I Rode My Bike Today...
- Thread starter herzalot
- Start date
da big hills
iMTB Rockstah
I am with you, the hills are green like Ireland, but there is never a real dry out period before the next rain hits. Those that went out yesterday left lasting scars on the lower collector areas. A second day of drying would have really helped. I did not even walk the trails yesterday because it would be sticky goo. We got so much rain Fri-friday night about 4-1/2 inches in 12 hours. I am sure the water bars will need some help soon.
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
That's Jason who is all smiles. I am smiling too, but I broke my face in a mt. bike crash 3 years ago, so my smile is not so evident.
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kioti
iMTB Rockstah
That's a wise practice, @da big hills, and generally best for the trails, and this is by no means directed at you personally or a criticism of that belief.
But for me.. to not ride in wet, cold, windy.. or even dry and dusty.. conditions, for the sake of the trails (or to hike or trail run for that matter), is to miss out on so much of what nature has to offer. It's like the difference between seeing tracks in the dirt, or a mountain lion or bear in real life. Or like only skiing or boarding on groomed snow.
I love seeing our mountains in all their moods. Whether that's riding through an area devastated by a recent fire, trying to keep my tires on a trail hidden by tall grass, or slipping and sliding up and down a muddy trail under threatening or raining skies.. all of it comes under the heading of being in nature. And that's why I ride.
The national forests and wilderness areas I've played in, on bike, foot or ski, have always been open year round, regardless of weather. I've gone on spring ski tours in the High Sierras, in the summer, to find myself tent or snow-cave bound in full "winter" storms. I've gone on road bike tours in the Fall, to have to squint through desert sandstorms or have highways shut down by early winter blizzards. And I've gone on mountain bike rides in overcast conditions to have the skies let loose and turn the trails into streams. In those particular moments have I had the best memories, the closest connections, and most felt the power of the natural world.
I, too, aspire to the concept of leave-no-trace. But that's an ideal, and never fully realized. Perhaps on a paved road, but not on dirt. Even in dry conditions we and all trail users are displacing and compacting soil; causing brake bumps and creating dust. Can't be helped, though some passages leave more ripples in their wake than others.
FWIW, I'm willing to pay for my transgressions by doing penance with pick and shovel, along with the requisite cleaning and lubing of what I imagine is a thoroughly happy bike. Yesterday evening's ride was right up there in the full-outdoor-experience category. And today's riders, at least on these two trails, will smooth out our tracks and mostly erase the evidence of our existence.
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pperrelle
iMTB Rockstah
I had one buddy that couldn't make the ride yesterday so we decided to just do a run up to 4 Corners and back since I had to get home for lunch plans with the wife. Parked next to @StrandLeper at the parking lot. He and his friends had a double MS-Motorway loop planned. We crossed paths a couple of times on the hill. Conditions were pretty much the same as yesterday, but I wore my shoe covers and packed a fresh jacket and gloves for the descent so it was much more enjoyable.
Grego
iMTB Addict
Sycamore solo ride. That means I got the chance to do some exploring on the west side. Nothing too special but it was new dirt, always good to ride for the first time. Finally found out where those darn bridges were that I've seen pictures of a few times.
The obligatory bike in the river pic. Then pushed up to the east. Probably would have been better going the other direction. Now I know.
Sooooooo green.
More ruts than the Oroville spillway.
Not a whole lot of people out in the afternoon, just about had the place to myself.
Zero mud.
The obligatory bike in the river pic. Then pushed up to the east. Probably would have been better going the other direction. Now I know.
Sooooooo green.
More ruts than the Oroville spillway.
Not a whole lot of people out in the afternoon, just about had the place to myself.
Zero mud.
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UPSed
iMTB Hooligan
Two more days and two more rides. Yesterday I talked Jennifer into riding over to Rocky Peak from home. I figured we would go up the fire road as far as she wanted then turn around. The bike path goes along the arroyo and gets us most of the way there then we climb Santa Susana to the bottom of Rocky Peak. We made it up to the Hummingbird trailhead which is about three-quarters of a mile from the pavement. Some hikers had just come up Hummingbird and said a good portion of it was washed out. I asked if she wanted to continue on but she was ready to turn around. We couldn't really blast down the fire road because there were about a hundred people scattered about. Apparently people need to get out after the rain. It was all good. The rains have really turned it into a technical fire road descent. We ended up with 20.5 miles and 1384'. Jennifer was definitely dressed for the ride.
Today my buddy Dennis texted me and said he wanted to ride but wouldn't be able to until after noon. Looking at the forecast there was a chance of showers by then. I decided to wait and went to breakfast with Jennifer. Around noon Dennis texted me and said he wasn't feeling it. By then there was a heavy drizzle outside so it wasn't a big deal. Around 1 it looked like the sun was trying to break through. I decided to gear up, load up and head over to Rocky Peak again. This time I would drive as the weather was still iffy. Heading up the pass the sun was breaking through and I could see blue sky. It was short-lived. By the time I parked it was getting foggy. No biggie as long as it wasn't raining. Started climbing hoping for better weather but it was just a damp foggy slog all the way to Seashells. I turned around and started heading down. It would be tougher today as it was near zero visibility. The rain this year has really washed away a lot of the dirt. It really is a technical fire road in sections. Not as many people today so I was able to open it up and have a little fun when I was able to see where I was going. Ended up with 10 miles and 1907'.
Today my buddy Dennis texted me and said he wanted to ride but wouldn't be able to until after noon. Looking at the forecast there was a chance of showers by then. I decided to wait and went to breakfast with Jennifer. Around noon Dennis texted me and said he wasn't feeling it. By then there was a heavy drizzle outside so it wasn't a big deal. Around 1 it looked like the sun was trying to break through. I decided to gear up, load up and head over to Rocky Peak again. This time I would drive as the weather was still iffy. Heading up the pass the sun was breaking through and I could see blue sky. It was short-lived. By the time I parked it was getting foggy. No biggie as long as it wasn't raining. Started climbing hoping for better weather but it was just a damp foggy slog all the way to Seashells. I turned around and started heading down. It would be tougher today as it was near zero visibility. The rain this year has really washed away a lot of the dirt. It really is a technical fire road in sections. Not as many people today so I was able to open it up and have a little fun when I was able to see where I was going. Ended up with 10 miles and 1907'.
StrandLeper
Well-Known Member
Wow! What a great day in the mountains! Saw @pperrelle in the lot, on the descent, then on the climb. Maple was perfect. The Ridge to Motorway alternated between perfect and spongy. Motorway was absolute perfection. Clouds, mist, dirt, mud, water, creeks, waterfalls, and a peek at blue sky. What a day!
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
StrandLeper
Well-Known Member
In a word, yes. A fantastic option when my local trails are closed. Today it was incredible. Tacky. All the loose shale was washed off of The upper rock garden, the water berms are now just jumps.
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
Good..:.it usually takes a few runs down it to get the feel for it....then just let her rip.
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
I had to get out there and get the lactic acid out of my legs from Sunday, so a Cooks Corner - Luge loop was in order.
97% mud free. 3% free mud!
Now that I am totally familiar with my Topaz shock, I decided to try out the recently-custom-tuned-by-DVO Diamond fork today. Meh. The Marzocchi is still better at speed. The Diamond dives less than the Marzocchi though - I set both with about the same sag, using full travel on my usual test spots. I suspect the Diamond would be more confidence inspiring on those slow, techy switchbacks we did Sunday. I had my Marz set too squishy for those turns.
97% mud free. 3% free mud!
Now that I am totally familiar with my Topaz shock, I decided to try out the recently-custom-tuned-by-DVO Diamond fork today. Meh. The Marzocchi is still better at speed. The Diamond dives less than the Marzocchi though - I set both with about the same sag, using full travel on my usual test spots. I suspect the Diamond would be more confidence inspiring on those slow, techy switchbacks we did Sunday. I had my Marz set too squishy for those turns.
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SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Wow, you guys are animals. I was married to my work today. Plus, it POURED rain here again. I was in the middle of that narrow swath of rain that you may have seen on the radar this morning. I am so done with this darn rain! I will ride on Thursday and then again on Saturday. Revenge is close at hand...
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Hmmm, where to go on Saturday....Hmmm?
Cornholio
iMTB Rockstah
Forgive me father, for I have sinned. My intent was to pay homage to Father James today but my wife got a nail stuck in her tire that I had to shell out $250 to replace. Since my next midweek communion won't be until April I shall take a day off next week or the week thereafter and ride the Holy paths.
mike
iMTB Hooligan
Blessed you are. The ways of the divine are many and true – including thine road hazard protection plan
Grego
iMTB Addict
I can only imagine his choice of words.
scan
iMTB Rockstah
Sycamore solo ride. That means I got the chance to do some exploring on the west side. Nothing too special but it was new dirt, always good to ride for the first time. Finally found out where those darn bridges were that I've seen pictures of a few times.
View attachment 25377
The obligatory bike in the river pic. Then pushed up to the east. Probably would have been better going the other direction. Now I know.
View attachment 25378
Sooooooo green.
View attachment 25379
More ruts than the Oroville spillway.
View attachment 25380
Not a whole lot of people out in the afternoon, just about had the place to myself.
Rode there yesterday too! Several riders out there, and hikers, but not many really. Great go to trails after rain!!!
MattB
Member
After flaking out the last 2 mornings thinking it was about to start raining again, I finally got back out there. I decided to take the hardtail out to Maple Springs and make it a training ride to start getting in better shape for the Non Dot race series starting next month. I kept the effort pretty high and just went as far as I could while aiming to make it back to the car in about 2 hours. I made it a little past the Modjeska towers before I came across a huge puddle that spanned the whole dirt road and was going to be pretty hard to ride around. That seemed like a good place to turn around and book it back down the hill.
It was another beautiful day out there. Cool, but not too cold. I was surprised the trails were wetter than the last few times I'd been out there a couple of weeks ago. They definitely seem to have hit a point of saturation with water weeping out of the hills all over the place. Fortunately the trail handles it really well and it was wet but not muddy. One of the creek crossings was about bottom bracket depth.
It was another beautiful day out there. Cool, but not too cold. I was surprised the trails were wetter than the last few times I'd been out there a couple of weeks ago. They definitely seem to have hit a point of saturation with water weeping out of the hills all over the place. Fortunately the trail handles it really well and it was wet but not muddy. One of the creek crossings was about bottom bracket depth.
code3
Member
Haha, the only time I've gone down 3 Bridges I took it the same direction that you did, and decided that would be the last time I went down that way for a good amount of time.
Lately, when I've been on the north side of the park I've found myself in the middle riding ER Speed run and Chocolate Cake. Both trails are a lot of fun.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
I got out this afternoon for a local quickie through Cherry Canyon.
6.08 miles
47:27 ride time
1237' elevation gain
6.08 miles
47:27 ride time
1237' elevation gain
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
The only prominent tire tracks I saw on The Luge Tuesday were from one moto. There was no evidence of roosts on the turns, so I am guessing the moto was going down hill.I rode my bike today down the Luge. It was pretty muddy in a few spots, but that was all overshadowed by the dual sport coming up the trail.
kioti
iMTB Rockstah
We've been pretty fortunate so far that moto riders on the STT and Luge have taken it easy on the trails. From what I've seen and the guys I've talked to, they're just out there to ride their motos and not tear it up, and I really appreciate that.
knucklebuster
Well-Known Member
Rode STT-Luge this morning with @coolbreeze. Saw some moto tracks on STT just past the gate, but no torn up dirt at all, STT or the Luge. Still some slippery mud puddles, notably one in a left corner on the downhill to the Luge, one by the former gap jump on the Luge, and a couple more on the dark sides of the trail going down. took it pretty easy knowing they could be there, good thing. Otherwise, STT and Luge are good, if not a little soggy climbing. Luge seems well groomed and berms in great shape. Fun stuff!
Vulture Crags and Fossil Hill (and STT coming down) right background:
From the Flag, looking down the very green canyon that the Luge heads down, Oso reservoir and Mission Viejo Lake in the distance...