Hi. I'm a central Cali rider looking for some DH trails that would be great for shuttling in SoCal. My goal is to put a female who has only ridden XC geometry and hates descending on my DH bike for a few runs. In hopes she will see the difference and possibly enjoy it. So, I'm looking for some shuttle spots with great trails for a beginner ..not super tech trails. She does have experience xc mountain biking, riding quads and motorcycles. Close to San Diego would be great, but not a necessity. Also, are there any companies that run shuttle services in SoCal? I know of Mountain River Adventures out of Kernville near Bakersfield, but that is way too far north. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Welcome to STR! The guys here will be more than helpful. But I can tell you there are no Mountain River Adventures alternatives in SD.
If your in Central California why is Kern too far for you. Kern is your best bet for shuttle services, unless you want to wait until Northstar opens for the season. Check Carnegie, near Tracy, they have or had fat tire events and super D. I'm from Central California ! San Diego is a bit far, but if that distance is cool for you so be it. I can help you out, let me know when??
Lots of trails, self shuttle or hike a bike and many are semi-legal and/or illegal so "Fight Club" rules prevail. Many of us will be happy to show you around and I am sure you will get many PMs!!! If I can lend a hand being a female downhiller and all, let me know!!!
The best legal shuttle trail in the San Diego area for a begginer DHer with XC experience would be Noble Canyon. She'd have a blast there.
Got some good beginner stuff here in Idyllwild. Nothing crazy, just fun, long, flowing descents. Also a fun Super D race on Saturday that would be beginner beginner DH friendly. PM me if you are interested.
I'd take denmo up on her offer...Plan a day to ride some trails with her, i'm one of several women enjoying the DH ride that have done so and i've/we've never looked backed :bang:
Thanks for the Info. The gal is from the San Diego area so that's why I'm trying to stay south of Central Cal, with nothing very gnarly. Just some fun for a couple of runs to see if she likes it. At the moment she can't understand the difference in geometry. All she know is going downhill on XC geometry SUCKS and doesn't like it. A few runs on DH geometry may change her thinking. Self shuttle is fine. Just need to find some sweet trails that she won't have to do a ton of pedaling on a bike that's about 43lbs!
X2 Thtas a good beginner trail with ruts some rocks and corners plus long enough to get her feet under her....
However there is lots of pedaling and the trail is not best suited for a 40+ lb DH bike (especially for a women)!!! I have ridden it both on my DH and my slack AM (Uzzi) bike and will only opt for the AM bike!!! However there is also lots of pedaling on Noble and the trail is not best suited for a 40+ lb DH bike (especially for a women)!!! I have ridden it both on my DH and my slack AM (Uzzi) bike and will only opt for the AM bike now!!! :lol: We've taken some noobs there (male and female) and it's not a good choice!!! Do you have a lighter bike she can use? Dang, my Dh bike only weighs 38 lbs. 43 is hard for most women to handle especially as a beginner!
Well then cold springs ought to do the trick, the nice berms ans flowy track headed toward the ocean will get her groove on then before shes aware "BLAAAAM" gnar and rocks. Its too late at this point and your forced to commit the onslaught till it ends. Why walk when you can run! JK Or take her toe Elsinore and load her to the top of Intense, point her down and say "it only looks worse then it is." LOL Aside of joking around the Intense trail rocks, love that run. You iwll have a better sense of balance and TRY not to put a foot down the whole run at speed, its a game to play. OK for real now ALL BS aside: Mt. Wilson makes for a good shuttle dont know if having her on hte exposed edges is a good idea. Id call on some riders out of the N. of LA area and simi valley as well as Valencia has some killer spots and Ronnie and the boys at Marzocchi have TONS of goods up there thats mild to wild...
It's not an easy commute, but Crank-It-Up had a profound impact on my sweetie's desire to ride a DH bike. No rocks, no forced drops and no pedaling. One run, and she was hooked. She bought a DH bike as soon as we returned. Oh - where is it? Ummm...Whistler...Is that too far?
Denmo.. lol. Yes, I have an Enduro SL and my plan was to let her try out both and just hope she doesn't crash the SL... she can yard sale the DH bike all she wants.
:?:I crash my Enduro SL every other day. Can you say "warranty?!" Good hunting, let us know when she is hooked. I'd suggest whatever you do you plan to have some other females riding that day too so she can make some friends. My ex-girlfriend didn't start getting serious about riding until she dumped me and started dating a chick (who rides). #-o
