I Rode My Bike Today...

herzalot said:
...and just like the first post in this thread, it's Tuesday. New territory for me today that I've always wanted to hit - I think it's called Greer Ranch or something like that in Murrieta (Menifee? Wildomar?). What a riot! It's essentially a bike park, but you pedal up gentle traversing single track to get back to the top. So much good work went into the trails out there. Huge bike park style berms, rock gardens, small rock drops, jump lines, kickers, rock rollers, you name it (except roots - none of those). Some of the trails have a more natural feel, and some are truly Northstar-esque.

...and one HUGE m-f-ing rattler. No kidding - this thing was as big around as my forearm. Red. It was about waist high in the rocks while we were climbing, and he got a little startled by the rider in front of me, so he let me know he was there. I would have taken a photo, but I wanted to live.

Despite that, the trails were mostly empty - a few riders out. I had a talented guide who knew the area well and all the best trails, otherwise, one could get quite confused and lost in the maze of trails. There are signs for many of the trails. The cool thing is that there are designated climbing (hiking) trails, and designated DH mtb trails. I really felt like I had booked a trip to a bike park. So much fun!

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Cool. I wanna check out those trails
 
I just got some intel from my nephew who lives in Murrieta that the invasion of large groups of riders (from LA) on weekends is threatening the existence of the place. My ride guide told me the same. Evidently it's a nightmare on weekends. Probably the same large groups that may ultimately kill bike access at Aliso and LCWP. At least the Murrieta trails have designated climbing and descending trails. I can't imagine there would be quite the same amount of conflict with hikers or other riders as there is in Aliso.
 
herzalot said:
...and just like the first post in this thread, it's Tuesday. New territory for me today that I've always wanted to hit - I think it's called Greer Ranch or something like that in Murrieta (Menifee? Wildomar?). What a riot! It's essentially a bike park, but you pedal up gentle traversing single track to get back to the top. So much good work went into the trails out there. Huge bike park style berms, rock gardens, small rock drops, jump lines, kickers, rock rollers, you name it (except roots - none of those). Some of the trails have a more natural feel, and some are truly Northstar-esque.

...and one HUGE m-f-ing rattler. No kidding - this thing was as big around as my forearm. Red. It was about waist high in the rocks while we were climbing, and he got a little startled by the rider in front of me, so he let me know he was there. I would have taken a photo, but I wanted to live.

Despite that, the trails were mostly empty - a few riders out. I had a talented guide who knew the area well and all the best trails, otherwise, one could get quite confused and lost in the maze of trails. There are signs for many of the trails. The cool thing is that there are designated climbing (hiking) trails, and designated DH mtb trails. I really felt like I had booked a trip to a bike park. So much fun!

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Wait a minute......how did they get you out of Laguna?
 
Tuesday at the Oaks.

Headed out a little early to get some extra credit before @horsebikerider showed up. She wanted to go out to Weir Canyon so that is what we did. Ran into @pperrelle at the top of Chutes....good to catch up.

Suz and I headed out to Weir Canyon. Been a while for me. At the bottom of New Weir Canyon climb we ran across a large rattler that startled Suz. No problem, it moved off the trail on it's own and up the hillside. We passed a couple of hikers and not 100' from the first rattler, we ran into a second one. This one was smaller, but stretched in the trail. Obviously the hikers missed it....or they saw it, yet failed to warn us about it. o_O Showed Suz some of the hidden gems out in Weir Canyon that are now exposed since the fire. Back into Oaks and up Deer.

Ran into another friend and the top of Deer. Suz headed off to the barn, I continued on with friend for a couple more ups and downs. Chasing him on his 29+ was tough...that thing just monster trucked it way over everything.....felt like I was on a 26er chasing a 29er.

Got home a little after dark. Good times.

27 / 4400'

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Sunday and Monday took two different friends out at Aliso. Sunday was the most crowded I've ever seen that place, but I had a first time rider taking it slow. We made it from the bottom up and around to Lynx, coyote, and back. Nice to be sharing some fun with new rider outside his comfort (endurance) zone. Yesterday started at the top at MILF Park and looped Rock-It, Lynx, and Cholla a couple times. Riding with a buddy still on a high end 26er 5in bike. Stoked to be able to clean everything and in half the time on my hardtail 29er. I'm starting to feel much stronger and stable after my crash last year. Thanks again for the great local blog.
 
Derek13 said:
Sunday and Monday took two different friends out at Aliso. Sunday was the most crowded I've ever seen that place, but I had a first time rider taking it slow. We made it from the bottom up and around to Lynx, coyote, and back. Nice to be sharing some fun with new rider outside his comfort (endurance) zone. Yesterday started at the top at MILF Park and looped Rock-It, Lynx, and Cholla a couple times. Riding with a buddy still on a high end 26er 5in bike. Stoked to be able to clean everything and in half the time on my hardtail 29er. I'm starting to feel much stronger and stable after my crash last year. Thanks again for the great local blog.
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Cool. Nice work and thanks for posting up! :cool:

Aliso can get silly crowded on weekend mornings. Was this Easter Sunday?
 
herzalot said:
Cool. Nice work and thanks for posting up! :cool:

Aliso can get silly crowded on weekend mornings. Was this Easter Sunday?
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Not Easter. Sorry, I rode Saturday and Monday. Saturday was filled with huge groups of hikers around every corner. Then 5 guys with full helmets would go by.? One group of hikers at the bottom of Rock-it were lost looking for TOW without any water. Drained my pack into their bottles. Still better then sitting around house...
 
herzalot said:
I just got some intel from my nephew who lives in Murrieta that the invasion of large groups of riders (from LA) on weekends is threatening the existence of the place. My ride guide told me the same. Evidently it's a nightmare on weekends. Probably the same large groups that may ultimately kill bike access at Aliso and LCWP. At least the Murrieta trails have designated climbing and descending trails. I can't imagine there would be quite the same amount of conflict with hikers or other riders as there is in Aliso.
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Although you are only echoing what you've heard, the statement is offensive. LA riders are not a disease.
 
Rode the Kona today, some dirtbikers went by me going up a hill and was throwing rocks and dust as they went by. Hate that crap.

Saw them looking at a steep section and went over there and shamed them abit and went down the same hill they were contemplating. Felt real good doing something the mx’ers who were fully geared up and me on a bike in mininal gear, do what they won't do.
 
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@sir crashalot and I did a quick lap after work yesterday. Up water tank down most of OE, HAB back up and TnA into the sunset. I Sh!t you not, we saw a guy hit TnA wearing birkenstocks, one of those lifegaurd straw hats and riding a walmart type bike. One of the most random things ever. :laugh::laugh::laugh: haha! Anyway, here's the vid. I did add music to this one so if you don't like that then mute it!! !:whistling: :eek:


 
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tbarnesarc said:
@sir crashalot and I did a quick lap after work yesterday. Up water tank down most of OE, HAB back up and TnA into the sunset. I Sh!t you not, we saw a guy hit TnA wearing birkenstocks, one of those lifegaurd straw hats and riding a walmart type bike. One of the most random things ever. :laugh::laugh::laugh: haha! Anyway, here's the vid. I did add music to this one so if you don't like that then mute it!! !:whistling: :eek:


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Lots to like about that video.
1.) The music choice didn't over-promise. Hardcore thrash rock, punk, heavy metal says "this is gonna be some rowdy, fast, crazy stuff." When it accompanies smooth, straight, buff singletrack, there's a huge mismatch. Lumineers says, "Kick back and enjoy the ride." And yet you had some rowdy riding in there. Under-promise and over-deliver FTW!
2.) Narration and bike sounds were still present, even with the music.
3.) Straw hat, Birkenstock, Wal-Mart bike guy made it down somehow, making us all feel a little sheepish about our hardcore artillery!
4.) Sunset lighting.
5.) The improved speed and confidence of your riding.
6.) Captions and narration in text on the video.
7.) Video quality.

The only downside was Ruby couldn't watch this one. Usually she likes to watch your vids, but this one was a little NSFC at the beginning. That's OK, it was not intended to be viewed by children. She still likes Claudio!
 
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Danmtchl said:
Rode the Kona today, some dirtbikers went by me going up a hill and was throwing rocks and dust as they went by. Hate that crap.

Saw them looking at a steep section and went over there and shamed them abit and went down the same hill they were contemplating. Felt real good doing something the mx’ers who were fully geared up and me on a bike in mininal gear, do what they won't do.
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I am an (x) pro/expert offroader. Clearly you stumbled on inconsiderate beginner dweebs. Real offroaders go nowhere near mtn biking areas. Actually their is no possible chance where I ride that a bicycycle could go. In certain sections at a snails pace yes. I ask you respectfully to not box us together. I'm glad you showed them the drill.
 
jimbowho said:
I am an (x) pro/expert offroader. Clearly you stumbled on inconsiderate beginner dweebs. Real offroaders go nowhere near mtn biking areas. Actually their is no possible chance where I ride that a bicycycle could go. In certain sections at a snails pace yes. I ask you respectfully to not box us together. I'm glad you showed them the drill.
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I'm with ya. Big climbs, big canyons and huge rocks.
 
herzalot said:
I just got some intel from my nephew who lives in Murrieta that the invasion of large groups of riders (from LA) on weekends is threatening the existence of the place. My ride guide told me the same. Evidently it's a nightmare on weekends. Probably the same large groups that may ultimately kill bike access at Aliso and LCWP. At least the Murrieta trails have designated climbing and descending trails. I can't imagine there would be quite the same amount of conflict with hikers or other riders as there is in Aliso.
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A couple bike manufacturers held demo weekends out there and the local contingent of vet pros were not happy about the area getting blown up.
 
It's been awhile since we've done the Wednesday night Maple - Motorway loop... But the stars aligned and we started around 5:15 up Maple Springs. It was humid, but the temps were really nice. I was predicting cool weather, but it was over 70 at the start, and was still upper 50s at Four Corners.

Haze in the Distance...
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I learned something tonight. I'm not meant to run tires under 700 grams. It doesn't work. Two punctures through the center of the tread on the newish Rekon. On the first descent on Main Divide. Not even on Motorway... :confused:o_O Thankfully @mtnbikej had some bacon, and loaned me two strips. It held for the rest of the ride, but it's a pretty good sized hole. I babied it the rest of the way, and took it really easy down Motorway...

We ran into the fire crew at the big climb just past Bedford... Lots of smoke and hot spots.

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We chatted with one of the firemen at the top of the climb, and thanked him for all the work they're putting in up there.

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Fun night on the mountain... As always. 17 miles and 3600 feet...
 
jimbowho said:
I am an (x) pro/expert offroader. Clearly you stumbled on inconsiderate beginner dweebs. Real offroaders go nowhere near mtn biking areas. Actually their is no possible chance where I ride that a bicycycle could go. In certain sections at a snails pace yes. I ask you respectfully to not box us together. I'm glad you showed them the drill.
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I don’t put them all together, its just where I ride motorcycles, mountain bikers and joggers/walker all converge on the same general area. Some are rude and some are very considerate. Its weird that any dirtbikes were out there on a Wednesday morning.

Usually after a certain time on weekends, dirt bikers outnumber mountain bikers and joggers/ hikers by at least 3 to 1.
 
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