New guy need info

Related:
Question
brocster
Profile picture for user brocster
Posts
4
Joined
6/10/2018
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
brocster
Hello all, I am a recent transplant to California from Louisiana. Closing in on 50 y/o but live a very active lifestyle. Been an avid motocrosser for 30 years, still bmx, skateboard, wakeboard, snowboard, surf and MTB. Although coming from La. my experience with the MTB is on basically flat trails with very mellow elevation change. A couple of months after moving to Aliso Viejo I bought a hardtail, as that is what I am used to, and want to progress to a f/s all mountain.. I really enjoy the dh sections of the trails that are near. (Wood/Aliso Canyon)

I usually ride from my house up to Canyon Vista and start at the park there or continue through the neighborhood up to the top and go from there. (I am out of commission at the moment from a moto accident but I’ll be back on soon)

My question is this: Where are all the guys I see on my way home from work on Laguna cyn 133 heading to ride? I see many people park on side of the road but where are they acending to decend and end up back where they park. I am always by myself and don’t want to venture off into never never land and end up on the wrong side of the hill and have to go all the way around but if you guys have in local info you can share it would be greatly appreciated.

Rubber side down!

Thanks,
Ryan

|
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
368
Joined
9/6/2015
Location
Menifee, CA US
Falcon 6/11/2018 2:36pm
6/11/2018 2:36pm
I've only ever ridden at Aliso/Wood Canyon near there. Nice place, great trails! Are you riding the ones named Car Wreck, Five Oaks, etc.? Pretty gnarly for a hardtail if you are!

I'd suggest parking down where you see parked cars and start snooping around.
brocster
Profile picture for user brocster
Posts
4
Joined
6/10/2018
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
brocster 6/11/2018 9:06pm
6/11/2018 9:06pm
Mostly Mathis but have done Rock it and 5 Oaks. Had to walk it down a couple of places on those with the hard tail. On the way down you can hear me from a mile away. Ha!

Thanks for the info. You the same Falcon on Vital mx?
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
368
Joined
9/6/2015
Location
Menifee, CA US
Falcon 6/15/2018 3:46pm
6/15/2018 3:46pm
brocster wrote:
Mostly Mathis but have done Rock it and 5 Oaks. Had to walk it down a couple of places on those with the hard tail. On...
Mostly Mathis but have done Rock it and 5 Oaks. Had to walk it down a couple of places on those with the hard tail. On the way down you can hear me from a mile away. Ha!

Thanks for the info. You the same Falcon on Vital mx?
Yep, that's me. ;-)
Jdub004
Profile picture for user Jdub004
Posts
19
Joined
2/22/2018
Location
Irvine, CA US
Jdub004 6/21/2018 9:40am
6/21/2018 9:40am
brocster wrote:
Hello all, I am a recent transplant to California from Louisiana. Closing in on 50 y/o but live a very active lifestyle. Been an avid motocrosser...
Hello all, I am a recent transplant to California from Louisiana. Closing in on 50 y/o but live a very active lifestyle. Been an avid motocrosser for 30 years, still bmx, skateboard, wakeboard, snowboard, surf and MTB. Although coming from La. my experience with the MTB is on basically flat trails with very mellow elevation change. A couple of months after moving to Aliso Viejo I bought a hardtail, as that is what I am used to, and want to progress to a f/s all mountain.. I really enjoy the dh sections of the trails that are near. (Wood/Aliso Canyon)

I usually ride from my house up to Canyon Vista and start at the park there or continue through the neighborhood up to the top and go from there. (I am out of commission at the moment from a moto accident but I’ll be back on soon)

My question is this: Where are all the guys I see on my way home from work on Laguna cyn 133 heading to ride? I see many people park on side of the road but where are they acending to decend and end up back where they park. I am always by myself and don’t want to venture off into never never land and end up on the wrong side of the hill and have to go all the way around but if you guys have in local info you can share it would be greatly appreciated.

Rubber side down!

Thanks,
Ryan

Laguna is an awesome place to ride mtb. Aliso is definitely a good place to learn if you're not used to more technical riding.

Most people you see on the 133 are either riding back from descending the other side of the canyon or dropping down the north face of Aliso where you will find the rougher stuff like Telonics, PGs, Direct Dial, etc.

Ascending out of the canyon (the 133) most people are either pedaling up willow where there is a paid parking lot at the bottom. Willow is a fire road that takes you up into the el morro side of the canyon (across the 133 from Aliso). Or they are hiking up a trail called Stair Steps into Aliso. You can also pedal up Canyon Acres, which is a fairly long and steep fire road that takes you up to top of the world.

Another good place to start your ride is from Coastal peak park. That's where people start to ride the "el morro" side of the canyon. Some of the legal trails on that side are Lizard and Old Emerald and TNA. All good trails that are a little bit longer than the legal ones on the Aliso side. I definitely recommend checking it out over there.

I like starting on the 133 because that way your ride ends with a descent rather than a climb.

Also if you are in the market for a full suspension bike, I recommend checking out Pro Bike Supply in Newport Beach. They have a fleet of quality demo bikes and a very knowledgeable staff that can help you find what you're looking for and point you toward some fun trails, or give you directions to the ones I mentioned.
1

Post a reply to: New guy need info