The Path's Fall Virtual Ride Series: Week One
Today marks the beginning of the Path Bike Shop’s 6-week Fall Virtual Ride Series, and we could not be more excited to be your virtual guides.
We're kicking it off with Ride #1 taking place in our backyard playground, Santiago Oaks!
To see the routes, head over to Trailforks.com / the app, and search for:
Choose whichever route you feel comfortable with, and save it to My Wishlist, download the track to your Garmin, save it to your favorites, or scan the QR code with your phone camera to open it in the Trailforks app.
The routes are also posted on Strava, on our Path Bike Shop Club page and corresponding event:
https://www.strava.com/clubs/7365/group_events/806399
(Note that we are unable to post multiple routes to the event, unfortunately. Find the link to the intermediate route on Strava in the event comments).
When you get to the trailhead at Irvine Regional Park (Lot C is close to the start of these routes), open the saved route, and use Trailforks or your Garmin to navigate if you're unfamiliar with the trails. On Trailforks, be sure to check out the points of interest along the way to see photos, and more info about features, intersections and other helpful tips!
Ride the route on your own schedule, at your own pace within seven days. You'll have until 11:00 am on Monday, October 5 to complete Ride #1.
About Santiago Oaks:
Santiago Oaks is a classic and well-known trail system in Orange County. The park has multiple options for different skill levels: Stick to the fire roads down in the creek bed to keep in mellow, or take on a more intermediate/advanced ride by heading up towards the ridge on the popular Chutes trail. This network gives a "bike park" feel by having quick climbs and descents.
Parking is available at Irvine Regional Park and it costs $3 Monday-Friday and $5 on weekends.
How the Path Fall Virtual Ride Series works:
We will post the routes on Monday on social media, here on our website and on Trailforks. There will be an easier and a more difficult option to choose from, so you can do whichever you think best suits your riding style.
The routes will be available on Trailforks.com / the app and will include Points of Interest for any direction changes, features that may be a little techy, and other helpful information. Be sure to look at these before you ride so you know what to expect.
Once the ride is posted on Monday, you will have one week to complete the route. Be sure to take pictures and post on Strava or social media using the hashtag #PathRideSeries2020 and tagging @thepathbikeshop so we know you did it! Alternatively, send us an email with a photo and a note about your ride.
If you ride with us every week and post it (or email us) a photo, you will automatically be entered into an end-of-series raffle where you can win some Path merch and other fun prizes! Everyone who participates in each ride of this series will receive something from us at the end as well, as a thank you for riding with us. Be sure to join our Strava Club and follow us on social media so you don’t miss the weekly route announcement. Look for a ride event on Strava each week as well.
We want you to have fun with it, no matter which route option you choose. Scope any lines you want, and go around any features you don’t feel ready for. Also, please be safe and ride within your abilities, getting off to walk when you see a feature you don’t think you can handle. And, since we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, we also ask that you take precautions if you do the ride with a friend.
Trail etiquette and riding tips:
Please ride safely, and be courteous to others on the trail. Remember to yield to other cyclists, hikers, or horses as this is a heavily trafficked park. Hikers and horses have the right of way, and the downhill rider should yield to anyone riding uphill.
There are no options to fill water along the route, so carry lots with you. Be sure to check the weather before you go.
At the top of Chutes there are some tools and a pump in case you need a quick tighten or more air, but be sure to bring a flat kit and any other ride essentials.
Also be sure to keep an eye out for features and ways to get around them if you're not ready to hit it this time. We just want to make sure everyone has fun and uses this as a time to see new trails or by the end of the series go back and feel confident to hit a new section on a trail.
Feel free to add or take away from the routes that we have made. Go at your pace, whenever you want during the week, and enjoy the ride. Don’t forget to post for the week so we know you did the ride.
Until then, happy trails!