We are coming over to California (From the UK) this August for a 3 week holiday and we will be bringing our bikes. We will be flying into San Francisco and flying back from Las Vegas
So basically we are after all the information that you can give on what areas are best for trails, scenery etc.
Any help that will make our lifes easier when we get to the USA would be great.
Thanks in advance
Paul & Sara Posted by Enduro UK a 27 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Specialized Enduro Expert 07 from Sheffield, UK on 06/21/07 Responses: (1)(2)(3)(4)
Re: Advice Please
There's a lot of good riding here in the Los Angeles area. If you are planning to stay within the city boundaries, you have the Santa Monica mountains, with many excellent routes. It has gotten hot and by August, will be about the same, with an average of 90-95 degrees, so plan on bringing hydration packs and also water bottles that have some kind of quality electrolytes. The Santa Monica mountains are best ridden during the weekdays, as the weekends make for crowded trails with the hikers.
Outside of the city boundaries, you have the San Gabriel Mountains, with quite a few excellent rides, including JPL on the south side of the range and Devil's Punchbowl on the north side of the range. It all depends on your capabilities. If you can handle 25 miles and at least 5K-6K (feet, not meters) of climbing, you'll do fine.
An excellent source of trail routes, can be had on the Geoladders website. If you have a Garmin GPS for the bike, you can download some of these (I believe you can, but I don't know, as I don't have one).
The website is here; http://www.geoladders.com/overview.php
Posted by STP a 48 year old Racer riding a 02' S-Works FSR and 05' Stumpy HT from P'Dale on 06/22/07 Responses: (0)
Re: Advice Please
Here's what I would do: Head straight from the SF to Downieville. There is a ton of riding and camping up there plus cabins and rooms. After that I'd wonder on down to Mammoth and enjoy some backcountry riding. Following Mammoth head to Sequoia for some great riding. Some areas are restricted to riding but within the National Forest you can ride. Shoot straight from Sequoia to Flagstaff, Arizona(Sedona is a cool and only an hour away but hot), which is very pleasant in the summer due to its altitude. The trails surround and in the San Francisco peaks are endless and buff. Now that you aren't far from Vegas, catching the Grand Canyon(particularly the northern rim) would really put a capper on the trip as you head for exit at Vegas. If you want to be near the ocean, well then disregard all of what I wrote. GLTY paz afuera
Posted by Papisimo a Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Gary Fisher 29er mofo from physical therapy on 06/22/07 Responses: (0)(1)
Re: Advice Please
I'm in !!!! Posted by Dirtshark99 a Cross-Country Rider riding a bike from my garage on 06/25/07 Responses: (0)
Re: Advice Please
My two bits: go straight to Mammoth from SF. Spend as much time there as you can. If you have any extra time, head down to L.A. and do the trails in the San Gabriels. There are some very cool places to ride just southwest of Vegas. The heat in the city will be unbearable but it is much cooler in the mountains. Posted by Old gringo a 54 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Ellsworth Isis from Chatsworth on 06/25/07 Responses: (0)
