SD Peeps: Where to ride near San Marcos?

[BrewMaster]

Linda and I are going to head down to San Marcos tomorrow morning to buy Lost Abbey Angel's Share. Can you guys recommend a good place to ride nearby or along the way home (north on the 15)?

Note, it should be pretty newb friendly since Linda is just starting out. Flat fire roads or flat single track are not a bad thing. Steep descents still freak her out, so nothing too crazy.

Thanks for the help.

[uno-speedo]

I'd suggest Hodges but I think its closed. Daley Ranch at the 78 and 15 is open but its a little steep for a beginner....so I'm no help whatsoever

[jhardeman]

check out Calaveras hills near the 78 and College Ave. Good variety with mix of easy to intermediate.

[el_d00der1n0]

There's an 8AM ride at Elfin which is nearby, but it's probably not noob friendly unfortunately.

Calaveras isn't too far away. That was one of my first rides. I think it was a good beginner ride.

[PacMan]

Lake Hodges would've been perfect for skill level required and distance from San Marcos, too bad it burned.

I would say that just about your only option for SD riding now would be Los Penasquitos. About a 20 minute drive South from San Marcos and pretty easy breezy. Mostly flat fire road stuff. However, like I said, it is South of San Marcos and not on your way home up I-15. Here's a link: http://www.mountainbikebill.com/LosPenDelMar.htm

If you want to stick to something on your way home, you may want to check out Santa Rosa Plateau near Murrieta. That's always a fun ride (I take my 11 year old and I SS it). It's not SD riding but I think you'll have fun.

http://www.socalmtb.com/socal/trails...m?list=reviews

http://www.riversidecountyparks.org/...-rosa-plateau/

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7GZHZ&q=santa+rosa+plateau+biking& btnG=Search

[BrewMaster]

Thanks for all the fast responses. I will run these by Linda tonight. We will probably hit Santa Rosa Plateau.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by jhardeman

check out Calaveras hills near the 78 and College Ave. Good variety with mix of easy to intermediate.

The page needs some updating, but here ya go

From that page
Directions: From the I-5 in Oceanside, take HWY 78 East. Take the College BLVD exit and go right. At the second stop, hang a left on Lake Drive. From here you can (a) After 2 miles you will see Ridge road. Hang a right into Oak Riparian Park and park. (b) After about 1 mile, hang a right on Skyhaven and follow the road until you see the lake and the BMX dirt jumps. See trail note for starting options.

-Bill