Due to the fires, both the County and City of SD are using Los Pen for their "celebration" of National Trails Day. The park will be crowded that day, but if you've got family, kids or beginner MTB riders, it will be a great time to come out and introduce them to the sport and the park.
By the time the event(s) take place, the newly opened singletracks will be trimmed and ready, the new SDMBA-donated Kiosk will be at the top of Cobblestone singletrack, and the last of the season's trailwork should be done. Most of the "festivities" will be centered around the old ranch house, near Canyonside Rec Center, and there'll be food booths, a rock climbing wall, barrel racing (horses), tours of the ranch house and spring, all kinds of firemen, S&R and sheriff types, MTB demos, live music, live-stock and a crowd.
The Ramona Trails Assn is holding a Poker Ride for equestrians, plus the barrel-racing demos; the SDMBA will do some demonstrations and lead some rides, the Outdoor Outreach crew will do some Kids' MTB stuff and the MTC and SDMBA are leading a "family ride" in the morning. Here's the flyer pasted on the family ride:
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National Trails Day at Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
Saturday, June 5th, 2004
FAMILY MTB RIDE
10:00am, duration(s) variable
Directions Below
Are you new the area, new to mountainbiking, want to find a place to ride with your children, interested in a safe, fun way to introduce family and friends to mountainbiking, or just looking for a fun way to see some of San Diegos suburban wilderness? Los Penasquitos Canyon offers you a great place to experience the outdoors with your family, and it features a network of multiuse trails perfect for riders ranging from kids and beginners to experts looking for longer rides.
As part of National Trails Day, the Multiuse Trails Coalition and the San Diego Mountain Bike Association are offering several guided rides throughout the Preserve. Starting at 10:00am, our first ride is geared specifically to folks interested in a relaxed look at the canyon, to ride with their children, or to have a first try at mountainbiking where were supposed to: on trails! Our 4.5 mile route will begin and end at the historic Johnson-Taylor Adobe (ranch house), site of the National Trails Day festivities, and will include shaded trails, a chance to splash in the creek, an opportunity to extend your ride to the famous Waterfalls (an extra 1.5 miles round trip) or to head out on your own to explore and enjoy the canyon.
Any mountainbike is adequate for these trails, and any rider will have an enjoyable time. Kids on bikes and in trailers are welcome: this is a variation on our weekly Kids/Family ride and our route includes three small sections of singletrack that trailers handle, just fine. Bring your bikes, helmet, some water and a smile. The ride is free.
Directions: from the intersection of Black Mountain Road and Mercy Road in Mira Mesa, go one block north to the traffic signal at the entrance to the Canyonside Rec Center and turn into the facility (youre not going to the regular Los Penasquitos parking lot off Mercy Rd.). Drive all the way west, past all the ball fields, and you will see a white rail fence and gate. Go straight up this driveway: youll see cars and the National Trails Day event. Bring your bikes, kids and etc to the main area, and well leave from there at 10:00am.
By the time the event(s) take place, the newly opened singletracks will be trimmed and ready, the new SDMBA-donated Kiosk will be at the top of Cobblestone singletrack, and the last of the season's trailwork should be done. Most of the "festivities" will be centered around the old ranch house, near Canyonside Rec Center, and there'll be food booths, a rock climbing wall, barrel racing (horses), tours of the ranch house and spring, all kinds of firemen, S&R and sheriff types, MTB demos, live music, live-stock and a crowd.
The Ramona Trails Assn is holding a Poker Ride for equestrians, plus the barrel-racing demos; the SDMBA will do some demonstrations and lead some rides, the Outdoor Outreach crew will do some Kids' MTB stuff and the MTC and SDMBA are leading a "family ride" in the morning. Here's the flyer pasted on the family ride:
--------------------------------------
National Trails Day at Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
Saturday, June 5th, 2004
FAMILY MTB RIDE
10:00am, duration(s) variable
Directions Below
Are you new the area, new to mountainbiking, want to find a place to ride with your children, interested in a safe, fun way to introduce family and friends to mountainbiking, or just looking for a fun way to see some of San Diegos suburban wilderness? Los Penasquitos Canyon offers you a great place to experience the outdoors with your family, and it features a network of multiuse trails perfect for riders ranging from kids and beginners to experts looking for longer rides.
As part of National Trails Day, the Multiuse Trails Coalition and the San Diego Mountain Bike Association are offering several guided rides throughout the Preserve. Starting at 10:00am, our first ride is geared specifically to folks interested in a relaxed look at the canyon, to ride with their children, or to have a first try at mountainbiking where were supposed to: on trails! Our 4.5 mile route will begin and end at the historic Johnson-Taylor Adobe (ranch house), site of the National Trails Day festivities, and will include shaded trails, a chance to splash in the creek, an opportunity to extend your ride to the famous Waterfalls (an extra 1.5 miles round trip) or to head out on your own to explore and enjoy the canyon.
Any mountainbike is adequate for these trails, and any rider will have an enjoyable time. Kids on bikes and in trailers are welcome: this is a variation on our weekly Kids/Family ride and our route includes three small sections of singletrack that trailers handle, just fine. Bring your bikes, helmet, some water and a smile. The ride is free.
Directions: from the intersection of Black Mountain Road and Mercy Road in Mira Mesa, go one block north to the traffic signal at the entrance to the Canyonside Rec Center and turn into the facility (youre not going to the regular Los Penasquitos parking lot off Mercy Rd.). Drive all the way west, past all the ball fields, and you will see a white rail fence and gate. Go straight up this driveway: youll see cars and the National Trails Day event. Bring your bikes, kids and etc to the main area, and well leave from there at 10:00am.