SoCal Biking
Its safe to say that I prefer mountain trails and beach strips to city pavement and concrete paths. I admit that most of my recommendations are off-road, and may be unfairly biased. However, the Backbone Trail (beginning in Topanga and ending in Will Rogers park in Pacific Palisades) is without question one of the best riding experiences I have had in the past year.
First off, this trail is NOT for rookies! There are quite a few blind turns, jutting rocks, and some tight squeezes between the end of the trail and the beginning of the cliffs. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it's 80% downhill, so make sure your brakes work-seriously.
If you can get past the technical part of the ride, and overcome a little of your exertion, take some time to check out the mountain views. You won't be dissapointed. As I was taking a breather, I realized that I was more impressed with the view on Backbone than I was with the scenery in the Allegheny's in Pennsylvania (yeah-it was kind of a surprise to me too). It just goes to show that you don't have to leave town to see postcard views.
If you ever find yourself in Orange County, take a day to ride in Aliso/Wood Canyons Regional Park. This area encompasses almost 5000 acres between Laguna Hills and Laguna Beach. There are trails for all levels of riders. Fire roads and compact dirt for the novices, all the way to loose rock/soil downhills for more advanced trekkers. The main stretch is a mix of fast downhill and a few rocky climbs. If you are just starting out stick mainly to the canyon floors. However, if you are looking for a little more of a challenge, don't miss "Top of the World", Mathis Trail, and Coyote Run.
The views are decent, especially on "Top of the World", but it's the people that make this ride one of the best. If you are looking to meet avid riders, this is the place to go. As one of the most popular biking spots in Orange County, you can always be assured of meeting new people. Whether the congregation of people on this trail is a good or bad thing will have to be decided by the individual rider. I am always on the lookout for people who share my enthusiasm, so having to put up with a slightly crowded path on weekends is not a deterrent for me.
Whether you are looking to get in an easy ride or a challenging downhill, or are just hoping to meet a few new friends-Aliso/Wood Canyon is the place to go.
Normally I am more about the ride than the view-but after I rode Big Laguna Trail in San Diego my mindset changed. This is a short trail, just shy of 10 miles, but worth the trip (even from L.A.). The trail itself is a winding singletrack over pretty steady ground. There a few easy climbs and a handful of gradual drops-all of which are ridable by even the most inexperienced bikers. Though the trail may seem somewhat boring to more thrill-seeking riders, it is the views that make this trail one of a kind.
The trail winds around Laguna Meadow, which is full of every possible color-especially in the spring during when the wildflowers bloom. Even in other seasons, the views are exceptional: the rolling meadow, the surrounding Laguna Mountains, the thick forested areas and the abundance of streams (pics) make this trail hard to forget.
The only downside to this trail, is that if you don't pay for your Adventure Pass (you can get them at the info center located off of Sunrise Highway) the rangers can hit you with a $100 dollar fine. However, the scenery on this ride is definately worth the purchase price of the Pass. Check it out the next time you're in San Diego County and try to tell me you didn't stop to smell the flowers.
First off, this trail is NOT for rookies! There are quite a few blind turns, jutting rocks, and some tight squeezes between the end of the trail and the beginning of the cliffs. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it's 80% downhill, so make sure your brakes work-seriously.
If you can get past the technical part of the ride, and overcome a little of your exertion, take some time to check out the mountain views. You won't be dissapointed. As I was taking a breather, I realized that I was more impressed with the view on Backbone than I was with the scenery in the Allegheny's in Pennsylvania (yeah-it was kind of a surprise to me too). It just goes to show that you don't have to leave town to see postcard views.
If you ever find yourself in Orange County, take a day to ride in Aliso/Wood Canyons Regional Park. This area encompasses almost 5000 acres between Laguna Hills and Laguna Beach. There are trails for all levels of riders. Fire roads and compact dirt for the novices, all the way to loose rock/soil downhills for more advanced trekkers. The main stretch is a mix of fast downhill and a few rocky climbs. If you are just starting out stick mainly to the canyon floors. However, if you are looking for a little more of a challenge, don't miss "Top of the World", Mathis Trail, and Coyote Run.
The views are decent, especially on "Top of the World", but it's the people that make this ride one of the best. If you are looking to meet avid riders, this is the place to go. As one of the most popular biking spots in Orange County, you can always be assured of meeting new people. Whether the congregation of people on this trail is a good or bad thing will have to be decided by the individual rider. I am always on the lookout for people who share my enthusiasm, so having to put up with a slightly crowded path on weekends is not a deterrent for me.
Whether you are looking to get in an easy ride or a challenging downhill, or are just hoping to meet a few new friends-Aliso/Wood Canyon is the place to go.
Normally I am more about the ride than the view-but after I rode Big Laguna Trail in San Diego my mindset changed. This is a short trail, just shy of 10 miles, but worth the trip (even from L.A.). The trail itself is a winding singletrack over pretty steady ground. There a few easy climbs and a handful of gradual drops-all of which are ridable by even the most inexperienced bikers. Though the trail may seem somewhat boring to more thrill-seeking riders, it is the views that make this trail one of a kind.
The trail winds around Laguna Meadow, which is full of every possible color-especially in the spring during when the wildflowers bloom. Even in other seasons, the views are exceptional: the rolling meadow, the surrounding Laguna Mountains, the thick forested areas and the abundance of streams (pics) make this trail hard to forget.
The only downside to this trail, is that if you don't pay for your Adventure Pass (you can get them at the info center located off of Sunrise Highway) the rangers can hit you with a $100 dollar fine. However, the scenery on this ride is definately worth the purchase price of the Pass. Check it out the next time you're in San Diego County and try to tell me you didn't stop to smell the flowers.
posted by 2WheelBikes @ 1:50 PM
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