Beginner rides in Newport/Huntington area?

[Dizle]

So my friend wants to get into riding and he lives at the beach, so I'm looking for a good place to take a 1st timer on dirt in the Newport area. Is there anywhere in Crystal Cove area? Any rides down that way are fine, I looked on geoladders but didn't find much when I searched the cities names?

[northshore]

Newport Beach back bay. It's a road ride but he can get used to the bike first if he would like:
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=12159

El Moro Short loop:
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=39

[art23rockpile]

His best bet would probably be El Morro. He could start out by riding up the canyon and back, then start using some of the trails that branch off as his climbing and descending skills improve. There's a good Franko's map ('South Coast Trails' I think it's called) that can be found at most bike shops in OC.

[audiopablo]

If you just want some training, look up Fairview Park off Placentia. It's not very scenic at all, it's very small, but it really is fun to just get some basic skills down. You can start at the parking lot, ride around a little dirt track, take it down the hill for some climbs (on the right), go for an overgrown advanced track behind the bluffs, and then see the other park/refuge behind that. You can even hook up with the riverbed and go to PCH if you want more riding. I would never compare it to El Moro or Aliso, but my girlfriend and I love it for a quick wind. If I go today, I'll take some pictures.

[Neccros]

Yes this is a fun little "play" park... there are some tiny hills and jumps to play around on and might be good practice for bike handling....

Originally Posted by audiopablo

If you just want some training, look up Fairview Park off Placentia. It's not very scenic at all, it's very small, but it really is fun to just get some basic skills down. You can start at the parking lot, ride around a little dirt track, take it down the hill for some climbs (on the right), go for an overgrown advanced track behind the bluffs, and then see the other park/refuge behind that. You can even hook up with the riverbed and go to PCH if you want more riding. I would never compare it to El Moro or Aliso, but my girlfriend and I love it for a quick wind. If I go today, I'll take some pictures.

[red913]

I would also agree, do Fairview Park. I live down the street from there and used to go all the time when I first started out riding. It has a nice variety for a beginner. I reccomend you start at the Mobile station off of hamilton and Brookhurst. Park behind it and ignore the "no parking signs". They never tow. Ride into the river trail and start heading North on the West Side of the river. In about a mile or so you'll hit a bridge, go right and cross it and go left. You'll quickly come upon a fork in the road. Make a u turn at the bottom of the fork and you'll quickly come to another bridge. Take that you should end up having to go left off the bridge and then right and you'll go foward into the park. Watch out for the small incline, it can surprise some people. Don't turn on the first dirt trail you see. Go past it and if you want, there is a chain link fence on your right with a single track right next to it, or just go straight up the paved hill. It'll be a little curvy going up. At the top head straight for some fun little hills or make a right at those hills and take any of the numerous single tracks to get to a area with a bunch of fun little jumps one right after another. On your way back take that flat dirt path I told you to avoid in the beginning. It'll take you back to hamilton. If you cross the street you can go to another area to ride around...its ok. Mostly for BMX guys it seems. Sheeps hill or sheep hills. whatever it is the kids are calling it these days. lol

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by audiopablo

If you just want some training, look up Fairview Park off Placentia. It's not very scenic at all, it's very small, but it really is fun to just get some basic skills down. You can start at the parking lot, ride around a little dirt track, take it down the hill for some climbs (on the right), go for an overgrown advanced track behind the bluffs, and then see the other park/refuge behind that. You can even hook up with the riverbed and go to PCH if you want more riding. I would never compare it to El Moro or Aliso, but my girlfriend and I love it for a quick wind. If I go today, I'll take some pictures.

[dirtvert]

yep- you can connect fairview with talbert park and canyon park and easily get in an hour of riding (there's actually a fair amount of s/t). i live minutes away- let me know if you ever want a tour.