Southern California - Riding in Big Bear

On a last minute whim it looks like I'll be taking a trip to Big Bear this weekend and staying at a friend's cabin. The friends I will be staying with don't ride and don't seem to have any suggestions of where to ride, and I've never been to Big Bear. So I was hoping someone on the forums would have some suggestions.

So far, just from looking at google maps, my best idea is a couple laps around the lake. I assume going out much farther will result in a fair amount of climbing, is that accurate? I'm not really looking for much climbing, probably want to try to keep it under 2k (the less the better so I can actually enjoy the surroundings).

So, any suggestions? :)

Around the lake, the climb up to Onyx Summit. There aren't too many roads out there, so staying on the main roads will be an easy ride.

Not a lot of wide asphalt up there if you're into road biking, but any interest in mountain biking? Big Bear is a great area for MTB riding. Go tot he Big bear Discovery Center on the norh side of the lake and you can pick up a map of the area (it'll be a few $$$). A good MTB trip is through Holcomb Valley to on the Gold Rush trail (it was teh sight of a 10 year gold rush in the 1880s). Its a 25 mile loop on mostly fire roads (a little on HWY 38) just north of Big Bear Lake, so a good easy route if you've never been to Big Bear. Also o the north side is a 15 mile out-and-back route from Fawnskin to Butler Peak (highest peak in the Big Bear area). Also lots of stuff on the south side of the lake, including using the ski lifts to get up on the ridge.

Try googling the Big Bear Discovery Center and they should have some info on their site, including some simple maps. You can also get a good "San Bernardino Mtns Guide" brochure at any AAA office (if you're a member) that shows the fire roads, but without elevations.

Ride up Onyx Summit, descend Angelus Oaks then back up. That's plenty of asphalt!:D

I have family who live in ArrowBear. I've riden a few times around the lake from there. I rode to the north side of the lake first (Fawnskin). My reason for doing this 1. I would always have the lake on the right side so the view would be better. 2. To me this was more important. From the dam to Big Bear it's a climb. The road has no sholder. Someplaces the rocks/boulders are almost sticking out into the road. By riding from Big Bear to the dam it makes this section downhill and now I can keep up with traffic. In most places having to brake as the cars were much slower than I.

I really like riding up there. Never had a problem with traffic. They always seemed to give me plenty of room.

Have a good time.

I have family who live in ArrowBear. I've riden a few times around the lake from there. I rode to the north side of the lake first (Fawnskin). My reason for doing this 1. I would always have the lake on the right side so the view would be better. 2. To me this was more important. From the dam to Big Bear it's a climb. The road has no sholder. Someplaces the rocks/boulders are almost sticking out into the road. By riding from Big Bear to the dam it makes this section downhill and now I can keep up with traffic. In most places having to brake as the cars were much slower than I.

I really like riding up there. Never had a problem with traffic. They always seemed to give me plenty of room.

Have a good time.

4 year member with 162 posts? Something's fishy 'round here!:D

I was just up there last Saturday. With the bridge construction at the dam, the traffic on the North side of the lake was a little heavier than pre-construction. If you're sketched out by traffic on narrow roadways, stick to the dirt up there. If I was going to spend a whole weekend up there, I would only bring fat tires. The local drivers aren't a problem, but the flatlanders on the weekend are a more dangerous version of the garden-variety jerks found on the roads in the LA Basin.

BTW, stop for lunch at the Bear Belly Deli.

Ride up Onyx Summit, descend Angeles Oaks then back up. That's plenty of asphalt!:D
*Angelus

*Angelus

Damb! I'll fix it!

It's a common misnomer and I am the master blaster on misnomers. That's just how I roll.

It's a common misnomer and I am the master blaster on misnomers. That's just how I roll.

I've noticed!:D

Ride up Onyx Summit, descend Angelus Oaks then back up. That's plenty of asphalt!:D

I second that!

4 year member with 162 posts? Something's fishy 'round here!:D

I ride as much as I post and after reading all your post I'm to tired to ride.

One of these days I'll get out there and ride with you again.

Misnomer this: Los Feliz

This post is more for the benefit of riders that want climbing. I rode Hwy 18 on my last visit to Big Bear. The descent was very fast and twisty (read fun). Then the climb back up was very tough and challenging. About 12 miles about 4,000 feet of gain on the main climb. If you take this route you avoid all the construction on the north side of Big Bear Lake :thumb:

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Blog post here (http://epictrain.wordpress.com/2010/10/14/big-bear-road-ride-cannondale-caad-10/)

Thanks for posting the HWY 18 information Vireo,

My wife and I have a cabin in Fawnskin and I'm always looking for more road rides. I've done the Onyx Summit to Angelus Oaks and back several times now . . . looking for more options.

May try riding down to Arrow Bear or Running Springs and back; that should be fun too. True, it is part of The Bear, so I've done it before, whereas I've never ridden all the way down 18 and back up.

I'm sure my ave. sped won't be in double digits like yours, but that's the way it goes!

Rick / OCRR