Cyclists Can Pack Into Caspers

Mountain biking has come to be regarded as a sport for rugged individualists. While road cyclists glide by in dense packs, often all outfitted in the same jerseys, mountain bikers grind their way up hills and along rutted fire roads one at a time.

Lately, however, group events have become more common in Orange County, especially with the recent opening of two large wilderness areas to mountain bikers and other trail users--but only in docent-led groups. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, a county park, and Limestone Canyon, a future county park now operated by the Nature Conservancy, are open for weekly group rides by reservation.

A special group event is planned for Caspers Wilderness Park on June 5, in recognition of National Trails Day. Separate rides will be offered for different ability levels, ranging from six miles with one climb for novices to 20 miles and “many climbs” for advanced cyclists. There will also be a group ride for equestrians.

The event will help show the skeptical that “riding in small packs is not necessarily a bad thing,” said organizer Patrick Henry of the Orange County Trails Coalition. “It’ll show people that the group format is not as bad as it sounds.”

Groups will range from about 12 to 24 riders. “The packs will spread out fairly quickly,” Henry said. “What we’re trying to do is have a little fun on the dirt.”

Billed as the Trails Awareness Fun Ride, one of the event’s aims is to build recognition of growing volunteer efforts to build and maintain riding and hiking trails in county parks. The county government, pinched by budget constraints, has turned increasingly to volunteers for help in maintaining and even building trails.

The Orange County Trails Coalition, which consists primarily of mountain bikers, is just one group that has answered the call. Many other volunteer groups, ranging from SHARE to the Sierra Club, are supporters of the June 5 event, along with bike shops and manufacturers. Along with the Trails Coalition, the major event organizer is the county department of Harbors, Beaches and Parks.

Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase trail-building equipment.

The day will start at 7:30 a.m. with the advanced riders, defined as those who can climb most trails without walking. Intermediate riders (those who have ridden off-road six to 24 times in the past year) will leave on a 10-mile ride at 8:30 a.m. Novices (those who have ridden six times or less in the past year) will depart at 9:30 a.m.

Equestrians will leave at 10:30 a.m. on a ride of six to eight miles.

Routes will be well-marked and patrolled and will include aid stations. Henry said bicycle riders will be done by about 11 a.m. The $25 entry fee for cyclists will include a T-shirt, refreshments, a raffle and entrance to the park. The fee for equestrians is $17. Because of park restrictions, no one under age 18 can participate or enter the park.

There will be no day-of-event registration. Regular mail-in registration will end Saturday. Registration will be allowed through June 4 at selected bike and equestrian shops. Call for information.

* What: Trails Awareness Fun Ride.

* When: June 5, with rides starting at 7:30 a.m. (for advanced cyclists), 8:30 a.m. (intermediate cyclists), 9:30 a.m. (novice cyclists) and 10:30 a.m. (equestrians).

* Where: Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park.

* Whereabouts: From Interstate 5, exit at Ortega Highway and travel east for 7.5 miles. The park will be on the left.

* Wherewithal: $25 for cyclists, $17 for equestrians.

* Where to call: (714) 890-3925 or (310) 494-4021.