding.
Want more? Check out our Southern California & Sierra Cycling Camps.
All rides start and end at the Westlake Village Inn. Choose your own basecamp for the week. See the hotel and dining links on the left sidebar to plan your week.
Westlake Village Inn is the nicest hotel in the area, and is also the Host Hotel for the Camp. It sits on a lake and golf course, and all rooms face the ouside, so you can ride right to your door. Ask for the "Cycling Escapes" rate of $145.
There are many other nearby hotels, links to the Left. Hampton Inn is 2 miles from the Westlake Inn. Homewood Suites & Residence Inn have kitchens and are about 2 miles away. Goodnite Inn is very basic and is 5 miles from the Start.
LAX is the biggest airport in southern California, although Burbank is closer. Drive time from LAX to Agoura Hills is about 45 minutes - 2 hours with traffic. Plan your arrival time accordingly. Riders need to arrange their own shuttle from the airport (see link on the sidebar). We recommend renting a car for the week in order to sightsee and meet the group for dinner.
Ship your bike to our local bike shop in Agoura Hills - "Serious Cycling". They will unpack it and assemble it for you. At the end of the camp, they will pack it and ship it back for you. Or Rent one of our carbon fiber bikes with plenty of gears to get you up the hills.
California Cycling Camp 2013 ScheduleMonday - Meet in Westlake Village, California
We'll meet in Westlake Village Monday morning at 8:00am. First we have a brief orientation where we'll provide an overview for the week, hand out route slips, make introductions, and answer any questions you have. We begin riding by 8:45am.
Sample Schedule
Monday
8:00am Orientation (Hotel)
8:30am Ride Start (Leave from Hotel)
2:00-3:00pm End
6:00pm Dinner
Cycling Camp Day 1 - Rockstore / Decker / Yerba Buena
Our training camp starts off with three of the famous bike climbs in the area, Rockstore, Decker and Yerba Buena. Decker includes a 1/2 mile section with grades from 10-19%. The views from the top of Yerba Buena are outstanding. Did we mention you might want to have a compact with at least a 28 cassette?
59 miles / 6,821 ft. elevation gain
Day 2 - Piuma / Old Topanga / Fernwood
Piuma may be one of the most scenic bike climbs in all of southern California. It follows a thin ridge up the mountains to top out with 360 degree views all around. It's also 5 miles of 6-10% grades. Rest up on the descent because Fernwood is another 5 mile bike climb that starts with 10-12 % grades.
Check Out - March 2011 Rider Blog
60 miles / 6,900 ft. elevation gain
Day 3 - Latigo Canyon Loop
Latigo Canyon is one of the classic cycling climbs in the area at just over nine miles in length with steady grades and constant views of the Pacific Ocean. Of course to get to it from Agoura Hills we have to cycle up Westlake Road. We'll also take a cruise along Zuma Beach and Point Dume in Malibu, California.
47 miles / 4,589 ft. elevation gain
Day 4 - Mulholland Super Loops
This is the big ride. We'll cycle Mulholland all the way out to the Pacific Coast Highway, then do multiple loops around most of the classic climbs. During the course of the ride we'll summit Cotharian, Mulholland and Encinal. And if you have the legs, you can add Latigo to the feat. You just completed day four of your California Cycling Camp and it's bigger than most one day events.
Two Choices: 76 miles & 7,273' OR 94 miles & 11,000' elevation gain
Day 5 - Piuma / Stunt / Piuma
Since we just can't cycle up Piuma enough, we'll bike up it again today and then ride up Stunt, another famous local climb that averages about 8%. Enjoy the rest stop at the top of Stunt with 360 degree views of Santa Monica, Downtown LA and Catalina Island. Then ride the breathtaking descent of Piuma. It's a wrap!
52 miles / 6,200 ft. elevation gain
