Name: Afternoon Family Beginner Mountain Bike Ride: Limestone Canyon to The Sinks
Start: 2025-11-16T14:00:00-08:00
End: 2025-11-16T16:30:00-08:00
Location: Irvine Open Space Preserve

Afternoon Family Beginner Mountain Bike Ride: Limestone Canyon to The Sinks

For families and children ages 12 and up who would like to join IRC-certified volunteers in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space on a longer, slow-paced, family-oriented ride through sycamores, oaks, and habitat native to California. The route takes us to The Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon.” Along the way, we will stop and talk about the local habitat, and hope to see some of our local native animals and raptors. The ride is an 8-9 miles with 400-800 feet of elevation gain that may require hike-a‐bike for some riders. Motorized recreation vehicles of any class or type are not permitted for recreational use.
The trail is a wide dirt fire road with natural hazards like sand, tree roots, ruts, rocks, dry creek crossings, and small hills. We will ride at the slowest rider’s pace, with numerous stops for resting, regrouping and/or interpretation.
Some trail side bike repair knowledge is appreciated. Allow 2-2.5 hours of riding time. To be able to ride with the group six months of trail experience is required. Riders need to have ridden in areas such as Peter’s Canyon, Chino Hills Telegraph Canyon, El Moro Canyon, and Aliso Woods. Riders must be able to ride/walk 10 miles on gradual uphill and downhill terrain. Riders must have their own mountain bike, helmet, 100 oz of water, and snacks. Parents, your child must be able to ride their own bike. Children’s bikes must have front shocks and 20 inch or larger knobby wheels. Please consider that this ride may be difficult for your child. Bring spare tubes for your child’s bikes as well as enough water and snacks for your family. Appropriate mountain bikes have knobby tires, multiple low gears and a front shock. Please do not bring road bikes, beach cruisers, BMX bikes, electric or motorized bikes, or attachments to your bike.
Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following measures in order to participate:
Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
All participants are required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the staging area and before beginning the activity. The waiver can be previewed here: IRC Liability Waiver
You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.
Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering. To learn more about the staging areas and activity locations, please visit our Staging Areas Playlist page.
Learn more and register at: https://letsgooutside.org/activities/2025/11/16/afternoon-family-beginner-mountain-bike-ride-limestone-canyon-to-the-sinks-25/