How's Big Bear this time of year?

[Iceburg98]

Hey guys,

I was thinking of possibly riding up from SD through Idyllwild to Big Bear and hit Rim of the World this Sunday...

Does anyone that lives up near there know how the weather/traffic has been? I've heard everything from sunny skies to thunderstorms... and I know BB gets crowded during the winter, but have never been up there during the summer...

I know it's a holiday weekend too, but will BB see that much increase in traffic this time of year?

Thanks

[blndweasel]

While you're at it, if someone's passing back news about the conditions at BB, how's the DH MTB riding this time of year?

Cheers

[sandie]

yeah, traffic will suck...but the weather should be nice!

[curley]

sandie's correct...traffic up the front side will be horrible - if you want a nice ride try going up the "side" route ( Hwy 38)....
I10(east) to Tennessee St.(north- left turn?) to West Lugonia ( east - rt turn) - W.Lugonia turns into 38 - get gas while you're in the flat lands (I think Mentone is your last chance) - nice ride up the mountain - stop at Angeles Oaks -get something cool to drink - if traffic is still bad - turn around and go home - if not, you'll climb to a horse power zapping 8000 ft at the Onyx summit. You'll end up at the far east side of town - turn left - take it until you see signs for 18 - suggest you turn right - go down the back side ( very tight) to Lucerne Valley - take Bear Valley Park Way north ( turn left) until you hit the Fwy - take the slab home ...have fun - watch out for the Motorhomes and trailers!

[Punkbrad]

Highway 18 up the back is fun, very tight. its prolly 80+ up there. i stayed last weekend in my GF's parents cabin right by bear mountain, and it was friggin hot and i got sunbuned. we went to a concert on the hill of snow summit, and there were TONS of mtbikers on the hill, donning full protective gear, and taking the chairs up and bombing down!

call snow summit or go online for conditions, im sure its bitchin weather up there right now.

[blndweasel]

Originally posted by Punkbrad
there were TONS of mtbikers on the hill, donning full protective gear, and taking the chairs up and bombing down!

Tha's what I'm talkin' about! the best part about DH is using the chairs...

[Punkbrad]

Originally posted by blndweasel
Tha's what I'm talkin' about! the best part about DH is using the chairs...

ive done that a lot when i was a younger lad, and had a Trek Y full suspension bike.

now im old and have a Jamis hardtail, not the same. but theres something about strapping on a full face Troy Lee helmet, chest protector, shin & elbow guards and destroying miles of trail at high speeds, better than drugz man....

:eek:

[racinteach]

interesting about he MTB thing...after the law suits up there...the hill was closed to full downhill mtbs...(long travel) no more downhill mtb racing at summit..even the XC was made to go around the summit face...have a house up there...so we usually get the notice of things like this...My bother is a pro XC racer , so we follow the circuit pretty close...Ithink as long as your bike has no more then 5 "of travel you are Ok...also call caltrans for road info..big rumor is the front will be closed (caltrans repairs)and all traffic is being rerouted...

[sr9004u]

Originally posted by curley
sandie's correct...traffic up the front side will be horrible - if you want a nice ride try going up the "side" route ( Hwy 38)....
I10(east) to Tennessee St.(north- left turn?) to West Lugonia ( east - rt turn) - W.Lugonia turns into 38 - get gas while you're in the flat lands (I think Mentone is your last chance) - nice ride up the mountain - stop at Angeles Oaks -get something cool to drink - if traffic is still bad - turn around and go home - if not, you'll climb to a horse power zapping 8000 ft at the Onyx summit. You'll end up at the far east side of town - turn left - take it until you see signs for 18 - suggest you turn right - go down the back side ( very tight) to Lucerne Valley - take Bear Valley Park Way north ( turn left) until you hit the Fwy - take the slab home ...have fun - watch out for the Motorhomes and trailers!


This is the only way to go

[Iceburg98]

Hmmm...
Maybe I'll skip it this weekend due to the traffic...

I might hit it up in a few weeks though if someone who is more familiar with tha area wants to meet up somewhere...

[MoreMyk]

A big bear walks in to a bar and sits on a stool. The bartender asks what he is drinking and the bear replies...

"I will have um.......................a beer."

The bartender looks confused and ask's

"Why the big pause?"

The bear replies...

"they've always been that big.":hehe:

[Iceburg98]

HAR HAR HAR :rolleyes:

[Sasquatch]

As a mountain resident, I would definitely recommend staying the hell away this weekend. The combination of heavy traffic (consisting mostly of slow, nervous flatlanders) and grumpy, impatient locals usually results in bad conditions for motorcyclists.

The MTB scene gets kinda crowded during the summer holidays as well. There are some groovy rides to be had, but they require significant climbing, and knowing how to find them. The real problem? Locals like me guard them like Fort Knox. I swear - I'm sworn to secrecy. The trick is to find the Bear Valley Bikes guys on a weeknight after a ride and buy them beer - they'll show you a lot.

On that note, I'm gonna spend my holiday bombing some gnarly B.C. shit.

Ride Safe!

[sherides'em]

Good to know... I was thinking about heading up there for a night this weekend, as Ive never been to Big Bear in the summer. Guess Ill wait for a non-holiday weekend.