Welcome to Fall! The WE-Ride ride for this Sunday, November 5, takes us along our popular Turnbull Canyon and East-West Drive route in the Puente Hills.
We’ll start from Memorial Park in Sierra Madre, and get an assist from a portion of the Emerald Necklace bike path before looping through Whittier and Turnbull Canyon. The loop includes some hilly and scenic areas in Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, and La Habra Heights. A coffee stop at 85° Bakery in Hacienda Heights offers tasty pastry.
Older legends used to claim that several Tongva inhabitants were executed in Turnbull Canyon for rebelling against the Spanish invaders, but recent research has shown that while there was a rebellion, the reprisals took place closer to Yorba Linda. The canyon is now named after a Scottish entrepreneur, Robert Turnbull, who purchased it in the 1880s to graze sheep. While he was able to sell the land back to the Quaker community in Whittier for a profit later, Turnbull came to a sad end as the town drunk and later a victim of murder. In the 1890s, oil drilling began in the canyon, although the drillers had to dodge the canyon’s mountain lions, who apparently disapproved of the stench of fresh oil. Urban legends about plane crashes and insane asylums in Turnbull Canyon add a touch of Halloween flavor to our route.
The weather this Sunday is forecast to be pleasant, reaching near 80° in the afternoon. However, things can shift, so check the forecast and bring a few layers for the morning cool as needed.
Route for download to bike computer: WE-Ride Turnbull-Canyon East West 5 https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44873288
Starting location: Sierra Madre Memorial Park (Hermosa Ave side, street parking) https://goo.gl/maps/DeM8Uh1Y9VZC1G7e7 There is also a large free public parking lot off Mariposa close to Baldwin Ave. https://maps.app.goo.gl/tfy5KeTdqQDNkrx87?g_st=ic
Start time: 8:00 AM [Note: with the time change taking place at 2 AM Sunday morning, this will be the equivalent of 9:00 AM before the time change].
Distance: 62.8 miles
Elevation gain: 3,314 ft
Coffee stop: 85 C Bakery https://goo.gl/maps/Xw4UXhEfMYfu8U6NA
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an informal self-supported ride and not an official PAA sponsored ride. Neither PAA, the ride leaders, nor the route creators should be held responsible for any accident or injury that may occur during the ride. Please ride safely.