Rio Hondo Out N Back - Perfect for the July 4th holiday weekend

June 29, 5:20 PMLA Cycling ExaminerMary Raffety

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Recently, I met a cyclist who has just purchased her first road bike and is extremely excited to get rolling. However, she and a mutual friend aren’t familiar with areas where beginners can ride without fear of cars or having to take on strenuous climbs.  When she asked me to suggest a route, I was reminded of when I began cycling a little over five years ago. Back then, I was fortunate enough to meet a great group of cyclists who introduced me to two bike paths that I still enjoy riding today, San Gabriel River Trail (SGRT) and Rio Hondo Bike Path (Rio Hondo).

SGRT is the bike path used for several of the routes I have already suggested on here. It begins in Azusa (off of Hwy 39), connects to Encanto Pkwy and continues all the way to Seal Beach and Long Beach (via Rio Hondo). There are two routes in particular that I’ve ridden and can recommend to cyclists of all levels. Today, I’m going to describe the Rio Hondo Out N Back, which is a perfect route to ride on a holiday weekend when you don’t have all day to spend in the saddle.  You might even want to check it out this coming weekend for the Fourth of July.

The Rio Hondo Out N Back starts at Encanto Park and is 50 miles round trip (Map My Ride shows slightly less mileage). The two bike paths used are well maintained, but keep an eye out for debris and other riders. There is only one real steep climb on the route (over the Santa Fe Dam), but it is very short. There is no shade on SGRT and very little on Rio Hondo, so I’d suggest wearing and carrying sunscreen with you. Please wear a helmet and ride with a partner or group as these trails can be isolated in areas. I would also recommend carrying a cell phone, just in case.

Since this is a bike path route, I’ve provided more detailed directions below as well as a map. Enjoy!

- Turn right out of the Encanto Park parking lot (bathrooms are available here and are usually unlocked on weekends. On holidays, they are locked.)
- Turn immediately left onto the bridge pathway.
- At the end, turn right on SGRT (look both ways for oncoming cyclists!).
- Head south on the path (there is a bathroom about a mile down on the left that can be used if the Encanto Park bathrooms are locked).
- The path will eventually come to a brush area where you will turn left to head toward the Sante Fe Dam Nature Center and Santa Fe Dam recreation area.
NOTE HERE: if the Santa Fe Dam Nature Center is open, you can refill water bottles from a water fountain, and there are clean restrooms inside.
- Stay straight to follow the path up to the dam (you will cross a toll road connected to the recreation area diagonally to stay on the path; look both ways for cars!).
- Continue over the dam and descend a short but steep hill (watch it, sharp curve to the left at the bottom!).
- Cross Arroyo Highway (watch for cars both ways!) and continue along SGRT.
- You will see rodeos on your right and the river to your left. Look out for tunnels and highway underpasses as these can have both water and debris in them (reduce speed).
- SGRT curves right into an area of thick brush known as “four corners” where you will come to an intersection in the path. If you bear a slight left, you will continue on SGRT. Stay straight to go onto Siphon Road (and cross a small bridge).
- As you come up to Durfee Ave., you will be on the lefthand side sidewalk which ends at the intersection of Rosemead Blvd. and San Gabriel Blvd. (Durfee Ave.).
- Cross the intersection in the cross walks (right to cross Durfee Ave., then left to cross Rosemead Blvd.).
- Stay on the sidewalk until you come to the bike path entrance.
- Once you enter the Whittier Narrows section of the path, follow it all the way. There will be one area where you can either follow the path straight or turn left. Turn left to stay on Rio Hondo.
- The path deadends into Peck Road Water Conservation Park (bathrooms and water are available here).
 

More Info: For an excellent website on SGRT, go here.  And to read more about the Rio Hondo and other LA bike paths, go here.

• Click here for more great cycling routes in and near Los Angeles