Southern California - Any interesting unpaved trails for a rigid hybrid bike?

I'm a 'roadie', but I've also got a Trek 7.3FX (flat bar hybrid, no suspension front or rear) which can take 700x32 or 700x35's. I assume there are some halfway decent cyclocross tires I could put on if it made sense.

So, Any suggestions for unpaved rides this bike could handle? Would Bonelli park be doable? Fireroads? Or am I better off just waiting until I can get a proper mountain bike?

For starters the Fullerton Loop would be a good bet for you. It's a mix of pavement/trail. Also a nice ride is Carbon Canyon...

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/california-trails/california-la-area/trail/carbon-canyon/prd_165406_4520crx.aspx

I don't know about Bonelli...

From the sheer lack of responses in this thread, I'm going to assume that a hybrid simply isnt good for trails in OC.

Thanks Alicestrong for the solo response, Im not sure if this is enough to justify spending $70 on 2 tires for the bike tho. I do appreciate your suggestion.

You could pick up a couple of budget tires from Nashbar and see for yourself. :)

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_174913_-1_202642_10000_202354

I know people who started doing cross races on older hybrids. It's doable. A bike like that is a good commuter, also...

From the sheer lack of responses in this thread, I'm going to assume that a hybrid simply isnt good for trails in OC.

Thanks Alicestrong for the solo response, Im not sure if this is enough to justify spending $70 on 2 tires for the bike tho. I do appreciate your suggestion.

Not so... Fully Loop is good, as is Telegraph in Chino Hills but those are better suited for MTB bikes. A little ride I like to do on my rigid is from the Duck Club, Newport Beach, down the San Diego Creek to Back Bay. You access the Duck Club from Campus, park and then get on the trail from there. You most likely could do Wood Canyon/Aliso Woods. Depends specifically what you are looking for - OC does not have "rails to trails" like dirt roads like they have in the east. There are lots of fire road around that although is better for mountin biking can be done with skill, by someone on a hybrid.

Frankly I don't get the hybrid thing. I have bikes for different terrain - a road bike for pavement and mtbikes for trails. Makes more sense. But it is cheaper to buy tires however than a whole bike so your choice.

I'm a 'roadie', but I've also got a Trek 7.3FX (flat bar hybrid, no suspension front or rear) which can take 700x32 or 700x35's. I assume there are some halfway decent cyclocross tires I could put on if it made sense.

So, Any suggestions for unpaved rides this bike could handle? Would Bonelli park be doable? Fireroads? Or am I better off just waiting until I can get a proper mountain bike?

You can loop Bonelli on the the paved roads instead of the fire trails

Frankly I don't get the hybrid thing.

Thanks for the suggestions Pamestique. I hadn't thought about Aliso Woods park, I may ride over and try that. The paths I saw there looked pretty tame, so maybe that is a good first path. As for the hybrid, its the family truckster...racks, panniers, trailer hitch for the kid. The bike I can throw on the ground at the park and go play with my family without worrying (or caring?) about if somebody is going to steal it.


Stugi79, I get plenty of paved road time in on my road bike. The whole point of the question was to NOT ride paved roads :)

You can loop Bonelli on the the paved roads instead of the fire trails

He could probably do either. I've a 95 Marin hybrid with 38's I've taken "offroad" many a time. Hybrids are wonderful, versatile bikes. Just ask anyone from the Hybrid Forum...:D

Thanks for the suggestions Pamestique. I hadn't thought about Aliso Woods park, I may ride over and try that. The paths I saw there looked pretty tame, so maybe that is a good first path.

:)

Uh... do not be deceived... the first part of the Wood Canyon trail is actually paved (although there is a fun single track that runs along side) but once you enter into Wood Canyon, it becomes a regular dirt fire road with sand, rocks, water and ruts - regular MTB stuff. I'm sure if you stay on Wood CAnyon, the Hybrid will be OK but as you go farther back towards Cholla, the trail gets rougher.