MikeEckhaus

The n+1 bug is biting me. I've been intrigued by all the new, reasonably priced gravel bikes. I have two road bikes and an XC mountain bike, which all get used. Where, other than maybe Blackstar Canyon, are good places to ride a gravel bike. Places where I wouldn't wish I was on the XC bike. Thanks.

jimincalif

I just got a gravel bike. A couple weeks ago I went up Serrano Creek Trail into Whiting Ranch and found myself going up Line Shack trail. I have 38mm tires and there was only one very small spot where I stopped and pushed through. I'm a total off road beginner, I'm sure anyone with even basic skill would have had no problem with it.

Looking for other routes, someone told me there are some trails in Bommer Cyn? Maybe we can post our discoveries here.

trailangel

Wouldn't the XC bike be the perfect gravel bike? Maybe put different tires on it.
We really don't have gravel roads in So CA. Just fire roads with hardpacked clay with some loose over and sections of sand.

MikeEckhaus

The XC bike is certainly an option, which is exactly why I am asking. My particular XC bike is somewhat heavy, with a dual suspension and, obviously, flat bars. I was thinking it might be fun to tackle some roads with something lighter and faster, but if there aren't enough options, then saving the dollars is a good way to gin. Looking forward to other routes that people may post.

jimincalif

I went with a carbon fiber gravel bike here in OC for (1) disc brakes, (2) the ability to run wider tires and because the frame has rack mounts if I want to do some cc overnighters. I am going to get a lighter set of wheels for road use, probably run 32mm road tires on them. Then I have the original wheels and 38 mm tires if I want to ride some dirt or tour.

You should look up Pure Ride Cycles in Lake Forest - like their Facebook page to see their events. They put on a lot of rides, including gravel type. I'm watching that for a good starter gravel ride.

Elvo

Maple Springs Road

Garfield Cat

Maple Springs all the way up to the top Santiago Peak. Mountain bike riders tell me that some of it can be pretty loose dirt. Very formidable effort, even for mountain bike riders. Wider tires a must and don't try it alone.

jsigone

here's some up coming events

gravel grinder | SoCalCross | Southern California Prestige Series of CycloCross

a hybrid version is next month with the Belgain Waffle Ride in N. San Diego. 90mile road + 45mile dirty fun. They have waffer options for half the suffering

PeregrineA1 

I've put together a mixed surface ride that includes Blackstar, SART, and Crystal Cove State Park. It's a century with 7,500' of climbing. Working up to it....


Many of the double tracks in Crystal Cove, Aliso Woods, Laguna Woods, Irvine Open Space, as well as most of the roads in Cleveland National Forest are good for a gravel ride.


My gravel bike is a Lemond Poprad Disc with 38's.

mwandaw

My wife and I have hiked through Santiago Oaks Regional Park. It looked like a lot of the roads in the park would be good for a gravel bike. Some are more suited to a mountain bike, so you should be prepared to turn around.

You may be able to put together a route that would take you from Santiago Oaks to Irvine Regional Park.

Orange County, California - Santiago Oaks Regional Park

I checked the link (above) and found that some of the trails are closed for "fire recovery".

Sully151

I would think most of the fire roads in O'Neil and Black Star would be great fun on a gravel bike.

jsigone

Chino hills park would be fun on drop bars

colombo357

Try Telonics in Laguna/Aliso.

mackgoo

Any of the paths servicing high tension wires. Might help if we new where in OC. You do know it's pretty big.

trailangel

All this talk of Gravel Ride, but I have never seen a gravel road in OC. I would call fireroads here hard packed adobe clay.... no?

ZippyThePinhead

A friend of mine, starting from where he lives in North OC, just did the Fullerton Loop, then rode over to CHSP and did North Ridge on his gravel bike, then rode home. 36 miles total, about 3000 feet of climbing. If North Ridge is not good, you could do Telegraph to Four Corners instead.