Whiting Ranch MUCH better now - 8/14

[Revalimage]

I guess this is kinda my 'welcome to STR' - kinda newbie, (was the only 'ninja' on the pirate ride) and looking for some people to ride with. I can ride anything, just take a little longer than most of you guys. So if anyone needs an anchor, let me know....

I rode Whiting Ranch on Opening Day - and I was not at all ready for the sand! 1:00 in the afternoon didn't help much either. My riding buddy (husband) has back issues and can't ride now, so I went today and took a bunch of pictures so he could enjoy the park as it has changed from the fire. I took the advice of the other thread -- learn how to ride the sand. (Before, I agreed it was like Glamis 'need freakin paddle tires!')

I know after some much needed rain and a year or two of some work days this place will become just as amazing and loved as it was before. I will spare you the usual, all the technical stuff is gone, blah, blah, blah, etc.

I'm not sure how this 'photo' thing works - I enjoy so many that others have posted. I'm going to stick a few in here, but if you would like to see more, below is a link to my web gallery which images of the entire route. Which is: Borrego, left on mustard to Cattle Pond Loop, then up Mustard, Cactus Hill Trail, Santiago Ranch Road, Sleepy Hollow Trail (this is new hasn't been open for years), Sage Scrub, Whiting Road, Serrano Cow Trail, Live Oak and out.

If you're interested you can see all the images I took today at the following link:
http://gallery.me.com/revalimage#100184

(I had to delete a few pictures, I was going too fast as I took the picture )

I know I loved being there again, and hope you enjoy too!

[OMR]

Thanks for the pics... sometimes it's the simple things like a quite ride through Whiting that makes your day ... thanks for sharing and we'll see you on the trail.

[autoduel]

Welcome
I haven't gotten a chance to ride it yet, but after hiking Borrego, it seems to be much more trailer friendly now. Not as rocky and much wider. I heard Cactus got levelled, but what about the rutted downhill on the other side of the ridge after cactus? I might ride it this weekend with the wife.

[DISCO]

Welcome Mrs. Ninja, it was nice meeting you at the pirate ride and will undoubtedly bump into you on a future whiting Wednesday. There is going to be a night ride on Saturdays full moon in Limestone I will post it up so the Peeps can see it. You were not all alone, but the rest of the crew were being very stealthy indeed...

[mtnkitty]

Those are some really beautiful photos. I've never ridden Whiting but now I want to go out and try it!

[tkblazer]

so is it still sandy? i heard it was

[Revalimage]

yep still sandy in places - I SUCK at sand, and I think there is only 2 places to HAB. And I had my camera in my hand...

[CaDownhilldoll]

I rode there yesterday and even though it's still sandy.. It was easier to ride through this time compared to when the park first opened back up.. great ride..
Thanks for the pics.. I miss 'Old Whiting'

[DISCO]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

so is it still sandy? i heard it was

It is still loose in spots but is becoming more compacted as time rolls on. Cutting new lines has been discouraged with a few well placed logs but it will improve with time. About two good rains will flush out the ash and particulates that have accumulated in the bottom of the canyons. There is no shortage of traffic though, picked up plenty of trash and cleared some large dirt clods from the trail bed. The must have been two dozen Warriors, trail angels, and STR folk up at four corners, pretty soon this place will give fully a run on the hottest scene (but can never match the cool). Ride it and see what you think.

Just some some brief sprinkles down here, not enough to make a difference but it is appreciated. Hopefully the clouds will stick long enough to let the temperature drop.

[mtnbikerfred]

Originally Posted by Revalimage

I guess this is kinda my 'welcome to STR' - kinda newbie, (was the only 'ninja' on the pirate ride)....

That took some Ninja-Cajones!!! It was a pleasure sharing steal with you. We could have taken on the whole lot (Pirates & Ninjas) our selves!!!

Originally Posted by DISCO

Welcome Mrs. Ninja, it was nice meeting you at the pirate ride and will undoubtedly bump into you on a future whiting Wednesday. You were not all alone, but the rest of the crew were being very stealthy indeed...

Yeah, stealthy. Like at home in their jammies.....

Not Her though. She was ready to fight!!

[xhuskr]

thnx for the photo...I took some a couple weeks ago and people can see how it has changed. Welcome to the group. As for any geoladders posters, I created the exact route Revilimage took photos of. You can find it at http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=16033 I think I may have added another out-n-back on sleepy hollow. See ya on the triails!

[Revalimage]

oohhhhh aahhhh - never thought of that - out 'n back sleepy hollow. I was just gonna loop it again to get the rest of sage scrub in. I know how fast I will go without holding my camera - wouldn't want to meet that head-on ...

I'm a big time lurker in geoladders - can't tell you how many times I've been lost with those silly printed routes - weeds mostly look the same in CA

[Letyrides]

Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more of your RR photos in the future!

[station]

Thanks for sharing! Last time I road whiting I went with a friend and he had this new product on his bike called "Rock Shox". Seemed a little pricey at the time.

[Permagrin]

Welcome and thanks for the info and the pics. I rode it after the opening ride and promptly went down on a sandy turn that I was hoping would remedy itself soon for a funner future ride and it looks to be getting there slowly bur surely.

[NA1NSXR]

The sand is so much better than it was on reopening day. It still sucks more energy out of you than it should, but at least you don't need to get off the bike now.

[Dusty]

I had a feeling it would be better by now. You have answered my question. Looking forward to seeing you on the trail. Whiting has always been a favorite of mine.