Riding Gravel in Orange County, CA

Any reason why there isn't a regional thread for California?  

I've got a ride that starts in Irvine that goes through Boomer Canyon, El Moro, and to Laguna for a quick dip in the ocean and then ride back up the 133 and through Boomer again.  Mostly dirt with a little adventure mixed in.  We're calling it the Dirty Thirty Adventure Ride.  Takes off on Sundays at 7:30am from Springbrook Park in Irvine.  The pace is pretty relaxed but some of the climbs are steep in Boomer so rider beware.

LMK if you're interested.  We also have Jamis Renegades available for demo, I know a guy  

Sip & Dip Dirty Style

+1 on the need for a Cali section under the Regional heading!  

Re the dirty Sip & Dip: You might spend less time on the 133 (deadly Laguna Cyn Rd.) by heading back up Willow to Laurel and return via Serrano Ridge to Quail Hill.  A bit of steep climbing at the base of Willow but a more interesting dirt route and you won't have to repeat Bommer ridge and canyon.  Trails are in great shape now that we've had some rain!

Thanks for the tip!  I've been eyeing it up for some time but I'm also trying to keep the ride welcoming for "beginners".  Is it nasty steep?  I might give it a try this weekend.  Be cool to see you out there!

There's a short steep pitch at the start of Willow, but the rest is not quite as bad as the climb out of Bommer to the 73.  That and the up and down on Serrano would certainly make your "Dirty 30" a true 30 and probably over 3k climbing.  

A less demanding alternative would be to take the Stagecoach Trail (single track) from the Ranger Station parking lot on Laguna Cyn Rd until just after the 73 where you can rejoin the 133.  To avoid the 133 you can continue on the Stagecoach single track to the Nix Nature Center on a section that's technical on skinny tires but very fun!