Pioneertown Gravel Grinder

This ride starts at Pioneertown and takes you 35 (or optionally 50) miles across the desert floors and valleys, up steep and rocky jeep roads, and straight up into the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear. In Yucca Valley, you pass through a variety of ecozones starting with long stretches of Joshua Tree laden paths and then you work your way up scenic jeep and mining roads to the drier, colder and often snowy mountain climates at 7000ft.

The climb up is a grueling 3-4hr, 4000/6000ft grinder that is not for the faint of heart! In some places, the sand is deep, the rocks are big, and there are a number of “hike-a-bike” climbs.  The good news is that after the climb, you’ll hit the turn around point at 17.5 (or optionally 25) miles and you’ll enjoy miles of fast and pedal-free descending all the way back to Pappys & Harriet’s, where we’ll have food, beer and a little celebration.

The Perfect Bike?

This is the best part – there is no perfect bike for this ride! Cross-bikes will fly on the fast, flowing fireroads. Mountain bikes will cruise by you in the sandy sections.  And all-mountain bikes will blow everyone away on the fast but super-gnarly jeep roads headed out of the mountains. Choose your weapon wisely!