mountaingirl sara
iMTB Hooligan
Yeah! Something like that!
I Rode My Bike Today...
- Thread starter herzalot
- Start date
CBone
iMTB Rockstah
It almost does. I’ll leave the glow in the dark to Snake’s Jabberwocky
mike
iMTB Hooligan
On the recommendation of my friend, sensei @Tom the Bomb, I ticked off Geronimo on South Mountain, Phoenix.
Not an easy trail to get to, I simply HAB’ed up Mormon Trail from its north TH, then up National. That way I’d finish up with very little pavement back to the car. On my way up, here is the infamous Waterfall on National:
The weez cleaned it, you know : )
Our preferred line off the boulder when we ride down it:
I reached the top of Geronimo at an auto road turnout. Dropped into the trail innocuously enough…
But @schillingsworth had warned me that he usually walks the bottom third of the trail, so I assumed there was some difficulty or danger or both. I didn’t bother to research it but planned for caution. Thanks to the three bros up there who dispensed good words about the trail. They accurately stated there is nothing quite as hard as the Waterfall. But in reality, there is so much terrain just under that difficulty, with some penalty potential…focus becomes cruxy and the effort in total is harder than a rider will have on east National with the Waterfall. Got all that?
Does look necky? Usually no in photos...
Something you don't see every day in the desert...
I puckered but onsighted a solid majority of the trail. I gave up a dab in two spots, and there were two switchies that I dismounted, scoped and walked. It was a short but intense exercise in decision making. Fast sections between eye openers. Kind of a pure MTB experience, at your tech limit on a new trail, alone. Dialing it back solo makes sense, but the mojo was strong and I came away with a killer run.
Rated black feels pretty stout on SoMo, and this trail exemplifies it. Think Chiquito with desert failure penalty. Burly ass, super chunky riding with steep sections including some gripping switchbacks.
Thanks, TTB! It hit the spot. No one else seen on the trail proper, and mildly warm temperatures by Truckee resident standards. A blissful day of exploring the goods in Phoenix – the goods being SoMo. I and we will be back...
Not an easy trail to get to, I simply HAB’ed up Mormon Trail from its north TH, then up National. That way I’d finish up with very little pavement back to the car. On my way up, here is the infamous Waterfall on National:
The weez cleaned it, you know : )
Our preferred line off the boulder when we ride down it:
I reached the top of Geronimo at an auto road turnout. Dropped into the trail innocuously enough…
But @schillingsworth had warned me that he usually walks the bottom third of the trail, so I assumed there was some difficulty or danger or both. I didn’t bother to research it but planned for caution. Thanks to the three bros up there who dispensed good words about the trail. They accurately stated there is nothing quite as hard as the Waterfall. But in reality, there is so much terrain just under that difficulty, with some penalty potential…focus becomes cruxy and the effort in total is harder than a rider will have on east National with the Waterfall. Got all that?
Does look necky? Usually no in photos...
Something you don't see every day in the desert...
I puckered but onsighted a solid majority of the trail. I gave up a dab in two spots, and there were two switchies that I dismounted, scoped and walked. It was a short but intense exercise in decision making. Fast sections between eye openers. Kind of a pure MTB experience, at your tech limit on a new trail, alone. Dialing it back solo makes sense, but the mojo was strong and I came away with a killer run.
Rated black feels pretty stout on SoMo, and this trail exemplifies it. Think Chiquito with desert failure penalty. Burly ass, super chunky riding with steep sections including some gripping switchbacks.
Thanks, TTB! It hit the spot. No one else seen on the trail proper, and mildly warm temperatures by Truckee resident standards. A blissful day of exploring the goods in Phoenix – the goods being SoMo. I and we will be back...
Last edited:
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
Way to handle it! That one is above my pay grade but my friend Dave used to ride it when he lived there and Ive seen his videos.
Tom the Bomb
iMTB Rockstah
You badazz you! Got the moves like Jaggar! That is some techy chit baby! The Weez is hot! Ya Holbert is next in line!
On the recommendation of my friend, sensei @Tom the Bomb, I ticked off Geronimo on South Mountain, Phoenix.
Not an easy trail to get to, I simply HAB’ed up Mormon Trail from its north TH, then up National. That way I’d finish up with very little pavement back to the car. On my way up, here is the infamous Waterfall on National:
View attachment 60094
The weez cleaned it, you know : )
Our preferred line off the boulder when we ride down it:
View attachment 60095
I reached the top of Geronimo at an auto road turnout. Dropped into the trail innocuously enough…
View attachment 60096
But @schillingsworth had warned me that he usually walks the bottom third of the trail, so I assumed there was some difficulty or danger or both. I didn’t bother to research it but planned for caution. Thanks to the three bros up there who dispensed good words about the trail. They accurately stated there is nothing quite as hard as the Waterfall. But in reality, there is so much terrain just under that difficulty, with some penalty potential…focus becomes cruxy and the effort in total is harder than a rider with have on east National with the Waterfall. Got all that?
Does look necky? Usually no in photos...
View attachment 60097
Something you don't see every day in the desert...
View attachment 60098
I puckered but onsighted a solid majority of the trail. I gave up a dab in two spots, and there were two switchies that I dismounted, scoped and walked. It was a short but intense exercise in decision making. Fast sections between eye openers. Kind of a pure MTB experience, at your tech limit on a new trail, alone. Dialing it back solo makes sense, but the mojo was strong and I came away with a killer run.
Rated black feels pretty stout on SoMo, and this trail exemplifies it. Think Chiquito with desert failure penalty. Burly ass, super chunky riding with steep sections including some gripping switchbacks.
Thanks, TTB! It hit the spot. No one else seen on the trail proper, and mildly warm temperatures by Truckee resident standards. A blissful day of exploring the goods in Phoenix – the goods being SoMo. I and we will be back...
Last edited:
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
sir crashalot
iMTB Rockstah
today I parked at Blue Jay, down San Juan and Viejo Tie, then left on Chiquito to where it hits San Juan, then back down Chiquito to the waterfall, then back up chiqito to SJ then climb/HAB up Old SAn Juan to blue jay. On way home I stopped and added in an extra credit counterclockwise San Juan Loop Trail (w/out backpack
). Great conditions, tacky dirt, cloudy and cool, no major storm damage or downed trees except for one on SJ loop. Had it all to myself. Ladybug swarm in Lion Canyon. 9 miles and only 1700' but felt like more.
). Great conditions, tacky dirt, cloudy and cool, no major storm damage or downed trees except for one on SJ loop. Had it all to myself. Ladybug swarm in Lion Canyon. 9 miles and only 1700' but felt like more.
Last edited:
Old&InTheWay
Well-Known Member
Maple Springs to Modjeska 17.65 miles 3,156 feet.
Gate still closed. Rode up on a mixture of hero dirt and what I'll have to call mud even though it was not sticking to the tires. That stuff was slowing me down a bit. Started out at 60 degrees which dropped to a chilly 40 degrees with all the moisture in the air. Had just enough to keep from being cold. The way down was very smooth. Nice ride. 
Gate still closed.
Rode up on a mixture of hero dirt and what I'll have to call mud even though it was not sticking to the tires. That stuff was slowing me down a bit. Started out at 60 degrees which dropped to a chilly 40 degrees with all the moisture in the air. Had just enough to keep from being cold. The way down was very smooth. Nice ride. 
DangerDirtyD
iMTB Hooligan
hill^billy
iMTB Rockstah
mike
iMTB Hooligan
Plus, what self-repecting purist previews the difficulty? 
Faust29
iMTB Hooligan
On the recommendation of my friend, sensei @Tom the Bomb, I ticked off Geronimo on South Mountain, Phoenix.
Not an easy trail to get to, I simply HAB’ed up Mormon Trail from its north TH, then up National. That way I’d finish up with very little pavement back to the car. On my way up, here is the infamous Waterfall on National:
View attachment 60094
The weez cleaned it, you know : )
Our preferred line off the boulder when we ride down it:
View attachment 60095
I reached the top of Geronimo at an auto road turnout. Dropped into the trail innocuously enough…
View attachment 60096
But @schillingsworth had warned me that he usually walks the bottom third of the trail, so I assumed there was some difficulty or danger or both. I didn’t bother to research it but planned for caution. Thanks to the three bros up there who dispensed good words about the trail. They accurately stated there is nothing quite as hard as the Waterfall. But in reality, there is so much terrain just under that difficulty, with some penalty potential…focus becomes cruxy and the effort in total is harder than a rider will have on east National with the Waterfall. Got all that?
Does look necky? Usually no in photos...
View attachment 60097
Something you don't see every day in the desert...
View attachment 60098
I puckered but onsighted a solid majority of the trail. I gave up a dab in two spots, and there were two switchies that I dismounted, scoped and walked. It was a short but intense exercise in decision making. Fast sections between eye openers. Kind of a pure MTB experience, at your tech limit on a new trail, alone. Dialing it back solo makes sense, but the mojo was strong and I came away with a killer run.
Rated black feels pretty stout on SoMo, and this trail exemplifies it. Think Chiquito with desert failure penalty. Burly ass, super chunky riding with steep sections including some gripping switchbacks.
Thanks, TTB! It hit the spot. No one else seen on the trail proper, and mildly warm temperatures by Truckee resident standards. A blissful day of exploring the goods in Phoenix – the goods being SoMo. I and we will be back...
Awesome as usual...
I recognized your waterfall picture right away. There was a video on-line last year of a guy who climbed it.
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
@horsebikerider amd I weee gonna head over to Oaks, only to find out it was still under the rain closure. saw Whiting was open so we headed out.
Suz hasn’t been riding much the last few weeks, so she brought the SS.
Going up Borrego the sand wasn’t as packed as I had hoped, but still better than usual. mud wasn’t really and issue.
Made the left turn to take Cattle Pond....heard someone blaring their music ahead of us. When we finally caight him, the t was sooo loud.
Going up Mustard, the trail was wet and dry. It was like riding in wet peanut butter. No mud to stick to your bike, but fighting the tacky dirt sucked. The climb up to Mark’s Bench was even worse.
Hero dirt going down Cactus, Sage Scrub, and Serrano Cow. It was getting dark and the temps were starting to drop.
go done right before dark.
Suz hasn’t been riding much the last few weeks, so she brought the SS.
Going up Borrego the sand wasn’t as packed as I had hoped, but still better than usual. mud wasn’t really and issue.
Made the left turn to take Cattle Pond....heard someone blaring their music ahead of us. When we finally caight him, the t was sooo loud.
Going up Mustard, the trail was wet and dry. It was like riding in wet peanut butter. No mud to stick to your bike, but fighting the tacky dirt sucked. The climb up to Mark’s Bench was even worse.
Hero dirt going down Cactus, Sage Scrub, and Serrano Cow. It was getting dark and the temps were starting to drop.
go done right before dark.
mountaingirl sara
iMTB Hooligan
Golden Eagle
Wednesday’s are tough as I teach late on Tuesday nights, but that GE hero dirt was calling my name
Wednesday’s are tough as I teach late on Tuesday nights, but that GE hero dirt was calling my name
knucklebuster
Well-Known Member
Haven't been able to coordinate schedules with mid week ride bud @sir crashalot lately, but he texted me yesterday telling me about his SJ- VT-Chiquito ride and the xtra credit on San Juan loop, that he posted above. Just the motivation I needed to get out there today. From the Candy Store, down San Juan Loop trail, up lower Chiquito to the high point before the waterfall and back down, then another San Juan Loop.
After the ride I'm thinking this has got to be one of the most maximized chunk per mile ride I've ever done (just over 8 miles). Then I come on here and see @mike 's SoMo pics and Ev's Hobert vid, so, nevermind. Some pics...
The flat part:
I had never descended the San Juan Loop trail before, holy cow, that'll wake you up at the beginning of the ride. Had to go back and do it again after getting warmed up
Unlike Gary, I didn't ride naked (without my pack). Good thing, I had to replace rear brake pads and needed some of these things
Heading up Chiquito, also something I've never done, it's probably 50% HAB for me. A little homage to @Faust29 for his recent trip up Motorway. Nice change of pace to all that pedaling. But great to see all the tough spots we're usually looking down on, and more conducive to taking pics. I've never taken pics of lower Chiquito before this.
Ah let's throw some rotten logs in there for a runout off this off camber rock drop
The line is, hop up this bolder....
and line up for the drop. I didn't do this today, being solo and all.
Not sure what the line is on these
View from the top of the climb, Blue Jay Hot Shot camp foreground, Main Divide cutting across the ridge, snowy San Bernadinos in the background
After the ride I'm thinking this has got to be one of the most maximized chunk per mile ride I've ever done (just over 8 miles). Then I come on here and see @mike 's SoMo pics and Ev's Hobert vid, so, nevermind. Some pics...
The flat part:
I had never descended the San Juan Loop trail before, holy cow, that'll wake you up at the beginning of the ride. Had to go back and do it again after getting warmed up
Unlike Gary, I didn't ride naked (without my pack). Good thing, I had to replace rear brake pads and needed some of these things
Heading up Chiquito, also something I've never done, it's probably 50% HAB for me. A little homage to @Faust29 for his recent trip up Motorway. Nice change of pace to all that pedaling. But great to see all the tough spots we're usually looking down on, and more conducive to taking pics. I've never taken pics of lower Chiquito before this.
Ah let's throw some rotten logs in there for a runout off this off camber rock drop
The line is, hop up this bolder....
and line up for the drop. I didn't do this today, being solo and all.
Not sure what the line is on these
View from the top of the climb, Blue Jay Hot Shot camp foreground, Main Divide cutting across the ridge, snowy San Bernadinos in the background
mike
iMTB Hooligan
Tom the Bomb
iMTB Rockstah
Oh yah Dave , that is my usual route . The first descent is awesome, my fav. I remember following Krankin Kiwi on the way down . We did that boulder roll and he went down right in front of me. No way to stop. I landed right on top of him trying not to crush him. We tweeked a few bike parts and luckily we did not get injured. Crazy stuff on Chiquito. We gotta hit that together soon. I have not been out there in quite some time. Good to see you on the bike.
Tom the Bomb
iMTB Rockstah
Pushin it. 7.4 and 1388 from my front door.
sir crashalot
iMTB Rockstah
Awesome! Between us almost all of chiquit0's been ridden this midweek!
Last edited:
mountaingirl sara
iMTB Hooligan
That’s some beautiful desert!
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
Chiquito is a grind of a climb. I haven't' done it in about 8 years....but it was painful. I also wasn't in that great of shape, coming back from a broken ankle and we started at the bottom of SJT and climbed up.
Looks a little more worse for the ware than it used to be.
Old&InTheWay
Well-Known Member
Blackstar Tree Farm to Hagador Peak 22.79 miles 3,406 feet 45 degrees
Maple Springs gate is now open so I went over to Blackstar to see what condition it was in. Plenty of puddles, but they were all easily avoided. Enjoyable little ride.
Sunset
Moonrise
Maple Springs gate is now open so I went over to Blackstar to see what condition it was in. Plenty of puddles, but they were all easily avoided. Enjoyable little ride.
Sunset
Moonrise
Stkx66
iMTB Rockstah
The Maple Springs gate is open? Noooo! Word spreads on the Dual Sport forums
. Last Wednesday I rode from the Tree Farm to four corners. It was wonderful, quiet and no one to be seen on the mountain. I made it to the top just before sundown. The road up was smooth and I had another plan in mind and that was to crank it up on the way down and take advantage of the feel good lofty jumps on hero dirt. So I did. Full travel suspension hits on the mid-travel Lynskey . I don't think I'm more than a couple of feet off the ground on these jumps but what a blast. 26 miles 3,500 elevation.
. Last Wednesday I rode from the Tree Farm to four corners. It was wonderful, quiet and no one to be seen on the mountain. I made it to the top just before sundown. The road up was smooth and I had another plan in mind and that was to crank it up on the way down and take advantage of the feel good lofty jumps on hero dirt. So I did. Full travel suspension hits on the mid-travel Lynskey . I don't think I'm more than a couple of feet off the ground on these jumps but what a blast. 26 miles 3,500 elevation.
mountaingirl sara
iMTB Hooligan
SOT with some perfect weather! 
