Park Ride Throws You for a Loop

Chino Hills State Park has become a favorite destination for mountain bikers in Orange County, but many of those riders know only the Telegraph Canyon area, near Carbon Canyon Regional Park.

“A lot of people only ride the west end of the park and don’t really see the rest,” said Steve Willis of the park’s Bicycle Assistance Unit, a volunteer group that helps patrol the park’s trails and assist visitors.

With about 10,000 acres and more than 100 miles of roads and trails, Chino Hills has plenty for cyclists (and hikers and equestrians) to enjoy. On Sunday, an organized group ride will give enthusiasts a chance to explore the park’s eastern area.

“Rolling In the New Year” will offer trail loops of six to 20 miles, with rides ranging from easy to difficult. Willis described the ride as a fun event, definitely not a race.

At the end of the ride, bike accessories and other prizes will be raffled. Riders will pick up tickets (included in the entry fee) at checkpoints along each of the routes.

“The more riding they do, the more raffle tickets they pick up,” Willis said. Lunch is also included in the entry fee.

Proceeds from the first-time event will help pay for trail maintenance and other projects within the park. The ride is sponsored by the Bicycle Assistance Unit, which started as an informal group of local riders and “evolved into a state-sanctioned volunteer group,” Willis said.

All members of the group (limited to 30 members) have first-aid certification and are trained as docents.

Chino Hills State Park, north and east of Yorba Linda, preserves a large swatch of unspoiled rolling hills at the convergence of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. It opened in 1983 after years of lobbying by the volunteer group Hills for Everyone.

Sunday’s event will begin at the equestrian staging area near the park’s main vehicle entrance, off Highway 71 near Corona. Other entrances popular with hikers, bicyclists and horse enthusiasts include the aforementioned Carbon Canyon and Rimcrest Drive in Yorba Linda.

Willis says he hopes that the event, in addition to raising funds for trail projects, will introduce more people to the park. He anticipates at least 200 participants; registration is limited to 400. Helmets are required.

What: “Rolling In the New Year,” mountain bike tour.

When: Sunday, Jan. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Chino Hills State Park.

Whereabouts: From the Riverside (91) Freeway, exit Highway 71 north and drive to Pomona-Rincon Road. Turn left, then left on Soquel Canyon Road, left on Elvinar Road and left on Sapphire Road. Turn right into the Chino Hills State Park entrance, then right at the equestrian staging area.

Wherewithal: $20, includes lunch and at least one raffle ticket.

Where to call: (714) 433-3213.