I Rode My Bike Today...

I rode New Years day in the mountains above Laughlin, Nv. Not far but it was something. The weather finally calmed and cleared enough to get in a ride before we had to leave. Some climbing in sand on a road with crossing 2 wire fences, across a highway, brush busting for a bit and then cashing in on 2 miles of mostly downhill desert trails back to camp. The 2 miles back to camp was the best part. 5.8 mi. total

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Stkx66 said:
I rode New Years day in the mountains above Laughlin, Nv. Not far but it was something. The weather finally calmed and cleared enough to get in a ride before we had to leave. Some climbing in sand on a road with crossing 2 wire fences, across a highway, brush busting for a bit and then cashing in on 2 miles of mostly downhill desert trails back to camp. The 2 miles back to camp was the best part. 5.8 mi. total

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So close to Monolith Garden, and yet so far...
 
Black Star to Motorway #2 on the single speed. I thought maybe I’d have a clean run down Motorway, but there were a ton of hikers, even before the scree. Still fun... :D

Oh... And when you stop on a downhill to snap a picture of the bars, don’t rub your leg against the rear brake rotor. :oops:

I made it back to the car in a little over 3 hours, and then made a stop at the canyon store... Why do they have to put brownies right at the checkout?! :cautious:

Oh... And still one tiny patch of snow just before Ladd Canyon, on the corner with the downed pine tree. Enough for a snowball fight if we all stand in the same spot. :Roflmao

Mid 60s all the way across the mountain and 72 at the bottom of Motorway... Tough winter so far. :D

25/4500

If I have to stop, I may as well snap some pics...
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DangerDirtyD said:
When in doubt...climb! The only thing that could follow is more DH.:thumbsup:

Bagging a peak is mandatory for all that work. We just might have to bring lights to do it. Lemme know if you need to borrow lights.

FYI, I cannot start this ride in the early AM; I won’t get to OC until around 11, so it’ll likely be a twilight ending for the Nuggets.
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Time to make another trip to the local bike shop.
 
Faust29 said:
Black Star to Motorway #2... I thought maybe I’d have a clean run down Motorway, but there were a ton of hikers, even before the scree. Still fun... :D

Oh... And when you stop on a downhill to snap a picture of the bars, don’t rub your leg against the rear brake rotor. :oops:

I made it back to the car in a little over 3 hours, and then made a stop at the canyon store... Why do they have to put brownies right at the checkout?! :cautious:

Oh... And still one tiny patch of snow just before Ladd Canyon, on the corner with the downed pine tree. Enough for a snowball fight if we all stand in the same spot. :Roflmao

25/4500

If I have to stop, I may as well snap some pics...
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Single speed hard tail, that’s baller!
 
Ocpop said:
Single speed hard tail, that’s baller!
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Pretty much all SS are hardtail. I think Lenz made a full sus bike that was intended to be ridden as a single speed, but I am pretty sure it's a hell of a challenge to make a full suspension bike a singlespeed unless there's some type of active chain tensioner - like a rear derailleur. Maybe I'm wrong. Single Speeders are a special breed. :confused:
 
Ahhh SSing B* -> Motorway those days are most likely over for me... Many times prepping for the CC never tried to clean the steeps I liked dismount and push / jog for change of pace.

I always liked the section right after the Hagador Wall... mentally that was behind me and I could get on with it...
 
bvader said:
Ahhh SSing B* -> Motorway those days are over most likely over for me... Many times prepping for the CC never tried to clean the steeps I liked dismount and push / jog for change of pace.

I always liked the section right after the Hagador Wall... mentally that was behind me and I could get on with it...
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All the rest of the climbs after Hagador are climbable.....when the road is in good condition....which is rarely.
 
Social Day today.....on my bike....so yes, I rode my bike today.

@theProfessor and I met up with @Grego and @trailslayer in Anaheim Hills, for a cruise up Coal Canyon. Well we cruised, Vince didn't. He'd wait for us from time to time, until we reached the 1/2 way turn, then slummed it with the old guys.

Temps were cold when we started. I packed light....sun sleeves. 43* when we rolled. Brrrrrrrr. Once we started climbing it warmed up. We saw 2 riders coming down on our way up...that was it. 2nd time on CC in the last week. I'm bound and determined to make it not seem like it hurts so bad.

Short break at Sierra Peak then we headed to Beeks'. Saw a large bobcat in full sprint going up the hillside near the radio station....really cool. We met up with @horsebikerider at Beeks' after a communication miscommunication.

@Grego and Vince were heading to TL Trails....Josh and I headed up Main Divide. Suz turned back down Blackstar. The long stop at Beeks' was a killer on the legs. We crawled up Main Divide. By the time we got to Hagador Peak, Josh was fried, and I was feeling the stops. We knew we'd get 5000' feet if we turned around. We also needed to keep in mind that we still had to ride back out to Sierra Peak. On the way down we ran into @Stkx66 out on his way to Motorway.

Lots of hikers around the Doplar and on Main Divide from Beeks' to the turn off for Sierra Ridge. Once on the ridge we were on our own again. Slow and methodical spin out to Sierra Peak. Legs faded on the last climb up. Ran into @MegaLurker going through the gate at the top. From there it was DH for a while. Only other rider we saw was a ebiker....no helmet, no water, jeans and tennis shoes about 2/3rd's the way up.

Back on SART, we were welcomed by a headwind.

Good day on the mountain. Good company

31 /5075'

Sorry.....no pics.
 
mtnbikej said:
Social Day today.....on my bike....so yes, I rode my bike today.

@theProfessor and I met up with @Grego and @trailslayer in Anaheim Hills, for a cruise up Coal Canyon. Well we cruised, Vince didn't. He'd wait for us from time to time, until we reached the 1/2 way turn, then slummed it with the old guys.

Temps were cold when we started. I packed light....sun sleeves. 43* when we rolled. Brrrrrrrr. Once we started climbing it warmed up. We saw 2 riders coming down on our way up...that was it. 2nd time on CC in the last week. I'm bound and determined to make it not seem like it hurts so bad.

Short break at Sierra Peak then we headed to Beeks'. Saw a large bobcat in full sprint going up the hillside near the radio station....really cool. We met up with @horsebikerider at Beeks' after a communication miscommunication.

@Grego and Vince were heading to TL Trails....Josh and I headed up Main Divide. Suz turned back down Blackstar. The long stop at Beeks' was a killer on the legs. We crawled up Main Divide. By the time we got to Hagador Peak, Josh was fried, and I was feeling the stops. We knew we'd get 5000' feet if we turned around. We also needed to keep in mind that we still had to ride back out to Sierra Peak. On the way down we ran into @Stkx66 out on his way to Motorway.

Lots of hikers around the Doplar and on Main Divide from Beeks' to the turn off for Sierra Ridge. Once on the ridge we were on our own again. Slow and methodical spin out to Sierra Peak. Legs faded on the last climb up. Ran into @MegaLurker going through the gate at the top. From there it was DH for a while. Only other rider we saw was a ebiker....no helmet, no water, jeans and tennis shoes about 2/3rd's the way up.

Back on SART, we were welcomed by a headwind.

Good day on the mountain. Good company

31 /5075'

Sorry.....no pics.
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Good seeing you out there today @mtnbikej . It’s been a while.

Great day out on Coal Canyon, couldn’t beat the weather. I need to bring my walking shoes when I ride here on the SS, the middle third of the ride is a punisher.

Briefly thought about heading out to Beeks but figured it wasn’t in the cards today..
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I spent yesterday kicking tires deciding on where to ride today. I decided to go up Blackstar with optional Motorway if I felt like it. It was wilderness days at Blackstar so I weaved my way up the mountain through all the hikers. Swoosh! @horsebikerider passed me on her way down the mountain. I made it to Beek's and this is where I pick my select gearing to climb from Beeks to the doppler. I take 2 rests but I ride all of it between Beek's and the doppler without HAB. I do this almost all the time now since being trained by Mtnbike J, Faust29 and the Professor to stand more and peddle rather to sit and hamster the 50 tooth. I decided to continue onto the Motorway when I ran into MtnbikeJ and the Professor. We talked about brakes and I quickly realized how little I know about brakes and how much sense Mtnbike J makes on his points on the subject. Respect! I continued across the top of Main divide and HAB in all the usual places where I ran out of steam. There is a downhill before a helipad halfway between the doppler and motorway. I had one of those situations where I gained to much speed to make the turn at the bottom of the hill. It's happened more than once in this same particular spot. To much speed edging the side of the road catching the marbles. All I could do was hang on and watch the front of my bike wash and slide but somehow I made it without eating dirt. Out comes my long right arm to pat my left rear shoulder. Good job I say to myself! Laugh and continue on. I made it to the Motorway and halfway down I took my last sip of water. No worries because the Silverado store was on my way out. There were only 2 hikers on Motorway- I was surprised. I really like this loop and am glad I rode it today. 26 miles 4,300 elevation

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Stkx66 said:
I spent yesterday kicking tires deciding on where to ride today. I decided to go up Blackstar with optional Motorway if I felt like it. It was wilderness days at Blackstar so I weaved my way up the mountain through all the hikers. Swoosh! @horsebikerider passed me on her way down the mountain. I made it to Beek's and this is where I pick my select gearing to climb from Beeks to the doppler. I take 2 rests but I ride all of it between Beek's and the doppler without HAB. I do this almost all the time now since being trained by Mtnbike J, Faust29 and the Professor to stand more and peddle rather to sit and hamster the 50 tooth. I decided to continue onto the Motorway when I ran into MtnbikeJ and the Professor. We talked about brakes and I quickly realized how little I know about brakes and how much sense Mtnbike J makes on his points on the subject. Respect! I continued across the top of Main divide, HAB in all the usual places where I run out of steam. There is a downhill before a helipad halfway between the doppler and motorway. I had one of those situations where I gained to much speed to make the turn at the bottom of the hill. It's happened more than once in this same particular spot. To much speed edging the side of the road catching the marbles. All I could do was hang on and watch the front of my bike wash and slide but somehow I made it without eating dirt. Out comes my long right arm to pat my left rear shoulder. Good job I say to myself! Laugh and continue on. I made it to the Motorway and halfway down I took my last sip of water. No worries because the Silverado store was on my way out. There were only 2 hikers on Motorway- I was surprised. I really like this loop and am glad I rode it today. 26 miles 4,300 elevation

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Right on. :thumbsup:
 
MegaLurker said:
Good seeing you out there today @mtnbikej . It’s been a while.

Great day out on Coal Canyon, couldn’t beat the weather. I need to bring my walking shoes when I ride here on the SS, the middle third of the ride is a punisher.

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Good to see you are getting out. :thumbsup:
 
Stkx66 said:
I spent yesterday kicking tires deciding on where to ride today. I decided to go up Blackstar with optional Motorway if I felt like it. It was wilderness days at Blackstar so I weaved my way up the mountain through all the hikers. Swoosh! @horsebikerider passed me on her way down the mountain. I made it to Beek's and this is where I pick my select gearing to climb from Beeks to the doppler. I take 2 rests but I ride all of it between Beek's and the doppler without HAB. I do this almost all the time now since being trained by Mtnbike J, Faust29 and the Professor to stand more and peddle rather to sit and hamster the 50 tooth. I decided to continue onto the Motorway when I ran into MtnbikeJ and the Professor. We talked about brakes and I quickly realized how little I know about brakes and how much sense Mtnbike J makes on his points on the subject. Respect! I continued across the top of Main divide and HAB in all the usual places where I ran out of steam. There is a downhill before a helipad halfway between the doppler and motorway. I had one of those situations where I gained to much speed to make the turn at the bottom of the hill. It's happened more than once in this same particular spot. To much speed edging the side of the road catching the marbles. All I could do was hang on and watch the front of my bike wash and slide but somehow I made it without eating dirt. Out comes my long right arm to pat my left rear shoulder. Good job I say to myself! Laugh and continue on. I made it to the Motorway and halfway down I took my last sip of water. No worries because the Silverado store was on my way out. There were only 2 hikers on Motorway- I was surprised. I really like this loop and am glad I rode it today. 26 miles 4,300 elevation

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I know exactly which turn you’re talking about! :D:thumbsup: :whistling:
 
Best ride of the year so far with @mtnbikej , the Professor and Vince. ;) Started from Anaheim Hills.
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First time up Coal for the Professor and Vince. Vince was out of sight by the second turn,o_OJosh handled it well.:thumbsup: Conversation made the climb less miserable. Quick break at the rock pile then Vince would join us for the rest of the slog to Sierra Peak.

Vince goofing off
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Down to Beeks where we said a quick hello to @horsebikerider . Tried to coax the the guys into TL but no go. :( All good though. Great time riding with these guys.

Vince and I departed for Troy Lee. Probably my fourth time on the trail. I'm really digging it.:) Had a good time flying down. Each time getting faster on this rutted steep ST. Got sucked into a deep rut but tri-podded out of it thankfully. Didn't hit the drop.:cautious: Vince go-pro'd his run. Maybe he'll let me upload it. At the bottom we climb Skyline. I was kinda hoping we'd take sart back but Vince was not liking the idea. Ug! Another slog.

Up at Sierra again and back down via Coal. Vince see's the turnoff, the other way down Coal.:eek: What the hell. Steep sh!t I tell ya. We see the turn that goes to the power towers and take it. After a short distance it looked like it would dead end. We turned around, climbed the short distance back and to the next FR down. Totally beat up FR. Unfortunately, we were right the first time but now we are committed.:unsure:
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Down we went some more until there was no FR left. Just a huge rut.:facepalm: Pushed through the chunky deep rut bush wacking and all. Luckly the FR came back. Ended up and an abandoned ranch. Probably private property.:oops: Continued down finding pavement towards the 91. Approaching a tunnel under the 91, I new where we were. One problem, there's always a locked gate at the other end of the tunnel. Vince turns the corner into the tunnel. The look on his face was like F...! Then he lighted up and kept going.o_O I round the corner and also see the huge locked gate we can't get through.:mad: But what's this? There are two Rangers staring at us from the other end of the gate. I thought we were going to get a ticket and I'd be fine with that, just get us through. Nope, they were friendly as you could be saying this must be your lucky day. We talked a bit of our journey and thanked them graciously. What a day! 36/6000 I'm beat.
 
Grego said:
Best ride of the year so far with @mtnbikej , the Professor and Vince. ;) Started from Anaheim Hills.
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First time up Coal for the Professor and Vince. Vince was out of sight by the second turn,o_OJosh handled it well.:thumbsup: Conversation made the climb less miserable. Quick break at the rock pile then Vince would join us for the rest of the slog to Sierra Peak.

Vince goofing off
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Down to Beeks where we said a quick hello to @horsebikerider . Tried to coax the the guys into TL but no go. :( All good though. Great time riding with these guys.

Vince and I departed for Troy Lee. Probably my fourth time on the trail. I'm really digging it.:) Had a good time flying down. Each time getting faster on this rutted steep ST. Got sucked into a deep rut but tri-podded out of it thankfully. Didn't hit the drop.:cautious: Vince go-pro'd his run. Maybe he'll let me upload it. At the bottom we climb Skyline. I was kinda hoping we'd take sart back but Vince was not liking the idea. Ug! Another slog.

Up at Sierra again and back down via Coal. Vince see's the turnoff, the other way down Coal.:eek: What the hell. Steep sh!t I tell ya. We see the turn that goes to the power towers and take it. After a short distance it looked like it would dead end. We turned around, climbed the short distance back and to the next FR down. Totally beat up FR. Unfortunately, we were right the first time but now we are committed.:unsure:
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Down we went some more until there was no FR left. Just a huge rut.:facepalm: Pushed through the chunky deep rut bush wacking and all. Luckly the FR came back. Ended up and an abandoned ranch. Probably private property.:oops: Continued down finding pavement towards the 91. Approaching a tunnel under the 91, I new where we were. One problem, there's always a locked gate at the other end of the tunnel. Vince turns the corner into the tunnel. The look on his face was like F...! Then he lighted up and kept going.o_O I round the corner and also see the huge locked gate we can't get through.:mad: But what's this? There are two Rangers staring at us from the other end of the gate. I thought we were going to get a ticket and I'd be fine with that, just get us through. Nope, they were friendly as you could be saying this must be your lucky day. We talked a bit of our journey and thanked them graciously. What a day! 36/6000 I'm beat.
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Sounds like an adventure.

Thanks for joining us this morning.
 
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