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Mountain Biking in Big Bear
Rate it! Votes (2) | Comments (0) By Cheri Sicard Photos: Mitch Mandell Posted July 12th, 2008 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California, by John Robinson, (2006, Wilderness Press)	San Bernardino Mountain Trails: 100 Hikes in Southern California

BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, USA -- Spring through autumn, mountain bikers from around the globe come to Big Bear Valley to experience a sport created for the mountains! With more than one hundred miles of trails and Forest Service roads ranging in skill levels from an easy 30-minute ride to a challenging 26-mile, five-hour ride, there's something here to satisfy bikers of all ages and skill levels.

Skyline Ridge (2N10), one of the popular trails, passes through Snow Summit Ski Resort and offers the most scenic views in the valley with San Gorgonio Mountain to the south and Big Bear Lake to the north. Save time and energy by taking you and your bike on the scenic sky chair to the trailhead, then bike down the mountain. The Skyline Ridge Chair begins operations in mid May -- weekends only through late June then daily through Labor Day. The two favorite chairlift loops on the 2N10 ridge are Grand View Loop and Plantation Trail, both rated intermediate. Grand View's riding time is approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours, and Plantation Trail is 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Both of these trails are favorites because the chairlift does all the uphill climbing and leaves the downhill for the mountain biker.

Other popular rides open year round include the Family Fun Ride at Van Dusen Canyon, an easy 1.6-mile beginner trail loop. Another short ride, also ideal for beginners, is the Woodland Interpretive Trail on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake west of the Stanfield Cutoff. Interpretive postings that go along with the ride educate the rider (or hiker) regarding wildlife and plant life in the area. For a longer, but still easy and relatively level ride, link the Woodland Trail to the nearby Alpine Pedal Path that meanders along the lake's edge.

Two of the best intermediate trails are Butler Peak and Grout Bay Trail. Butler Peak is an out and back ride to and from the Butler Peak Fire lookout, a destination rewarded with panoramic views rarely seen by hikers. While the ride includes a challenging incline, the return is all downhill. The 13 mile scenic Grout Bay Trail loop, which starts and ends in the tiny north shore town of Fawnskin, is renowned as one of Southern California's best single-track rides.

Advanced or expert riders looking for a real challenge will want to try John Bull Loop or Clarks/Radford. John Bull Loop is about 15 miles and takes more than two hours to complete. Some say there are areas that are passable only with the "blessing" of the ghost of John Bull. Clarks/Radford puts the best to the test. There is plenty of downhill, and plenty of climbing, too. This trail is 26 miles long and five hours round trip. Riders should bring plenty of water for this epic adventure.

Practicalities
Vehicles parked on National Forest land for recreational purposes must display an Adventure Pass. These areas include dispersed land, trailheads, roads, highways and turnouts. Adventure Passes can be purchased at sporting goods stores throughout Big Bear Valley or at the Big Bear Discovery Center. As of this writing (2007) a day pass is $5, an annual pass is $30.

You can get free trail maps, information and all kinds of information about the area from a friendly and knowledgeable staff at the Big Bear Discovery Center located on North Shore Drive, Highway 38, Big Bear Lake, California. Phone 909-382-2790 or visit their website at www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com.

Whether it's for recreation or cross-country adventure, bike rentals are available at Bear Valley Bikes. The bike shop also offers guided bike tours for first-time riders in the Big Bear Valley. Bear Valley Bikes is located at 40298 Big Bear Blvd. in Big Bear Lake 92315; call 909-866-8000 or click to www.bvbikes.com.

For more information about Big Bear, including special mountain biking packages and for details on planning a mountain biking vacation in Big Bear Valley to visit the Big Bear Resort Association's website at www.bigbear.com or call 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR.

Big Bear is an athlete's paradise, with year round special athletic events scheduled including a snow shoe race, multi-sport challenges, mountain bike races, and an annual marathon in the mountains.  Keep up to date with the latest happenings at OpenAirBigBear.com.

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