Where to Ride Forum

new to dirt bike riding here. heard about the OHV parks, various trails in general discussion, and some mountain area riding spots. any good resources that list the places to ride around here? for instance, i have a great book for mountainbike riding that details nearly allof the trails in CA. i hear people mention this or that riding trail, like 'near altadena' or 'in azusa' but where?  
'07 crf450x
pasadena, CA

http://www.corva.org/where_to_ride.html

That should have some places near by.  
- Lindsey

This is the best site I've come across. It's very detailed, and has lots of pics.
http://www.riderplanet-usa.com/

Your best places near L.A. are probably going to be Barstow, Hungry Valley (Gorman), and El Mirage. Of course there are numerous tracks in the area also.

On a side note: you mention mountain biking. I've been an avid mtb'er for the last 10 years, but when my buddy got me into dirt biking just this April (at the age of 40), I pretty much lost interest in my bicycles. I've even gone as far as to sell both of them. I'm completely hooked on moto.  

thank you misslovell and six5. these look like great resources! i have a feeling my mountainbike may soon be neglected too. my fav MB trails in OC were aliso woods canyon and san juan trail. age 36, getting into the moto sport. excited to ride!  
'07 crf450x
pasadena, CA

Aliso Woods & San Juan are great trails. I live very near to Santiago Oaks, so I would frequently take my VP Free there and do some DH runs. Not fun pushing it back up the 3 B's though. I also rode Chino a lot since it was close. Anyway, it sounds like we followed similar paths. MTBing into Moto at a late age. Maybe we should hook up sometime. I can frequently ride during the weekday mornings because I work 2nd shift, and my kids are in school until 2pm. In fact I rode today at Palm Dr. area in SBD. It's kind of small, but it's the closest place to ride for me. It satisfies my jones.  

That website is awesome six5, thank youuu... I may use it as well in the future.

Santiago Oaks - is that by santiago canyon, if so I live by there... love the area!  
- Lindsey

Yes, it's pretty close to Santiago Canyon Rd. Santiago Oaks actually starts in Anaheim Hills and drops down into Irvine Park. I live on the Anaheim Hills side, so we might be pretty close.  

sure six5, maybe an early weekday morning here or there could work for me. i'm actually still bike-less, but am within a month of purchase. my biggest decision now is between a new 2007 or 2008 crf450x. i'm in pasadena, guessing azusa is closest to me.  
'07 crf450x
pasadena, CA

I'm not sure what riding there is in Azusa, but I'd guess it's trailriding in the San Gabriel mtns.
That's pretty sweet if your first bike is a new CRF450X. I'm riding a YZ 250, which I learned on, but I'd love to add a 450 trailbike to the garage also.  

I love watching people get hooked on dirt bikes! haha.

A word of caution, however: bicycles take up much less room in the garage. Don't assume minus two Mtn. Bikes equals plus two dirt bikes.

Oh, and dirt bikes are harder to hang from the ceiling.

See you on the trail...  
JZ

Invite your friends to the dirtrider.com forums and win free advice from Jesse (worth every penny).

Jesse Ziegler:
I love watching people get hooked on dirt bikes! haha.

A word of caution, however: bicycles take up much less room in the garage. Don't assume minus two Mtn. Bikes equals plus two dirt bikes.

Oh, and dirt bikes are harder to hang from the ceiling.

See you on the trail...

That's ok, I'll just get rid of my wife's treadmill if I need to make room for another bike. It's just gathering dust anyway.  

Hey jayma21
When you buy your new ride you can join me and my riding buddies in the desert above Victorville.  I live in Glendora,close by to you.  

will do, bikesnob! thanks for the invite, especially since i don't have many connections in the sport just yet. now i just need to decided between the crf450R or crf450X. it's gonna be one of those! but yeah, my garage is the one issue. not sure i have the room just yet. my 2 MTbikes hang upside down. might have to get ride of a table saw and some cabinets to allow space for the new toy!  
'07 crf450x
pasadena, CA

Always room for a new toy. I have a few mountains hanging in the garage to make room for my KTM 525 and Triumph Bonneville.  Looking forward to riding with you.  

Jesse Ziegler:
I love watching people get hooked on dirt bikes! haha.

A word of caution, however: bicycles take up much less room in the garage. Don't assume minus two Mtn. Bikes equals plus two dirt bikes.

Oh, and dirt bikes are harder to hang from the ceiling.

See you on the trail...

six5:
That's ok, I'll just get rid of my wife's treadmill if I need to make room for another bike. It's just gathering dust anyway.

Bikesnob: Do you ride in Barstow mostly? I'm curious how early you go, and how long you ride. Me & my buddy usually get there by 7 or 7:30, and ride till about 11:30. It's just too hot after that.