RR: El Prieto 11/10/07

[Dino Brown]

Thanks to everyone who joined us. Due to the fact I posted the ride FRIDAY EVENING, I was expecting a MUCH smaller turnout!

The route: JPL parking lot... up Brown Mountain (1st Saddle)..... Rode to the top (2nd saddle)..... Turned around and head to El Prieto!
The riders: Coldbrews, Coleko, Dino Brown, Good Ol' Slappy, Heckler Joel, Jeff J (with son Ted), Mazer, ODB, Stjunkie, Tedroy.... and DB's newest recruit!
Distance: 13 miles
Elevation Gain: Don't know

For those who may not know- I absolutely LOVE the San Gabriel's! Being unable to ride them (due to closures) was beginning to upset me. First ride back!

If you like climbing, the first half of the trail is for you. Entirely fireroad. Steady incline. Once you reach the first saddle, the remaining climb is pretty easy! From the top, we turned the bikes around and headed DOWN towards El Prieto. After 15 minutes, we arrived at the trailhead. And that was where the fun began.

El Prieto may only be 3 or 4 miles long- you forget that when your grinning from ear to ear. Fun little singletrack filled with hairpins, water crossings, rocks, boulders, poison oak, 1 foot drops etc. For those who are BALLSY- there are many a rock/boulder one can use as their personal (bike) launch pad.

A few memories: 1) Being introduced to Heckler Joel by my good friend Tedroy 2) Watching Slappy and Scott repair a stranger's busted chain 3) Being asked to ride all the way back down the hill to donate my SRAM Powerlink- only to discover it wouldn't work 4) Riding with my Homie's 5) Witnessed a miracle (Lose something Jeff) 6) Saving a damsal in distress etc...

Most memorable: Been riding with Coleko for some time. He began as a true beginner. Today, I would classify him as an ADVANCED bike handler. In the dozens of times we have ridden together- I have yet to see him crash! El Prieto caused him to EAT ABSOLUTE SH!T twice today! Let's just say he is sore! He is also in need of a new helmet! CRACKED IT!

Most of the crew

DB's NEWEST recruit with his XC bike (SC VP-FREE)

JeffJ and "The Machine" enjoying the view

Coleko can't believe he crashed- AGAIN!

Yes! I am fast! No, the blue bike won't make me faster

I'll take El Prieto over the Brown Fireroad Climb- Anyday!

The Baddest Bike In All The Land

Lord TURNER... Thank you for this wonderful day of riding

Smile....

Two tired guys and a kid who could have ridden another 75 miles

Post crash: Jeff's glad it wasn't him... Coleko wishes it wasn't him

Jeff- One of fifty "TRICKY" little sections

Scott- Made him re-do jump. First pic (not shown), he launched at the yellow asterick. Rear tire landed beyond yellow line!


Until we ride again!

[Chaos]

one of these days i'm going to make it to one of your ride up there!
thanks for the pics

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by Chaos

one of these days i'm going to make it to one of your rides up there!
thanks for the pics

Suuure! I suppose you will be bringing your "NEIGHBOR" who promised the same thing!

Don't worry- It will happen!

[Tedroy]

We had a great ride this morning even if we broke up a bit. Nice to meet some STR'ers and spread the love!

Dino and STJunkie reach the 3 mile mark... (which I stickered)! We would go up another 3 miles to rest, and then moto down to elPrieto. Single track heaven!

[PacMan]

Looks like a darn good time was had by all!!

Dino--with the holidays coming up and all, my weekends are pretty hit and miss in the near future. So please do me a favor: set one of these up for January and I will be there.

[jeffj]

Another Dino Brown "classic". Proof that you can post a ride at 9:00 pm on Friday night and have 12 riders show up at 9:00 am the following morning.

Good to meet more STR folks and witness the group's trailside repair talents in helping perfect strangers get back on the trail, not to mention Dino's "outreach" skills in helping a new rider adjust her seat height You had to be there, but it was a sight to behold.

It was our first time riding the San Gabriels, but not the last.

COLEKO, the good news is that you get to go helmet shopping.

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Dino....do me a favor: set one of these up for January and I will be there.

As God is my witness, the 1st Annual PacMan Invades The San Gabriel's Ride will occur---- in January! We can discuss the route, distance, style of ride PACMAN would like to do at a later date.

JeffJ- Still having flashbacks about... I am a sucker for pretty ladies!
Care to share your lost and found story?

[Tedroy]

I mean, after yesterday's drubbing I think Dino made a comeback.

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

JeffJ- Still having flashbacks about... I am a sucker for pretty ladies!

Care to share your lost and found story?

Ever fall in a bucket of sh*t and come out wearing a new hat?

That's more or less what happenned to me today. We stopped to let a couple riders pass and one of them asks us if anyone has lost a wallet back on the trail. I feel my pocket and we check my Camelbak which is open a decent amount right where I usually have my wallet and lo and behold it's gone. Bam! He whips out my wallet and hands it to me.

I'm leaving tomorrow night for a week and a half in Texas and can't imagine what that would have been like had I lost it at the worst possible time.

Thank you mystery rider!

[COLEKO]

Even with the OTB crash I had a great time. Just loved that trail with all the rocks and drops. Great challenge on my hardtail.

As for now its helmet shopping for me. Ive never hit my head that hard before. But to be able to get up and ride away is a good feeling

[kanga]

Brown/Prieto is one of my fave rides, and lately I've been riding from my house to do it. One question.... are you riding the original trail, or all the "new" shortcuts that bypass the climbs? There are a few of us who will only ride the old trail, keeping it alive. These days, the shortcuts get used far more than the original trail. The climbs do break the flow, but they also increase the challenge... either way, it's one of my favorite trails. Thanks for sharing...!

[Schecky]

Great RR - Thanks! The wallet incident is amazing.
I would have loved to join you.
I think the Gabs and a Sunday are in my future.

[coldbrews]

Good times out there! Heres some of the photos I was able to snap.

Good karma to that unknown rider returning the wallet. I didnt even know that happened.

I wish I would have taken some pics of that gnarly singletrack, too busy enjoying myself!

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by COLEKO

Even with the OTB crash I had a great time. Just loved that trail with all the rocks and drops. Great challenge on my hardtail.

As for now its helmet shopping for me. Ive never hit my head that hard before. But to be able to get up and ride away is a good feeling

Coleko, hope all is well with your head. If you cracked your helmet you must of hit it pretty hard. I think theres been enough injuries lately. Glad everyone had a good time.

[dirtmistress]

Most excellent you guys. I am green with envy but I know it will be set up again. Hopefully earlier than 10 at night! That trail is a piece of canyon heaven. Like Sullivan. You can't believe youre in L.A.

[JoeTruth]

[SIZE=3]Nice! Damn SB and his tired arss jersey. When I see Slappy, I'm going to give him a new jersey. I'm tired of seeing that faded gray on blue jersey. Stop spending all your $$$ on Beemurs and MoBo's and you'll be good.

Dino, for the loop you guys did, your total altitude gained is around 1800 feet. Although it feels longer, El Prieto is right about 2 miles long.

Couldn't agree with Kanga more. Since we had some washouts and downed trees a couple of years ago, people made bypasses to get around and now, they're being used more then the original trail. For example, the 2nd water crossing right after you make a right. Typically, you go straight, negotiate the sharp left hander and climb the 2 short semi-steep sections. That's how it's always been done. Now, everyone seems to be taking the easy route and goes left right before. I think it sucks but hey, that's just my opinion.

Thanks for posting the RR and photos.[/SIZE]

[Tedroy]