Southern California - Albertson Motorway and Las Virgenes Canyon

Biker395 and I did a ride in Cheseboro Canyon this morning, and we decided to start with Palo Commado and then explore past China Flat, which seems to be the most common turnaround point for everyone. Albertson turned out to have some beautiful views of Simi Valley as well as Thousand Oaks and the san Fernando Valley and parts of Rocketdyne. We also saw 3 deer cross the trail in front of us. The northern part of Las Virgenes made for a slightly challenging descent with stones the size of soccer balls, then a beautiful little secluded meadow before climbing back out on some moderately challenging had packed clay, and then a fun and fast descent back to Shepherd's Flat. We then did Cheseboro Challenge before cruising the canyon floor back to the parking lot. I plan on doing a longer version (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/agoura-hills/222126223994813192) of this ride when I have more time to stay out and play.

Why hasn't anyone told me about this paradise?

Are you talking off-road mountain cycling here, or is this on roads?

Sounds like cyclocross fun to me. Why be stuck with just roads or just trail? Mix it up!

Mountain biking, and although most of this ride was on fire roads, there are parts I would imagine (note, I have no CX experience) would not be passable on a cyclocross bike without walking a good bit: Very steep with little traction, exposed rock surfaces with jagged edges/steps/protrusions, etc. Cheseboro Challenge would especially be questionable.

Also, I see on the satellite images what looks like a tricky singletrack leaving Albertson just west of Lindero Cyn and rejoining it again just west of Las Virgenes, or far north of Las Virgenes. Anybody know if those trails are reliable? I might take a day of exploration to find out!

Here's a picture of Biker395 looking out over Simi Valley from Albertson Motorway.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs174.snc3/20173_1264351921781_1019241542_30815227_5417584_n.jpg

Well, CX racing involves carrying the bike. Many of the rides I've gone on with my CX bike have been just like a race, with all the elements in a race, just without the race. That land I think is administered by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, with that area being a part of Ahmenson? Ranch. There are maps and books about the trails out there.

I knew that CX involves obstacles you have to carry the bike over, but parts of this trail would probably require that for lengths of 20-500'. I could be wrong on what you can ride over, though.

For me, it just depends on conditions. I've ridden some pretty rocky trails on my CX bike in the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains. The area you're talking about is on my list of places I want to explore. I'll have to go there before it gets hot this year.

Also, I see on the satellite images what looks like a tricky singletrack leaving Albertson just west of Lindero Cyn and rejoining it again just west of Las Virgenes, or far north of Las Virgenes. Anybody know if those trails are reliable? I might take a day of exploration to find out!

Hey urbanknight - I think you are referring to the Bell Canyon loop (#15 on this page: http://www.venturacountytrails.org/TrailMaps/Cheeseboro/CheeseboroTrails.htm)

It's a great area to ride. You should also try to make your way to Wood Ranch if you haven't already. It connects to Albertson at China Flats. http://www.venturacountytrails.org/TrailMaps/Wood-LangRanch/AreaTrails.htm

Enjoy the ride!
Toby

For me, it just depends on conditions. I've ridden some pretty rocky trails on my CX bike in the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains. The area you're talking about is on my list of places I want to explore. I'll have to go there before it gets hot this year.
Let me know if you ever come up to try it. It would be fun watching some guy with a ridgid fork and skinny tires kick my butt.



Hey urbanknight - I think you are referring to the Bell Canyon loop (#15 on this page: http://www.venturacountytrails.org/TrailMaps/Cheeseboro/CheeseboroTrails.htm)

It's a great area to ride. You should also try to make your way to Wood Ranch if you haven't already. It connects to Albertson at China Flats. http://www.venturacountytrails.org/TrailMaps/Wood-LangRanch/AreaTrails.htm

Enjoy the ride!
Toby
Pretty close. The singletrack I was referring to would bypass most of section 22 on that map. The route we took on Saturday was basically 3 - 4 - 11 - 17 - 22 - 6 - 14 (west) - 2 - 1

I'll try Wood Ranch some time soon. I'm looking to explore a lot.

It is looking like February or March, depending on the weather, when I head up that way.

Toby1, here's the singletrack I was asking about.
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/thousand%20oaks/974126340536053261
Does anybody know if that is rideable from the beginning to end? It looks like an adventure.

Toby1, here's the singletrack I was asking about.
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/thousand%20oaks/974126340536053261
Does anybody know if that is rideable from the beginning to end? It looks like an adventure.

Hmm I haven't been on that. Interesting! I'll have to give it a go!:thumb:

Whoever tries it first, report back here. I might try it this weekend if I find a few adventurous people to join me.