I Rode My Bike Today...

konakc said:
yucca used to be super fast, close your eyes and hold on fast. wonder if the trail builders wanted to slow us down?
Public service announcement: Coachwhip is a PREFERRED climbing trail but by no means is it up hill only. Many newbies take Coachwhip down b/c its long, flowy and easy.
Remember when you were new and any rocks scared you? Well I'm a newbie now!
NEWBIE, climbers always have right of way...
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I do not believe in one way trails, it is for people that want to ride down faster than their vision.
I believe in two way trails, when I used to ride I would minimise any horizontal riding. My time is limited so it's either climb or drop, anything else I never go back and ride again. East Simi is the bomb if you like this style, every trail but one is like this. I dream of riding and someday I hope that I will. I used to commute to the OC and bring my bike.
Happy dream trails
 
da big hills said:
I do not believe in one way trails, it is for people that want to ride down faster than their vision.
I believe in two way trails, when I used to ride I would minimise any horizontal riding. My time is limited so it's either climb or drop, anything else I never go back and ride again. East Simi is the bomb if you like this style, every trail but one is like this. I dream of riding and someday I hope that I will. I used to commute to the OC and bring my bike.
Happy dream trails
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So The Kamikaze Run in Mammoth should be a two way run?
 
I lost you on your names of trails. But I think you called Badger, Pump Hill. Anyways the Cheese is a gem, Hotter than Hades during the day as it is below the sea breeze, Colder than Hades froze over on winter nights. I am not much on heat so I only ride there at sunset and beyond. It is a 10 minute drive so it is a trail too far. VC trails has the "official" names but not Badger as is on the pipeline and Pipeline is the wicked fast drop to Las V. I argued the logic about this long long ago; Badger is still called that by most. Pipeline too
 
da big hills said:
I lost you on your names of trails. But I think you called Badger, Pump Hill. Anyways the Cheese is a gem, Hotter than Hades during the day as it is below the sea breeze, Colder than Hades froze over on winter nights. I am not much on heat so I only ride there at sunset and beyond. It is a 10 minute drive so it is a trail too far. VC trails has the "official" names but not Badger as is on the pipeline and Pipeline is the wicked fast drop to Las V. I argued the logic about this long long ago; Badger is still called that by most. Pipeline too
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Yeah, the trail names over there are pretty hard to keep track of. Sheep Corral, Triple Threat, or Gas Pipe? I've also heard Pump Hill called Gas Pipe, and now Badger. And what's Baleen? Same thing? I think "The Death Climb" has a nice ring to it, and will probably just call it that.
 
Baleen is the top of that climb out of LV, it climbs north following the power lines. It should be 4" deep in moon dust right now. Yep gas pipe has no pipe, Badger has a pipe and that house at the bottom in LV. No logic to it
 
Ladera Ranch. Very hot. Too many brake bumps. Better than work.
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JimN said:
You're welcome! Depending on the day/time, you can often access the Flint Canyon trail directly from Hahamongna Park through a tunnel under Oak Grove. On that day, I had to improvise due to either the dirt hauler trucks or construction in the park blocking access.
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I rode through there once... Saw the tunnel, but haven't been back to explore. I did find the little single track that borders the stables and JPL.
 
Faust29 said:
I rode through there once... Saw the tunnel, but haven't been back to explore. I did find the little single track that borders the stables and JPL.
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Yeah, the singletracks around Hahamongna are a bit of a maze. If you're traveling counterclockwise from the parking area across from the high school, the east side singletrack is easy enough to find. After crossing the bridge and dam, veer left, and then stay far right on the upper trail that starts with a very short climb, but will eventually drop you down onto an access road to the old JPL parking lots. From there, you can just follow the paved road around the old JPL parking lots, then cross the bridge towards the JPL east guard gate staying on the left-side sidewalk, and just before reaching the guard gate/turnstile, turn sharp left and drop through a narrow gap in the fence (800mm bars fit, but just barely) which puts you on the west side singletrack. That trail crosses through a couple dips, and after climbing out of the 2nd one, there's a pretty sweet committal move where you drop diagonally down a steep concrete culvert that puts you on a janky singletrack that eventually pops out by the JPL parking structure. Keep following that, and you'll get to a spot where you veer right and follow a singletrack that borders some stables and a daycare camp, and eventually end up back in the Hahamongna parking area across from the high school. There's another tunnel if you go right just before the final punchy climb back up to Hahamongna, which takes you under Oak Grove and allows you to connect to the Gould Canyon trail, which borders Flintridge Riding Club's land and some of the other JPL parking lots.

Sometime shortly after posting that particular ride on Strava, I discovered a way to stay on singletrack nearly all the way around Hahamongna. After dropping down the east side singletrack, you can go left and then right, which puts you on a singletrack that meanders around the settling ponds. Too complicated to explain here, but when you figure it all out, you'll find that you can stay on singletrack almost all the way out to where you cross the bridge towards the JPL east guard gate.

Gotta have something to explore while the forest is closed.
 
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Derkderkall said:
I think the restoration project is actually complete now
https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/20...ate-dam-in-pasadena-heres-what-it-looks-like/
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Thanks for the info! Park should be fully open for business now, it seems. I always liked parking in the upper lot across from the high school, as there are plenty of shady spots there, and it's a perfect place to start and end a Flint/Cherry or Brown ride. That parking area does attract others in search of shade, such as homeless people living in their cars, as well as contractor ambulance crews waiting on a call and looking for a comfortable spot to nap that offers easy freeway access. Oh, and then there's the dude that practices his bagpipes there on weekday afternoons. Oh, Oh, and then there's the goofy survival trainer outfit that takes crews of customers out to pick weeds and then cooks them in the park facilities.
 
SnakeCharmer said:
So The Kamikaze Run in Mammoth should be a two way run?
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that is the lazy mans riding. Ned Overland used to climb it before the race. When you climb the trail you get to see all the air possibilities so that on the way down you know where to line up. When jumping on a foreign trail while screaming you need to see the bump, the line and the landing. This all happens very fast so you miss many of the excellent air lifts. Climbing the beast allows you to scope and understand the drop in slow mo
Happy landings
 
da big hills said:
that is the lazy mans riding. Ned Overland used to climb it before the race. When you climb the trail you get to see all the air possibilities so that on the way down you know where to line up. When jumping on a foreign trail while screaming you need to see the bump, the line and the landing. This all happens very fast so you miss many of the excellent air lifts. Climbing the beast allows you to scope and understand the drop in slow mo
Happy landings
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I see
 
da big hills said:
I do not believe in one way trails, it is for people that want to ride down faster than their vision.
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Once you get used to one-way trails, I think it is really hard to turn back. In my opinion the major benefit of one-way trails is that because everyone is moving in the same direction the trails feel much emptier than they are. I will often ride trails here in the NC where I don't see another biker the entire ride. You can really lose yourself in the ride, without wondering about who is going to be around the next curve. Of course, we're talking about single track here where there is not enough room for two-way traffic. So usually (on the rare occasion when I encounter someone riding in the wrong direction) both bikers have to stop, and one has to pull his bike to the side to allow the other to pass. Not conducive to a flowy experience.

But back to the subject of this thread. I rode my bike today... with an e-biker! :)

Met a new biking buddy in my neighborhood, and we met at the state park and he brought an e-bike. (E-bikes are legal on the state park trails here). Made for a faster ride than normal... I had him on the downhills, but felt the heat on the climbs. I can honestly say... I understand the appeal of an e-bike... but I prefer the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment - to say nothing of the cardio and calories - of a regular bike. At least I was fast enough that he wants to bike with me again, LOL!

For fun... some photos of the National Whitewater Center outside Charlotte. Didn't bring my bike on this first trip - but will be back soon. 45 minutes from my house, 50 miles of single track!

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NBD today for me. Finally found enough parts online and what I had from upgrades to other bikes to assemble the Chisel. Rides really nice and controlled. Feels like a slightly longer reach Chameleon.

Decided on riding over to Whiting. Oh boy big mistake. Since everything is closed right now it was beyond packed. Must have been 200 walkers and 50 bikes. Didn’t even bother with the DH sections. To the top and out the back. Too crowded. 33 miles 2100 feet.
.

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JordanHMay said:
NBD today for me. Finally found enough parts online and what I had from upgrades to other bikes to assemble the Chisel. Rides really nice and controlled. Feels like a slightly longer reach Chameleon.

Decided on riding over to Whiting. Oh boy big mistake. Since everything is closed right now it was beyond packed. Must have been 200 walkers and 50 bikes. Didn’t even bother with the DH sections. To the top and out the back. Too crowded. 33 miles 2100 feet.
.

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Love the paint. You did 33 miles at Whiting? Did you ride there from North OC?
 
Morning quickie at Wildwood S.P. Got going later than intended, and was already 81F out. Rode for an hour, and only went up to 83F, so NBD. No other bikes that I saw, a few hikers, and a big group of caballeros. Still love/hate relationship with the Stooge, as it beats me up even on short/chill rides. But so fun to just cruise on. Hmmm....

4.6/880/1

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Aliso today. I once again got a late start and had to ride in the heat. My car said 95 at the parking area. There was a breeze for most of the ride that helped. It was in my face most of the way up Mathis, but better to ride into the breeze than tackle that bastard in stifling heat.

Lynx, Rockit and Meadows for the downs. No hikers nor bikers in my way on any trail. Riding in the heat has its advantages. There were some pretty nice things to look at in Aliso, as usual.

I thought about doing Lynx again, but did not want to climb Cholla again and I was out of water. Pretty fun ride despite the heat.

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The truck is in the shop, so anywhere I wanted to ride today, meant I had to roll from home. I also knew it was supposed to be toasty. Normally this wouldn't be a problem as I'd just roll out in the dark and head to the mountain. But these trying times meant I had to make other arrangements.

A crappy night's sleep forced me to leave later than I planned. I still got out just before sunrise. Rolled at 6:15 and headed towards the Oaks.

It was still quiet and early. Made my way up Oak to the top. Ended up chasing and catching another rider. Made my way out to Weir Cyn. My legs were dead early on. It actually had me pondering my route. Hit Cliffhanger. Out the back of Weir Cyn and down through the bridal trails. Roadie time up Santa Ana Cyn Rd. and onto SART. Temps were still comfortable. Through Green River Golf course and back into the dirt.

Up Lower Aliso.....the temps started to climb, but it was still quiet out there. Made it to Bane Cyn and a quick stop for water at one of the shelters. Continued up and rolled onto Bane Ridge. Passed a few hikers. The trail is quite tight in some spots were the dead mustard hasn't been cut back. Stopped again for water at the bottom of Bane Ridge. Now it was just plain hot. Soaked myself with the water.

Started the climb up Southridge....no breeze down low. Just cooked. Finally at the split for the Telegraph Spur the breeze kinda started to blow....but it really wasn't helping. Dropped down to 4 Corners.....there was a horde of hikers there....I didn't stop, just rolled into Bovinian. It was a slow climb. However I still caught another rider towards the top.

The run down/up/down Southridge was quick....and hot. Suz hit me up on when i'd be heading home so she could meet me somewhere. I gave her a window....but wasn't sure if I'd make it within it.

Good news is CHSP finally upped the ante with legit "No Ebike" signs....no more laminated computer produced signs. Saw them at each entrance as well as around the Bane Canyon area:

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I popped out at Rim Crest and roadied it back down to SART again.

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This left me at Imperial Hwy and the 91 fwy. Meant I was gonna have to climb Cannon(Imp. Hwy) back over to Orange. It is exposed. It goes up 500' in 1 mile. I just melted in the heat. There is no way to make it better. It was 10 minutes of hell. Fortunately at the top, it's all downhill back home.

44 / 4800'
 
mtnbikej said:
The truck is in the shop, so anywhere I wanted to ride today, meant I had to roll from home. I also knew it was supposed to be toasty. Normally this wouldn't be a problem as I'd just roll out in the dark and head to the mountain. But these trying times meant I had to make other arrangements.

A crappy night's sleep forced me to leave later than I planned. I still got out just before sunrise. Rolled at 6:15 and headed towards the Oaks.

It was still quiet and early. Made my way up Oak to the top. Ended up chasing and catching another rider. Made my way out to Weir Cyn. My legs were dead early on. It actually had me pondering my route. Hit Cliffhanger. Out the back of Weir Cyn and down through the bridal trails. Roadie time up Santa Ana Cyn Rd. and onto SART. Temps were still comfortable. Through Green River Golf course and back into the dirt.

Up Lower Aliso.....the temps started to climb, but it was still quiet out there. Made it to Bane Cyn and a quick stop for water at one of the shelters. Continued up and rolled onto Bane Ridge. Passed a few hikers. The trail is quite tight in some spots were the dead mustard hasn't been cut back. Stopped again for water at the bottom of Bane Ridge. Now it was just plain hot. Soaked myself with the water.

Started the climb up Southridge....no breeze down low. Just cooked. Finally at the split for the Telegraph Spur the breeze kinda started to blow....but it really wasn't helping. Dropped down to 4 Corners.....there was a horde of hikers there....I didn't stop, just rolled into Bovinian. It was a slow climb. However I still caught another rider towards the top.

The run down/up/down Southridge was quick....and hot. Suz hit me up on when i'd be heading home so she could meet me somewhere. I gave her a window....but wasn't sure if I'd make it within it.

Good news is CHSP finally upped the ante with legit "No Ebike" signs....no more laminated computer produced signs. Saw them at each entrance as well as around the Bane Canyon area:

View attachment 77868 View attachment 77869

I popped out at Rim Crest and roadied it back down to SART again.

View attachment 77870

This left me at Imperial Hwy and the 91 fwy. Meant I was gonna have to climb Cannon(Imp. Hwy) back over to Orange. It is exposed. It goes up 500' in 1 mile. I just melted in the heat. There is no way to make it better. It was 10 minutes of hell. Fortunately at the top, it's all downhill back home.

44 / 4800'
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Not bad at all for dead legs. :eek::thumbsup:
 
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