A couple of helpful chunks of advise for you bikers in the San Gabriel Mtns

[dfacerdm@cox.net]

Saturday Sept. 7th 2008 We parked at JPL, shuttled up to Red Box, did some Merrill trails, saw inspiration point, saw the old railway, and ended with El Prieto. Great ride! Thank you JoeTruth.

[davidB]

what, no invite?!

[Tedroy]

It is a shared resource and needs lots of looking after if we're going to keep riding up there. If I were a hiker I'd be pissed too. That's why I always yield to everybody on the trail if I can.


OK this is wierd... ya'll edited the OP.

[hoovermd]

Originally Posted by dfacerdm@cox.net

A hiker told us in an unfriendly way, "You need bells on your bikes".

Hmm... I thought it was the hikers who were supposed to wear bells.

[Geronimo]

When I finished a ride one day at SJT some female hikers asked sarcastically if it was OK to hike there and then the other pointed at the sign and said yeah, I think we can. I felt bad because I knew there were a bunch of shuttle monkeys out that day and knew what kind of hike they were in for. Any one that climbs SJT knows that bells should be mandatory. I mean I wouldn't shuttle the Santa Barbara trails without one, so why not show the same concern on my local trails. It's not a bad idea.

[dfacerdm@cox.net]

Originally Posted by Tedroy

It is a shared resource and needs lots of looking after if we're going to keep riding up there. If I were a hiker I'd be pissed too. That's why I always yield to everybody on the trail if I can.

hmmm

[1080P]

Thanks for editing your experience, sorry it wasn't what you expected and that a hikers comments about your bike needing bells and a single speeders request to "please don't skid" ruined it for you

[Diamondback]

saturday was the 6th

[JoeTruth]

Dave, great riding with you Friday and Saturday. You're a good guy with good skills. Thanks for the Lavash wrap! Contrary to what 1080 said above, you're welcome to ride the San Gabriels and with me any frickin' day.

Not sure what was written and edited but it doesn't matter. The hiker comment was condescending and was not said with sincerity. It was sarcastic and hostile. Most would of told him to go shove his bell up hiss arss but we took the high road and thanked him for his suggestion.
The rider up lower Sunset connector also made a rude sarcastic comment and assumed we were reckless DH'ers skidding down the trail. Again, we thanked him for his suggestion but the truth was very contrast. In reality, I've been riding these mountains. for a long damn time and I put my share of time into them by educating, pampering, repairing and riding with care. I've learned to let such idiotic comments bounce right off as it's a short-coming on their behalf. We rode with care, respect, consideration and responsibility yesterday, as I always do and encourage others to. There is no place for ass-holes in the mountains or anywhere, for that matter but that's life and there's nothing we can do about it except learn to ignore it and let it bounce.

We just got done doing the same exact loop today and I wasn't on my best game and managed to fall a couple of three times. Other then that, a great day spent with great people and great riders.

Originally Posted by dfacerdm@cox.net

Saturday Sept. 7th 2008 We parked at JPL, shuttled up to Red Box, did some Merrill trails, saw inspiration point, saw the old railway, and ended with El Prieto. Great ride! Thank you JoeTruth.

[Diamondback]

I think everyone who has ridden El P and the San Gabs should dedicate a few days out of the year for repairing the trails. (don't bring your damn bike)

I was out there last year with a shovel fixing a washed out section (after the water crossings) and a guy yelled out "coimg through!!!" and 4 bikers zoomed by me like I was the washroom attendant.

However then there was a group that rode by who all said thanks for helping out.

There's a holes and good folks wherever you go. But to experience the full trail experience, you should help rebuild sometimes than just be the user.

[kanga]

I know I've done my bit...four days so far this year so far this year working on Middle Merrill. CORBA will be picking up it's trailwork schedule again in the fall, and we'll post work days in the calendar.

It's really interesting when hikers come across us when we're out with tools instead of on bikes... attitudes change. Then they find out we're mountain bikers, and there isn't one hiker among us doing trailwork... We get a lot of thanks, and respect for that.

Today I rode the loop solo (from my house up Lower Merrill to Eaton Saddle, and back down Upper, Middle, then Sunset, El P). Since I was alone the only times I stopped were for a few hikers on Middle Merrill.

Climbing lower Merrill the trail is wide enough that you can pass a hiker without too much problem, and after making eye contact and saying hello to them, most stepped to the side of the trail and let me pass. Much different attitude to when coming back down.

If you want to ride any of the angeles front country trails with no hikers (or anyone else), come and do it as a night ride.

[Busterjohn]

I've been riding those trails for years and many of them were shuttle runs to hone my DH skills. There has always been friction...not only from hikers but also the XC guys who were going up while we were bombing down. The group that I rode with decided to try other trails up there that ended up being much better for the addreneline junkies. You guys might want to try Sturdivent Camp Trail from the top of Mt Wilson. You have to shuttle from the bottom of Santa Anita because you will end up at Chantry Flats. Not too many people know about this trail and the ones that do are usually skilled downhillers because of the technical sections, rock gardens, and fast section...and the best thing is that there are no hikers and I have never seen anyone try to climb up this trail. I guarantee that if you guys try this one you won't want to bother with the JPL side. I have taken a few pro riders up there in the past...including John Kirkcaldie, Nathan Rennie, The Leduc brothers, Jarod Rando, Kathy Pruitt...this was back in 2000-2003 when my brother was painting helmets for a few of them...and they all loved it. They all loved the fact that the trail is remote and you can really let loose. Here is a review with instructions on how to get there...go to the second page of review to read my review from back in 2001...lol. If I can get myself back into decent shape and get my skills to an acceptable level, maybe I'll schedule a ride.

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-st...x.aspx#reviews

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by kanga

I know I've done my bit...four days so far this year so far this year working on Middle Merrill. CORBA will be picking up it's trailwork schedule again in the fall, and we'll post work days in the calendar.

It's really interesting when hikers come across us when we're out with tools instead of on bikes... attitudes change. Then they find out we're mountain bikers, and there isn't one hiker among us doing trailwork... We get a lot of thanks, and respect for that.

What? I'm a hiker!

[kanga]

Originally Posted by El Presidente

What? I'm a hiker!

I suppose I am too, at least a half dozen times a year (compared to over 300 days on two wheels each year)

[kanga]

Originally Posted by Busterjohn

You guys might want to try Sturdivent Camp Trail from the top of Mt Wilson.

Ssshhhhhhh!

J/K.

Sturdevant is probably the least utilized trail on the front side of Mt. Wilson. You will still have plenty of hikers near the bottom and on the Santa Anita trail.

[Drop D]

hmmm what, how, where is this trail that you speak of?

Originally Posted by Busterjohn

I've been riding those trails for years and many of them were shuttle runs to hone my DH skills. There has always been friction...not only from hikers but also the XC guys who were going up while we were bombing down. The group that I rode with decided to try other trails up there that ended up being much better for the addreneline junkies. You guys might want to try Sturdivent Camp Trail from the top of Mt Wilson. You have to shuttle from the bottom of Santa Anita because you will end up at Chantry Flats. Not too many people know about this trail and the ones that do are usually skilled downhillers because of the technical sections, rock gardens, and fast section...and the best thing is that there are no hikers and I have never seen anyone try to climb up this trail. I guarantee that if you guys try this one you won't want to bother with the JPL side. I have taken a few pro riders up there in the past...including John Kirkcaldie, Nathan Rennie, The Leduc brothers, Jarod Rando, Kathy Pruitt...this was back in 2000-2003 when my brother was painting helmets for a few of them...and they all loved it. They all loved the fact that the trail is remote and you can really let loose. Here is a review with instructions on how to get there...go to the second page of review to read my review from back in 2001...lol. If I can get myself back into decent shape and get my skills to an acceptable level, maybe I'll schedule a ride.

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-st...x.aspx#reviews

[hoovermd]

Originally Posted by Diamondback

...4 bikers zoomed by me like I was the washroom attendant....

Did they at least leave you a tip???