Jeff Kendall-Weed Rides Los Angeles on the Ibis Ripmo

Mar 28, 2018
by Jeff Kendall-Weed  
Views: 28,206    Faves: 238    Comments: 31


Trails in Los Angeles?
Riding LAX With Jeff Kendall-Weed

Photography by John Watson // Video by Logan Nelson // Words by Jeff Kendall-Weed

On the west side of the city of angels, the deep blue ocean meets endless sandy beaches, creating an obvious frontier of sand against water. However, Los Angeles has a second, and lesser known, frontier that lies to the north--and it's one that we mountain bikers can embrace. The second frontier boasts a similar juxtaposition of opposites. A vast set of rugged, alpine mountains borders the LA valley, guarding it from the heat of the parched Southern California desert, making for some unbelievable views and even more unbelievable riding.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Overlooking downtown Los Angeles from over 5,000' atop Mount Lukens.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
The cell service was incredible!

Exploring this northern boundary further, it's possible that within sight of one of the largest metropolitan areas in North America, this hideaway offers more than solitude and abundant wildlife. It's a playground of trails and features that will reward anyone who puts their tacky rubber to the granite.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
One man's trash is another man's sketchy, DIY kicker ramp.

Growing up over 300 miles north in the black dirt and redwood rain forest of Santa Cruz, CA, I never thought much about the mountain biking further south. But, while attending university in San Luis Obispo, CA, my classmates and I would often headed south for races. We'd usually end up well-within city limits, pedaling past backyards and burned-out, junked cars. There had to be something better, we knew. We could see the jagged peaks surrounding us as we sprinted past fast-food restaurants and soccer games. I always wondered if those big peaks had trails…

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Moist, decomposed granite soil is amazing! And there are about 4 million people below us in that sprawling urban jungle below this turn.

Cue the release of a new bike, the Ibis Ripmo. I knew literally nothing about the bike the day it arrived on my doorstep in western Washington on a stormy evening in late February. While my preliminary snowy rides gave me a rough idea of what to expect of the bike, I figured: what better excuse than this new bike to finally commit to a trip exploring the mountains surrounding that city of cement and traffic and movie magic? It seemed fitting. I had a new bike that I had zero prior knowledge of, and a new mountain range to tackle with it. It was time to follow the Hollywood dream, or something like that.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
There are some gems hidden among the steep mountains. Finding airtime thanks to a pile of stones.

Well, to LAX. A quick couple flights transported me from the legitimate mountain bike mecca (albeit a gray and cold one) that I call home near Seattle, to the sun and smog of Los Angeles. Was I crazy? I began to think maybe I was. But upon the final descent into the airport, I could see a fresh dusting of snow on the peaks surrounding LA. The scene looked like heaven--and by heaven, I mean the amazing conditions that moist decomposed granite soil offers.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
As desert as this may look, it's still a lot lusher than the actual Mojave desert.

To make the most of my mission south, I spoke with about a half dozen Los Angeles area riders to ask about the trails. I spoke with about a half dozen in all. While I wanted to include them all in the experience, time was limited. I needed to focus on riding foremost, but also on getting photos and videos. John Watson had shown me some amazing photos, so I figured he'd be a great guy to capture just how rad the bike and the trails could be. John had also shot photos all over the region, so he lent a knowledgeable perspective to the spots we'd ride. Plus, John's background in architecture made him look at the trail within the landscape in a way that only a true connoisseur of design, shapes, and textures could. All of this contrasted nicely with my "send it or leave it" approach. Once we linked up with John, it was on.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
There's just something fun about finding natural jump lines. Bonus points if you can air over the local flora.

As is usually the case, once our knobbies hit the ground, time flew. We initially explored a network of trails near Simi Valley, which had some large sandstone formations overlooking--you guessed it--a freeway! With airplane legs and tired eyes, we rode and shot what we could. As the winds picked up, and temperatures began to drop, we watched the soaring vultures overhead and the random hikers flying drones among the grassy hills.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
When in doubt, air it out. The new bike ended up really liking jumps, and seemed to fetch a surprising amount of distance out of any jump.

We moved on to Mt Lukens, with its massive-for-city-limits altitude of over 5,000 feet. Lukens did not disappoint. We enjoyed the fast turns with their postcard views of the expansive city below us. This is one of the original ideas that prompted the trip to the unlikely destination- the ability to not just ride so close to a major skyline, but to actually see it from our trailside vantage point. The trails were great, too- narrow singletrack, that descends a steep mountain via substantial bench cut, with poison oak consequences for any excessive speeds.

To complement the first couple days, we then began to get more alpine, moving up to Chilao region of the San Gabriel range, where we rode the Silver Moccasin trail. This area is amazing. It's like a Stonehenge of granite, a bit of a playground for anyone with an eye towards air-time and the patience required to find some lines. The trails are fun on everything from a rigid single speed, where simply cleaning the lines would be a challenge, all the way to a modern enduro shred-sled. The modern bike allows for even bigger sends and trail interpretation, though we could definitely understand how a more traditional bike would be a great, fun challenge on the trail as well.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
The view from the Chilao Region- layers upon layers. Legend has it that the region was named after a man who killed a bear with nothing more than a hunting knife. We didn't find any bears, which is fortunate as TSA took our knives.

After a full day on two wheels, we spent the night at Chilao, enjoying good company and the vacation from internet connectivity. While the mountains around us blocked much of the light pollution from Los Angeles, we were actually able to see the stars. Temperatures at these altitudes drop quickly, and we enjoyed discussing the days accomplishments and failures both around the campfire. In the big picture, we were glad that the snow had melted enough for us to ride, leaving amazing conditions. While this trip was not any sort of epic bike packing mission, it was indeed a bit of a push to end multiple days of filming and riding with a night in a tent.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Spinning up to the Silver Moccasin trail, in the proper alpine meadows.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
The possibilities on the granite playgrounds are only limited by your energy, imagination, and risk tolerance.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Chasing shadows down rock spines. Or was that an ancient petroglyph? We didn't stop to examine further.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Why take a race line when there is no race? Riding the trail next to the trail, while never leaving the granite.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Granite is the among the most fun, most forgiving rock, providing ample traction and a smooth surface.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Finding lines, connecting dots.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Protein and carbohydrates, here's a proper camp meal.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Logan tends to the fire. Mr Nelson's professionalism and attention to detail

The following morning, we returned to the sandy trails after the classic camping breakfast of leftovers scrambled with some eggs, and packaged haphazardly in some frigid tortillas, dripping in hot sauce. We had some big tasks on hand, as we had to capture all the shredding that we couldn't fit into the first day at Chilao. This resulted in some extremely sore muscles, but that's par for the course with trips like these. It's always worth it. We did our best to pick up the pieces (or just pick our tired bodies out of our sleeping bags) and pull the infamous tree-ride trials move. But after about 100 failed attempts, we began to risk missing our return flight.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Carving turns is always fun, but it's especially amazing on really, really nice soil.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Perhaps the most overdone trick of 2016, the stoppie will always be a fun challenge.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Taking the high road.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
And the even higher road.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Why do you ride? Is it for fun? Jeff loves mountain biking, and linking high speed, drifty corners is a key part of the sport.

As paradisiacal as it might have seemed to avoid the Washington winter for a few more days, family was beckoning: it's tough to go more than a weekend without reading Sheep in a Jeep or Good Night, Moon with my one-and-a-half year old, even when she demands that we re-read the books again immediately.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
I knew nothing about the new bike when it first landed on my doorstep. I had heard that Ibis' enduro race team had provided a lot of input on the new bike, so I was expecting something very long and slack to help on bike park style race courses. With slacked out, long wheelbase ideas in mind, I was quite surprised when I finally got out on the Ripmo. The back end was indeed short, and the reach was comfortably modern, but the front center felt, to me, much shorter than the HD4 I had been accustomed to riding. This fairly compact front end kept the bike handling more Porsche than Cadillac. That was a pleasant surprise on the tight trails nestled among the Southern California mountains.

We didn't clinch what would have been one final, banger move, but maybe that fits with the spirit of Los Angeles; we went there and did what we loved, but part of the dream was still elusive. As I sat in the two hours of traffic clogging the 36 mile drive to LAX airport, I marveled at the radness of the mountains.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Jeff and Logan taking a break mid-shoot.

Los Angeles--who knew?! You've got amazing mountains, with world-class singletrack crisscrossing down the steep slopes, among the chaparral and rattlesnakes. You've gotnuggets of radness a stone's throw nearly vacant campgrounds in the Alpine within an hour (sans traffic, of course) of downtown. I'm already planning a return trip for next winter.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Los Angeles. YES, there are trails in those mountains!

Trails in Los Angeles? With Jeff Kendall-Weed
Produced by: Jeff Kendall-Weed @jeffweed.
Cinematography: Logan Patrick Nelson @loganpnelson.
Photography and guiding: John Watson.

Supported by: Ibis Cycles, Camelbak, Kali Protectives, & Kitsbow Cycling Apparel.

Jeff Kendall-Weed rides Los Angeles
Follow me on Instagram, subscribe to his YouTube, or follow him on Facebook. Hope you enjoyed this video!


Author Info:
JeffWeed avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2012
26 articles

206 Comments
  • 218 2
 Still the most inspiring, joyful rider I know of. Always a pleasure when you put out new videos. Thanks for another dose of feel-good!
  • 11 1
 Straight Up.
  • 23 5
 I love watching his videos, such a great vibe and amazing riding! So much style. I wonder what’s Jeffs background in riding, he looks like he has had his share of street riding
  • 7 1
 @WAKIdesigns:a strong BMX background from what I know
  • 72 5
 I dunno guys. I don't think 29ers are agile enough.
  • 7 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Trials riding.
  • 7 57
flag qblambda (Mar 28, 2018 at 7:35) (Below Threshold)
 @High-Life: Did you actually watch the video?
  • 33 1
 @qreative-bicycle: Did you actually understand his comment? Wink
  • 8 0
 Has to be in the top 10 happiest people. Even in mid drift or air, all photos, big smile. You can't help but take a bit with you after watching.
  • 2 1
 @High-Life: ya, he really looked awkward and like he wasn't having fun at all on it... Where are all the 26 for lifers?? Ha
  • 3 1
 @bohns1: Jeff would have steeze and a smile on 20" wheels! Smile
  • 3 0
 @cool3: agreed.a rider with his skills and style is immune to bike type. He’s just going to make it do what he wants it to do, no matter if it’s E29 or Blur 4X
  • 1 2
 @bohns1: I'm right here still rocking a brutish 47lb 2010 Pitch....but Jeff is one of those wizard guys, absolutely brilliant on any bike. Aaaaand that is one sick 29'er.
  • 2 0
 @rcrdrvr: ya, the more I see it and read about it.. The more I think it's going to be my next frame..
  • 48 1
 I love the tone of the video. Fun times on a bike. Jeff's got a great style.
  • 16 0
 How he rides like that on four hours sleep is beyond me. I can barely make it down the stairs on four hours.
  • 5 0
 JKW + The Radavist = dudes who place fun at the top of list of reasons to ride.
  • 6 0
 @rrolly: he has a small kid, so he practiced the insomniac riding mode a lot Smile
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: oh man, I don't miss those days!
  • 46 3
 LA sucks for MTB. Don’t come here. Especially Simi, Angeles National forest, Laguna, Santa Monica Mountains.
  • 18 9
 I think the indoctrinated LA people are the only ones who think LA riding is good. Just saying. I'll ride in my back yard while you guys wait in traffic in "paradise"
  • 6 1
 Yepppp. @jcav5:
  • 12 1
 @jcav5: So glad you didn't get his post. LA has terrible trails. Stay away so we can keep them to ourselvesSmile
  • 12 14
 @mexicant: You can have them. The trails are sanitized or they are illegal and you have to poach. I don't want to spend all afternoon waiting in traffic so I can ride a tiny plot of dirt that was too steep to put a strip mall on.

And don't even get me started on Laguna... one good trail (Telonix) and the other (Marie Calendars) is CLOSED?! They built a freeway (73) through the area but having a decent mtb trail is the environmental tipping point?
  • 7 1
 @jcav5: fcn WAAAAAAAA! No worries. Sorry the trails weren’t to your liking. Have fun riding when it’s about 130 out over the next 6 months. You won’t be missed.
  • 25 1
 @youseeus: yeah well my dad could beat up your dad.
  • 5 0
 @jcav5: You're referring to two completely different areas in your posts. Do you hate all SoCal riding?? Because there are a ton of great trails down here.
  • 4 5
 @SeanC1: no there aren’t.
  • 7 4
 California, new town for riding, California nia nia, super cool for Enduro, in the cityyyy, doing my watts, where lots of rich peo-ple, look for KOMs on the Brons-o-ons
  • 3 9
flag jcav5 (Mar 28, 2018 at 22:09) (Below Threshold)
 @youseeus: 6 mo? you keep thinking that. Don't forget that your hour long "average LA commute" gets me half way to Sedona... chew on that for a minute while I hope on the single track at the end of my street. Oh, while you run to home depot after work, fighting with traffic, I'll get a nice long ride in. Enjoy paradise and those income taxes Wink
  • 7 4
 @SeanC1: Yeah, pretty much, my point is that the majority of trails in socal are marginal at best and the only people who love them are the people who don't know any better (the folks who drank the Kali Koolaid and grew up in the areas). When you realize that the areas where your trails exist, are the areas were it was too expensive to put a strip mall 20 years ago, let me know. The trails in SoCal that are built with any imagination are few and far between... dirt road climbs, to straights, avoiding all obstacle, It's not like that everywhere else. And yes, I like arguing, it's the internet, I thought this was what we were supposed to do
  • 4 0
 @jcav5: Commute? Dude I live in La Crescenta. Right between the San Gabriel and Verdugo mountains. I ride to my main trail and drive 5-10 minutes for others. I’ve litterly never sat in traffic to ride and have no idea WTF Home Depot has to do with anything. Keep hating bruh, something really bad must of happened to get here. At least you’re not bitter.
  • 3 1
 @scottay2hottay: yeah, we’ll my Mom with throat punch your mom!
  • 8 2
 @jcav5: Two good trails? You're either ignorant or an idiot flinging shit. I'm guessing both.

BTW- for all the hype your beloved Sedona gets, I found it incredibly beautiful... but hardly mind blowing riding. If you lived in BC and were running your mouth, you might have a point. But no.

Speaking of BC, oddly there are a few pro's from the area that live in S.Cal close to full time. They come for the shitty trails and traffic I guess.
  • 6 6
 @youseeus: I live right at the base of El P myself and moved here from AZ recently...which was a huge mistake. There's nothing in the San Gabriels that can hold a candle to the National/Geronimo/Holbert trio on SoMo in PHX, even though they're much shorter and have far less vert, they're far more technical and challenging than anything in the Gabriels.

And that's just one zone in PHX. In the time it takes to get to OC riders in AZ can be in Sedona or Prescott, where there is REAL open space and healthy nature.

The only challenge to be found in the Gabriels is extreme exposure on poorly routed but perfectly smooth green trails. El P is fun but a hiker trail filled with hairpins, and also mostly a smooth Green trail in other areas. There are other decent trails scattered about, but they all involve hours of driving and have to be shuttled. I get that native born Angelinos love it here. But y'all can have it and it really is sad to see how folks in SoCal don't understand their quality of life is lower by every measure than it would be in any other Western state, especially when it comes to MTB.

There are lots of good spots in LA to ride street style and piss off pedestrians, I'll give you that. Pedestrians in CA deserve to be harassed, and the tent cities should be burnt to the ground. And all the "cute and cool" neighborhoods need to be bulldozed to fix traffic by completely realigning the freeways...so also, F "local control". Sigh....rant over, and yes I'm moving back to AZ as soon as possible.
  • 5 0
 Can we all agree that Santa Cruz is a rad place to ride? Good.

All options considered, and strictly speaking of riding here - not quality of life, So Cal is as good, especially when you factor in variety. You can disagree, but you're probably missing out on huge chunks of riding.

As far as traffic, just don't be an idiot and drive during peak hours. It's not that hard to avoid it.
  • 5 0
 @jcav5: you sound super grumpy. Grab a Snickers.
  • 3 0
 @jcav5: bro you live in Phoenix. Traffic is pretty bad there too. Try again?
  • 2 0
 @RustySaguaro. I’m not questioning the riding in AZ, I’m sure it’s awesome. I just don’t see the point in people ranting about how awful something is that thousands of people enjoy. And quality of life is subjective my friend.
  • 1 0
 @jcav5: Unless you live up against the mountains, then you're golden (:
  • 6 0
 @RustySaguaro: "Pedestrians in CA deserve to be harassed"

Typical transplant douche.
  • 1 1
 @Eatsdirt: I'm going to apply the same logic everyone else is applying:

you must be stupid or dull, if you couldn't find amazing riding in Sedona I feel bad for you. You are the only person who doesn't love the riding in Sedona.
  • 2 0
 @jcav5: I might be both stupid and dull, but for example I found the infamous Hiline to be both short and easy. Like I said, nothing mind blowing. Take of that what you will... but I'll tell you that by the trails you mention, you don't know shit about the good riding in S.Cal.
  • 3 2
 @jcav5: you have no idea kid but it's coo one less hater out of my shred line is fine by me.
  • 3 2
 @youseeus: Dudes a young Troll let him run his mounth from his cow town where tractor racing is the thing on a Saturday night.
  • 2 1
 @jcav5: Lopes and Schley sure seem to be making good use out of the Laguna trail system!
  • 1 1
 @bohns1: The dude is clueless, for sure.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: You forgot the nearly 60K homeless in LA County ALONE.
  • 1 0
 @scvkurt03: When aren't peak hours anymore? LOL
  • 1 0
 @BDKR: I live in the middle of a valley with 1.5 million people in it (which in itself is enough to make me want to move), and 15-20 minutes from tons of riding in every direction. Unless I have to drive directly thru the city, and I don't unless I'm trying to get to Laguna or the Santa Anas, I almost never hit traffic. It's a way of life - you learn to avoid it unless you live on "the other side of the hill" where it's impossible to avoid.
  • 1 0
 @scvkurt03: I'm with you! My comment was more joking around than anything. I grew up down there and am pretty familiar still in spite of how much it's grown up and changed since I first moved out of there in '97.

Now based on your comment, are you relatively close to 78?
  • 1 0
 @BDKR: Nope, I'm in the San Fernando Valley. Good stuff in south OC, hence why I have to drive thru westside/LAX area to get down to it.
  • 1 0
 @scvkurt03: Right on! Keep rippin' it up down there.
  • 19 1
 He is airing over flora, not fauna... didn't see any animals besides possibly the guy himself...
  • 7 0
 Yep! Where was P22?
  • 15 0
 I lived in LA for 5 years and it had surprisingly good riding if you knew where to go. It's not a city that is immediately hands itself to you. You have to learn how to uncover its good qualities like where the good mtn biking and hiking is, the beaches, the music scene, etc.
  • 13 0
 I also lived in LA for about 5 years and agree that it's an amazing city but you have to work for that experience. it still holds a special place in my heart despite growing up in northern california, because when you're born in norcal, they give you a license to hate socal forever.
  • 14 0
 LA is at once one of the greatest and one of the worst places on the planet. On the one hand, I love it, on the other hand, fuuuuuudge that place.
  • 7 4
 Let's be real, LA itself is dogshit; its only redeaming value is the big mountains around it that hold the smog LA makes where it belongs. Luckily for us, there are also rad trails in those mountains.
  • 6 1
 The land is Ok it's like everything else, it's the bungholes that live here that fack everything up.
  • 1 0
 @judgerider348: I don't think it's that LA has any one particular type of bunghole that's screwing things up (although I could be wrong), it's just that there are way too many people living there. I would have loved to see what it was like maybe 100 or 75 years ago. It was probably paradise. Then people heard about this paradise and wanted to be a part -- can't blame them, really. But all those people are why it is the way it is now. It's no one's fault, yet all their faults, but again, who can blame them?
  • 1 0
 @cuban-b: LOL! I grew up in SC and left at the first opportunity to go to Central Coast (Monterey, Santa Cruz). While there was definitely some fun times to be had there (SoCal), I drafted my own hate license by the time I left in '89.
  • 1 1
 @judgerider348: More like the government that runs the city, county, and state. The place has been fleeced and trashed.
  • 20 1
 Always a joy to watch. Another top shelf video Jeff
  • 22 3
 This guy is very close to Chris Akrigg caliber I’d say. Amazing riding!
  • 20 8
 Does a better bike handler spring to mind? Yeah I couldn’t think of one either.
  • 23 9
 I hope you're kidding.
  • 5 0
 Danny Mac, obviously. For my interests, I'll take Jeff's skill set over his.
  • 5 1
 bryn atkinson when it comes to railing corners... would love to have his skills on a bike
  • 17 4
 My name is Jeff. Ken doll. Cannabis.
  • 9 1
 Jeff can get you through times with no money better than money can get you through times with no Jeff.
  • 6 0
 @BenPea: Wise words Senpai.
  • 3 1
 ...My name's Jeff...
  • 2 0
 @mtbikeaddict: good to know!
  • 1 1
 Just realized that could've been taken seriously. That's not my name lol. It's a movie reference. Razz
  • 2 0
 @mtbikeaddict: you're forgiven
  • 9 0
 "reading Sheep in a Jeep or Good Night, Moon with my one-and-a-half year old, even when she demands that we re-read the books again immediately. " That is basically parenting a toddler perfectly summed up in one sentence.
  • 10 0
 Love watching this dude shred but always makes me feel totally inadequate as a rider!
  • 6 0
 Always watch Jeff’s videos and and I am wowed by how relaxed he looks while playing usually with boulders bigger then bikes,smiling,riding on one wheel at a time and the highlight...that front wheel jam where most of us would scream as our face gets planted....he calmly gets body over the bars and lands like a cat on his feet..we all dream of looking that cool on a bike! Great camera work guys.
  • 3 0
 Watching that scene, I was wishing I could ride as gracefully as he crashes.
  • 7 0
 Since Lopes is back on Ibis, how about linking up in Laguna. Bet you two can have quite the session out there!
  • 17 4
 Who wants to hang out or even ride with Lopes tho
  • 7 0
 Oh man, the dude knows how to shred! seems like a great place to test a new bike, i wish i could afford it Smile
  • 10 2
 Always with a smile...as it should be Smile
  • 8 0
 Rad riding as usual from JKW.
  • 4 0
 I've been in LA a year now and i must say finding top quality riding is really hard here. The majority of the trails are hiking trails, with very little rythm, hairpin turns and endless washedout sections. For as impressive as the access is to mountains, finding the trails worth spending a saturday on is no picnic. It's nice they posted some locations to ride but man, most of the trails arent anywhere near as sendy as this video makes them look. Laguna on the other hand.....
  • 1 1
 You just haven't connected with the right native riders here but most like myself keep these jewels a secret...
  • 4 0
 @ELRookie: its not an easy thing to do when you move to a place and know absolutely no one. As someone who exclusively rides alone... it would be really cool to have folks to ride with so i didnt have to waste years of my life riding garbage trails. Trailforks is useful....but very inconsistent in terms of ratings. I've tagged along with a few groups but our riding styles didnt really match up....Just me and google maps i guess.
  • 1 0
 double post*
  • 1 4
 I don't think Laguna is that sendy...definitely one of the only real fun places to ride in the OC, there are one or two decent trails over there, but they are short, and a pita to get to (traffic) and STEEP dirt road climbs are stupid. They COULD cut fun sendy trails, but that's not the nanny state way... and they see nothing wrong with it, because to a CA native, everything they have is the BEST.

@IsaacO shoot me a PM if you want some insight on OC trails, I lived out there for a bit and feel your pain... I got out as fast as I could
  • 2 0
 @jcav5: the trails there arent for everyone, i havent found many(sendy) jump trails aide from one in santa monica...but the trails there actually have berms instead of 180 degree switchbacks and massive boulders mid trail that need to be hiked around. difference between trails designed for hiking and trails that are multi use.
  • 1 0
 @isaacO check out the scoa site for mt Wilson shuttle runs. You will meet cool people to ride with and enjoy the best riding in la.
  • 1 1
 @jcav5: Way to throw them off the scent.
  • 1 0
 @Purpledragonslayer: I rode darkside once but encountered 100+ hikers and a lot of sections of trail that were pretty siwtchbacky. Is frontside better?
  • 1 1
 @jcav5: no bro, if you're with a local that knows all the secret trails around, Laguna is heaven. SO MUCH gnar and steeps, it's just too much fun.
  • 3 0
 Being an LA native, that was great to see. I think LA has much better mountain biking than most people give it credit for. Chilao is my favorite place to ride, it just feels like there are endless possibilities out there. I would definitely recommend riding some of the trails on Mt Wilson if you're coming to LA, though, it has plenty of variety, great views of the city and ~5000 ft of elevation with several ways down the mountain.
  • 5 0
 Great dude, stoked to call him a pal, and absolutely one of my favorite people to ride with and watch ride bikes. Keep the stoke high bud!!
  • 4 0
 Every time I fly into LA I look at the mountains below and wish I could grab a bike and go exploring... always thought it looked like fantastic riding!
  • 1 0
 And it takes your mind off the fact you're about to visit LAX.
  • 4 0
 That new Ibis Mojley is pretty sweet. Can't wait to see how the Mojo 29 performs on the trail. Yep, really looking forward to the new BigMo.
  • 6 1
 "Great riding in Los Angeles. Who knew?"

The city is literally surrounded by mountains lol
  • 3 1
 and IN the city. the santa monica mountains are part of LA. and there are 5K foot mountains less than a half hour away.
  • 2 0
 Seriously with the "Who knew" but I like the fact as a native we know haha'
  • 8 3
 Stop blowing up riding spots in So-cal. They all suck and should be avoided.
  • 4 0
 ATTENTION: Thees Photos are miss leading, LA is Horrible place to live if you mountain bike!! @chrisclifford
  • 2 0
 Completely disagree bro.
  • 8 2
 I love good weed.
  • 4 0
 Damn WeedMan !!!!!! The Ripmo just Sold Out after this Film Dropped !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 "Los Angeles--who knew?! You've got amazing mountains, with world-class singletrack crisscrossing down the steep slopes, among the chaparral and rattlesnakes. You've gotnuggets of radness a stone's throw nearly vacant campgrounds in the Alpine within an hour (sans traffic, of course) of downtown. I'm already planning a return trip for next winter."

We knew. We just like that everyone else thinks the riding is shit and better somewhere else.
  • 4 1
 Loved the No E-Bike decal at the trail post haha' take bull somewhere else and pedal damn-it! Oh' vid was rad too'
  • 1 1
 I see Ebikes in the Gabriels every weekend. Shop in Altadena is pushing them and renting to noobs.
  • 4 0
 Love JKW's videos. Always surprising what you can do on a bike.
  • 3 2
 Lighting a fire in California seemed to me like the most dangerous part of the story. Great lines though. Bike looks awesome. Funny how not long ago people were saying 29'ers where no fun.
  • 6 5
 29ers are no fun.
  • 2 0
 @colincolin: the bike in this video is 29er! But yea that was totally not fun.
  • 2 1
 That was me...until 4 days ago! Two rides on my new 29 amd I am still eating all of my words from the last 15 years! Love the big wheels!
  • 3 0
 @amirazemi: don't feed the troll (me). btw your country's flag looks like the one from the enemy's team at command and conquer or similar.
  • 4 1
 So, judging by the media shots, this bike will totally help me wheelie for days? *pinches self* Damn, I was dreaming...
  • 1 0
 Best JKW vid so far!
Love the LA area.. Traveled that way over 40 times but never did a lot of MTB riding there. It’s about time after seeing this!! Keep up the good work Jeff..!!
  • 2 0
 @JeffWeed
You say the Ripmo feels smaller than your HD4. The geo numbers show the Ripmo being larger in all sizes. What do you attribute that feeling to?
  • 4 0
 Such a shredder, the best pop and crazy transfers....
  • 1 0
 Really love his style, just feeling so right without overcooking anything. I bet it would be amazing for him to do some urban riding in a city with so many possibilities such as LA.
  • 1 0
 Seems having fun on a 29'er may be more a comment on the rider than the bike. Looks like he is having fun to me. One of my favorite riders to watch! Thanks for the video and the stoke to go ride.
  • 3 1
 You can see the water from that high point with the famous LA smog?cool video but I can’t stand LA for more than a few days!
  • 4 2
 Yes! Please don't come! it's horrible especially the mountains! Please don't visit!
  • 1 0
 @ELRookie: baha I’ve already been
  • 1 0
 I just got offered a job in LA, and got dumped on by a few people "oh there's no trails in LA", "why even take your trail bike?", "LA sux". Haters better get up early, cos Jeff just made me a fresh batch of HatorAde!
  • 2 0
 You'll be severely disappointed. None of those trails are accessible without a shuttle or extremely long, steep and soul sucking dirt road climb.
  • 2 1
 @RustySaguaro: yes, you either have to shuttle or climb to be able to descend. is gravity different where you are?
  • 1 0
 @RustySaguaro: Chilao, sure, but then again I wouldn't put the trails up there anywhere near my top 10 LA trails. Wouldn't even make my top 5 trail areas within an hour from where I live. It is pretty beautiful up there, though.

@cheezario Hit me up when you are in town. We'll chat and I'll show you around. If there's shit down here good enough for several EWS pros, it'll be good enough for you. Maybe even Rusty, if he humbles himself a bit.
  • 1 0
 @scvkurt03: Cheers dude!
  • 3 0
 Awesome. Loved his vid of just riding for fun. What a bike handler.
  • 4 1
 I'd love to see him and Kirt Voreis in a game of BIKE.
  • 2 0
 What an absolute machine! Sooo much control. Fan of your youtube channel as well. Keep up the inspiring work!
  • 1 0
 Awesome video gents, all trails selected really sum up riding in Los Angeles, good stuff!....sincerely a dude from "altadena" =)
  • 3 0
 US version of 5150. This guy guys can find fun on a bike anywhere.
  • 1 0
 He's kind of goofy, but I guess that makes a good Youtube personality. I love the way he rides. Finding unique obstacles and not just worried about KOM's! Keep killing it.
  • 2 0
 I'm about to be in LA for a week and hadn't even considered riding. What are the best trails to hit up?
  • 4 0
 Start with the trails in the Santa Monica mountains, just above Brentwood. Plenty of nice trails up there. Shops like Helen's cycles might have maps or use online resources (mtn bike project, trailforks, etc.). If you're willing to drive out to Pasadena, the strawberry peak loop is great
  • 3 0
 @0gravity: agree. sullivan canyon and westridge are pretty fun. take the side singletrack trails that have fun punchy climbs and descents.
  • 2 0
 Above Altadena - climb Echo mountain to Sunset trail to El Preieto Trail. Best route around.
  • 1 0
 you might want to check if there are still shuttles up to Mt Wilson/Mt Lowe. Used to be a few guys running shuttles up there, but i dunno about now. it's a great ride. here are some pics i took a while back: www.pinkbike.com/photo/9652337
  • 1 0
 @cuban-b: There are still shuttles
  • 1 0
 @tacoman93 what kinda bike will you have?
  • 6 4
 Fake News! There is no "real" riding in Socal, there are too many people and it is all paved anyway!
  • 2 0
 Stoked to try out one of those new Ripmos at Outerbike-Moab next weeknd! I'm certain it'll make me ride just like JKW-Ha!
  • 2 0
 Jeff you make me want to ride my bike!! Please join us for the Giro down in SLO this year!
  • 3 0
 To me he's doing like 2/3 of Ibis' marketing
  • 1 0
 Is it just me, or does it seem like every time he is jumping it looks like it's CGI, because he is flying like an eegle? He is seriously pushing it! See ya', gotta' go ride!
  • 1 0
 Sweet riding, now I'm too lazy to go to work, just wanna ride. Socal weather, all year riding.
  • 2 0
 Guy can ride a bike for sure !!
  • 1 0
 Pretty nice riding, filming and editing - and some sweet photos as well - great job, really enjoyable to watch! Smile
  • 3 1
 Dammit! Now I want to go to LA
  • 2 0
 Great still shots too! Well done on the photography!
  • 2 0
 Great Vid! Awesome skills!
  • 3 1
 that's a 29er right? unbelievable!
  • 2 0
 Good work you 3. Sick vid, good pics and well, Jeff knows already.
  • 2 0
 His like.. has the best riding style.. big fun Jeff.5 star.
  • 2 0
 The kicker was sweet, and front wheel drop to transfer was mint!
  • 2 0
 That was a awesome video to wake up to.
  • 2 0
 Pics of Landcruiser, please....
  • 2 0
 Well I just got schooled on how to ride my own trails. Dang.
  • 1 0
 More cameras need to be on JKW's riding. Just sick riding. His POV camera videos are just an injustice to his riding skills.
  • 1 0
 Cool, i rode those SoCal trails on my BMX in the '80s. Lots of small air opportunities.
  • 2 1
 Logan Confusing the f out of me
  • 2 0
 Nice shots John
  • 3 1
 Fyi that ain't Altadena
  • 1 0
 Good to see this guy fly true are trail ????????????
  • 2 1
 Cruising for some butt buzz, there Jeff :-)
  • 1 1
 Great a rider as he is, would he choose to try and ride MTB trials on this bike? I've watched his other videos and I'd wager a few beers he would not. And the riding would look even better on a more nimble bike. Kudos on great riding and a great advert for Ibis.
  • 2 0
 Nice!
  • 1 0
 brilliant to watch! that guy can ride a bike! sick as!
  • 1 0
 Cool vid, and photo's, and of course, some rad riding..I love L.A...haha
  • 1 0
 What the huck did I just watch? So much style in one video!
  • 2 0
 #ridingpacksrcoolagain
  • 1 0
 Man, that looked like so much fun. That is what bike riding is all about!
  • 1 0
 guy shreds! GREASY!
  • 1 0
 Looking fun Jeff!
  • 1 0
 BMX street
  • 1 0
 Was that a diesel fj80??
  • 1 0
 Does her up tight.
  • 1 0
 Suspension set at Firm
  • 1 0
 Song name ?
  • 1 0
 Great all around
  • 1 1
 if only he was more skillful
  • 1 0
 You steezy m'fer
  • 1 0
 SICK L.A. RIP BUDDY!!!
  • 1 1
 Wow, next level of shredder, just brilliant .
  • 1 0
 More WEEEEEEEED
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