Pamestique 

Hey all: I am a docent for Irvine Ranch/OC Parks. I put a NEW ride on the calendar I'll like to try out. Right now only 5 people are signed up and I'll like to see more. This is an intro to Irvine Park and mountain biking riding (although some experience is required and a average fitness level is needed). Distance will depend on trail status and weather but probably 7 - 9 miles. Alot of its is easy but they will be some technical stuff. If you are a roadie and would like to try mountain biking, this is a great intro for you. The docent team is composed of very seasoned and experienced riders so they can offer a ton of advice.

If you are interested, go to irlandmarks.org and sign up. NOTE: The cost to enter Irvine Park, without a pass, is $5. Car pool if you can. You can also try parking up at the Albertson's Shopping Center at Jamboree and Chapman or the small park off of Chapman across from Santiago College. From the trails we will be taking, I can point out all the other trails nearby such as in Santiago Oaks and Weir Canyon.

Here's the writeup:

Adult Beginner Mountain Bikers - Intro to Irvine Park's Singletrack Trail System

Description & Registration Information

Irvine Regional Park is surrounded by great dirt trails; perfect for beginner mountain bikers. This program is for the beginner trail riders who have some dirt trail experience and at least an average fitness level. We will be cruising around the park on paved roads, fire roads, and narrow singletracks. There will be short but steep climbs and descents. Limited instruction will be provided on how to navigate sand, river rocks, water, climbing, and descending, etc. But this is not a skills class - it's meant for fun. The pace will be slow geared towards the slowest rider. Bikes must be in workable condition with knobby tires and at least a front suspension fork. Please carry at least 70 oz. of water and more if the weather is warm. Also bring along a spare tube in case of flats. HELMETS ARE REQUIRED. If you have any questions about the ride or the terrain, contact the ride leader at bcipam@yahoo.com


Spaces Available: 15
Led By: Irvine Ranch Conservancy
Activity Date: 9/24/2011
Time: 8:00 AM
Activity Type: Mountain Biking
Distance: 7-10
Duration: 3 hour(s)
Elevation Change:
Guided: Docent-Led
Recommended Age: 16+
Level of Interpretation: Low


Please email info@irconservancy.org

Elvo

Would you recommend an XC or trail HT for riding Irvine Ranch, Santiago Canyon, and Laguna?

Pamestique 

I ride both... depends on my mood. For Santiago Oaks an "all mountain" bike is best but places like Blackstar or Maple Springs either HT or XC is fine... both are fire roads. If you plan on coming down some of the side triails however you will want an all mountain rig. Of course I know folks that ride singlespeed rigids everywhere so it just depends on how much pounding you can take and skill...I know it takes more skill to ride the HT or rigid...

jmX

I'll be interested in future rides like this. I'm doing MTB research right now and I have to say I'm overwhelmed by the various choices to be made. 26vs29, HT vs FS, I can't even begin to note all the differences between "all mountain", XC, freeride, downhill, trail, etc bikes. The more I read, the more I'm undecided. I haven't any idea what the trail conditions are in north orange county, all I know is I'm not interested in getting air or hopping around on boulders.

Anyway I'll keep an eye out for future events like this. I expect I'll have a mountain bike by xmas.

Elvo

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully I'll get an all mountainer soon. The 3 hour ride duration scares me though =O

Rick@OCRR

Thanks for posting this Pam! I wish I was going to be in town for it, but I'll be in Vacaville and riding the Knoxville Double Century that day.

Hopefully I can make it next time!

Rick / OCRR

allroy71

jmX- PM if you have any questions about getting your mountain bike. I have spent time some time riding North OC trails.

jmX

Picked up this beauty today


I think I may make this ride after all

axelfox

This might be a good reason for my to dust off my old MTB and get back on the trail.

Mr. Beanz

Couple of questions:

Why 15 spaces left? Max rider limit, why?

Can a rider just show up, why does one have to sign up? Is there a fee?

Sounds cool but I have an uncertain schedule right now, signing up seems like a commitment.

allroy71

Beanz-I follow a lot of your posts!!
Anyways, I have done a few docent led rides with the conservancy. I think you sign up for liability purposes and to limit the number attending. Also, the rides I have been on were free!!!

Mr. Beanz

Thanks !

I was thinking those were the reasons but just wasn't sure. I am no skilled MTB'er and the ride sounds fun but if I pay, I expect stocked rest stops and SAG support!

Thanks for the info!

Pamestique 

Good questions - the spaces start out at 20... if the group were larger it would be hard to manage. Remember this is a beginner "singletrack" ride and riders will be strung out for some distance and hard to keep track of. Frankly I would like to limit the group to 10 but the IRC wants 20 spaces.

It is an all volunteer led ride... none of us get paid. There is no fee for any of the IRC or Irvine Open Space rides. There is however, a fee to park in Irvine Park (I have tried to argue against this to no avail). One can park elsewhere and ride in to get around the $5 parking fee.

Irvine Park is a public space accessible every day to the public. You can just go ride there or the neighboring park Santiago Oaks anytime between 7am and 10 pm. To participate with IRC - we need signups because there is a waiver involved (we are not allow to accept "walk-up" traffic) but again you don't need to tag along with us. The IRC rides are a great way to connect with a group of like minded riders and skill levels. For instance, I also do the SLOW intermediate rides (for instance one coming up on 9/11) and have gotten to know alot of the folks that participate in those rides.

Rides in Limestone, Weir and Fremont plus Irvine Open space are private docent led rides. In otherwords, the trails are not open to the public on a regular basis. You have to come ride with a docent. If you are checking the website and want any information about the private rides, let me know. The skill level ranges for easy - family rides to extremely difficult, you have to be able to ride the Leadville 100 to participate. Course difficulty varies from Limestone Canyon (3 on a scale of 10) to Fremont (12 on a scale of 10). The ridges in Limestone vary from 5 - 7.

If you are commitment phobic there is no penalty for signing up and not showing (actually I wish there were 'cause it locks people out of the ride if the roster is full).

Pamestique 

Beanz the 9/24 ride will probably bore you - it will be slow and easy. Look on the website for the SLOW intermediate rides in Limestone Canyon. Great way to assess your skills level and I know you like to climb. Plenty of climbing on all those rides!

Unfortunately no sag support but this is mountain biking... we don't need no stinkin' sags!

Pamestique 

Go out and explore the trail on foot (that's what I do before I ride something)... you get a good assessment of what everyone rides that way. Still it doesn't sound like you are interested in downhill or free riding, look for a good full suspension all mountain or XC bike in your price range. Try to ride a good used bike. My buddy just sold his Santa Cruz Superlight, totally upgraded and practically new for $800. Awedome bike for someone! Just keep looking.

Between XC and All Mountain... XC's climb better. They are just lighter bikes but you lose the travel and thus the cush downhill. I used to ride a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp... although climbing on the Santa Cruz is betetr for me, I miss the suspension of the Specialized going downhill (it was like sitting on a couch!)- I just can't keep up with my buddies on their all-mountain rigs.

Mr. Beanz

Wouldn't bore me and I do ride slow and easy. Especially MTB, I'm a newb according to Eyemage.

But either way, just got notice of a good friends' Bday party so you don't have to worry about me and my camera showing up.