Description

The so-called "rim trails" at Santa Clara Preserve don't see nearly as much bike traffic as the nearby Barrel Roll and Suicidal Tendencies trails, yet they're every bit as beautiful, and the singletrack is even narrower and more sinuous due to the reduced bike traffic.

There are two reasons that these trails don't receive as much traffic.

One: you need to ride a short stretch of dirt road to reach the singletrack, and thus it many people simply don't know the trails exist.

And two: you must cross a short but steep canyon known as "Cove Wash" in order to reach the singletrack.

This canyon is a hoot as you drop down into it, but many bikers will be forced to push their rigs to get back up the other side. Regardless, after navigating the short stretch of dirt road and the steep canyon, you'll find yourself on the delightful rim trails.

The lollipop loop route shown here follows Rim Reaper to Rim Rambler, Rim Rock, Rim Runner, Rim Rock again, Rim Rambler again, Rim Reaper again, and back to the trailhead via the Cove Wash crossing. When you finally get to the goods, you'll find delightful bike-optimized singletrack that winds along the edges of the mesas, offering spectacular views in all directions.

Some small rock gardens keep the riding interesting, but most of the singletrack is quite smooth and flowing.

Even the rocky bits consist of embedded rock slabs that are easy to negotiate. Be sure to savor your time on the far mesas, as the views are absolutely spectacular! The far southwestern corner of this ride leads to a stunning overlook, which provides the perfect mid-ride snack stop. If this 7.4-mile lollipop route isn't enough for you, you can always choose to loop around the mesas an extra time before you head back.

Or, add on Barrel Run or Suicidal Tendencies, which run in the other direction from the Cove Wash Trailhead.

The choice is up to you!