list of mtb trails
Thread started by
KiMS1 at 02.22.10 - 9:30 am
i recently purchased a mtb from a friend. is there a list of local trails that i can look up online?
i found socalmtb which is cool
trails.com is cool too but you have to pay for it.
any suggestions?
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The best in my mind
http://www.geoladders.com/routes.php
http://trails.mtbr.com/
have fun.
md202.22.10 - 10:04 am
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What part of LA/Orange county do u wanna ride in?
There are good to great trails all over.
I find Mount Wilson to have my favorite southland trails, including some truly dangerous(death probable if you go off trail, cuz it's a 500' cliff) terrain. I love it.
I made a determination to ride all the trails in the Santa Monica's a while back, and I still have A LOT to get to.
Stay out of Griffith Park. Pavement only allowed in G.P. $250 fine and your bike gets impounded:(
A lot of people start off riding the Brown Mtn Area behind JPL. a lot of stream crossings, but VERY sandy. Sand wears down the drive train fast so most regulars stop that quick.
Gern02.22.10 - 10:05 am
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Topanga State Park
Go south on Reseda blvd from Ventura blvd. to the top of the hill.
Lots of good riding for beginners, Fire roads and Trails.
Check out Reseda to the Sea route.
Two weeks away
Dedicated81802.22.10 - 10:37 am
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thanks dudes
exactly what i needed.
@gern
i was tempted to ride on the horsetrails but i was told they crack down HARD on mtb'rs
@dedicated
how is that route? i plan on doing it but might have trouble if there are really technical sections.
KiMS102.22.10 - 10:49 am
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"rout"? the Reseda to Sea is all fireroads. 17 miles or so... but nothing technical. Dont worry too much about singletrack. The big issue as gern noted is the amount of exposure.
you dont want to be on single track that has a 500' ft drop right next to you...
You dont have to drive out to Topanga canyon (unless you live near there).
Just get to mandeville canyon / west ridge fire road and it will connect to everything beginner and intermediate. You can hit Topanga Canyon from there....
md2 responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.22.10 - 10:54 am
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It's pretty easy.
Unless you know the shortcut.
route is posted on event calender.
Your SFV so it's easy to check out the Ahmanson Ranch area
in the West Valley .
Trail head starts at end of Victory just west of Valley Circle
or Vanowen a block west of Valley Circle.
Large area goes west all the way to Las Vigenies and T.O. Agoura area.
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.22.10 - 11:08 am
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so exposure is in terms of dangerous falls?
does that include open pits?
i've been trying to figure out if trails have some sorta a rating system.
like with rock climbing and hiking there are ratings like V1-V5 etc.
is there anything like that with mtb?
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by md2
02.22.10 - 11:09 am
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Just go ride !
If you are uncertain about a trail you have never rode slow down.
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.22.10 - 11:16 am
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did you check the links i gave you above?
md2 responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.22.10 - 11:17 am
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I agree...
Just find a trail and ride it... take some water, snacks, inner tube and tools... you'll be fine.
Geoladders has some really cool directions you can print... ideally the site is for GPS users ($$$)...
anyhow, you'll have plenty of options there... they rate the routes (subjective, but pretty accurate). since GPS is used, they will also give you the elevation which is nice.
remember, unless you're downhilling only... you have to enjoy the climb to reach the downhill payoff.
md2 responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
02.22.10 - 11:24 am
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true, yeah, im just gonna pack some tubes, tools, and water and go do some exploring.
can't wait for the weekend!
that trails.mtbr site is awesome!
KiMS102.22.10 - 11:35 am
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+ 1 for Geoladders. Just ignore all the GPS stuff and use the route info for riding directions. Most of the stuff in the Santa Monicas is great.
0gravity02.22.10 - 1:04 pm
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Since I joined mountain biking & skiing in Santa Cruz in 1975, my buddies & I have mostly described the trails with type & descriptive labels such as: fire road, double track, single track, flat, rolling, hilly, rocky, rutty, loose, crowned, technical, gnarly, and my favorite "hike-a-bike".
We all skied, so it was natural for us to use ski rating terms like black diamond, double black diamond & green circle. These symbols appear on signs in the state parks and some other trail systems.
IMBA, International Mountain Biking Association, adopted and expanded the meaning of this system in use today.
White Circle = Easiest
Green Circle = Easy
Blue Square = More Difficult
Black Diamond = Very Difficult
Double Black Diamonnever= Extreamly Difficult
From: http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/itn_17_4_trail_difficulty.html
Yes, just do it. Move at your own happy pace.
Mountain Biking is inherently about being self sufficient. Exercise common sense and seek other peoples input, learn as much as you can from each ride. Make sure you’re fully prepared. Make a list if you’re into lists. Make sure you have all the essential supplies; water/food(bonking sucks), first aid, tube(s), patches, tools etc. I remember a last list taped to the back of my front door having over 35 items on it! Now I have a container in the garage with all my bike gear, and a Camelback HAWG backpack I keep loaded. I prefer to use a backpack and keep the bike unladan for real mtn biking. Street rides I’ll use the rear rack. Easier for the 18 packs!!! Speaking of beer, personally I found mixing alcohol and getting “air” = broken bones. I stopped that in the 1990’s.lol.
Beer is strictly AFTER ride beverage in real mountain biking for me.
Always try to ride with someone on the trail.
Stretch before you ride. Get better every ride.
Get to know your bike and how to fix it, before your 11 miles out in the wilderness.
Know you’re going to fall at some point.
Learn how to fall.
Learn to use clip-less pedals.
Learn to use clip-less pedals BEFORE you try that new technical single track!?!
Talk to all the bikers you want to, most will enjoy talking about the trails.
Live to ride another day, if you’re unsure of a section of trail, get off & walk, don’t let anyone else pressure you into anything.
I enjoy getting to points out there where the only things I see made by humans are my bike and the trail.
It is sweeter still, when it is just my bike!!
Gern responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.22.10 - 1:34 pm
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http://venturacountytrails.org/
awesome details for the santa monicas, amongst other trail networks
mmaceda02.22.10 - 2:29 pm
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On that note, here are supplies/ gear I take with me for rides :
Water (camelbak if I'll be on the trail for more than 2 hours).
Toilet Paper (longer rides, just in case)
Food (whatever I have laying around, fruits, cereal, anything not salty).
Saddle Bag (unless I use camelbak) with:
inner tube
tire levers (2)
Topeak Alien 2 Multi-Tool (has most necessary tools)
chain tool
hex wrenches
8-10mm wrenches
screw drivers
Small Cresent Wrench
Larger 5mm hex wrench
Patch kit (about 3)
Tire Patch (1)
3/32 master link
chain links (if I remember)
Zip Ties
(sometimes a knife)
(sometimes electric tape)
First aid (usually):
band aids
Antiseptic wipes
I ride SS, so I dont need a derailleur hanger, but i know people who ride geared like to keep an extra hanger with them in case it breaks.
md2 responding to a
comment by Gern
02.22.10 - 2:30 pm
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that didnt format right...
anyhow the topeak tools has the following important tools:
chain tool
hex wrenches
8-10mm wrenches
screw drivers
(i dont carry the Topeak tool in addition to the chain tool, etc..) ok... whatever... have fun
http://www.topeak.com/products/Tools/ALiEN_II
md202.22.10 - 2:34 pm
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If you keep your bike maintained you won't need to bring all that junk.
A good multi tool is all you need.
Chances are if you break down it will be a flat.
Carry several fresh tubes and a means of inflation.
I prefer quick fills as they will always work, pumps tend to break or
have problems when you need them the most.
Patching tubes on the trail is a joke, take em home and patch later.
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by md2
02.22.10 - 4:03 pm
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???? everything I listened fits in a saddle bag...
i like that instead of patches you suggested "several" fresh tubes. Patches are like keeping 3/4" pieces of paper on you...
I prefer a pump, plus if you maintain your pump, you wont need that C02 junk. Also CO2 cartridges cost more and are just added waste to this world.
md2 responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
02.22.10 - 4:51 pm
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I've been looking for a steel non suspension mtb for a while now. Dirt drops & barcon shifters O-YAH.
Anyone trying to get rid of something like that? I'm 5'10 and I ride a 53-54.
Graham02.22.10 - 5:01 pm
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Ain't a damn thing wrong with a man who comes prepared!!
shotgunBOOMBOOM responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
02.22.10 - 5:03 pm
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i actually setup a cross-check to almost mimic the old-school mtbs. Its fun on the trails, but when you add 29er tires, you tend to get toe-overlap. Hence a 29er or older mtb frame would be great with drops and cantilever brakes.
I have midges and can add 1.8 bontrager knobbies on it... monstercross style.
But you can add drops to any mtb as long as you add stem height or have enough steerer tube. I think dirt drops are sooo hard to find these days, i had to settle for the midge bars, which are great.
WTB ended up making a new version of the dirt drop, but I think the updates look worse.
md2 responding to a
comment by Graham
02.22.10 - 5:07 pm
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im downskies. lemme know. take it easy on me.
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by shotgunBOOMBOOM
02.22.10 - 8:15 pm
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well thats because I want to enjoy the ride.
md2 responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
02.22.10 - 8:24 pm
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I've been mapping trails out on openstreetmap. Gives you a good visual of how everything knits together. If you hit the [+] and turn on the data overlay, you can click on elements of the map and get more info.
Topanga SP area
http://osm.org/go/TYrKC1z?layers=00B0FTF
Pt. Mugu SP
http://osm.org/go/TYpiqcd?layers=00B0FTF
maxtheheathen02.22.10 - 10:15 pm
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Oh, also, geoladders has good directions for most featured routes that you can print out, with little thumbnail photos of each turn. No GPS necessary. I like copying the photos of the turns to my phone or digicam.
maxtheheathen02.22.10 - 10:20 pm
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JUST FIND A DAMN TRAIL AND RIDE IT!! FUCK ALL THIS GPS,I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IM AT AND WHERE IM GOING BULL.JUST PAY .OR DROP SOME CORN KERNELS AS YOU GO ALONG
mandingo responding to a
comment by maxtheheathen
02.22.10 - 10:39 pm
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i will dingo's route of dropping corn kernels, using a long piece of yarn, etc.
all this technical talk is making my stoke for mtb retarded.
i'm just gonna go get lost and hope that the only repairs i have to do are fix flats. learning the hard way works better anyway. regret and fear are the best teachers.
see ya on the trail!
KiMS102.22.10 - 11:11 pm
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Don't let that fool talk to you like that. He's just sensitive. Give him some food.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.22.10 - 11:14 pm
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and for shits and giggles, here's the bike
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikekim/4380988139/
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
02.23.10 - 12:52 am
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I'm almost done working on mine.
Don't feel bad, yours looks fine.
Dingo rides a fucking huffy.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.23.10 - 1:01 am
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dingo's a wildman.
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
02.23.10 - 8:54 am
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i vaguely remember seeing that ride in palmdale a couple weeks ago. i like it.
and go eat a fat hairy corn dog borfo.post a picture of your ride you fat bastard.
-team HUFFY
mandingo responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.23.10 - 9:49 am
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dingo, i think you need to put up a tutorial for your awesome DIY cleats.
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by mandingo
02.23.10 - 9:53 am
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didnt mmaceda bring that bike to the Klunker run?
md2 responding to a
comment by KiMS1
02.23.10 - 9:54 am
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he probably did. i think he road his single speed though. he may have brought the parkpre as a back up.
KiMS1 responding to a
comment by md2
02.23.10 - 9:56 am
reply
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