RR: Chilao

[Pain Freak]

Got a call from my old friend OPP, he was coming out from CO. He said he was going to here in SoCal and invited me to a ride up at Chilao. They were going to do this and then continue on to do the Merrills then work their way back down to JPL.I didn't have enough time to do all that plus these hammerheads even in slow motion are very fast, so I just elected to do the loop at Chilao. The conditions are in pretty good shape right now. The strat on the little bit of asphalt was going a lot faster then I could hang, my legs were fried from yesterday



This was pretty much my view of the guys for the remainder of the ride.When we got there the temp was a little on the cool side and some of us put on some layers,but OPP took off in a short sleeve shirt, sorry no pic. Soon we hit the fireroad climb which is one of the easiest climbs in all the San Gabes, I love this climb for the ease and the scenery



The ride was progressing really well once we hit the descent and I was having a great time and now I was able to keep up for a change. We got going on Silver Moccasin and I was thinking this is going to be a blast when my front brake quit working, the pad came out and was bent to all hell. I'm not sure what caused it, but no front brake from then on. Made for the remainder down a little sketchy, but I carried to much speed into one switchback which caused me to skid.... that caused the back end to swing around and I had no other choice but to continue on thru the switchback, probably the best switchback ride I've ever did, that was fun, but I wouldn't want to try it again. From here we climbed back out to Chilao Campground and considering I had no front brake and I couldn't get into the small ring I elected to by pass Vetter and Good Ol Slappy decided to come along with me and ride the road back,even this was fun though. We got back only a little before these freekin greyhounds. Here they are getting their roadie fix in...



You might recognize this cast of characters..

We had a group of eight with Fullface Nate, Opp, Jeff, Chuck,Good Ol Slappy, the guy who was with us at Mt SAC race with the Sho-Air jersey (sorry forgot your name again) and the infamous Dusty Bottoms leading the charge, gawd that guy is fast I almost missed him he went by so fast...



All in all a very fun ride I just wish I'd have saved some of myself for this ride and could of kept up a little better. The guys were great though and gave me no grief at all for being last up...



And as always Chilao never fails to put a smile on your face....

[Good_ol'_slappy]

Thanks Mike - I hope your early bail was worth it. What a great day of riding; my body is TIRED. This was a strong crew, I cracked at the end and those guys were out on a beach cruise.

[Dino Brown]

Chilao

[Dusty Bottoms]

Great to see you guys! I think we're gonna snap off San Juan next Saturday afternoon, if you're interested.

[JoeTruth]

[SIZE=3]Ha! excluding you, Mike; those guys are all FAGS! (speaking of the ones I know.)
(For those who don't know. I'm just messing with my boys because in reality, I'm jealous that I wasn't there. We're all good friends. You happy now, 90210?)

Nice!


[/SIZE]

[OPP]

Where do I start? GENUINELY great to see all the old crew. Mike, thanks for making it out...you too Good Ole Slappy. Dusty and Full Face I see too often anyway!! Secondly, the San Gabe's are as great as I remember them. Just stellar riding. Some photos:

[KBL]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Chilao

Word.

I'll pull off another ride there soon. Thanks for the photos.

[Pain Freak]

Just wasn't the same without you Joe. But the jokes were a many as you can imagine.

Don't get downwind of the CO boy, WOW!

[maniacal]

My son and I love this place, camping, hiking and riding! My 13 year old goes through shit that I wont do. Anyhow, this is why he decided to name his german shepard female, Chilao.

[allison]

I *really* want to ride Chilao again. My first time up there was about 3-4 months after I started riding.. the 26mi were long and really difficult for me. Haven't gone back since, but would love to for sure.

[Nagaredama]

You guys have plans to ride this again anytime soon? I would love to join you.

[JimN]

Originally Posted by allison

I *really* want to ride Chilao again. My first time up there was about 3-4 months after I started riding.. the 26mi were long and really difficult for me. Haven't gone back since, but would love to for sure.

I remember that ride. November 6, 2005, according to my email records. How far you've come in two short years! Definitely time for a re-visit.

[allison]

Originally Posted by JimN

I remember that ride. November 6, 2005, according to my email records. How far you've come in two short years! Definitely time for a re-visit.

Just let us know! I promise I won't hold up the group this time

[mandown]

did chilao for the first time on saturday. what a blast!