Skyline Trail at Big Bear

Big Bear Mountain and Big Bear Lake Breweries

Big Bear Lake in California has long held a spot in the history of mountain bike racing. A good place to visualize and learn about that history is at Bear Valley Bikes, a gotta-stop-and-see the trophies, photos, autographs, as well as gotta-stop-and-see a bike shop of yesterday, kind of spot. When you walk through the door, it smells like home for any mountain biker. Toss in the easy-going vibe and friendly, outgoing “hellos” and “what can I help you with” and you have a something authentic that can’t be replicated.

Buy some of Derek’s chain lube while you’re at it.

I could not get my breathing down. Zero rhythm of any kind could be found in my pedaling cadence. Everything was off. Gasp. What the hell is going on? Fifteen minutes into it, I realized: I’m at 8000 feet, having come from sea level.

It hit me.

Keep on a-pedaling and ease off the pace, I told myself. Skyline Trail, 8000 feet high in the magnificent Southern California sky, was reminding me that altitude sometimes creeps up and kicks you in the ass. Usually, I’m okay, but this time, I felt it. Nevertheless, the views kept he spirit high and having the trail damn near all to myself lifted the spirit even higher. I guessed that everyone was riding the ski lift to the top and “bombing” down the mountain.

Traveling west-to-east, the trail conditions were a little on the washed out/deeper sand and DG in some spots, making for some slick turns here and there. I actually slowed down a few times, anticipating that I might slide off the trail if I came in too hot. For this east coaster, learning how to ride the DG in summer is still a process.

Eventually, San Gorgonio came into view. 11,503 feet in elevation, “Old Grayback” is the highest peak in Southern California. I stopped and ate some food and hydrated, taking in the scenery. The plan was to crank on a ways more, having plenty of time to wander. I did, and then backtracked to then go down Pine Knot back to my car.

I had to snap that photo, the No’s catching my eye. Earlier on the ride, one of those “No E-Bikes, No Pedal Assist” signs had been ripped off a post. Hmm? Are we really all one big happy mountain biking community?

Pine Knot is a blast to go down, the lake coming into view nearer to the bottom. Super dry and still at elevation, most of the leaf canopy had not yet greened out, making for a seemingly sick looking forest. Varying shades of drab brown and pine green was the color wheel, with a splash of lake blue.

It’s a heckuva loop to ride when parked at the picnic area and climbing up to the west end of Skyline. Pine Knot as a downhill makes for a great way to end it, followed by a beer at nearby Big Bear Mountain Brewery, which is more-or-less next to Bear Valley Bikes. Note: the brewery is going through a renovation. They should have their own beer on tap in a month or so. They installed a new brewing system. Other local/regional brews are on tap. Check out the wood floors. Original and polished up, almost 100 years old, the floors and the bar itself is a walk back in time. They have live music on the weekends, all 3 days, they say.

In the village, there is Big Bear Lake Brewing Company. They have all you’d need if you’re looking for local beer and solid post-ride food. I had a porter that was all things roasty chocolate without any flavor additives in it. The session IPA was good not great.

Happy summer, everyone! Get out there and ride. Stay safe.

James/Jim/Jimmy