bicycling in LA

It has been several years since I've cycled in LA, and even then I launched from upper Topanga into the Santa Monica Mountains, which is hardly typical metro LA. Last week I did a "real" LA ride starting in Marina Del Ray near the Venice border and making my way north on PCH to the upper reaches of Malibu. I am a very experienced road rider, and consider myself reasonably courageous when it comes to my cycling, but LA is one tough mama. The surface roads are not well equipped for bicycles unless they're actual designated bike routes, and the drivers are aggressive in the extreme. You only have to ride a bike in LA to truly understand the meaning of car culture. The density and speed of the traffic is another mitigating factor as well. By the time I'd finished my three hour ride the muscles in my upper back and shoulders were sore from the tension not the exertion. It's not something I'd want to deal with day in and day out. It's a mark of how dedicated I'm feeling this year that I even did this ride.