Well, down here in Ventura, CA, we also have a very nice paved trail network, but it is used by bicycles year round. If it ever should snow here, they would be fine for x-country skiing. One of the more popular routes, the Ojai Valley Trail, follows an abandoned railroad right of way and has very comfortable gradients as it wends it way inland.

The OVT intersects with the Pacific Coast Bike Route, reputedly the most popular bike tour in the country, about a mile from my house. It, too, is a very nice ride, proceeding toward Santa Barbara. Our wildlife is not nearly as exciting as your moose, but I have seen bobcats twice along the OVT, once within the city limits, and we have lots of coyotes...

I just finished putting some of my Christmas presents on the bike and I think I will take them out for an inaugural ride tomorrow - that is, if it isn't too cold. It was all the way down to 43 degrees this morning! I would have had to wear my long sleeve bike jersey. Oh, the agony!