If there’s a trail that best defines the Santa Monica Mountains, it easily would have to be the Backbone Trail. This 67 mile connection begins out of Will Rogers Historic State Park in the Pacific Palisades and rides the ridgeline into Ventura County ending at Point Mugu State Park. Its origins began in the 1970s, …
Gravel Guide: Backbone Trail (Encincal to Circle X Ranch) Read More »
Challenge me on this one, but there’s no greater road that serves as an accessible gateway than the Angeles Crest Highway. Hovering over Los Angeles, this 66 mile highway is a true escape from urban life just minutes away from millions. Historically part of Highway 2, the moment you enter the Angeles National Forest you …
Gibraltar Road clearly belongs in the list not only for the greatest climbs in the state, but the country as well. You can argue about its length or toughness, but the setting is a factor that helps tip the scales. Already starting at an elevation of almost 900 feet, you still get a prime view …
Back our work on Gravel Bike California: One wish for ever rider out there is to have a complete list to California gravel guides. While it’s impossible to cover every grain of dirt, the goal of this page is to shed some light on as many routes across this state which because of it’s size, …
There are so many ways to love gravel riding, but you can easily encapsulate it with a trip up to Mammoth. As a first-timer, it doesn’t put me on the top of the list as a premiere guide, but there are so many resources available that stepping into it is easy on so many levels. …
Exploring takes risk and we do it for the reward. I’ve been staring at Google Maps for years contemplating a Quatal Canyon gravel ride through the eastern side of Los Padres National Forest, but the holdback is for the same reasons we should always be skeptical. Convincing a group of friends to drive over an …
While this will always be up for conversation, Gravel Bike California maintains that Mount Baldy is the most iconic climb in this state. I can the first three of my criteria argued against when you debate beauty, toughness and the variety contained within, but my final component of historical value is what separates it from …
Riding Sulphur Mountain gravel is an experience that’s just on the fringe of the epic scale, but required riding nonetheless. Having two great dirt options in Ojai is such a luxury that you can’t avoid comparing them both which you have the luxury of doing during the Gravel Mob hosted by the Mob Shop. Sisar …
If you want to know the definition of the love / hate relationship, then Paseo Miramar can serve as your dictionary. There is a lot of good going on here. You could call it the best gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains being so close to the Pacific Coast Highway in the idealistic setting of …
With all the riding I’ve done in the Santa Monica Mountains, it’s hard to fathom that this was the first time I’ve ridden Puerco Canyon. The climb itself is short at just over three miles, but while it doesn’t occupy much real estate in the X Y direction, it’s the Z that’ll get you. While …
