So true...

As a side note--and at risk of sounding extremly "preachy" but I had such a damn good ride that I'll risk it anyway: I am new to the area--originally from TX--and I will only be here for a few more months. I just have to say that THE OC has been truly the mountain biking fantasy I hoped it would be! Where I'm coming from (east-central TX), we have 2 "local" places to ride within ~1 hour drive for a total of about 20 miles of trails. Don't get me wrong, they are good rides, but you get really tired of the same 2 trails. In my hometown (south TX) NO places to ride (that I am aware of) because all the land is privately-owned and used mainly as hunting leases.
So please appreciate what you have here! Just off the top of my head I can think of over a dozen SWEET places to ride with thousands of acres of varied terrain within ~30 minutes of South OC! And if you consider all the SoCal area, it's mind-blowing!

Love it, appreciate it, nurture it, don't litter, don't take it for granted, and enjoy it!
Alright, I'll get off my soap box now....
Ride distance: 12.4 Elevation change:
TexLepomis a 28 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Rocky Mountain ETSX-50 from TX --> SJC

Now this is why I just couldn't relocate for a job.

[ECOdork]

I hear that!
I was thinking that I should throw in this:
I think websites and forums like this one and mybikesite.com, as well as all the hard work that people put into maintaining the trails, are proof that the trails are appreciated! I think it's great that we can go online to check the status of multiple trails as opposed to driving all the way out there and getting burned!

And I have to say that almost all the folks I have talked with on the trails have been nice--the handful of quacks excluded --and very generous with divulging info about the area's trails.
So keep it up SoCal! \/ \:/
I'll see you on the trail!