Hello there,

Pretty new to MTB, I've only done some casual trail riding in the past. While stationed on Guam I got into some thick muddy trails that I loved to take on my jeep or bike. Now that I'm home I'm looking to start riding around here.

Right now I'm riding on dirt roads and casual trails around Ramona, where I live, but I'd love to get into some rougher territory.

I've got basically zero technical skills and am looking for a nice safe place to learn. I'm also not sure exactly what my bike can handle, it's a stock Raleigh Talus 3.0 to which I just plan to add clipless pedals soon.

Welcome!

I don't live in your area, but there is some pretty secluded, scenic riding in the Pamo Valley area out there. Check out Mountainbike Bill's website for the trails in the area, including Black Mountain-Ramona (very different from and not to be confused with the Black Mtn. in Penasquitos).

Good luck and have fun!

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"New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign."
--Alex Baldwin, unknowingly describing his socialist utopia.

mountain bike bills site: http://www.mountainbikebill.com

You can also join the SDMBA (San Diego Mtn Bike Association) forum as well for more information: http://www.sdmba.com/forum

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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss.

Welcome

With a name like LaserSailor biking will be a hell of a lot more fun than sailing lasers in windless san diego

Jump in on a group ride with any of these DT guys and we'll/they'll help you out and get you going really quick.

FWIW- I used to sail a TON on the east coast, then moved out here, sailed a few times, and took up mountain biking- it's WAY more fun than sitting around for 5 hours waiting for wind with 4' swells rocking the boat and it never coming in more than 6 knots

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"F*ck it Dude, let's go bowling"- Walter

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"IN THIS VERY MOMENT I SLAYED GOLIATH WITH A SLING"

Well I could get my laser up to a decent clip, tightly trimmed with a good heel, zipping around southbay is a lot of fun though you have to go at just the right time.

Thanks for the welcome guys, can anyone recommend a decent beginner's trail near Ramona? I was thinking Lake Poway might fit the bill?

Lake Hodges is a fun beginner place with minimal sketchyness. Lake poway would be as well, but isn't like half that place closed to bikes? Mt Woodson would be fun to ride down, not so much up, but I also think there's a canyon trail that almost connects it to Iron Mtn. If you like long downhills followed by having to ride uphill the whole way back to the car, Cedar Creek Falls is pretty cool and it has a Ramona entrance and a Julian entrance (It may be reopened by now). After tons of fun on the way down, you'll be greeted with about 3.5 miles of pretty easy climbing on the way home.

There's also in North SD County:
Daley Ranch- has some gnar, but mostly just fun
Some trail out in Julian that "Broke That" rides all the time- looks really tame, just can't remember the name, but it's a loop. (I think it's Santa Ynez Trail)
La Costa- tons of fun
Calavera Lake- Best all around until DFG shuts it off to bikes in the very near future

OR, you could ride out at Mt Laguna and ride BLT (and hold off on Noble until you are more comfortable)

Everything above is on www.mountainbikebill.com

Enjoy

_________________
"F*ck it Dude, let's go bowling"- Walter

Welcome!

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~I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
~Nothing from nothing is nothing.
~I'm allowed to be a pussy because I have one!

You can ride all the way around Lake Poway - you just can't venture off into blue sky. It's a short couple mile loop around the lake, wide not at all sketchy fire road/trail. You do about 500 feet of climb per loop, so depending on your fitness level that's probably either good or bad. If you are feeling like you want even more climb you can head up the Mt Woodson trail as well.

2 loops around the lake starting from poway high
http://runkeeper.com/user/ScottK/activity/49415869

Welcome

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

Welcome.

I haven't ridden here personally (Santa Ysabel Preserve), but it may be a good place close by you.

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"Those skilled at the unorthodox are infinite as heaven and earth, inexhaustible as the great rivers."
— Tzun Tzu