While the heat continues to deter some Valley residents from leaving their comfy air-conditioned homes on their days off, many brave, well-hydrated souls are itching to get out and explore the San Fernando Valley.

And they’re doing it by bicycle.

The Valley is home to plenty of fun routes for both street cycling and mountain biking, with ranging difficulties and lengths. So whether you’re a diehard cyclist or haven’t touched a bike since you were a kid (luckily you never forget how to ride, according to the phrase), you’ll find the path for you on our list of the best cycling routes in the Valley.

Street paths

Metro Orange Line bike path/Chandler bike path

Ride parallel to the Metro buses on this mostly-flat, 21-mile street bike ride that was once an old train line. The path will take you through Canoga Park along Canoga Avenue before turning and sending you to Lake Balboa. Feel free to stop by the Japanese Gardens before continuing along Chandler Boulevard, where you’ll see beautiful painted murals on either side of you.

“The Orange Line is great for a lot of riders because it gives them a safe, secure thoroughfare to get them from one end of the Valley to the other,” says Bill Knapp, an avid cyclist and bike salesman.

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Safety is indeed a big selling point for the Orange Line, as the paths are separated from the bus lane by a fence and light posts. Just be sure to stop at those red lights!

Sepulveda River Basin loops

Along the previously mentioned Metro path is the entrance to the Lake Balboa loop within the Sepulveda Basin. Ride along the waters of Lake Balboa and around the Encino golf course on a secluded and safe path. The loop runs for over eight miles, starting at the corner of Woodley Avenue and Victory Boulevard. Stop by the Sepulveda Basin Dog Park or Pedlow Skate Park for a breather if you’re so inclined. Be weary of pesky goat head thorns.

Reseda Boulevard bike lane

Though it is much more exposed than the Metro Orange Line, Reseda Boulevard’s northbound bike lane through Northridge is painted green and has intermittent white posts to protect you from parallel-running traffic. Though the views are mostly of drive-thrus and banks, this lane is great for commuters who want to avoid traffic and would like to get a workout in on their way to work.

“It works,” says avid cyclist Marc Richter. “You still really have to be careful because the cars are on the outside on that [path] and you’re on the inside. So they still have to cross when they’re crossing driveways. But for the most part, it’s nice.”

Mountain Biking

El Scorpion Trail

A shorter but more difficult trail, the Castle Peak path along the El Scorpion Trail can be winding, uphill and very narrow at times. Once you get to the top of the trail, you can hop off your bike and climb up “Bat cave,” a cavernous rock tower that might just live up to its name. If you’re looking to do your best “Rad” impression (yes, I really just made that reference), there are plenty of dirt jumps for you to fly off of on your mountain or BMX bike.

“Bat cave is the perfect place to bring your friends or kids if they are interested in riding dirt jumps with a mountain or BMX bike,” says born-and-raised Valley resident Jacob Doering-Powell. “The jumps are very well made and range from beginner to intermediate in level. When I was a kid, my friends and I would always go with our BMX bikes and have a lot of fun.”

Reseda to the sea

A nearly 18-mile mountain bike ride, the Reseda to the Sea Challenge begins in Tarzana and ends, you guessed it, at the ocean along Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades. Ride along narrow dirt trails through Caballero Canyon, starting at the corner of Reseda Boulevard and Ventura Boulevard. The views are stunning and the weather only improves as you exit the Valley and enter the sea breeze.

Mulholland Drive Fire Road

A not-too-challenging 7-mile double track road, this path is great for family rides and large group trips. The path also offers entrances to other routes that run farther south within Topanga State Park. Roads are well-graded and extremely wide. Be weary: the reports of mountain lions are only partially exaggerated!