I Rode My Bike Today...

Had to check on my punk rock buddy. See if he survived the rains. Yep, he did. Up Blackstar so many hikers I thought I was in Aliso. Down Coal Cyn. I had my first crash on the new bike. So many ruts sucked me up at a steep section. Couldn't steer out. Glad I got the first crash out of the way. Scuffed up the lower fork and my wrist but nothing serious. Strava failed somewhere before SART, Shorted me about 7 miles. Up Foothill and Skyline was a grind. Good weather and views at the Doppler. Down B* tons of hikers again. 40/6100. :thumbsup: Beats fixing the kitchen sink.

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@Cyclotourist...thanks for the inspiration! Took one of my 8s and my 6 up to Loch Leven with fatbike and 6 on the MacRide and 8 on the towbike. Went out and back up to AO...kids were stoked! I was gassed and stoked! (The hour of dirt moving with a McLeod earlier in the AM didn’t help :confused:)

The dirt stoke is catching on with them! The Motobecane mini fatty comes on Tuesday, so the 8 should be shredding brown pow herself soon!

Also...@herzalot, is snowboarding worth taking up? I’m 42.5 y/o and 7feet, if that affects your answer...got a work conference in March in Whistler and was planning on taking runs down to Squamish for some biking in between conference time, but thinking about some snowboarding lessons....
 
evdog said:
Rode Palm Canyon with exit via Art Smith a week ago

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Had just rained the day or two before so dirt was awesome.

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Saw zero other riders which is unheard of in these conditions. Passed three hikers in Palm Canyon and a few more at bottom of Art Smith

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Cool palm trees on Art Smith some of which burned a few years ago

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Good times!
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love those native fan palms
 
Sassyquatch said:
@Cyclotourist...thanks for the inspiration! Took one of my 8s and my 6 up to Loch Leven with fatbike and 6 on the MacRide and 8 on the towbike. Went out and back up to AO...kids were stoked! I was gassed and stoked! (The hour of dirt moving with a McLeod earlier in the AM didn’t help :confused:)

The dirt stoke is catching on with them! The Motobecane mini fatty comes on Tuesday, so the 8 should be shredding brown pow herself soon!

Also...@herzalot, is snowboarding worth taking up? I’m 42.5 y/o and 7feet, if that affects your answer...got a work conference in March in Whistler and was planning on taking runs down to Squamish for some biking in between conference time, but thinking about some snowboarding lessons....
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Glad to do my part! Isn't it beautiful up there! Glad the groms enjoyed it as much as you did!
 
Sassyquatch said:
Also...@herzalot, is snowboarding worth taking up? I’m 42.5 y/o and 7feet, if that affects your answer...got a work conference in March in Whistler and was planning on taking runs down to Squamish for some biking in between conference time, but thinking about some snowboarding lessons....
Click to expand...

I took up snowboarding at 43, after 15 years of competitive skiing (and 35 total years on skis at that time). It was TOTALLY different, and I was suddenly scared to get of a chairlift or take a blue run. But it was also exhilarating to be learning something new. Even though I was a skateboarder as a kid, and a surfer as an adult, snowboarding was still very foreign. Having both feet clamped to the board was a little claustrophobic. I taught myself - no lessons. Fortunately, I figured it out pretty quickly.

At 7', keep in mind that when you fall on a snowboard, it is very sudden, and pretty violent - like running down the field on your way to a touchdown when somebody grabs both your ankles - WHAM! Fortunately, I didn't fall much when I was learning. Hopefully, you will have a similar experience.

Give it a try. :thumbsup:
 
I headed out to Oaks this afternoon....with dead legs.

Figured on not being out too long. Only brought 1 bottle with me.

It's getting soooooo green ou there.
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The rains did a number on the trail......next to the kiosk at the bottom of Chutes.
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Also at the bottom of the merge of Chutes Trail and Chutes Ridgeline.....don't go wide on the way down.
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Otherwise still a fun ride....stayed out and got in 17 / 2400'
 
herzalot said:
I took up snowboarding at 43, after 15 years of competitive skiing (and 35 total years on skis at that time). It was TOTALLY different, and I was suddenly scared to get of a chairlift or take a blue run. But it was also exhilarating to be learning something new. Even though I was a skateboarder as a kid, and a surfer as an adult, snowboarding was still very foreign. Having both feet clamped to the board was a little claustrophobic. I taught myself - no lessons. Fortunately, I figured it out pretty quickly.

At 7', keep in mind that when you fall on a snowboard, it is very sudden, and pretty violent - like running down the field on your way to a touchdown when somebody grabs both your ankles - WHAM! Fortunately, I didn't fall much when I was learning. Hopefully, you will have a similar experience.

Give it a try. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info! I figured the lever arm thing and COG would be my enemies when it comes to snowboarding...maybe I’ll save the boarding lessons for Summit some other time and not trade potential Squamish ride time for learning curve frustrations and bruises (or more). Prolly would be tough to sit through conference sessions banged up....
 
After a couple comments about the “Newport Floop” I had to hit one of my favs. Turtle Ridge into Bommer Canyon then up West Fork to El Moro. Quick Lizard run and back up to Missing Link/Fenceline. Speed drop back down West Fork in the dark with no light and all rutted was a blast. Through Bommer out to Shady Canyon and around back to truck. Very nice night and fun ride.
Using a SC Tallboy while Hightower is in shop. Forgot how much fun the Tallboy is.
14/2400’
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Today on my TAV In El Moro .... what a beautiful Day.

So there's lots of ruts everywhere so I'm sure like most of you and being very cautious crossing ruts or bunny hopping over them etcetera etc.

I rode rattlesnake which is pretty technical right now because it's pretty messed up Rocky ... Rutty... I cleaned it.

Then on my second time down Mach 1 my tire dropped into a tire size rut (I think it had greenery hiding it) and before I could pull it out I was a ejected from my bike. I kind of just Supermaned forward.

According to Strava I was going about 29 miles an hour. I had pads on thank gosh but even at that speed they only do so much.

I'd say I slid 10-15 feet on the dirt / gravel and into greenery.. think slip and slide but without the slip and slide.

I'm okay I have some road rash on my left arm, poor left arm and elbow always seem to get the worst. The speed and impact push the pad all the way up to my shoulder almost. Little rash on my knees the force of sliding on your belly was pulling down the pads but they helped for sure. Tore my jersey...to really get a sense of the speed impact it ripped my baggies off down to my ankles, breaking the clasp and zipper...AND broke my seat. I'm actually pretty lucky my injuries aren't worse.. not sure how I didn't hit my chin.

Hah arm warmers didn't tear though that probably helped.

I suspect the rut bled some speed off and actually think the pads did amazing I think even though they got pushed around that's what I was skidding on.

It was definitely yard sale had to look for my badge and glasses they were sprayed all over the place.

Yes very lucky even though I am sore I feel very lucky....and now that I've cleaned out all the road rash it's not quite as bad as it first looked (left arm still brunt) but have little spots of it I lots all over the place.
I'm pretty irritated at myself getting caught in a rut it's been a long time and it's been a really long time since I had back-to-back crashes... Yup had a pedal strike dismount on SJT yesterday... I'm a little beat up...but hope they getting it out of the way for 2019

I will add that I have noticed a spate of crashes @Grego @herzalot etc... That seem rut , rain different trail conditions related ...argh


Oh BTW this is what the segment looks like can you tell where I crashed?

Screenshot_20190127-161615.png
 
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bvader said:
Today on my TAV In El Moro .... what a beautiful Day.

So there's lots of ruts everywhere so I'm sure like most of you and being very cautious crossing ruts or bunny hopping over them etcetera etc.

I rode rattlesnake which is pretty technical right now because it's pretty messed up Rocky ... Rutty... I cleaned it.

Then on my second time down Mach 1 my tire dropped into a tire size rut (I think it had greenery hiding it) and before I could pull it out I was a ejected from my bike. I kind of just Supermaned forward.

According to Strava I was going about 29 miles an hour. I had pads on thank gosh but even at that speed they only do so much.

I'd say I slid 10-15 feet on the dirt / gravel and into greenery.. think slip and slide but without the slip and slide.

I'm okay I have some road rash on my left arm, poor left arm and elbow always seem to get the worst. The speed and impact push the pad all the way up to my shoulder almost. Little rash on my knees the force of sliding on your belly was pulling down the pads but they helped for sure. Tore my jersey...to really get a sense of the speed impact it ripped my baggies off down to my ankles, breaking the clasp and zipper...AND broke my seat. I'm actually pretty lucky my injuries aren't worse.. not sure how I didn't hit my chin.

Hah arm warmers didn't tear though that probably helped.

I suspect the rut bled some speed off and actually think the pads did amazing I think even though they got pushed around that's what I was skidding on.

It was definitely yard sale had to look for my badge and glasses they were sprayed all over the place.

Yes very lucky even though I am sore I feel very lucky....and now that I've cleaned out all the road rash it's not quite as bad as it first looked (left arm still brunt) but have little spots of it I lots all over the place.
I'm pretty irritated at myself getting caught in a rut it's been a long time and it's been a really long time since I had back-to-back crashes... Yup had a pedal strike dismount on SJT yesterday... I'm a little beat up...but hope they getting it out of the way for 2019

I will add that I have noticed a state of crashes @Grego @herzalot etc... That seem rut , rain different trail conditions related ...argh
Click to expand...
Holy crap... glad you are mostly OK. Those sneaky ruts take out a lot of unsuspecting riders.

Stay reasonably safe out there y'all!

(PS - I didn't so much crash as get pinned in - yours sounds scarier).
 
bvader said:
Today on my TAV In El Moro .... what a beautiful Day.

So there's lots of ruts everywhere so I'm sure like most of you and being very cautious crossing ruts or bunny hopping over them etcetera etc.

I rode rattlesnake which is pretty technical right now because it's pretty messed up Rocky ... Rutty... I cleaned it.

Then on my second time down Mach 1 my tire dropped into a tire size rut (I think it had greenery hiding it) and before I could pull it out I was a ejected from my bike. I kind of just Supermaned forward.

According to Strava I was going about 29 miles an hour. I had pads on thank gosh but even at that speed they only do so much.

I'd say I slid 10-15 feet on the dirt / gravel and into greenery.. think slip and slide but without the slip and slide.

I'm okay I have some road rash on my left arm, poor left arm and elbow always seem to get the worst. The speed and impact push the pad all the way up to my shoulder almost. Little rash on my knees the force of sliding on your belly was pulling down the pads but they helped for sure. Tore my jersey...to really get a sense of the speed impact it ripped my baggies off down to my ankles, breaking the clasp and zipper...AND broke my seat. I'm actually pretty lucky my injuries aren't worse.. not sure how I didn't hit my chin.

Hah arm warmers didn't tear though that probably helped.

I suspect the rut bled some speed off and actually think the pads did amazing I think even though they got pushed around that's what I was skidding on.

It was definitely yard sale had to look for my badge and glasses they were sprayed all over the place.

Yes very lucky even though I am sore I feel very lucky....and now that I've cleaned out all the road rash it's not quite as bad as it first looked (left arm still brunt) but have little spots of it I lots all over the place.
I'm pretty irritated at myself getting caught in a rut it's been a long time and it's been a really long time since I had back-to-back crashes... Yup had a pedal strike dismount on SJT yesterday... I'm a little beat up...but hope they getting it out of the way for 2019

I will add that I have noticed a spate of crashes @Grego @herzalot etc... That seem rut , rain different trail conditions related ...argh


Oh BTW this is what the segment looks like can you tell where I crashed?

View attachment 48701
Click to expand...

Ruts have always intimidated me... now I remember why! Hope you heal up quick, and glad it wasn't significantly worse!
 
bvader said:
Today on my TAV In El Moro .... what a beautiful Day.

So there's lots of ruts everywhere so I'm sure like most of you and being very cautious crossing ruts or bunny hopping over them etcetera etc.

I rode rattlesnake which is pretty technical right now because it's pretty messed up Rocky ... Rutty... I cleaned it.

Then on my second time down Mach 1 my tire dropped into a tire size rut (I think it had greenery hiding it) and before I could pull it out I was a ejected from my bike. I kind of just Supermaned forward.

According to Strava I was going about 29 miles an hour. I had pads on thank gosh but even at that speed they only do so much.

I'd say I slid 10-15 feet on the dirt / gravel and into greenery.. think slip and slide but without the slip and slide.

I'm okay I have some road rash on my left arm, poor left arm and elbow always seem to get the worst. The speed and impact push the pad all the way up to my shoulder almost. Little rash on my knees the force of sliding on your belly was pulling down the pads but they helped for sure. Tore my jersey...to really get a sense of the speed impact it ripped my baggies off down to my ankles, breaking the clasp and zipper...AND broke my seat. I'm actually pretty lucky my injuries aren't worse.. not sure how I didn't hit my chin.

Hah arm warmers didn't tear though that probably helped.

I suspect the rut bled some speed off and actually think the pads did amazing I think even though they got pushed around that's what I was skidding on.

It was definitely yard sale had to look for my badge and glasses they were sprayed all over the place.

Yes very lucky even though I am sore I feel very lucky....and now that I've cleaned out all the road rash it's not quite as bad as it first looked (left arm still brunt) but have little spots of it I lots all over the place.
I'm pretty irritated at myself getting caught in a rut it's been a long time and it's been a really long time since I had back-to-back crashes... Yup had a pedal strike dismount on SJT yesterday... I'm a little beat up...but hope they getting it out of the way for 2019

I will add that I have noticed a spate of crashes @Grego @herzalot etc... That seem rut , rain different trail conditions related ...argh


Oh BTW this is what the segment looks like can you tell where I crashed?

View attachment 48701
Click to expand...
Good thing you had pads! I wear pads all the time, you never know when you may go down, even in places you may not expect
 
UPSed said:
I used to ride my WR450 out there. I'd bring the MTB and do laps while everyone else was having a beer.
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I've been riding these same hills/ Ridgecrest area since the mid 80's. I took heat from my friends for showing up to an Enduro without my dirt bike yesterday but they understand my love of riding mountain bikes. Too much fun in the big stuff? I was catching a wee bit to much air yesterday in a couple of places above my suspensions pay grade. I knew it when I hit and so did my ankle. I had to remind myself that I'm not on my dirtbike. I rode my loop back to our truck ( which was all downhill- and even more fun) grabbed more water and headed off in another direction. My daughter had a great Enduro. I had a awesome day as well.
 
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bvader said:
Today on my TAV In El Moro .... what a beautiful Day.

So there's lots of ruts everywhere so I'm sure like most of you and being very cautious crossing ruts or bunny hopping over them etcetera etc.

I rode rattlesnake which is pretty technical right now because it's pretty messed up Rocky ... Rutty... I cleaned it.

Then on my second time down Mach 1 my tire dropped into a tire size rut (I think it had greenery hiding it) and before I could pull it out I was a ejected from my bike. I kind of just Supermaned forward.

According to Strava I was going about 29 miles an hour. I had pads on thank gosh but even at that speed they only do so much.

I'd say I slid 10-15 feet on the dirt / gravel and into greenery.. think slip and slide but without the slip and slide.

I'm okay I have some road rash on my left arm, poor left arm and elbow always seem to get the worst. The speed and impact push the pad all the way up to my shoulder almost. Little rash on my knees the force of sliding on your belly was pulling down the pads but they helped for sure. Tore my jersey...to really get a sense of the speed impact it ripped my baggies off down to my ankles, breaking the clasp and zipper...AND broke my seat. I'm actually pretty lucky my injuries aren't worse.. not sure how I didn't hit my chin.

Hah arm warmers didn't tear though that probably helped.

I suspect the rut bled some speed off and actually think the pads did amazing I think even though they got pushed around that's what I was skidding on.

It was definitely yard sale had to look for my badge and glasses they were sprayed all over the place.

Yes very lucky even though I am sore I feel very lucky....and now that I've cleaned out all the road rash it's not quite as bad as it first looked (left arm still brunt) but have little spots of it I lots all over the place.
I'm pretty irritated at myself getting caught in a rut it's been a long time and it's been a really long time since I had back-to-back crashes... Yup had a pedal strike dismount on SJT yesterday... I'm a little beat up...but hope they getting it out of the way for 2019

I will add that I have noticed a spate of crashes @Grego @herzalot etc... That seem rut , rain different trail conditions related ...argh


Oh BTW this is what the segment looks like can you tell where I crashed?

View attachment 48701
Click to expand...
Ho, man!!!!!! Speedy healing, @bvader. That's hospital speed, pal, so you lucked out. Going that fast, things are just out of control, and you're in the hands of destiny. I've gotten in as much trouble trying to go fast on easy terrain as on hard techie stuff. Going down on Mach 1 (or whatever dumb, soulless name they are trying to foist on it these days) is pretty unthinkable. Good outcome :thumbsup:
 
Did a quick Maple Springs / Motorway loop. Because I am lame, I parked at the upper lot instead of the tree farm. I was pulling out of the parking lot on my bike, when who should I run into but @Andy, who hadn't ridden the trail since the LAST time I rode with him back in September :) Crazy coincidence! At any rate, we biked together on the paved portion of Maple Springs, and then since I was fresh and he had been biking from the farm, we parted ways and I continued on towards Four Corners.

At the bottom it was sunny and warm - almost hot, but during the climb the clouds rolled in and it got chilly. Maple Springs is in great condition. Main Divide has some loose chunk in a few spots and at least one artillery crater. I give Motorway a "B" for conditions right now... seen it better, seen it worse. I think the whole ride could be summed up with "we need about 6" of rain up there to pack everything down".

1_28_09_Motorway.jpg


Hopped back in the car, and headed home. Did some mental math on riding times, and figured I would probably see Andy about 1 mile before the Tree Farm (he rode down Harding and would be coming down Santiago Canyon Road) - and sure enough there he was! Car honk and wave for good luck!
 
bvader said:
Today on my TAV In El Moro .... what a beautiful Day.

So there's lots of ruts everywhere so I'm sure like most of you and being very cautious crossing ruts or bunny hopping over them etcetera etc.

I rode rattlesnake which is pretty technical right now because it's pretty messed up Rocky ... Rutty... I cleaned it.

Then on my second time down Mach 1 my tire dropped into a tire size rut (I think it had greenery hiding it) and before I could pull it out I was a ejected from my bike. I kind of just Supermaned forward.

According to Strava I was going about 29 miles an hour. I had pads on thank gosh but even at that speed they only do so much.

I'd say I slid 10-15 feet on the dirt / gravel and into greenery.. think slip and slide but without the slip and slide.

I'm okay I have some road rash on my left arm, poor left arm and elbow always seem to get the worst. The speed and impact push the pad all the way up to my shoulder almost. Little rash on my knees the force of sliding on your belly was pulling down the pads but they helped for sure. Tore my jersey...to really get a sense of the speed impact it ripped my baggies off down to my ankles, breaking the clasp and zipper...AND broke my seat. I'm actually pretty lucky my injuries aren't worse.. not sure how I didn't hit my chin.

Hah arm warmers didn't tear though that probably helped.

I suspect the rut bled some speed off and actually think the pads did amazing I think even though they got pushed around that's what I was skidding on.

It was definitely yard sale had to look for my badge and glasses they were sprayed all over the place.

Yes very lucky even though I am sore I feel very lucky....and now that I've cleaned out all the road rash it's not quite as bad as it first looked (left arm still brunt) but have little spots of it I lots all over the place.
I'm pretty irritated at myself getting caught in a rut it's been a long time and it's been a really long time since I had back-to-back crashes... Yup had a pedal strike dismount on SJT yesterday... I'm a little beat up...but hope they getting it out of the way for 2019

I will add that I have noticed a spate of crashes @Grego @herzalot etc... That seem rut , rain different trail conditions related ...argh

Oh BTW this is what the segment looks like can you tell where I crashed?

View attachment 48701
Click to expand...

Dude! The human body wasn't designed to go from 30 mph to 0 mph. :eek: I hurt just thinking about that... o_O

Feel better and take it easy...
 
Cyclotourist said:
Sunday morning means Crafton with da' kida! I did a LOT better than last week, when I couldn't keep up at all. I don't know if I built up some fitness, or if it was changing to 29ers, but I did a lot better. Still turned around a bit early and rode on my own back, but I was pretty good till that point. BEAUTIFUL out, that's for sure!
21/2,600' https://www.strava.com/activities/2107688833

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That black Santa Cruz up front is one good looking bike.
 
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