Good mountain biking?

Looking for good mountain biking spots. I've decided LA is basically the worst place to have a road bike, and will take up the former instead.

I'm guessing the canyons have some great fire trails and stuff like that, but what other routes / loops / areas are good? Ideally, the closer to Venice / Santa Monica, the better. Totally new to the sport too, so nothing outrageous (though I can hold my own on a road bike).

 

Here's a good site for you with all sorts of information. These are the SoCal county listings but you can click on the "trails" link above for a nationwide listing or just drill down on a county-trail level.
http://www.socalmtb.com/trails/index.cgi?socal,n,n

You can guage trail difficulty by the legend to the left of the trail name, the comments, reviews, etc. One of my favorite rides was Sullivan Canyon which is very close to you.
http://www.socalmtb.com/socal/trails/sullivan.htm

Once at the top of the mountain, you've got a nice view of the Santa Monica mountains. It's about a 14 mile loop if I recall with good climbing and descent. There's video of it on youtube as well. Read up on the trails and then check youtube for a visual if it's been posted. It ought to give you a reasonable idea of the trail.

Just some tips if you're new to the sport like you mentioned. Never ride alone in the mountains. Carry tools/knife, cell phone, an extra tube or two, air pump, first aid & food/water. Always wear your helmet and eye protection. Gloves are nice. Over the years, found them all to be necessary. Depending on the ride difficulty, some other protective gear might be a good idea such as elbow or shin/knee guards. That really isn't necessary for most rides but certainly would've come in handy for a few nice spills I had.

Ride safe and have fun!

 

Eagle Rock and Malibu have great Mountain Biking Trails!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

mtbreview.com
click trails.

Shoot me a PM and I will introduce you to Chesebro off the 101, Sycamore cyn, topanga, etc. Lots of great riding at all levels.

D

 

Just don't make any bets with Dusty. There is a long history of things getting "weird"

 

Great info guys, thanks. Appreciate all fo the pointers and the tips. Unfortunately I had to roll back up to the SF area for a week, so I won't get to try anything out til I get back.

 

If you wanna try the strand when you get back lemme know.......

 

yes sir!

 

All good choices. If you ever want to venture to the OC, pm for the goods.

 

Send a PM to "team360" he has a couple of MB group rides a week and is totally on the pipe!! He keeps trying to get me out but I would be sucking wind like crazy. I think Dusty has ridden with him, but he is the best bet for local rides and trails

 

Yeah, we have seen each other on the trails for years. He rides Chesebro alot. A standing wed. ride. D, I have an extra bike anytime you want to go. You motox guys generally are very fast on the down hill. Lets see if you can keep up . Just dont invitge me to the motox track....

 

Topanga State Park and the Santa Monica Mountains are full of great trails and miles of fire-raods!.....Westridge, Sullivan Canyon, Parker-Mesa, Nike-site, The Hub, EagleRock.....all sorts of stuff and whatever you are looking for, plenty of good loops as well. Great views, nice scenary...really nice. The trails are well kept and in good shape, about the only danger you face is the remote chance of mountain lion attack.....but it's still safer then the cougars you face in the gym!

I'm out there weekly and we have a local group that gets out here & there. Like Dustin, I've got an extra bike as well and can show you some maps, routes n' other stuff. Just picked-up the Garmin Edge 705.....wicked-sick gadget!!!!


And take the advice of never making a bet with Dusty.....huge sand-bagger; that man has Olympic capability in those legs and lungs of his! No skirting around the issue!

 

Long time lurker, 1st time poster on So.cal F-chat here. I would like to join.

 

Shall we set up a Fchat Mtn Bike Ride?

As per what Steve said, I am way fat and way out of shape. I am like molases in the winter....bearly moving.

Couple weeks from now on a sat. Morning? A nice social mtn bike ride...

1. Dustin
2. Heather
3. Noel?
4. Steve R
5. ???????

 

Hmmmm......based on such description one would be inclined to believe this is the prudent time to wager a bet with Dusty? So NOT going to happen.

Emailed with Noel, he's available on weekends and good-to-go. I'm in-town for the next couple weekends as well. I've been after Dusty & Heather to do Parker-Mesa for some time....let's make good on that. Can we get Double-J to come too????

Let's shoot for Saturday around 8:30am and plan on having lunch afterwards. That Mongolian place I know is a prudent choice or maybe Casa de Carlos. We wanna do this the 27th or 4th....I'm good for either date. Between Dusty and I, we have 2 extra bikes if anyone wants to join-in. Any shot we wanna do this at $20 a head and proceeds to go towards Toys-4-Tots? ....the season is approaching?

 

You know that Dusty is NOT out of shape and never takes it easy. He gets enjoyment out of punishing others while at the same time takes pleasure in his own suffering.

I'm back on the road bike so if you guys decide to hit the road let me know.

 

Let me know if you guys go. would love to join. i do it for fun, not punishment, so just leave crumbs so i can follow your trail.

Stoney

 

You and I should ride. Unfortunately I don't have a bike.

 

I have a bike for you JJ. In fact, I will have James tune it just for you!

 

I'd be in if it's the 4th. I'll be out of town this week-end.

Hmmm, "social ride", can't tell you how many times those have turned into hammer fests.

 

How about this sat 9am Chesebro lower lot?
and Next sat the 4th 9am Lower lot Chesebro?

Steve, Topanga might be a bit too much for us fat slow guys...chesebro will be a bit more fun as well as being easier overall. Afterward we can all do lunch or coffee or something like that.....anyone?

 

Sounds good for the 4th.

 

oh dude......I knew you were gonna go all Cheesy-Bro on me!! Ughhh, which trail? Baleen to Shepards then down the center-chute to the parking lot? Come on D, let's grind Parker-Mesa and I'll buy lunch afterwards! Maybe we can even go to Maggiano's and toss that plastic you've been saving? ...which incidently has done better then the stock market!

 

Would love to join. Always been into road biking, new to mountain. I'll be out of town til the 30th, regrettably. If you're riding after that, any day of the week is great except sundays.

 

I'll be on the road bike so have a good time.