Reviewed by: Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers , from Santa Barbara, CA

Summary:
Santa Barbara Trail Information The Santa Barbara front country trails (Tunnel, ColdSprings, etc.) are in danger of being closed to mountain bikes. Recent events, which include irresponsible trail use by mountain bikers and the sabotage or booby trapping of trails by a group of anti-bicyclists are the grounds for these closures. Both of these events have gained the attention of the Forest Service and the media. If you ride here in Santa Barbara, there are some responsible use guidelines that we need you to follow. Your actions are judged by the other trail users and your actions will either help keep the trails open or help shut down your privilege to ride them.

Trail Use Guidelines:
- The Santa Barbara trails are Public Multi-use recreational trails. Be aware that there are other users on the trail. The SB trails are NOT race courses, do not treat them or ride them like race courses.
- Always yield to other trail users. This means that you must come to a complete stop when encountering another trail user. Ask the other trail user to pass by or allow you to pass when it is safe for them.
- Always use a bike bell. The purpose of a bike bell is to alert other trail users to your presence and take the surprise factor out of your encounter with them. The bell does not give you right of way or the license to race. Bells are available in the bell box at the top of Tunnel trail, at local SB bike shops, and at your local hardware or feed store.
- Stay on designated trails. Do not shortcut switchbacks. Someone in the hiking community has been damaging our Los Padre Forest resources by cutting and opening illegal trails. Do your best to stay off these trails. The trails at the end of the powerline road off of ColdSprings and the trail off of the lower right hand switchback of ColdSprings are examples of illegal trails.
- Allow trails to dry for a few days after rain. Riding wet or muddy trails may enhance and exaggerate the erosion caused by water.
- Strengthen the trails that you ride and use, volunteer for trail maintenance events. Find upcoming maintenance events on the www.sbmtv.org website.
* This may sound like a lot, but it only takes a little effort

!The trails are being sabotaged!
For the last number of months, someone has been rolling large boulders onto the trails. Now in addition, 2 to 3 high rock walls are being built across the trail. Both the boulders and the walls seem to be placed on the trail with intent to injure mountain bike riders. We are worried that these booby traps may escalate to wire or more dangerous traps. Be careful going into blind corners as one of these booby traps may be set there for you. Be sure to scan the trail bed ahead for these traps. A small number of riders have already been injured.
The Forest Service has called together a Front Country Working Group to address these issues. SBMTV is cooperating with the other user groups in this process to develop solutions for increased user safety and the reduction of user conflicts on the Santa Barbara trails. Chris Orr
VP Trails, SBMTV
Chris.orr@sbmtv.org
www.sbmtv.org *Your posts to these trail review sites are being reviewed by the anti-bicyclist crowd. How do I know? Because they are using direct quotes from these reviews as ammunition in the push to ban bikes on SB trails

Recommended Route:
Santa Barbara Trail Information

Reviewed by: S-Works , from Santa Barbara

Summary:
I ride this trail all the time and its really great for long or short travel bikes. There are more hikers these days so its a good idea to have a bell. Hardcore uphill for a few miles to Inspiration Point then bomb downhill to stevens park.

Recommended Route:
Ride (on a bike) up tunnel road then up jesusita to inspiration point. Down to Steven's Park.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Tunnel Trail, Romero Trail, Romero Canyon, Gibralter Road.

Reviewed by: Smoking Hole , from Santa Barbara

Summary:
This is a heavily hiked trail. Right now in SB we are experiencing a new conflict between hikers, horses, and bikers. We've managed to use these trails together for several decades without a problem, but now more and more inconsiderate downhillers are risking our trails for all. Hikers and equestrians have many times the political clout of bikers so, if the city is forced to make a decision, BIKERS WILL LOSE THE USE OF THESE TRAILS. Obey the rules: yield to hikers and horses. Don?t get my trail closed.

Reviewed by: Christopher , from Cameron Park

Summary:
This is the sickest trail in Santa Barbara. Maybe not the most technical, but the best for pure fun. The climb at the beginning can be difficult, but the downhill is worth it. After dropping from Inspiration Point, the single track juts off the fire road to the right, about 2 minutes down. Don't miss it or you'll end up at a gate and have to ride back.
I rode this trail at least once a week while attending UCSB. So fun and fast, with great challenges along the way (like the stairs, whew!!) I miss Santa Barbara riding everyday, and when I think about all the trails I've ridden, West Camino Cielo, Lower and Upper Oso, Little Pine, San Ysidro, Cold Springs, Romero, and the ball-busting Divide Peak Loop, I always think back to Jesusita as my #1,all-time favorite.

Recommended Route:
Park above Stevens Park, climb Foothill Road, to Tunnel Road, to the trail head.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
All the riding is great around Santa Barbara!