Cycling in The OC.

Just got back from a few days in The OC, in my hometown Laguna Niguel, and had the privilege to ride around some of my favorite routes. I hadn't done any riding here in oh, some 20+ years, but I'm grateful I had the opportunity to do so again.
I'm sure some of you may be wondering which bike I took. Well, you might find the answer disappointing. I considered bringing my '87 Allez just like 'back in the day', but ended up riding around on my Colnago instead. If you want to know why I chose the not-so-vintage Italian steed, all I've got to say is, "Hey, it's The OC!"




There's a lot of elevation changes around here and some of them are no joke!




These are the kinds of sights you see on just about any ride down there. Just fantastic. This one was taken from a lookout just off PCH overlooking Dana Point Harbor.


Here's another one not far from where I grew up.



Communities full of million-dollar homes are a dime a dozen around here.





These next two stops on our tour need no introduction. The Ritz-Carlton (formerly Laguna Niguel, but somewhere in the past few years the city boundaries must have been redrawn and now it's in Dana Point). And the St. Regis Monarch Beach. Both located just within a hop, skip, and a jump from one another and both offer fabulous champagne brunches on Sundays.


I think The OC is one of the only places in the world where the high school football field has an ocean view. The picture is horrible - overcast morning and a camera phone, but on a clear, sunny day all that gray you see beyond the far goalpost is deep blue ocean.




And to end our journey, here's a few shots from Dana Point Harbor at sunset.
The OC is truly one of the best places I've had the pleasure to ride by far.
If you have any favorite routes or photos to share from The OC, let me know! I know this topic isn't classic, vintage, or restoration, but to someone who grew up and cut his teeth on cycling around here, it's classic and vintage all the way!