jonathanf2

I was wondering if there's a definitive way to find out which fire roads/trails are open to bikes in Los Angeles and surrounding areas? I've noticed some fire roads and trails merely prohibit motor vehicles, but there's no mention of bicycles being prohibited. Some trails have signs that specifically prohibit bicycles at the trail head such as in Griffith Park. I don't ride crazy or anything, I just want to enjoy some trail riding at the appropriate places. I'm presuming that there would be specific signs that would prohibit bicycles if they weren't allowed. Thanks for any feedback or resources.

Elvo

It's trail specific. Best bet is to look at the heat maps:

https://www.strava.com/heatmap#13.08....13917/hot/all

TGT1

Check here

MTB Project | Mountain Bike Trail Maps

Tycho Brahe 

Cycling is not permitted on any trail in LA City Parks, especially Griffith Park.

CAT7RDR

Schabarum Park-Turnbull Canyon, Chino Hills State Park 20-30 miles east of LA City.

Bingod

Many amazing fire roads to explore in the LA area - all accessible to bikes Some of the fire roads in the San Gabriels are designated for OHV use (Shortcut, Rincon et al), but are also fine for riding. Others seem to be restricted, like for example Mt Lukens, which you access through the fire station and pass a sign that says "do not enter" or similar. Redbox, Rincon, Shortcut are now designated as recovering burn areas and have restrictions posted, though myself and others still ride or hike them. Mt. Pacifico from Chilao might state that the area is closed, but that refers to a winter closure for camping. Verdugo Mtns,, Santa Monica Mtns, Dirt Mulholland > Topanga are all good to go. Mt Wilson Toll Road is now difficult to access because of Covid restrictions for access to the Eaton Cyn trail head, but where theres's a will theres a way. Good luck

csrpenfab

Take a drive out to Hemet and ride the great 21 mile gravel fire road loop around Diamond Valley Lake. Just go before May when it's suddenly uninhabitable and 110 degrees!

jonathanf2

That's another thing, I'm trying to get as much biking in before temperatures start getting too hot, not to mention potential fires later in the summer.

Chinghis

Crap, that looks like a lot of fun. And I like to fish, might be able to kill two birds with one wheel.

I myself like the SMMNRA (Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area), if that's still it's name. Unlike LA Recreation and Parks properties, anything under that label is legal to ride. Look for the dirt Mulholland ride, and any of the fire roads that spur off of that. You can even go see the old Nike rocket base at the top of Mandeville canyon. Back in the day when I lived on the West side, I'd ride on my knobbies from my house up to Sullivan or West Ridge, and then hit the dirt. Helluva warmup. You can always bail off down into Sullivan Canyon before you hit the top, but there's a very nasty climb at the end of that to get to dirt Mulholland and connect back to whichever ridge you want to go down.

CAT7RDR

Good youtube videos from this guy will give you a lot of options in SoCal:
https://gravelbikecalifornia.com/

Also do a search on the Old Ridge Route on the SoCal sub-forum.

ooga-booga

if i am not mistaken (for once), i believe the old ridge route and surrounding angeles national forest area is closed until july 1, 2021 because of last year's fire damage.

*edit-most of the national forest area east of the old ridge route is off limits/closed until june 1st, 2021. as best as i can (now) tell, the old ridge route itself is open to cyclists and fair game.
things look different on a desktop computer vs a cell phone.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE...eprd780808.pdf

there is a map of the closure area on page 3 of the pdf. coulda sworn that the map showed the closure area extending all the way west to the 5 freeway when looking at it two months ago *rolls eyes.*

CAT7RDR

According to the Ridge Route Preservation website it is open to cyclists, hikers and horseback riders but there is no date stamp on the website.
Current Roadway Conditions and Status ? Ridge Route Preservation Organization

Reminds me of Hwy 39, it is only closed if CHP or LASD is parked at the gates. Travel at your own risk. No rescue is coming.

ooga-booga

truth.

old ridge route is mostly paved from the templin hwy gate to the northern terminus but the quality of pavement is such that it ends up riding more like
a fairly, well-graded dirt road. a must-do imho.