RR: SJT is a scary place!

[Code Blue]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Rode San Juan Trail on Sunday and it was scary. No the trail is in decent shape….it was the volume of riders![/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Early on Sundays the trail in normally not crowded but yesterday was a nightmare. The fires have limited our trail access here in OC at it was evident on SJT. It was a diverse crowd that we took notice to and don't normaly see:[/SIZE][/FONT]
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• [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]CC racers with matching lycra, jerseys and shaved legs.[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Shuttlers with 5”-7” travel bikes and full face helmets[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Wal-Mart Warriors[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Sasquatch looking fellow (no shirt, no helmet in sandals)[/FONT][/SIZE]
• [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Baggie Brigade with hairy legs (my homies) [/SIZE][/FONT]

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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I don’t think I am going to ride that place again in the near future unless it is at night[/SIZE][/FONT]

[cjwally]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I don’t think I am going to ride that place again in the near future unless it is at night[/SIZE][/FONT]

I only ride it at night....Just because of the traffic. Also, just because it is just that much better.

[dubjay]

I rode there Saturday morning, and I saw all the same types you described.

The crowds weren't that much of an issue, but there was a large group of 16 or so that ended up shuttling it.

I enjoy SJT much more when they close off Bluejay

[dstepper]

I have fealt that way for a couple of years...only ride it weekdays. It is a drive to get out there and there are mucho better places to ride. Let the shuttle monkeys have it.

Dean

[ghixon]

I have a question for the OC folks. Exactly what percentage of trails have been closed due to the fires?

At the Aliso ride I did a few weekends ago, everyone was commenting on how busy the trails were.

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by cjwally

I only ride it at night....Just because of the traffic. Also, just because it is just that much better.

SJT and Holy Jim are my fav night rides!

[dirtvert]

Well, that was a big contrast to today: a couple of shuttlers, a couple matching-lycra-hammering guys, and about 5 "normal" riders and me trying to catch up...

[CPATCRASH]

Did you see me out there? I only shave one leg....

[DownhillWebKook]

Crowds suck. Ride during the heat of the day. It'll be a ghost town.

Of course, that requires some "heat" which may be dwindling as the Winter ebbs in.

[dirtvert]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Did you see me out there? I only shave one leg....

i don't really look at guys legs (nttawwt)...

[Padre]

Originally Posted by dstepper

I have fealt that way for a couple of years...only ride it weekdays. It is a drive to get out there and there are mucho better places to ride.
Dean

It's only 16 minutes door to door for me...a weekday delight!

[project_d]

Originally Posted by ghixon

I have a question for the OC folks. Exactly what percentage of trails have been closed due to the fires?

At the Aliso ride I did a few weekends ago, everyone was commenting on how busy the trails were.

Santiago Truck Trail, Luge, Maple Springs, Harding Truck Trail, Whiting (I'm sure I've left out one or two). In the grand scheme of things, that's not a big number when compared to the total number of trails available to the OC MTB community. So I don't know why there are "so many people" on all the trails.

[DISCO]

I like to ride it in the dark for the aforementioned reasons.


Next full moon we can tear shit up!!

[Waldo]

Originally Posted by project_d

Santiago Truck Trail, Luge, Maple Springs, Harding Truck Trail, Whiting (I'm sure I've left out one or two). In the grand scheme of things, that's not a big number when compared to the total number of trails available to the OC MTB community. So I don't know why there are "so many people" on all the trails.

For better or worse, Whiting is one of the most accessible and user-friendly parks, so its closure shifts a very large volume of people elsewhere. STT/Luge is also a very popular loop. Plus we had short-term closures of Blackstar, ONeill, and more as well. Then when you take the type of riders who frequent STT/Luge, Harding, and Maple Springs (generally faster and more serious riders) and mix them in with the "Wal Mart Warriors" that's a difficult mix to pull off without incident. All the more reason we all need to be extra courteous and and extra careful right now.

edit: I've yet to ride SJT. Maybe as the weather gets cold it'll thin out the weekenders and I'll give it a shot.

[ericfoltz]

I only do SJT during the week and usually as a loop from Dove Canyon. Rare if I see more than a couple of riders.

[project_d]

Originally Posted by Waldo

For better or worse, Whiting is one of the most accessible and user-friendly parks, so its closure shifts a very large volume of people elsewhere.

That's assuming that large volume of people goes to one location, but there are many other places to ride: Aliso, El Moro, Peters, to name a few. And I feel that Aliso is even more user-friendly. I see more people on that network of trails than Whiting any day of the week. Plus, you're assuming that MTBers who reside in the O.C. will stay in the O.C., which you & I both know they don't.

Originally Posted by Waldo

All the more reason we all need to be extra courteous and and extra careful right now.

We should always be as careful as we can. If somebody is letting down their guard, then maybe they shouldn't be riding that day.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by ericfoltz

I only do SJT during the week and usually as a loop from Dove Canyon. Rare if I see more than a couple of riders.

I'd love to get a map of that loop you're talking about.

[cjwally]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

SJT and Holy Jim are my fav night rides!

A few months ago I did HJ Trabucco Night Ride...Super fun!

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by cjwally

A few months ago I did HJ Trabucco Night Ride...Super fun!

did your light last long enough?

I have done lower HJ to upper HJ and back down. Also WHT to Trabuco.

I am looking forward to riding down HJ. Due to the amount of riders we rarely do it.

[emejay]

Originally Posted by ericfoltz

I only do SJT during the week and usually as a loop from Dove Canyon. Rare if I see more than a couple of riders.

That must be quite a loop!!! Can you share any more info?