[Devastazione]

Hi there,my name is Andrew and I'm from Italy.

I've visited Socal zilion of times but got into MTB just recently. I'm already planning and Socal MTB trip ( if wife does not kill me...) and I'm planning to start from LA/ Santa Monica Mountains. Since I would mostly do all this stuff alone,do you suggest to enroll in some sort of biking group or it's ok and most important SAFE ( no psychos with guns and stuff....sorry,blame Hollywood ) to get around the trails alone ?? Is it actually easy once there to find other groups biking the area and start biking along with them ??
I will be in Santa Monica in about one week( with wife and no bike.......:madman: ) Can I find some good bike trails book at REI ??
Also...is it worth to invest in a serious GPS ?? Bike case for the airplane is already costing me a bomb......:eekster:

thanks for all your kind replies and happy holidays !!!

 

[2w4s]

i would suggest going to Helen's Cycles or Cynergy Cycles, both located in Santa Monica.

 

[Devastazione]

i would suggest going to Helen's Cycles or Cynergy Cycles, both located in Santa Monica.

:thumbsup: thanks...that's some cool stuff !! keep it coming folks !!

 

[EBasil]

You'll be safe on the trails, that's not an issue to be concerned about at all. If you can find maps and such, you can ride all the trails in LA and the surrounding area on your own, and it's very easy to simply hook up with other riders you see at the trail head and ride with them. A smile and quick conversation is all that ever takes.

The two bike shops posted also have groups and people they could refer you to, so that you could ride with the groups, of course.

 

[Plinkomatic]

The mountain lions at The Whoops all pack heat.

 

[archer]

The local bike shops are your best bet.
In northern LA / Kern counties most of my riding buds are starting to go into hibernation.

Also check the trail review section of this website as there is often a lot of info there.

CA isn't exactly firearm frendly, that actually makes it easier for the criminals IMO.
That said you shouldn't have problems with that sort of thing.

 

[pinnacle10]

Here's a map of many trails in SoCal. Some of them have links to ride descriptions.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...955673,-116.884918&spn=0.656819,1.260681&z=10

geoladders.com is another good place to check.

I'm further east of where you'll be (towards Big Bear), but there is one ride I like to do as often as I can out that way. I have a description of it on my old blog.
http://socalmtbiking.blogspot.com/2007/08/strawberry-peak.html

A good GPS could make things a lot easier. You can go to geoladders and download an exact route and it'll give you turn by turn directions as you ride. Although if you can get good directions of routes it wouldn't be necessary.

 

[il2mb]

Take a look at this:

http://www.nrmbc.org/

Lots of maps, pics of local Santa Monica and surrounding areas. Also a group ride 2-3 times a week, including a night right on Wednesdays.

See ya on the trail