Russian Ridge
My favorite place to ride to in the Bay Area, Russian Ridge (which includes Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve) is (relatively) easily reached - by mountain bike - by climbing either Dirt Alpine or Windy Hill OSP to Skyline Blvd. You could drive there, too, but then you miss out on a truly exhilarating (and rewarding, after the huge climb up it) descent of Dirt Alpine!
A few of my favorite locales on Russian Ridge are listed below, along with plenty of pictures! (I have a slight problem with taking pictures on my mtb adventures; it doesn't matter how many times I've ridden there, I just keep taking more!)
Hawk Ridge Trail
Not only does this trail give you absolutely spectacular views of the Santa Cruz mountains undulating their way out to the Pacific Ocean, this is an excellent little stretch of supple singletrack that follows the curvature of the mountain. Just don't fall off the edge!
Ancient Oaks Trail
Leading off of Hawk Ridge Trail towards Alpine Road at the eastern edge of the park, Ancient Oaks trail has plenty of, well, oak trees to give you a break from the sun as you climb your way to the top of the ridge (or blast your way to the bottom of Hawk Ridge).
Borel Hill
On top of the world! One of the highest (if not THE highest) points along Russian Ridge, Borel Hill affords views of the entire San Francisco bay, from San Jose all the way to San Francisco, across the bay to Oakland, all in addition to the Pacific Ocean and the undulating top of the Santa Cruz mountains stretching away into the distance!
A few of my favorite locales on Russian Ridge are listed below, along with plenty of pictures! (I have a slight problem with taking pictures on my mtb adventures; it doesn't matter how many times I've ridden there, I just keep taking more!)
Hawk Ridge Trail
Not only does this trail give you absolutely spectacular views of the Santa Cruz mountains undulating their way out to the Pacific Ocean, this is an excellent little stretch of supple singletrack that follows the curvature of the mountain. Just don't fall off the edge!
Ancient Oaks Trail
Leading off of Hawk Ridge Trail towards Alpine Road at the eastern edge of the park, Ancient Oaks trail has plenty of, well, oak trees to give you a break from the sun as you climb your way to the top of the ridge (or blast your way to the bottom of Hawk Ridge).
Borel Hill
On top of the world! One of the highest (if not THE highest) points along Russian Ridge, Borel Hill affords views of the entire San Francisco bay, from San Jose all the way to San Francisco, across the bay to Oakland, all in addition to the Pacific Ocean and the undulating top of the Santa Cruz mountains stretching away into the distance!