Beginner Trails in LA

ybonics said:

I'm just getting into mountain biking and was wondering if you guys can recommend some beginner trails. I've tried looking in books but most of them are way too advanced for me. I live in the San Fernando Valley but am willing to travel a bit for some nice scenery and trails that aren't too technical. Thanks!!

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Dirt Mulholland is a good beginner trail. Not very scenic, but you do see the Valley below and all it's splendor. Super easy fireroad riding. No major climbs, just gentle rolling ridge top riding. There are some loose gravel sections because the rangers pave some section with gravel for emergency vehicles.

The Betty Dearing trail in Studio City is easy if you stay on the main fireroads. More climbing on this trail, but the fireroads are easy to negotiate. Stay on the designated trails, many bikers have created their own single track here and it rubs the locals the wrong way.

Del Cerro in Palos Verdes is very scenic next to the ocean. Stick to the fireroads and it's an easy non technical ride. The entry from the trail head can be steep for some beginners, so just walk your bike down til you get the water tank. It's all easy on the way in because it's mostly descending. The way out is more exercise as it's a climb back to the trailhead.

A side note, many of these easy trails are also popular with dog walkers and hikers. A bell helps on these popular trails and keeps everyone happy.

The “valley” trail at Sycamore Canyon (Pt. Mugu State Park) a little north of Malibu, is great for beginners, especially if done from the ocean side. However plenty of beginners do it from the Newbury Park side, which is closer to drive to. The big turnoff to going in from that side (for beginners that don’t want to climb much) is the three quarter mile paved grind to get out after you’ve been riding. A good thing about the main trails there is that there are several water spigots along the way to refill as you ride. No matter where you go, be prepared and bring plenty of water.

Keep in mind though, that most mountain bike trails in this area do not offer much in the way of flat or rolling trails. You’re either climbing or descending. That’s why trails are relatively uncrowded compared to somewhere like the boardwalk in Santa Monica. Because it’s hard work and many people are not willing to do it just to see the view after you get there. The good news is that if you ride often enough, you will get faster on a given trail.

Castaic Lake also has trails that, while they do have plenty of climbing, they are not especially technical. Even the downhill course is not technically difficult.

If it's technical difficulty that has you hesitating, then there are quite a few places that you can still have fun at, but if it's climbing you wish to avoid, maybe mountain biking in SoCal is not for you, although it sounds like to me like it's the former rather than the latter.