INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this web page is to introduce the
mountain biker to rides of a non technical nature in the Los
Angeles area where one can also experience the wilderness
feeling.
Within a 100 miles one can experience on your mountain bike
the exhilaration of conquering the mountain peaks
surrounding you that are seen from the freeways. I live in
the West San Fernando Valley which is surrounded on three
sides by mountain ranges. Looking to the south lies the
Santa Monica Mountains. Here one can ride in Topanga State
park, Point Magu State park, and Malibu Creek park. Deep
canyons, ocean views and chaparrel covered mountains offer
many miles of scenic mountain biking. To the west is the
Simi hills where riding in Chesbro park one can experience
old California the way the land was before urbanization
took over. To the north lies the majestic San Gabriel and
further out the Los Padres mountains around Gorman and
Frazer Park. Here many miles of great off road and remote
pave road rides gets you really in the outback of the LA
area. In this area are many rides into the pines where
great vistas await you of the ruggedness and beauty of the
area. LA and the freeways are below you sometimes 3000
feet. You don't need a $3000 bike to enjoy these rides. My
bike is a $750 hardtail with lx-xt components. The rides
given here are just a sample of the many more trails out
there to be explored. We are very fortunate to live in a
climate where one can mountain bike all four seasons. So go
out there and ride your heart out and be thankful you live
in LA regardless of what everybody else thinks about us. We
live in one of the best urban areas to mountain bike.
Here is how I determine my ride classifications.
Non technical means fireroad with hard pack and minimal
rocks and sand. The width of the trail is large enough for
a SUV to ride on. Technical is single tract riding where
some basic skills in control of riding are needed. My rides
tend to be mostly non technical where the danger of injury
is kept to a minimum. One still has to be careful
especially on the downhills. Excessive speed can be
dangerous if you hit a rut or stone and lose control. Most
of the rides have nice long descents on fireroads.
The rating of the rides is determined by the fatigue factor
in my quads,total elevation climb and duration of the ride.
Moderate is 1500 ft elevation climb, 2.5-3.0 hours ride and
little pain in the quads. Moderately streneous is 1500-2500
feet climbing, 3.0-4.0 hours in the saddle and when you
finish your quads are feeling it pretty good. Streneous
rating is over 2500 feet climbing in excess of 4 hours in
the saddle and cramping beginning or existing in the quads.
Not a nice feeling.
I am almost 50, 200lbs and the only time I work out is when
I bike ride. I tend not to drink or eat enough when I ride
so my bonker time may be quicker than yours. If you are
able to do 24 minutes at level 9 on the hill program on a
lifecyle, you should be able to do all the rides. As for
the time factor, I am not the fastest rider or quickest
downhiller. For every hour of riding I take a 10 minute
rest break. It should not take you any longer than the
maximum times given for each ride.
Email: nlt@webtv.net
