FelixBRA

Hey everybody! Im Brazilian, In september im going to the US to spend a year studying at CSUSB in San Bernardino, CA. I ride both MTB and Road bike here in Brazil and im planing on getting a bike there as well, Probably just a road one. I ride almost everyday and sometimes go to races and less often, short triathlons.

I would really appreciate if you guys could help me out, if you live around (I'll live on campus), giving some tips about where to ride, some people to ride, coming races, some tips about what gear to buy, good places to buy a whole new gear and a bike and where can i find the best prices. And according to the region profile, if is really more advantage to buy a moutain bike or road bike.

Really appreciate any help,

Regards from Brazil!

Antartico

Olá Felix! I live not too far from CSUSB, there's great road & mountain bike riding in the area.
Road: in my opinion; the best riding (aside from the mountains) is towards East Highland-Redlands area. And, like I mentioned, my favorites routes are on the mountain highways, specially the 330 and the 38. They're narrow, not a lot of shoulder or bike lanes but they're awesome if you like to climb and going long.

For MTB: Angelus Oaks and Big Bear have world class trails, but they're like an hour away (driving) they also have a bike park if you're up to jumps and stuff like that. There's also decent riding in the valley for the winter months: Hulda Crooks, Crafton Hills, Box Springs, Sycamore Canyon (Riverside). They all require driving (30' to 45') they're good but not great IMO.

Bike & gear, I don't know if there is something close to Cal State, but there are a couple of good shops in Redlands (Don's & Cyclery USA) Online JensonUSA and if you have time to dig sometimes you can find good deals on used bikes on Craigslist inland empire bicycles - by owner - craigslist

Get in touch when you get here and we'll go for a ride sometime.

Cheers

TrojanHorse

Keep your bike locked up and inside your dorm room / apartment. I say that with absolutely NO knowledge of how save CSUSB is, but universities in general are less than great places to leave anything nicer than a total beater outside.

Welcome and happy riding!

The Redlands Water Bottle Transit Company is a fairly large cycling club out that way if you want to get involved with them.

tunavic

Here's a link to the club in Redlands referenced above - Home - Redlands Water Bottle Transit Company

You'll find they ride regularly during the week and weekends. Rides are categorized into A, B, and C level of ability.

They are also a very social club. Gatherings and rides to local eateries and breweries are fairly common.

mkadam68

Racing schedule: SoCalCycling.com Southern California Bicycle Racing Events Calendar - SoCalCycling.com - Your Cycling Source : Southern California, Cycling, Events Calendar

molten

Precautions to the (no sic) addictions that American society, no matter what descents: being addicted to operating their electronic cell-phones, I-pads, computers, toys of any kind ---- while driving their cars.
In Southern California society, one's car is simply an extension to their lifestyle.

gregf83 

You waited 10 yrs before posting again? Have a nice nap?

FelixBRA

Thanks Guys! Im taking all the notes!
And probably im getting a Road bike. I wont be driving a car over there and probably wont have a lot of time to ride to the trails with a MTB. Also i can better explore the area with a Road.

FelixBRA

Thanks for the craigslist tip! I want a new bike, but we can find some really good semi-used bikes there, with almost no miles on it.

rlp

Some schools have club teams associated with them for both bike racing and triathlons, I don't know about CSUSB but you may want to check into it. If they do they may have discounts set up for team members at a local shop.

furiousferret

Some great climbs near there if that's your thing. Devil's Canyon, Old Waterman Canyon, GMR, 330, 18, 38, Wrightwood....More HC climbs than a Tour de France route.

San Bernardino itself is not known for cycling, but its still a great area to train. If you are into racing there are 2 monthly series near there (Ontario, Cajon Pass). The two closest road bike scenes are in Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga. Redlands has a Crit Practice ride on Thursdays, a hilly hammerfest on Tuesdays, and a ton of group rides on the weekends.

Garfield Cat

One year is quite a time. You need a car to take you places for rides. That way you will not be limited.

jimincalif

Welcome!

Orange County Wheelmen's fall metric ride to Oak Glen is next month. Starts in Redlands, about 17 miles from your campus. Have to be a member to register for the ride, but whether or not you do the ride that day, it's a good route with about 4500 feet of climbing. Less traffic than riding up 330. Watch out for the really bad potholes on the way down, they can take you out.

About The Ride

Pamestique 

Welcome to So Cal... already lots of good suggestions... one good way to explore the area is locating and riding the Upper Santa Ana River Trail (check for infor on the internet - this is the paved trail not the world class mountain bike route which is also nearby and fun to explore - that starts around Angeles Oaks out of Redlands). I like to start from Hidden Valley but many cyclist start from Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino. It's a paved bike trail that runs along the Santa Ana River - 40 miles round trip. I agree with everyone's suggestions about 1) contacting the local bike club... usually a great source for routes, information and companionship and 2) getting to know the local bike shop.

Have fun exploring!


PS: I would never post my cell number on an open forum, at least not in this area. Ask people to PM you instead.