San Juan MTB Trail - We did the climb. It hurt. We did the downhill. It was rad!

Today, Matt and I climb up the San Juan Trail so that we can enjoy the incredible views and long descent.
The San Juan Trail is definitely not one for beginners, but if you have some experience, good climbing and descending stamina, this trail has some awesome payoffs.
The views are spectacular and the descent is long and varied. With chunky rock gardens, flowing sections, and ample opportunities to hone your switchback skills, San Juan is a SoCal classic.
I experience some muscular difficulties toward the end of the climb, but my patient riding buddy, Matt, never made me feel bad. Mountain bikers like Matt remind me what a good human is like. And I try to be like that. 🤘🏽
Check out my OTB shirts!
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MY GEAR
Tasco Gloves
Tasco Gloves: tasco-mtb.kckb.st/mtbalan
Sierra Multitool
9be4b876.kckb.st
GoPro Hero7 Black
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GoPro Hero5 Session
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Fox Proframe Helmet (M)
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IXS Flow Zip Knee Pads (M)
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[@seanwalsh3052]

Anybody else think Matt was wearing a crop top the whole time?

[@mtb_alan]

😆😆😆

[@matthewpalmer8958]

Suns out tums out! 😂

[@mtb_alan]

😆

[@MTBMOR]

LOL just noticed that. I don't think I can watch now that I read this comment

[@TheOutsiderMTB]

Nice one man! I don't think lot of people know how tough this trail is up and down. It's misshaped, loose, and punishing for sure. Can't wait to get back on it - let's do doubles! Great watch as always my friend. Glad our stickers are keeping each other company too.

[@mtb_alan]

Yeah dude. It’s a grinder for sure. I mostly went up there to carry my sticker and put it next to yours. 😆

[@azdirtlife4280]

OMG on a scale of 1 to 10 this bromance is an 11 🤣🤣

[@mtb_alan]

🌹

[@mkushin]

One of our favs! Lots of hikers so a bell is smart for anyone considering hitting this!

[@mtb_alan]

It’s a good one.

[@RMATRO22]

My son and I rode San Juan a few weeks ago for the first time and it was as tough ride. The ride was more than I expected, but stoked to have chance to ride it. Your video capture the punishment perfectly.....LMAO!! Keep up the great work and look forward to your next video.

[@mtb_alan]

LOL! Yeah...it's a grind! Next time I'm shuttling. 😆

[@rualert1602]

I get it about the cramps. The only way I can ride in comfort is by stretching out before riding. A physical therapist or even your friends can help you devise a plan before riding. Daily stretching will help you get through every day.

[@tomf3713]

On your descent at 5:21 that rock outcropping is a good place for a break. Lunch rock can get hot and crowded. Don’t chase up the hill and you will enjoy yourself, and the best part of the ride is to the top or the lollipop.

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks for the tips! I may do the climb again *not* in summer heat and include the lollipop.

[@bcbmtb9748]

Ain’t no shame in the walking game 🤙🏽

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks!

[@mtb_alan]

The San Juan Trail definitely challenged my body. Strangely, I was never mentally strained. I don’t mind the grind, and I want to improve my pedaling stamina. I have a lot of appreciation for the kind of stamina that Matt has. I may never come close to his level, but it’s all about progress right?

[@Planetone.]

Just gotta be willing to put in some good time in the saddle along w/ some good ole climbing. You got this💪I just rode that trail for the first time 2weeks ago, I did what you call the lollipop loop, man that downhill from Cocktail rock down to the parking is so much fun. Cant wait to go back! Hey Alan try Strawberry peak in the San Gabriel's that's a cool trail to ride one of my favorites!

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions! Definitely appreciated San Juan. I was the victim of my love of Snow Summit and the lifts! 🤘🏽😆

[@craigaguilar3932]

Pack some mustard packets. It totally works for cramping. They’re free at any fast food joint. I’m no doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn express last night.

[@mtb_alan]

I’ve heard this one before. I’ll have to give it a try. Yeah...it’s a trip that there’s still no real understanding of what causes muscle cramps.

[@azdirtlife4280]

I want to do that trail 🕺🕺. BUT, I want a shuttle 😁

[@mtb_alan]

So you just want to do the climb part right? 😆

[@azdirtlife4280]

@@mtb_alan yea that's what I was saying. Ride up and shuttle down 🤣🤣

[@wag4x6]

DUDE! Shuttling that trail is waaaaaay better, approx 12.5 miles, 3500ft of decent with only about 800ft of climbing!

[@mtb_alan]

LOL! Erbody hatin' on the grind! 😆 But yeah...I dunno how many more times I'll do that climb...at least not in July! 😅

[@wag4x6]

Lol...never in July!. Are you going to Crafts& Cranks?

[@mrmanny]

Love the StarWars reference, and the 3 lives...Hilarious :) Thanks for Sharing.

[@mtb_alan]

Ha! Glad you dug that! 😆

[@marloncordova9006]

Hey brother this is the guy who complemented you at SKYLINE about how cool the bontrager pack was. Quick question: what setting do you use on your go Pro ( frames per second) and how wide are your bars?

[@mtb_alan]

Yo! Good to meet you! Sorry I didn't get to chat with you more. *GoPro settings:* Protune on, flat color (I color grade in post) | 30fps 4K Superview Hope that helps!

[@heme11]

Felt this one! It's something about the big rides that really give it to you. Nice job on SJT she's a tough lady.

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks man!

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Haven't rode San Juan in a while. Took my new 5010 there for a maiden voyage. Awesome vid! Keep up the great rides. I'm sure I'll see you at The Path or the trails

[@mtb_alan]

Heck yeah! Will do. 👍🏽

[@chrisnelson6991]

9:53 The tired missed switch back. I'm not sure I invented that move, but I perfected it! Looks like a great ride, thanks for sharing.

[@mtb_alan]

LOL! Well, on that one, I just came in too hot. 😁 Glad you dug the vid. Was definitely a day to remember!

[@BrianVaughn]

That climb looked rough. The one big climb to one big descent is something I'm glad I don't have to do. Did a couple of those on my last trip. Couple big climbs to too short descents.

[@mtb_alan]

Sometimes it’s good for the soul to suffer the cost! 🤘🏽😆

[@alex1231235]

Alan, you’re a trooper! 🤘🏻

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks for saying so! 🤘🏽

[@marloncordova9006]

No way brother your content is well appreciated you're a very real person and I trust your judgement about the trails and appreciate the honesty I don't usually buy anything unless I do all kinds of research but when you reviewed that pack I didn't even bothered and bought the "manpack" lol... as soon as I got done watchingn your review please don't ever change you you're content is unique.

[@mtb_alan]

Dang dude! Thanks for saying this. I'll stay true. Gimme a shout next time you see me. Let's get a lap!

[@andyginther8562]

Props on heavy pedal up. Trail looked like stucco at times, eek! Pool at bottom looked so nice!

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks! Yeah...decomposed granite. Not the easiest to hold traction on. But it’s good to grind to sharpen the soul. The pool and canned beverages were a nice ender. 🤘🏽

[@jeffharden2797]

Last time I road there, I went past cocktail rock and did a big loop to get back to it. Literally fainted while I was riding and woke up on the ground...it was so hot. Good times!😆

[@mtb_alan]

Oh dang. Glad you didn’t die.

[@Masi22isaM]

I miss this trail so freaking much. For sure a grind but the climb from cocktail rock to the campground isnt that bad and its really nice up there.

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks for the tip! Where you at such that you can’t ride San Juan?

[@Masi22isaM]

@@mtb_alan No problem at all..... Im up in Ventura County now.... Grew up in Huntington beach and hit this trail 3-4 times a month for over 5 years. It's not that far per say from where i live now...but i would dread that drive home after a good ride. It takes me 1.5 hours just to get to HB now with the garbage LA traffic....and that's pretty much half way.

[@mtb_alan]

Copy that. Yeah...I'm always making drives pre and post rides. I gotta prep with a change of clothes and bevis in a cooler.

[@Esteb858]

That looks tough but fun! I believe the parking ticket fine is the same price as an adventure pass so you don't have to worry about it.

[@mtb_alan]

Yo! Definitely a grind, but worth it. Yeah...it's kinna not even a ticket. It's like a "hey, you didn't buy an adventure pass. Here's an envelope so you can buy it." So cool!

[@stevedaigle3384]

Was cool being 3,000mi from home and bumping into you. Wish we had more time but crutial shuttle math error with our cooler. Huge %#&%!@# save Alan and Matt, thank you much for the hospitality!!!

[@mtb_alan]

Heck yeah man! Was stoked to meet you guys! Hope Cali treated you well. Anytime!

[@dad_hacks]

So it looks like you just did the lower half, correct? Cocktail rock to the bottom? I want to get shuttled up and do the whole thing but cant decide between new and old san juan. What do you think?

[@mtb_alan]

I'm not sure what the diff is between old and new San Juan. But yeah, we climbed up just to Cocktail and descended from there.

[@kcrides761]

Nice ride🤙🏽🚵🏽‍♂️

[@mtb_alan]

🤘🏽

[@drewsenthused6079]

Tight tricky trail, terrific! Do you ratchet around the switchbacks? I've found that to really help. Hope your legs grow back!

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks Drew. Going up switchbacks, I try to have momentum or just grind. But I’ll give ratcheting a try. Ha! Yeah...the legs. It’s weird. There never super tired or very sore afterwards. They just cramp up. Gotta do some work. 🔨

[@edwardchen9475]

Good riding! I love San Juan but I’m horrible at those switchback descents.. 😭

[@mtb_alan]

Ha! Yeah...those switchbacks are not joke.

[@wadesafool]

Glad you went swimming at the end of the video cuz I was overheating just watching it 😂

[@mtb_alan]

Ha! Yeah...if I do that again, it won't be in July.

[@allcapsboy9139]

STOP FALLING *NO OFFENSE* NICE MATT NICE VID

[@mtb_alan]

THANKS MATT

[@JamesStoup]

New bikes aren't supposed to squeak (heel on the chainstay is a "likely" story). You should return it and get a new bike instead.

[@mtb_alan]

LOL! Good call. I'll dig up my receipt. 😁

[@marloncordova9006]

Thanks brother, I'm always at skypark on Saturdays hopefully we can get to ride together some time. Hey just a quick idea: It would be cool to make a video of your personal struggles you ran into as a mtb KZbinr trying to get your name out there (setbacks, editing footage, getting more comfortable speaking your mind, how you came up with your mission statement and all the captions you input, the initial input wether good or bad etc...) I think this could help alot of people relate to the struggle.

[@mtb_alan]

Yeah man! Gimme a shout if you see me up at Skypark! You hit the new Session Jump yet? I like that idea. I've thought about doing similar things, but I still feel like I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to being a KZbinr. 😆I also wondered how many people would be interested in the process. Thanks for suggesting this. Maybe I am undervaluing my KZbinr experience. 🤔

[@theforruner117]

Hey, what's the song in the beginning?

[@mtb_alan]

It's "Oblique" by Dylan Sitts. Hope that helps!

[@mphmtb]

Sweet video. My other half swears by magnesium supplements to stop cramp. May be placebo but worth a go. 👍

[@mtb_alan]

Copy that. I'll try that. Prolly also helps with some PRDs. 😆

[@roytorresperena7939]

SUGGESTION : It will be better if you will make the "MTB"(on your handle bar) with blue color(same with your frame) instead. can't hardly seen or read😏

[@mtb_alan]

Dang...gettin’ some art direction over here! 😎

[@MILTONATOR]

That climb...😰

[@mtb_alan]

No joke. 💪🏽

[@dank3823]

You need some refreshing vitacoco water to help with cramps. Ehh... shuttle works better. 🙃

[@mtb_alan]

Why not some Vitacoco in the shuttle truck? 🤔😆

[@dank3823]

Sounds like a kom combo 👊🤘👊

[@TommyHuynh]

Hey Alan there's a better way to ride San Juan .....you get in a truck and shuttle to the top. 😂🤣

[@TheOutsiderMTB]

Haha - I heard about this option...😉

[@TommyHuynh]

@@TheOutsiderMTB hahahaha I only have my bike pointing up if there's no shuttle options. 😂🤣👌

[@mtb_alan]

I was counting down waiting for you to tell me about that shuttle option! 😆 But yeah...dunno how often I wanna repeat that climb. And trucks have AC. 😎

[@TommyHuynh]

@@mtb_alan hahaha even with the shuttle there's still a bit of climbing. You really need to try Mt Wilson, its like San Juan on steroids 💪

[@mtb_alan]

You think I'm ready for Wilson? 😬

[@intenseextremities1779]

Dude you should use a water pack with a couple scoops of muscle recovery powder with amino acids, potassium, and sodium. Worked for me and I stopped getting cramps even after 5 hours of riding.

[@mtb_alan]

Thanks for the tip. I had a couple bottles, one with electrolytes. But yeah, a recovery powder from like Scratch Labs or something would’ve been smart. 👍🏽

[@lagwall]

Oh Ho... Right in the face! ... "That's What She Said." lol