I'm new to this forum, but have been posting to MTBR for years. Actually, after having a number of email conversations with Vernon Felton, I thought it was important to bring our area to this forum. Bike magazine will eventually discover we are the new up and comer ride destination on the MTB block.
The northern coast of California, specifically the Mendocino area has an undiscovered trail system laden with hundreds of miles of great single and double track within California's largest state forest. At 48,000+ acres of towering redwoods, nowhere else can you find riding at this level.
We're similar to the economic situations that Moab, Oakridge and Fruita once experienced. Primarily a fishing, logging and tourist region we have fallen on hard times. The recession continues in our remote region (Three hours north of San Francisco) as the timber and fishing industries have turned their toes up, with the exception of tourism which seems to keep us barely afloat.
The beauty here is unbelievable. To many of us, it is about as close to Paradise as one would want. It is a classic Mediterrainean environment. Coupled with this fact, we have an extensive MTB trail system to boot! It is classic XC type riding. Lots of climbing with the expected downhill rewards for your pleasure. It is not a freeriding area. You have to earn your fun here, but hell, what is pleasure without the work?
To facilitate the economic boost we need, a group of us, AKA: Mendocino Coast Cyclists, have decided to relinquish the hard kept secret of this undiscovered slice of riding heaven. To do so, I wrote a trail guidebook (Mountain Biking the Mendocino Coast and Beyond) 3 years ago, now in it's 2nd edition, to help alleviate the strain on Search and Rescue so that new riders could actually find their way around the many hidden and unsigned trails. Most routes range from 15 to 30 miles with an average elevation gain of 1,700' to 4,000'. If someone is so inclined, I have also created a 103 mile route to challenge any masochistic testosterone driven biker with a breath taking 17,895 ' of elevation gain. Course record to date is 13 hours and 31 minutes (seconds don't count yet) set by the incomparable Brian Astell. For any noobie coming here, a word of advice: Bring tons of water and food for each ride! Bonking has become a new form of volunteer hazing if rides are not carefully planned. A local guide service, Mendocino Bike Sprite (http://www.mendobikesprite.com/Mendo...rite/Home.html), is available any time. Amy Wynn has created a service employing pro riders as well as seasoned vets who know the trails better than anyone out here.
Come on out and enjoy getting away from the heat of the interior. Give us a try, you won't be disappointed!
The northern coast of California, specifically the Mendocino area has an undiscovered trail system laden with hundreds of miles of great single and double track within California's largest state forest. At 48,000+ acres of towering redwoods, nowhere else can you find riding at this level.
We're similar to the economic situations that Moab, Oakridge and Fruita once experienced. Primarily a fishing, logging and tourist region we have fallen on hard times. The recession continues in our remote region (Three hours north of San Francisco) as the timber and fishing industries have turned their toes up, with the exception of tourism which seems to keep us barely afloat.
The beauty here is unbelievable. To many of us, it is about as close to Paradise as one would want. It is a classic Mediterrainean environment. Coupled with this fact, we have an extensive MTB trail system to boot! It is classic XC type riding. Lots of climbing with the expected downhill rewards for your pleasure. It is not a freeriding area. You have to earn your fun here, but hell, what is pleasure without the work?
To facilitate the economic boost we need, a group of us, AKA: Mendocino Coast Cyclists, have decided to relinquish the hard kept secret of this undiscovered slice of riding heaven. To do so, I wrote a trail guidebook (Mountain Biking the Mendocino Coast and Beyond) 3 years ago, now in it's 2nd edition, to help alleviate the strain on Search and Rescue so that new riders could actually find their way around the many hidden and unsigned trails. Most routes range from 15 to 30 miles with an average elevation gain of 1,700' to 4,000'. If someone is so inclined, I have also created a 103 mile route to challenge any masochistic testosterone driven biker with a breath taking 17,895 ' of elevation gain. Course record to date is 13 hours and 31 minutes (seconds don't count yet) set by the incomparable Brian Astell. For any noobie coming here, a word of advice: Bring tons of water and food for each ride! Bonking has become a new form of volunteer hazing if rides are not carefully planned. A local guide service, Mendocino Bike Sprite (http://www.mendobikesprite.com/Mendo...rite/Home.html), is available any time. Amy Wynn has created a service employing pro riders as well as seasoned vets who know the trails better than anyone out here.
Come on out and enjoy getting away from the heat of the interior. Give us a try, you won't be disappointed!
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