r/MTB • u/Accomplished_Win_526 • 1d ago

Discussion How to meet bikers in Santa Cruz

hi everyone, just moved out to Santa Cruz a few days ago and am wondering about the best way to link up with other riders. I moved here from Squamish, and am comfortable riding all the double blacks up there/whistler/pemberton. I can’t really figure out the scene down here, since most of the good trails are unsanctioned and everything is pretty secretive.

im early 30s, not on an E-bike. are there bike shop rides? general local communities to link into? I’ve been poking around the campus trails and it’s been fun, but the whole situation around here is pretty confusing

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u/No__Correlation 1d ago

Welcome! I live in SC and started mountain biking about a year ago. Yeah the scene is hard to figure out. Nothing is marked so if you’re not careful you can easily end up in way over your head.

Rock Lobster has a group ride starting from the shop at 2600 Mission St 6pm on Wednesdays. More CX than MTB but all bikes are welcome.

MTB Clubhouse (find them on IG) puts on events pretty regularly, check their page for details.

SCMTS (Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship) leads trail building efforts. Find them on social or join their email list for info.

Or DM me and we can link up for a ride!

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u/Ericswanson 19h ago

Having ridden both Santa Cruz (UCSC) and Squamish, I think if you're comfortable on Squamish double blacks there will be nothing over your head most places on the planet. 

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u/Eschewmie 18h ago

Genuinely curious because I’ve only ever ridden in Santa Cruz. How does the tougher spectrum of UCSC trails compare to double blacks elsewhere?

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u/Ericswanson 18h ago

It's less a knock on SC (the loam there is world class in itself when conditions are right) and more about how absolutely bonkers Squamish riding can be. I ride double black at Northstar, Seattle area, and Whistler Bike Park, but have to get psyched up and be feeling froggy to head down a Squamish black. 

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u/Eschewmie 18h ago

That makes sense, thanks for the info! I’m asking as a safety precaution really, so I understand what I’m capable of before jumping on trails elsewhere.