The miniature Alpine route near Biola University
The thin twisting roads of the European cycling races illicit notions of pain and sheer exhilaration. How is it then that a college student or working man with an already full eight hour plus day is supposed to fulfill his desires for high alpine descents and the majestic accompanying views.
Well it takes a lot less than one would think. Just some Google mapping and a willingness to get lost a bit and you'll find yourself on the slopes of your own Los Angeles Alpine slopes. On such route, as I like to call it, is the Biola to Turnbull Canyon Rd. route. Incorporating two vicious, although shorter, climbs (or four if you double back) this route provides all the thrills without eight hours on the saddle. Located just outside of La Mirada in the Whittier hills and then proceeding into Hacienda Heights and back into Whittier this ride will take you up one spectacular road, and then back down.
The Turnbull Canyon Rd. is the highlight of this route ascending in a zigzag pattern reminiscent of the European cycling tours. The road climbs along sleepy neighborhood roads and is mostly untraveled. The road tops out at a dirt turnabout after roughly twenty to twenty five minutes of climbing. The view from the top is spectacular, overlooking a plunging canyon filled with overly green vegetation the top is not to be missed.
However as good as the burning ascent was the downward roller coaster ahead is even better. With very little traffic one can swoop down the canyon side and imagine himself amidst a host of the worlds best cyclists. With that said take caution as this road is not groomed like the hills of the Pyrenees or the Alps but is strewn with fine dirt and the occasional rock.
Eyes blown dry by the rushing wind and neck stuck stiff from your aerodynamic position you may just find yourself turning around at the bottom to do it all again. If not the road back to Biola is a leisurely yet somewhat technical route through Whittier and then back down Colima Rd. connecting with La Mirada Blvd. to Biola. In total the full loop is around twenty one miles punctuated with two great climbs and one great sense of satisfaction.
Below is the route:
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