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Pre-4th of July ride with pics.
Miles (No J.D., he wasn't on the SS but took out the geared Sycip for this
one) had an unexpected day off from work so he called me up about 9:00 to see if I wanted to get out for a ride. Since I had bailed on him for our regular night ride the night before I quickly said yes and we made arrangements to meet at the trail by 10:00. The one problem with that, as you local Californians will know, is that it already was unbelievably HOT by 9:00 and sure to get even warmer while on the trail. It didn't help that the canyon we were planning on riding is well inland and gets quite toasty on even a warm day. So, we hit the trail and snap a few pictures along the way. There's a little rolling drop along this ST that's kind of fun. You hit it after a bit of a speed section so for those of us who lack any ability (or the stones) to get "Really Big Air" this can provide a bit of a substitute. http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/S_P7020001(1).jpg It's my camera and I can't claim to always take the best shots, but Miles isn't used to it and he has to work on his timing a bit more...... http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020003.jpg There was a bit of a fire out there last week that took out about 400 or so acres. Apparently, the Marines from MCAS were working on their firebreaks (MCAS borders the park) and ignited a small brush fire that spread into the park. Miles took a few of me but I was amazingly always behind one of the branches so after a few failed attempts we just kept riding http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020008.jpg This hill isn't ridiculously long but there is zero air flow on a good day so when it's already hot, this hill is brutal! There's more climbing around the corner too so as you struggle up this one you know you have some loose and sandy climbing awaiting. http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020012.jpg http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020013.jpg This "ditch" is much steeper and looser than it looks. The trail follows what is really a water run-off channel so every year it changes a bit. This year, we've had enough rain to really make the section interesting. All the loose rocks make traction challenging and until the section sees a few more riders, it'll remain a bit more difficult. It's very doable, but challenging. You also have to commit to riding in the ruts since you can't ride around them. Very fun! http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020021.jpg http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020036.jpg http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020043.jpg This little section is pretty off camber with those nasty ruts waiting to take you if you veer too far to the left. There's a rather nasty rut you have to ride through that isn't in the frame which makes the approach to this section a little extra challenging. http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020044.jpg This little rock jump is about as North Shore as I ever need to get. I'm seriously "Air Challenged" so this is about as high as I think I'll ever go. The approach is perfect and the landing is pretty smooth too, but I just can't ever see myself launching off of anything much bigger. I guess I'm just a wuss. Heck, it took me about a year before I even got this good on this one! http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7020049.jpg You might notice the slightly incorrect position Miles is in from this shot. I snapped the picture and then heard the wonderful sounds of rubber slipping on dirt and then of branches cracking. He was kind enough to miss taking me out by about 5 inches and the big bushes to our left out of the frame slowed him down. No harm or blood so just an embarrassing moment by a rider who knows better! http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/S_P7020050(1).jpg This is the approach to what is sort of the signature drop on this trail. Again, not the most difficult section of trail in the world, but it can be very intimidating. The ground just sort of goes away from you and when you can see over the lip you see what looks like rather loose sandy trail with several nice ruts running parallel to the trail. It's not really that difficult but takes a little convincing the first time you try it. http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7030051.jpg This is the other side of the drop. There's a line to the rider's left but it sort of sets you up for a more difficult descent so it's really just better to roll off the lip and go with it. http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7030055.jpg Does it look like it was hot? http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7030057.jpg This shows a bit more of the trail below the drop. Still not looking as steep or intimidating on the screen as it does in person but it gives you a bit better perspective. Perhaps what makes this even more intimidating is the fact that just behind the camera is a very sharp 90 degree right turn so you have to be able to properly control your speed to make the turn. This definitely doesn't look as steep or nasty as it really is http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7030058.jpg http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7030059.jpg gratuitous art shot http://gallery.consumerreview.com/we...S_P7030062.jpg When I got home after the ride about 2:00, I checked the thermometer on my patio. I live a few miles further towards the coast so my place is usually a bit cooler than where we rode. At my place, it was only 95 in the shade so it was easily into the very low 100's while we were exposed on the trail (which is everywhere!) |
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Pre-4th of July ride with pics.
Yikes! Not sure why so many carriage returns got put in the message.
Sorry 'bout that Michael |
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Pre-4th of July ride with pics.
"Michael Paul" wrote in message
news Yikes! Not sure why so many carriage returns got put in the message. Sorry 'bout that Michael Thanks for the RR! Looked cool, errr, I mean HOT! Matt |
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Pre-4th of July ride with pics.
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Pre-4th of July ride with pics.
"Michael Paul" wrote in message . .. Miles (No J.D., he wasn't on the SS but took out the geared Sycip for this one) had an unexpected day off from work so he called me up about 9:00 to see if I wanted to get out for a ride. Since I had bailed on him for our regular night ride the night before I quickly said yes and we made arrangements to meet at the trail by 10:00. snip ride report Loved reading it. Good report and great pics! We've got snow on the hills here at the moment so I'd love some of that heat right about now! -- Westie |
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