I Rode My Bike Today...

A quick run up Harding to Modjeska with a slightly harder gear ratio on the Highball. Also the first ride on some Performance carbon bars. They didn't break and my hands feel ok. I'll call that a win! And a couple minutes off the Harding PR... Very toasty at the bottom, but cool and breezy up top. :thumbsup:

One surprise on the way up. Just before the last left hand turn before the Laurel Springs trail, I thought I heard voices. Then I thought I was going nuts... :eek:o_OUntil I looked off the right hand side, and saw pony tails and yoga pants! :thumbsup: Four ladies who had no clue they were being watched while they were taking their selfies. :p I ran into them again on the way back down... At least now I know which way the Laurel Springs trail goes.

Also ran into a couple guys on the way up to Modjeska Peak, and we ended up chatting for a few minutes before I headed back down and they continued on to Santiago Peak.

This is pretty much how the Highball will be set up for VQ... The only changes will probably be a Maxxis Rekon on the rear, and probably a 33 tooth chainring, instead of the 34. :gag:

21.4/4000

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Faust29 said:
A quick run up Harding to Modjeska with a slightly harder gear ratio on the Highball. Also the first ride on some Performance carbon bars. They didn't break and my hands feel ok. I'll call that a win! And a couple minutes off the Harding PR... Very toasty at the bottom, but cool and breezy up top. :thumbsup:

One surprise on the way up. Just before the last left hand turn before the Laurel Springs trail, I thought I heard voices. Then I thought I was going nuts... :eek:o_OUntil I looked off the right hand side, and saw pony tails and yoga pants! :thumbsup: Four ladies who had no clue they were being watched while they were taking their selfies. :p I ran into them again on the way back down... At least now I know which way the Laurel Springs trail goes.

Also ran into a couple guys on the way up to Modjeska Peak, and we ended up chatting for a few minutes before I headed back down and they continued on to Santiago Peak.

This is pretty much how the Highball will be set up for VQ... The only changes will probably be a Maxxis Rekon on the rear, and probably a 33 tooth chainring, instead of the 34. :gag:

21.4/4000

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So, pictures of the mountain, and of the bike, but not of the yoga pants-clad, pony-tail-sporting inhabitants of said mountains?:p
 
Faust29 said:
A quick run up Harding to Modjeska with a slightly harder gear ratio on the Highball. Also the first ride on some Performance carbon bars. They didn't break and my hands feel ok. I'll call that a win! And a couple minutes off the Harding PR... Very toasty at the bottom, but cool and breezy up top. :thumbsup:

One surprise on the way up. Just before the last left hand turn before the Laurel Springs trail, I thought I heard voices. Then I thought I was going nuts... :eek:o_OUntil I looked off the right hand side, and saw pony tails and yoga pants! :thumbsup: Four ladies who had no clue they were being watched while they were taking their selfies. :p I ran into them again on the way back down... At least now I know which way the Laurel Springs trail goes.

Also ran into a couple guys on the way up to Modjeska Peak, and we ended up chatting for a few minutes before I headed back down and they continued on to Santiago Peak.

This is pretty much how the Highball will be set up for VQ... The only changes will probably be a Maxxis Rekon on the rear, and probably a 33 tooth chainring, instead of the 34. :gag:

21.4/4000

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Once you get used to the bigger gear, it doesn't seem any tougher....but you will be faster. :thumbsup:
 
I spent another Tuesday Afternoon at the Oaks.

Got a bit of a later start. Down Yucca, up BumbleGoat, up Goat. Ran into a friend at the top of Chutes...so I rode with her. We headed down Cactus, then up Bumblebee, up Oak and down Yucca again. She dragged me up BumbleBee. Back up BumbleGoat and she killed me going up Goat. We were gonna meet up with @horsebikerider so we had a little time, so another go at Cactus/BumbleGoat/Goat....my legs were screaming.

Down Chutes, and over to Irvine Park. Horseshoe Loop is now open again, so clockwise around HS then up Puma. First time back up it...weird without the trees and brush. Back over to Chutes where we tried to chase down @horsebikerider up Chutes....we didnt' catch her....she beat us, but I was redlined trying.

Down Cactus, up BumbleBee, down Grasshopper, before we all parted ways....back up Oak, down Peralta and home.

Felt good to be pushed....er, pulled. Glad to see some of the other trails reopening.

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I know nobody really give a Sh!t, but i am going to keep writing my daily ride journeys here.

Today was most excellent.
I started with a cheese croissant at breakfast. Then a maple bar for mid morning snack. Before noon i had downed 3 cups of coffee. Between 10and noon i drank 22 onces of tailwind (3 scoops)

Up borrego in WR was strange. There was no one on the trail. Like creepy empty. Only saw two runners the whole trail. Thought i must have missed a Lion warning.

At the base of mustard i was turnt up. F@ck it let’s try for 10 min today why wasit all year to hit my goal? Half way up i get a carrot to chase. I click a gear and try to catch them but the carrot is holding the gap. Turns out it was a linked cycling guy. Who get this.... is using a tow rope to pull up a young 6-7 year old riding a 20” MTB. Dude is strong AF. I went hard, and got to the top and congratulated him on an amazing tow up the hill. He was not even breathing hard.

I hit 10:33. A full minute under yesterday’s PR. Holy F@ck i got this!! I’m doing it. 230pounds of get outta my way.

I celebrated with Tommy’s chili cheeseburgers. More about my ground breaking nutrition program later.
 
dustyyoungblood said:
I know nobody really give a Sh!t, but i am going to keep writing my daily ride journeys here.

Today was most excellent.
I started with a cheese croissant at breakfast. Then a maple bar for mid morning snack. Before noon i had downed 3 cups of coffee. Between 10and noon i drank 22 onces of tailwind (3 scoops)

Up borrego in WR was strange. There was no one on the trail. Like creepy empty. Only saw two runners the whole trail. Thought i must have missed a Lion warning.

At the base of mustard i was turnt up. F@ck it let’s try for 10 min today why wasit all year to hit my goal? Half way up i get a carrot to chase. I click a gear and try to catch them but the carrot is holding the gap. Turns out it was a linked cycling guy. Who get this.... is using a tow rope to pull up a young 6-7 year old riding a 20” MTB. Dude is strong AF. I went hard, and got to the top and congratulated him on an amazing tow up the hill. He was not even breathing hard.

I hit 10:33. A full minute under yesterday’s PR. Holy F@ck i got this!! I’m doing it. 230pounds of get outta my way.

I celebrated with Tommy’s chili cheeseburgers. More about my ground breaking nutrition program later.
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Keep it up! It's like a mountain bike Days of our Lives with the voyeuristic food options less traveled (or at least less revealed). Whatever the rationale behind your current nutrition program, your gains (did I say that?) are impressive.

BTW, my afternoon snack today was a hot blueberry muffin with cheese and turkey sausage on the side, and a cup of coffee with half and half. Am I on the right track?
 
knucklebuster said:
@da big hills - your map shows the old exit from Upper Holy Jim to Main Divide. That old route actually came down right behind the concrete water tank just across MD from where lower HJ reaches MD. The new exit is up a little further on MD. Also noted is the upper joplin entrance which bypasses the peak to go down Joplin proper and Cadillac or Luge to get back to the wash (if going back down Lower HJ is too mundane for one's taste****) o_O:thumbsup:
**** Sorry for piss poor attitude, not able to get much riding in lately. I'd love to be able to get a run down Holy Jim but not happening soon for me. I get it (sorta) that HJ is not some people's preference, whatever floats your boat. These days I'd just be thrilled with singletrack and dirt on a downhill slope of any kind.
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Never been there but I went to Mtn Bike Bill and clicked on the sat view. I figured others would not know the local area so the view was just to put things in perspective. I like using Mtn Bike Bill since he gives topo's and sat views although I guess they are a bit stale
Sorry about those bad directions to da happy trails
 
kioti said:
Keep it up! It's like a mountain bike Days of our Lives with the voyeuristic food options less traveled (or at least less revealed). Whatever the rationale behind your current nutrition program, your gains (did I say that?) are impressive.

BTW, my afternoon snack today was a hot blueberry muffin with cheese and turkey sausage on the side, and a cup of coffee with half and half. Am I on the right track?
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Super high glycemic program 3-4 hours pre ride.(for maximum watts)
Huge portions of meats, plant proteins, fats, and grease + high salt (rebuilding muscle, recovery calories)
 
Rode Hummingbird today: I had a good idea what was up, only two tire tracks on the trail. Whats up with that? It was a double black diamond, it is now so much more. Wow, it is no wonder I only ride this once or so a year. Many of those tight sbacks are still there complete with axle high drops on the exit. But it is so rough I spent my vision going into the turns, never even looking for the clean exits. There may not even be clean exits. The trail is short almost 2 miles, drops ~1300 feet so the numbers are good. But the trail is mostly on exposure, it is so rocky & rutted that there is no high speed line. I figure if ridden again you would gain 10 extra corners, ridden a few times and it would become WICKED. I was solo so I passed all those air opportunities and as I said you are looking for the line in front of you most of the time. I did not hit that unlimited air because there is no time to look far down the trail. I will probably ride it again soon and try to carry a bit more speed. I did not see any riders or hikers so you are alone out there, best be careful on the Bird
Happy twilight trails
 
Is this an @dustyyoungblood original diet plan? Just for fun, I made up some titles.. Viking Diet, Barbarian Diet, Incredible Hulk Diet, and they're all actual diet plans? I'm so outta touch! (Should this be a PM conversation?)

Anyway.. I used to get a lot of power out of a pre-ride chili cheeseburger/fries/large coke. Sounds similar to what you're doing, but not sure I can still eat like that. However, if it gets me back in the low fifties for a Luge lap, maybe it's worth a try. :thumbsup:
 
da big hills said:
Rode Hummingbird today: I had a good idea what was up, only two tire tracks on the trail. Whats up with that? It was a double black diamond, it is now so much more. Wow, it is no wonder I only ride this once or so a year. Many of those tight sbacks are still there complete with axle high drops on the exit. But it is so rough I spent my vision going into the turns, never even looking for the clean exits. There may not even be clean exits. The trail is short almost 2 miles, drops ~1300 feet so the numbers are good. But the trail is mostly on exposure, it is so rocky & rutted that there is no high speed line. I figure if ridden again you would gain 10 extra corners, ridden a few times and it would become WICKED. I was solo so I passed all those air opportunities and as I said you are looking for the line in front of you most of the time. I did not hit that unlimited air because there is no time to look far down the trail. I will probably ride it again soon and try to carry a bit more speed. I did not see any riders or hikers so you are alone out there, best be careful on the Bird
Happy twilight trails
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Damn, that sounds so fun. Nice job ticking that one. I'll be on da big hills train if I'm anywhere in SoCal when the repeat goes off. Please post it up! :thumbsup:
 
AS promised rode LCWP after a nice teeth cleaning allowed me to slip out of the office early. Been sick for over a week (as have kids) so was not feeling great. Decided on just a quick Lizard Fenceline loop and was glad I did as my lungs felt like they might explode climbing Upper Laurel. Did some trail maintenance on Lizard covering a stupid cheater line that goes up around a rock. Beautiful afternoon, could see all the way to San Clemente island.
 
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@mtnbikej and I tried to avoid the wind up top, and chose a Whiting- Old Camp ride instead. Rolled from Cooks at 4:00 when it was still a bit toasty, and made our way into Whiting and up to Mark's bench. One run down Cactus, a climb up Borrego, Cattle Pond, Mustard, and Cactus run #2, bouncing through the potholes the entire way! Exit at the stables, and up Modjeska Grade. I'm not sure when they did the road work, but the grade on Modjeska Grade is significantly steeper than the last time I rode it. Yep. Either the road was steeper or someone hooked me to an anchor. :whistling: In fact, all of STT seemed steeper tonight. :gag:

Maybe I blew myself up more than I thought on Harding yesterday, or I need to start following @dustyyoungblood 's nutrition plan. Maybe a couple bacon cheeseburgers before the ride? :p

We turned around just before the downhill to the lower Joplin trailhead. It was a really clear night... Coming down STT is fun at night. We passed about 8 riders headed up which is unusual. Get a little higher up in the mountains at night and we don't usually see another soul.

A run down the Luge, and back to the cars. No mechanicals, no issues. :thumbsup:

As I passed the end of the Trabuco wash on the drive home, I could see bike lights on STT. Pretty cool... :thumbsup: Unfortunately, I could also see at least three Jeeps headed up Cadillac. :thumbsdown:

Nice night...

21.2 miles and 3400 feet...

Catalina and San Clemente visible tonight...
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Rode my bicicleta today. A little exploring was on the agenda for todays ride. The plan was to ride from my house and see how close I could get to Mt Gleason via 3N17, Santa Clara divide rd.

The stats:
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Well thanks to the 2009 station fire and the more recent creek fire, my plan was thwarted at mile 12 :mad: when I arrived at Bear Divide
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At this point I wasn't in the mood to get chased out if I rode around the gate, so I turned around and climbed back up towards Camp 9. From there I just rode around and enjoyed the views from the top.
Next time I will bring my Enduro instead and try my hand at this fire break from the top:
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And you guys wonder why I go through so many sets of brake pads :whistling:
 
Runs with Scissors said:
I've been in Whiting, and on Mustard, exactly once. I don't remember which one Mustard is and I can't get it to show up on Google Maps. Is it, perhaps, officially named something else?
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It's definitely called Mustard. But oddly, even the OC Parks Map leaves it nameless. Find Borrego and just follow it to Four Corners. That's Mustard. It's just a fire-road, and it's not ridiculously challenging. It gets a little steep for the final 20 pedal strokes, but not crazy. Consider that my comments are coming from - me. You know I love climbing. :confused:
 
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Runs with Scissors said:
I've been in Whiting, and on Mustard, exactly once. I don't remember which one Mustard is and I can't get it to show up on Google Maps. Is it, perhaps, officially named something else?
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Runs with Scissors said:
Cool, thanks for the reminder. Nice to know there's an official staging area too. :thumbsup:

Someday soon I need to ride it again. If only to see if I've improved any since the first time, which was about 3 months after I got back into riding. :sneaky:
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herzalot said:
It's definitely called Mustard. But oddly, even the OC Parks Map leaves it nameless. Find Borrego and just follow it to Four Corners. That's Mustard. It's just a fire-road, and it's not ridiculously challenging. It gets a little steep for the final 20 pedal strokes, but not crazy. Consider that my comments are coming from - me. I love climbing. :confused:
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I see "Mustard Road" on the park map I linked to... :whistling:
 
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