I'm planning a ride with a friend located in Oakdale who is new to MTB (first real ride). I was scoping out places that are reasonably close to halfway between the bay area and Oakdale and offer a good selection of low intensity trails. Brushy Peak and Del Valle popped out on trailforks. Anyone ride these spots and have wisdom to share? Open to other suggestions as well.
Experiences with Brushy Peak and Del Valle?
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Del Valle is a surprisingly fun place to ride, but not very good for beginners or brand new riders. Nearly all the trails are steep, many are loose, and there is a lot of climbing involved.
Brushy Peak is primarily barren fire-road riding. Not quite as steep as Del Valle, but still reasonably steep, and somewhat soul crushing. There is supposedly some fun stuff up near the top, but again it may not be suitable for a beginner.
I would recommend Sycamore Grove park near Del Valle. It's a City of Livermore park, and while it still has some hills, it's much more beginner friendly than Del Valle, and much more scenic than Brushy Peak. You can park at nearby Independence Park to avoid the crowded parking lot and the parking fee, ride into the park, ride up to some of the park's high points to get a view, and if your friend is feeling confident, ride the connector trail between Sycamore and Del Valle. The connector trail is singletrack, but it's mild and relatively flat, so a good introduction to real mountain biking (albeit relatively short). It's easy to piece together a 1 - 1.5 hour ride without getting too bored.
Brushy Peak is primarily barren fire-road riding. Not quite as steep as Del Valle, but still reasonably steep, and somewhat soul crushing. There is supposedly some fun stuff up near the top, but again it may not be suitable for a beginner.
I would recommend Sycamore Grove park near Del Valle. It's a City of Livermore park, and while it still has some hills, it's much more beginner friendly than Del Valle, and much more scenic than Brushy Peak. You can park at nearby Independence Park to avoid the crowded parking lot and the parking fee, ride into the park, ride up to some of the park's high points to get a view, and if your friend is feeling confident, ride the connector trail between Sycamore and Del Valle. The connector trail is singletrack, but it's mild and relatively flat, so a good introduction to real mountain biking (albeit relatively short). It's easy to piece together a 1 - 1.5 hour ride without getting too bored.
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edit…misread Oakhurst.
del Valle is worth doing if you’ve never ridden there. But stay on the east side. West side is limited and very steep. Riding the entire east side of the lakeside trail as an out and back is mellow but pleasant. Head into the hills for some additional trails and elevation if you’re up for it.
del Valle is worth doing if you’ve never ridden there. But stay on the east side. West side is limited and very steep. Riding the entire east side of the lakeside trail as an out and back is mellow but pleasant. Head into the hills for some additional trails and elevation if you’re up for it.
East Shore trail is very beginner friendly especially if you start in the bottom marina parking lot, you will eliminate the climb back out.
Go as far West as you can and keeping making left turns from the short fire road sections. Pretty much follows the lake shore for nice views.
There is one big climb "Widowmaker".
Go as far West as you can and keeping making left turns from the short fire road sections. Pretty much follows the lake shore for nice views.
There is one big climb "Widowmaker".
Thanks everyone for the replies. We ended up riding a bit in Sycamore Grove and my friend was feeling good so we rode over to Del Valle for a taste of singletrack. He's definitely down to ride again so all the suggestions will come in handy.
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