I Rode My Bike Today...

Good local ride this morning and super humid. I did a Cherry Canyon/GSC combo. Fairly quiet on the dirt, just the odd hiker and biker. Sunrise was pretty.

Down at GSC, I took the time to read one of the history info plaques.

14.5 miles
2018'
1104 calories

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I had a new route planned for this weekend but no real idea how long it would take. With a sick pooch at home one of us needs to stay with him and the wife had stuff to do so I stuck to something I know so I could be home early. Decided to roll the Hightower in 29er mode with the new Rekon 2.4's. Good thing I stuck to something I know cause I suffered today. Humidity about killed me and I had to really back off the pace midway thru. Stuck it out and finished though. I like the new 2.4 Rekons. They roll great and grip too. That being said I still like the Hightower in fluffy 27.5+ mode but I'll keep toying with the 29ers on it. It's just never going to pedal as good as the Ripley and I have to accept that. Never even dawned on me to stop and take any pictures.
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Nice local spin with my buddy Tony. He was actually suffering today so the pace was nice. I know that sounds mean but the only time I can hang with him is when he is suffering. Conditions were loose and dusty which is to be expected this time of year. Temps remained cool throughout the ride.

On one of the fire road connectors we approached a couple walking who courteously moved to the side but as we approached the male turned towards us and stated "we need some bells". My immediate response was "there is a bell box about halfway at Albertson". Have a nice day.

Great ride nonetheless.

Oh yeah. There is a new section of single track that I have only been on twice now. Tony asked me at the bottom if I think I got a cup. I said I wasn't sure but I knocked at least 30 seconds off my last attempt. Turns out I knocked a full minute off and got a KOM. That won't last long though as there are a lot of KOM hunters out here.

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Voodoo Tom said:
I had a new route planned for this weekend but no real idea how long it would take. With a sick pooch at home one of us needs to stay with him and the wife had stuff to do so I stuck to something I know so I could be home early. Decided to roll the Hightower in 29er mode with the new Rekon 2.4's. Good thing I stuck to something I know cause I suffered today. Humidity about killed me and I had to really back off the pace midway thru. Stuck it out and finished though. I like the new 2.4 Rekons. They roll great and grip too. That being said I still like the Hightower in fluffy 27.5+ mode but I'll keep toying with the 29ers on it. It's just never going to pedal as good as the Ripley and I have to accept that. Never even dawned on me to stop and take any pictures.
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That’s a decent ride Tom!:thumbsup:
 
Weezal and I got in a most primo day of the best ST in Tahoe that I’ve found. The 13 mi / 4K+’ drop from 9700’ was worth a little suffering.

Freel Peak shoulder on Tahoe Rim Trail to Armstrong Pass Trail, Armstrong Connector and Corral. Most of this I did before, but had to get lovey out there. The riding around Freel is unbelievable; blue-black with failure consequences everywhere, exposed, incredible alpine setting.

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My babe rode with notable confidence, and flashed many problems that got my full attention. She handled the arduously rough climb up with aplomb; fast and strong descending. For me it can’t get better than that...

I said it was top ten all-time; she said top five.

:inlove::thumbsup:
 
Got taken out by yet another ear infection last weekend (gotta stay out of that HB water) ... so two weeks between rides and finally got back on the bike this weekend.

SkyPark Saturday and San Clemente Singletracks today. Felt weak both days ... but still had fun. Did three jump runs today in SC ... they feel so easy now after SkyPark. That said, SkyPark is making me soft ... riding in this brutal OC humidity is killing me, lol.

I can't ride next weekend due to previous commitments, but I hope to get a good chunk/gnar ride in sometime during the week.
 
WE rode today in Wrightwood!.....Maddog and me. Kind of a last minute invite thrown out by MD. Wanted some cooler temps and hopefully cleaner air and boy did we get it!
First off, when I pulled up at the meeting point, looked in the back seat where my riding shoes should be........Doh:bang::bang: forgot them in my rush to get going. I use egg beaters so went ahead anyway to see how things would feel. Actually wasn't as bad as I thought.
It was partly cloudy and breezy to start. Climbed up and came down Blue Ridge, only couple of hikers. Then over to Table Mtn. When we got to the top some good showers started, big drops!! Very refreshing, and at times it felt like a sauna. The best part was this happened before we went down the last down hill back to the cars. It was as if someone sprayed down the trail before we went down....Hero dirt:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Kind of a short ride but quality and great conditions.
12/2400'

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scan said:
First off, when I pulled up at the meeting point, looked in the back seat where my riding shoes should be........Doh:bang::bang: forgot them in my rush to get going. I use egg beaters so went ahead anyway to see how things would feel. Actually wasn't as bad as I thought.
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I always keep a set of flat pedals in my tool kit/car. If someone forgets his riding shoes, no biggie, use what ya brung, even if it's flip flops.

Glad you guys got out today, and thanks for the ride report and photos!
 
Got out at 6:30pm and did an STT/Luge lap. Some dude passed me on FU hill because I'm slow! But I caught and passed him at the exit to the pavement--YES! Ha. No way I'm the fastest descender, but I do know that trail. ;)

Quiet, smoke free, trail in good shape considering, Luge fast and a bit loose, Ikons happy at 19f and 21r. :)
 
mike said:
Weezal and I got in a most primo day of the best ST in Tahoe that I’ve found. The 13 mi / 4K+’ drop from 9700’ was worth a little suffering.

Freel Peak shoulder on Tahoe Rim Trail to Armstrong Pass Trail, Armstrong Connector and Corral. Most of this I did before, but had to get lovey out there. The riding around Freel is unbelievable; blue-black with failure consequences everywhere, exposed, incredible alpine setting.

View attachment 42668

My babe rode with notable confidence, and flashed many problems that got my full attention. She handled the arduously rough climb up with aplomb; fast and strong descending. For me it can’t get better than that...

I said it was top ten all-time; she said top five.

:inlove::thumbsup:
Click to expand...

You be living the dream, living the dream!
 
scan said:
WE rode today in Wrightwood!.....Maddog and me. Kind of a last minute invite thrown out by MD. Wanted some cooler temps and hopefully cleaner air and boy did we get it!
First off, when I pulled up at the meeting point, looked in the back seat where my riding shoes should be........Doh:bang::bang: forgot them in my rush to get going. I use egg beaters so went ahead anyway to see how things would feel. Actually wasn't as bad as I thought.
It was partly cloudy and breezy to start. Climbed up and came down Blue Ridge, only couple of hikers. Then over to Table Mtn. When we got to the top some good showers started, big drops!! Very refreshing, and at times it felt like a sauna. The best part was this happened before we went down the last down hill back to the cars. It was as if someone sprayed down the trail before we went down....Hero dirt:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Kind of a short ride but quality and great conditions.
12/2400'

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Did you find a new Bell helmet I left up there dang nabit? I ended up putting in a new radiator in my sons Tacoma today and canceled my plans with friends. Pretty cool you guys got the good dirt!
 
mike said:
Weezal and I got in a most primo day of the best ST in Tahoe that I’ve found. The 13 mi / 4K+’ drop from 9700’ was worth a little suffering.

Freel Peak shoulder on Tahoe Rim Trail to Armstrong Pass Trail, Armstrong Connector and Corral. Most of this I did before, but had to get lovey out there. The riding around Freel is unbelievable; blue-black with failure consequences everywhere, exposed, incredible alpine setting.

View attachment 42668

My babe rode with notable confidence, and flashed many problems that got my full attention. She handled the arduously rough climb up with aplomb; fast and strong descending. For me it can’t get better than that...

I said it was top ten all-time; she said top five.

:inlove::thumbsup:
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konakc said:
Flooped. I rather have ridden tahoe.. but floop was pretty awesome.. sunday 4..one other rider.. all to myself
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Man, this thread goes from one extreme to the other!

I give you props, @konakc ... I would have waited for a few other posts to pop up before following mike's ride! :thumbsup: :D
 
Easy 15 mile loop today El Moro, which involves a decent amount of asphalt. Climbed up Vista Ridge, then approaching Ridge Park i saw cars parked as far as the satellite towers o_O. So yes loads of people in the park. Red Tail ridge to Ticketron, which was in good shape but indeed quite popular with hikers. All good, everyone was friendly. Then down to the bottom, going a litte extra slow not to hit people...then Crystal Cove state park to Buck Gully. Here there was one rider almost taking us out, again. I guess he thought he was doing the Olympics downhill course or something. Not nice. Quite a few other bikers and hikers. It was the least hot route we could do. I saw no / little smoke anymore from Trabuco area, but i could clearly see the different, grey, color, of the canyon. :(
 
Snow valley bike park today. Haven’t been there since Rox used to post here.
Lots of new additions mainly at the bottom of the runs. A couple of new features on westridge and two chairlifts running.
Burt, David, Matt and myself had fun on Turtle, Fall Line, Westridge, Party Wave, Going Green and Miracle mile. Then at 12:00 the rain began.
We took one rainy wet ride back to the top for our last wet somewhat muddy run and called it a day.
Quick lunch at Sonora Cantina and drove back home. Rain stopped just as we left the lake.
 
@mtnbikej

The plan was for an easy out and back on Bell View yesterday afternoon, with some super secret extra credit trails. The plan was going well, until this:

Caspers closed due to the fire:
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Plan B. There is a part of the Bell View Trail in Robinson Ranch that sees very little traffic, because it's steep and rocky. When I was first starting out, I used to practice on the worst climb over there. The trail actually connects to the Bell Ridge Trail that runs all the way to Main Divide. On an old state map, it was listed as one trail from Caspers all the way to the top. Pretty cool... It's still intact and can be ridden that way. The only non-dirt sections are at the water authority in Dove Canyon, and the street crossing at the Catholic school. That would be one helluva adventure ride... Either direction.

We did see this at the Dove Canyon pond:

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He made several trips in the time we were in the area...


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And the finish:

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18.5/2700
 
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Faust29 said:
@mtnbikej

The plan was for an easy out and back on Bell View yesterday afternoon, with some super secret extra credit trails. The plan was going well, until this:

Caspers closed due to the fire:
View attachment 42694

Plan B. There is a part of the Bell View Trail in Robinson Ranch that sees very little traffic, because it's steep and rocky. When I was first starting out, I used to practice on the worst climb over there. The trail actually connects to the Bell Ridge Trail that runs all the way to Main Divide. On an old state map, it was listed as one trail from Caspers all the way to the top. Pretty cool... It's still intact and can be ridden that way. The only non-dirt sections are at the water authority in Dove Canyon, and the street crossing at the Catholic school. That would be one helluva adventure ride... Either direction.

We did see this at the Dove Canyon pond:

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He made several trips in the time we were in the area...


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And the finish:

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18.5/2700
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Got a late afternoon text about an easy cruiser ride. Then when it was told that Suz wasn’t going to come me along, I was told something about some extra credit along said easy cruiser ride.

My legs were very late to the party. In fact we were already into the first extra credit while I was trying to clean the climb that was said to be uncleanable....I think it is....just not today. Think this is where my HR topped out at 188.

We hit a couple more extra credits that were no problem. Then we were stopped in our tracks. Yeah, Caspers was closed....WTF. So we turned around and headed back for some other extra credit....

I’ve only been on this section of trail once....about 10 years ago. We headed up some steep climbs....I heard some mumbling about paybacks for some death marches I may or may not have duped some people into. No problem, I took my lumps. Now that I have seen the trail....I’ll clean it.....sometime.

Got back just at dark.....tacos to go.

Nice temps for once. Good ride.
 
scan said:
WE rode today in Wrightwood!.....Maddog and me. Kind of a last minute invite thrown out by MD. Wanted some cooler temps and hopefully cleaner air and boy did we get it!
First off, when I pulled up at the meeting point, looked in the back seat where my riding shoes should be........Doh:bang::bang: forgot them in my rush to get going. I use egg beaters so went ahead anyway to see how things would feel. Actually wasn't as bad as I thought.
It was partly cloudy and breezy to start. Climbed up and came down Blue Ridge, only couple of hikers. Then over to Table Mtn. When we got to the top some good showers started, big drops!! Very refreshing, and at times it felt like a sauna. The best part was this happened before we went down the last down hill back to the cars. It was as if someone sprayed down the trail before we went down....Hero dirt:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Kind of a short ride but quality and great conditions.
12/2400'

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It was kind of an average, customarily excellent ride in Wrightwood after the dusty descent down Blue Ridge. Then the rain started on the traverse to Table Top! Never was more than a medium shower perfectly timed to turn the dirt to hero on the most switchy trail up there:thumbsup:! It was like turning on Velcro! Sun was shining the whole time! Totally dry in town at the store and at Big Pine on my way home! The little storm cell was whipped up at the right time just for us!:rolleyes: Here's my pics. I wasn't inspired to take any until the rain turned the trail into a magic carpet ride!:cool:

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