Shell ridge is suprisingly poison oak free. But then it is mostly in the sun, probably the reason you don't find much.
Bay Area trails w/o Poison Oak?
I have been riding Joaquin Miller, Skyline and parts of Berkeley for the past 2 years. I am highly allergic to Poison Oak thus I have had it on & off this whole time. I just can't stand it anymore! Are they any Bay Area spots w/o Poison Oak? Thanx
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
Tecnu
I ride in Annadel and there's plenty of poison oak, though if you stick to the trails it's no problem. Have you tried Tecnu? The times I've had surprise falls into poison oak, I wash with tecnu (and even wash my clothes with it) and have had zero problems. It works pretty well.
I ride in Annadel and there's plenty of poison oak, though if you stick to the trails it's no problem. Have you tried Tecnu? The times I've had surprise falls into poison oak, I wash with tecnu (and even wash my clothes with it) and have had zero problems. It works pretty well.
Annadel
I'm also very allergic. Annadel has a bit here and there but it generally easy to avoid.
I'm also very allergic. Annadel has a bit here and there but it generally easy to avoid.
I have tried it all -Technu, Ivy Block, Zanfel, long sleeve shirts, ride & wash everything. I stay on the trails and avoid anything green I just get it really easy possibly from the oil mixed w/ dirt. I am sick and tired of having Poison Oak so I have to find an area free of that wretched stuff.GuruAtma said:I ride in Annadel and there's plenty of poison oak, though if you stick to the trails it's no problem. Have you tried Tecnu? The times I've had surprise falls into poison oak, I wash with tecnu (and even wash my clothes with it) and have had zero problems. It works pretty well.
Rockville is pretty clear of it. Its definitely there off the trail but very little actually on the trail. Just was there this afternoon.
Werner
Werner
I ride in the PO at least 3 times a week on Mt Diablo and rarely get it. I use Fels Naptha bar soap to clean off right after each ride and of course throw my clothing in the wash with just regular laundry soap. You can find Fels Naptha bar soap in the store where all the laundry stuff is. About $2 a bar and will last a long time. It works great in getting the oils off your skin. Really scrub it in and rinse well. Way cheaper than over-rated Technu. I think I have grown a little more resistant to PO since I am in it all the time, but used to get it real bad when I was a kid. Give it a try.keen said:I have been riding Joaquin Miller, Skyline and parts of Berkeley for the past 2 years. I am highly allergic to Poison Oak thus I have had it on & off this whole time. I just can't stand it anymore! Are they any Bay Area spots w/o Poison Oak? Thanx
I'll give it a try but I think I am just hyper sensitive to the stuff. I can go for a ride on a wide dirt fireroad w/ PO on the boarders and catch it. None of my riding partners ever get it on the same trails we ride.Ebo said:I ride in the PO at least 3 times a week on Mt Diablo and rarely get it. I use Fels Naptha bar soap to clean off right after each ride and of course throw my clothing in the wash with just regular laundry soap. You can find Fels Naptha bar soap in the store where all the laundry stuff is. About $2 a bar and will last a long time. It works great in getting the oils off your skin. Really scrub it in and rinse well. Way cheaper than over-rated Technu. I think I have grown a little more resistant to PO since I am in it all the time, but used to get it real bad when I was a kid. Give it a try.
I don't want to doubt the idea that it's poison oak, but maybe it's worth seeing a dermatologist over? If it comes and goes and you take the necessary precautions when you may be exposed to it, it may not be poison oak. Conditions like atopic dermatitis/eczema/psoriasis come and go and are popular this time of year. Like I said...don't want to doubt the fact that you know yourself, but I work in a derm office and you're description got my curiosity! Good luck.
Nope 100% poison oak.fatnbald1 said:I don't want to doubt the idea that it's poison oak, but maybe it's worth seeing a dermatologist over? If it comes and goes and you take the necessary precautions when you may be exposed to it, it may not be poison oak. Conditions like atopic dermatitis/eczema/psoriasis come and go and are popular this time of year. Like I said...don't want to doubt the fact that you know yourself, but I work in a derm office and you're description got my curiosity! Good luck.
Have you tried Skeggs? Demo?
If you ride Joaquin you must be close enough to try Skeggs (El Corte de Madera) off HWY 35 in Woodside. What kind of trails do you like? I ride there at least once per week and I have never gotten poison ivy there. Skeggs is a lot better than Joaquin also. If you like Cinderella and Chaparrel, you'll like Skeggs. Look for Manzanita, Resolution, Upper and lower steam Donkey, and Blue blossom. All great downhills.
Demo is in the Santa Cruz mtns so it's a ways but I go there about once/week also. That place is worth checking out and I have not gotten poison ivy there either. Neither have any of the guys I ride with.
If you ride Joaquin you must be close enough to try Skeggs (El Corte de Madera) off HWY 35 in Woodside. What kind of trails do you like? I ride there at least once per week and I have never gotten poison ivy there. Skeggs is a lot better than Joaquin also. If you like Cinderella and Chaparrel, you'll like Skeggs. Look for Manzanita, Resolution, Upper and lower steam Donkey, and Blue blossom. All great downhills.
Demo is in the Santa Cruz mtns so it's a ways but I go there about once/week also. That place is worth checking out and I have not gotten poison ivy there either. Neither have any of the guys I ride with.
Skeggs, A.K.A. el Corte de Madera Open Space....
Off of Skyline on the S.F. Peninsula. I can't remember seeing any P.O. there.
Off of Skyline on the S.F. Peninsula. I can't remember seeing any P.O. there.
I can't recall ever having seen PO at Skeggs. I've seen PO at SOquel Demo, but very little compared with WIlder and UCSC.ddraewwg said:If you ride Joaquin you must be close enough to try Skeggs (El Corte de Madera) off HWY 35 in Woodside. What kind of trails do you like? I ride there at least once per week and I have never gotten poison ivy there. Skeggs is a lot better than Joaquin also. If you like Cinderella and Chaparrel, you'll like Skeggs. Look for Manzanita, Resolution, Upper and lower steam Donkey, and Blue blossom. All great downhills.
Demo is in the Santa Cruz mtns so it's a ways but I go there about once/week also. That place is worth checking out and I have not gotten poison ivy there either. Neither have any of the guys I ride with.
Technu sucks (your $)
I have been getting poison oak for 20 years and I have tried everything including bleach. You may have it systemicaly in your body (not sure the technical term is right) but it will come back over and over again for no apparent reason if this is the case. Do you remove your wheel(s) to transport your bike? You may get it from that and then spread it after you get in the car and not realize it. Anyway, your body may overreact to the smallest amounts of oil (i.e. trail dust) and then wreak havoc on your body. It is your body's reaction that makes you miserable so you need to help your body not react. I also suggest going to the doctor when you get it and get some steroids (pills or injection). Most likely the boost from the roids will make you less allergic and you won't get it every time you ride. Also, learn to identify the plant during all seasons (fall, winter (even with no leaves), spring, summer). I ride with some people that get it and I see them ride right into outstretched shrubs and vines and then they wonder how they got it because they are not aware. Demo is full of P.O.
I have been getting poison oak for 20 years and I have tried everything including bleach. You may have it systemicaly in your body (not sure the technical term is right) but it will come back over and over again for no apparent reason if this is the case. Do you remove your wheel(s) to transport your bike? You may get it from that and then spread it after you get in the car and not realize it. Anyway, your body may overreact to the smallest amounts of oil (i.e. trail dust) and then wreak havoc on your body. It is your body's reaction that makes you miserable so you need to help your body not react. I also suggest going to the doctor when you get it and get some steroids (pills or injection). Most likely the boost from the roids will make you less allergic and you won't get it every time you ride. Also, learn to identify the plant during all seasons (fall, winter (even with no leaves), spring, summer). I ride with some people that get it and I see them ride right into outstretched shrubs and vines and then they wonder how they got it because they are not aware. Demo is full of P.O.
I use to blow up in my teens (hospital), suffer in my 20's now 40's I impale myself with it clean it out and just get a cut. Besides doing the wash take some benadryl if you are getting exposed and just get it and deal with the puss until you body decides to accept it and not freak out, it will takes years/decades, but in the end you will be riding and clipping PO apexes as the youth suffers 
When I was in my teens I would get it so bad my mom would soak me in cold baths. Until the last few years I hadn't started getting it till I started riding. Not as bad when I was a teen but still get bad spots. I ride put the bike it the truck ( wheels stay on) then in the corner of my garage in quarentine. I rush to a cold shower w/ dish washing soap to cut any oil. I clean my keys, glasses, door handles etc - it is just out of control. I went to my doctor this year and was given a topical steriod which didn't help much. Like I said on and off for 2 years sucks. If I don't ride all is good. I am ready to try a new area if it helps just sucks beacuse I live so close to Joaquin Miller.
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
ilmfat
775 Replies
DIRTJUNKIE
470 Replies
Sparticus
399 Replies
Recommended Communities
