I Rode My Bike Today...

Got the chance to break a weeks-long ride-less spell. Out our back yard in Alderfer/Three Sisters, we found lots of icy sections…

3S12-18_1.jpg


but worked our way around to the goods, which were ice- and snow-free. A certain tech climb got stuck in my craw months ago but no dice. Couldn’t be any closer without bagging it…

Three Sisters denial again

I sessioned it to the point of diminishing returns and we moved on to the DH goods, which were all prime. We had a blast despite some cobwebs, Weez nailed her usual quiver of problems and I aced it. We went a way I usually don’t go and found a sweet little boulder pile, so next time we bring our climbing shoes…

3S12-18_3.jpg


Blessed to be riding mid-winter at 8000’…snow on the way, make hay while the sun shines.


Oh, yes...

 
Last edited:
herzalot said:
Not really sure how that works. None of us saw UHJ as we turned right on Main Divide (south-ish) and looked for it on the left. Seems like UHJ would be another 1000' of climbing from LHJ. As we were getting ready to drop LHJ, a friend rolled up who had just descended it. He accessed it from the peak after climbing Harding. He said it was one long gnarly rut, and he walked most of it. But then, he's a spandex XC guy on a spindly bike.

So where's the trail and how is it as a climb (not looking through your rather distorted lenses, but perhaps from a mere mortal's perspective)? Turning left on Main Divide after cresting LHJ looks steep and painful.
Click to expand...

Turning left on Main Divide and climbing to UHJ is a couple miles of steep hell. I do it every now and then just so I remember how awful it is. :p

If you turn right on Main Divide, you will come to the base of UHJ in less than 10 minutes of riding, mostly uphill. If you climb it, it's a HAB from bottom to top. One big rut? It must be in nice shape now! :p
 
Well, yesterday. And it was a new bike! Courtesy of @Faust29 who decided I needed to try a full suspension rig out! I've been building it up for a week or so, and finally had it put together. So out for a spin! And it was a good solid three hour ride around the local hills. Into the hill at one point, but lived to tell the tale. I'm blaming it on the tires, which are really low grip. So far I like the FS ride, no complaints. A couple PRs climbing even, which was unexpected. I took it pretty easy on the descents after the tire washed out on a switchback mid-ride. I almost have my Chameleon's 29er wheelset built up, so will be interesting to compare and contrast. I really have become used to the dropper, that was missing for sure! Maybe some bike that combines the best of both... hmmmm...

Thanks Steve, for letting me give this a go!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1390155520

Usual spot:
39190828585_4c95ee2407_b.jpg

Trail work looks successful!
40056673072_f7248dd114_b.jpg

Top of the hill:
26215292278_f160ff5c2b_b.jpg

Redlands Pride:
39378225314_05d31dfd17_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
Cyclotourist said:
Well, yesterday. And it was a new bike! Courtesy of @Faust29 who decided I needed to try a full suspension rig out! I've been building it up for a week or so, and finally had it put together. So out for a spin! And it was a good solid three hour ride around the local hills. Into the hill at one point, but lived to tell the tale. I'm blaming it on the tires, which are really low grip. So far I like the FS ride, no complaints. A couple PRs climbing even, which was unexpected. I took it pretty easy on the descents after the tire washed out on a switchback mid-ride. I almost have my Chameleon's 29er wheelset built up, so will be interesting to compare and contrast. I really have become used to the dropper, that was missing for sure! Maybe some bike that combines the best of both... hmmmm...

Thanks Steve, for letting give this a go!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1390155520

Usual spot:
View attachment 36209

Trail work looks successful!
View attachment 36210

Top of the hill:
View attachment 36211

Redlands Pride:
View attachment 36212
Click to expand...

Sweet! The climbing PRs don't surprise me... It was always a nice pedaling bike, even out of the saddle. Have fun and enjoy! :thumbsup:
 
Faust29 said:
Turning left on Main Divide and climbing to UHJ is a couple miles of steep hell. I do it every now and then just so I remember how awful it is. :p

If you turn right on Main Divide, you will come to the base of UHJ in less than 10 minutes of riding, mostly uphill. If you climb it, it's a HAB from bottom to top. One big rut? It must be in nice shape now! :p
Click to expand...

That climb is easier with gears, haha. Especially my 28/46! Still f'in sucks.
UHJ does still have some non-rut sections.
 
Super "Roll" Sunday. I'm not a football fan, so 2 rides; a movie in between. Whiting this morning. Den of Thieves at noon. Bit of a re-group at home and then ride #2--Motorway. I've been curious since the fire closure/re-opening.. but not up to B* or MS loop. So parked near the Maple Springs gate and HAB'd up it. Got up to the ridge and past the newer section before the sun dipped below the horizon and I had to bail. Had forgotten my helmet at home so I had to be a little careful, but it's a straightforward descent. Easier than it used to be--where's that rocky section? And the giant water bars I'd heard about seemed filled with gravel, so mostly smooth single track with a bunch of gravelly sections. Brought a light but didn't use it and got back to my truck at 5:50/dark.
 
Went out to San Juan today with a few good friends. 1st time there for all of us. Climb to cocktail rock not to bad. Continued on to Blue Jay. The root canal( buddy came up with that name) DH just after cocktail was a blast. Climbing to Blue Jay sucked. Hung out ate and refilled water. Then off to New SJ enjoyed the descents and tech rock climbing features. We were tiring by this point. Got back to cocktail excited about the long down after that. Some enjoyed some just survived, I love descending but this was not my cup of tea. Kind of a long brake burner. With not much else but a long rut down the middle. Switchbacks were a challenge. Overall thought the trail was OK but probably won't hit again in the near future.
 
LLPoolJ said:
...With not much else but a long rut down the middle. Switchbacks were a challenge. Overall thought the trail was OK but probably won't hit again in the near future.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear I am not the only one who thinks the SJT DH from Cocktail Rock may be the most over-valued and over-rated DH ever. Outsloped turns, rutty terrain, climbers galore, limited sight lines, often overgrown vegetation. Nope. It's a good climb (except for the ruts), but a "meh" dh. Once a year is sufficient.
 
kioti said:
Super "Roll" Sunday. I'm not a football fan, so 2 rides; a movie in between. Whiting this morning. Den of Thieves at noon. Bit of a re-group at home and then ride #2--Motorway. I've been curious since the fire closure/re-opening.. but not up to B* or MS loop. So parked near the Maple Springs gate and HAB'd up it. Got up to the ridge and past the newer section before the sun dipped below the horizon and I had to bail. Had forgotten my helmet at home so I had to be a little careful, but it's a straightforward descent. Easier than it used to be--where's that rocky section? And the giant water bars I'd heard about seemed filled with gravel, so mostly smooth single track with a bunch of gravelly sections. Brought a light but didn't use it and got back to my truck at 5:50/dark.
Click to expand...

The rock section is there....the line has shifted.

Yes, the waterbars have settled down nicely after all the traffic.
 
LLPoolJ said:
Went out to San Juan today with a few good friends. 1st time there for all of us. Climb to cocktail rock not to bad. Continued on to Blue Jay. The root canal( buddy came up with that name) DH just after cocktail was a blast. Climbing to Blue Jay sucked. Hung out ate and refilled water. Then off to New SJ enjoyed the descents and tech rock climbing features. We were tiring by this point. Got back to cocktail excited about the long down after that. Some enjoyed some just survived, I love descending but this was not my cup of tea. Kind of a long brake burner. With not much else but a long rut down the middle. Switchbacks were a challenge. Overall thought the trail was OK but probably won't hit again in the near future.
Click to expand...


Use your brakes less....makes it more interesting. :thumbsup: :whistling:

I'd give it another try and see if it changes your mid.
 
herzalot said:
Glad to hear I am not the only one who thinks the SJT DH from Cocktail Rock may be the most over-valued and over-rated DH ever. Outsloped turns, rutty terrain, climbers galore, limited sight lines, often overgrown vegetation. Nope. It's a good climb (except for the ruts), but a "meh" dh. Once a year is sufficient.
Click to expand...

Did I really just hear (read) @herzalot say "it's a good climb?" o_Oo_O:gag:
 
mtnbikej said:
Use your brakes less....makes it more interesting. :thumbsup: :whistling:

I'd give it another try and see if it changes your mid.
Click to expand...
I wasn't much off your time on the switchback section where I got to let it go. I was behind some slower guys making sure they made it down safely. They pulled off and I went at it for that section. 1st time down I usually tame it down anyway just to sight lines. Didn't see much below cocktail that was interesting. Now above it is a different story. Probably park up there next time to loop the upper sections, anything else up near Blue Jay worth riding? Looking for rock garden type stuff.
 
LLPoolJ said:
I wasn't much off your time on the switchback section where I got to let it go. I was behind some slower guys making sure they made it down safely. They pulled off and I went at it for that section. 1st time down I usually tame it down anyway just to sight lines. Didn't see much below cocktail that was interesting. Now above it is a different story. Probably park up there next time to loop the upper sections, anything else up near Blue Jay worth riding? Looking for rock garden type stuff.
Click to expand...

Chiquito down to the Candy Store.
 
mtnbikej said:
The rock section is there....the line has shifted.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised nobody's brought it back.. it was the crux of the descent. Trail seems smoother now; more groomed, but I know I could get into trouble with all the loose gravel if I was wearing a helmet and riding fast.

Those Motorway slopes will be amazing when the new ice age hits in 2030(?). Ski/board lines are off the chart!
 
herzalot said:
I have. I can. Still "meh."

I get why a lot of riders love the SJT downhill - it's miles of coasting on mostly smooth singletrack. I just like a lot more spice in my downhills - or at least some well-placed berms to hold the speed. To each his/her own.
Click to expand...
LLPoolJ said:
This to a T.
Click to expand...

Hit it after 40/8000. You’ll gain a whole new appreciation! :p
 
Faust29 said:
Hit it after 40/8000. You’ll gain a whole new appreciation! :p
Click to expand...
That's not so hard. I did 40/8000 in the month prior to riding SJT. Didn't seem to make much difference.:whistling:



Ohhh, do you mean the same day? Hmmmm, well, since I've never been past 4200' in a ride, I am guessing the only thing I would hit after even 5000' of climbing is the litter of a rescue helicopter. But your point is apt - any trail is infinitely harder when physically and mentally fatigued. So is walking down a flight of stairs, or even finding your car keys in your pack.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top