Lollipop XC Loop Part 1: Strawberry Peak | Los Angeles Mountain Biking

We call it the Lollipop Loop because the map looks like a lollipop. It took us 6.5 hours to complete that day, with temperatures reaching over 40C (104F). I was riding with reigning XC Marathon State Champion Josh Tootell. This was a good training day for me before heading to the Swiss Epic where we had to ride a similar loop 5 days in a row.
The part in the video is the Strawberry Peak Trail which goes the scenic route around the mountain peak of the same name. That trail is doable on its own starting at the junction of highway 59 and highway 2. But for us, starting from JPL in Pasadena, it took us 3 hours to climb where the video starts.
We climbed via Gabrielino Trail, which is a beautiful single track connecting JPL to Switzer Camp. But I gotta say this is a very difficult trail to climb with many dismounts in back-to-back technical sections. It doesn't look that long on the map, but you burn a lot of energy per km just to keep moving there.
Part 2: • Lollipop XC Loop Part ...
Part 3: • Lollipop XC Loop Part ...
🌎 Location info
Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Ride map → / strava
❤️ Brands supporting my mountain biking season
Team Dream → bit.ly/teamdre...
Bike Improve → bit.ly/bikeimp...
Nir Wheels → bit.ly/nirwheels
Speed Evolution → bit.ly/speedev...
Kenda Tires → bit.ly/kendaboo...
🍩 Follow me
Blog → / thebikecomesfirst
Strava → / strava
TikTok → / bengoyette
Instagram → / bengoyette1
Facebook → / bengoyette1
👍 Like & Subscribe
I post long uncut pov videos at 60 fps
#xcmtb #xco #xc #mountainbike

[@BRICH123]

that switchback and shaved dirt section at 25:13 was super tough. Nice work guys!!

[@RickPiper1]

Great video. I've wanted to ride Strawberry for a long time. That exposure though. You guys make it look too easy. Keep up the great work.

[@bengoyette]

I hope you give it a try. It's a fun one.

[@mtbmadman011]

Awesome job! You guys will be sleeping good tonight. I ride loop from Switzers and it takes me 5 hrs. Cant even imagine from JPL…Thats a serious climb up to switzers in itself. Ride on! Good luck !

[@bengoyette]

Great work! It’s a big climb from Switzers to Strawberry. Then there’s a lot of climbing on Strawberry too. Not an easy loop.

[@Michael-h6g]

Great pace

[@radiocontrolled9181]

Too dangerous for my liking those scary vertical drops just one foot off the trail. One distraction or small mistake and no more biking for your entire life. Well done for your braveness but for me there is a red line limit for danger to pleasure ratio which I won't go over.

[@nicks8026]

This is the essence of riding in Southern California. Don’t get me wrong, the exposure scares the crap out of me too, but you’ve got to learn to deal with it if you want to enjoy some of the best trails in the region.

[@JoshuaTootell]

Such a great ride, amazing trails. More trainer material 😋

[@bengoyette]

Definitely! I was able to recover the crash footage from the memory card hehe. It'll be in Part 3 🙃

[@JoshuaTootell]

Awesome @@bengoyette !

[@Wildkamote]

What camera were you using

[@bengoyette]

HERO10 Black

[@tommyduke7104]

Hi Ben, Tommy here from Australia. Just started watching your clips yesterday. Great footage and very motivational. Didn't know California was so dry and hot. Im a ex road racer turned xc racing this year. All the best with your races.

[@bengoyette]

Hi Tom 👋 Thanks I’m glad you like them. Yes Southern California is very dry. Loose and dusty is what we ride the most here.

[@danwilliams783]

Awesome Ben! Wish i had trails like that on th east cost. Makes me want to pack it up and hit the road.

[@bengoyette]

In the Alps they have the east coast dirt conditions but with that type of elevation. Best of both coasts.

[@dev-on-bike]

It looks like u have trust in your skills & hardware :)

[@bengoyette]

We have to

[@martinlange1981]

Thx Ben Cam!

[@bengoyette]

😆 my pleasure