RR: Training ride in the Santa Ana's

[allison]

Well, we're starting to really get into our VQ training for the year, and today was a good start.

Steph decided she'd join us (for her longest and most difficult ride to date, off road) for the sufferfest.

We started out climbing Indian Truck Trail about 10 til 8am this morning. It was probably around 40F out. I had my new Specialized vest on, so my core was warm, but my arms and hands got pretty cold. It warmed up right quick, as we all knew it would. Soon we were shedding the top layer.

At 3200ft we started seeing patches of snow off the side of the fire road. We were riding through it about 200ft higher (it was all still frozen in the shade, not at all mushy/muddy).

It was cold. We got up to Main Divide, had a bite to eat, and continued west toward the peak. Justin had his mind set to get up top. I got about a mile from the top and said I'd had enough. We had a long enough day ahead of us, with a lot more climbing. He and Steph continued on. I was right at snow level (see the photo below). I think they probably kept going for another half mile or so. I was just chilling in the sun and noticed some rather big paw prints (I realized it wasn't a good idea to kneel down to inspect them), so decided to slowly head down. Good thing some boy scouts were all hiking up, so I stopped to put my vest on and relax. Justin and Steph weren't far behind me at that point.

A group was hanging out at the Upper Holy Jim trailhead (2 with WS jackets, wonder how they got out of trail work today??). We said hello and continued through.

I had a pretty tough time down UHJ. It kinda sucked, cause other than the switchbacks I'm pretty sure I've ridden the whole trail before. But, not today. I took it a little too easy, I think.

We continued east toward Trabuco. The Wall was as it always is.. a big giant PITA climb. I stopped once to catch my breath, but otherwise cleaned the whole thing (yay).

We made it over to Trabuco and stopped again. We saw a guy climbing up Trabuco (later ran into him descending Holy Jim - doesn't he know he was going backward?!) and another two guys.

A mile or so past the WHT cut off we ran into Steve B, Donna, Debbie, and Vickie (Trail Angels) and chatted a bit before we had to continue on. It still seemed pretty early in the day, but we were pressing 1pm by the bottom of Trabuco. It was around 2 before we started climbing Holy Jim.

A few guys offered us beer and water at the bottom of Holy Jim (we all declined the beer), and we started climbing...again.

Doug A from Geoladders caught us on the climb up and passed us rather quickly (we didn't see him again). Was cool to see him again.

I actually felt pretty good, considering. My legs were on the edge of being in real pain, but I kept it together today.

I feel like I'm finally getting on track with being mentally and physically prepared for the long days again. Nutritionally I feel like I did well, and physically I made it without any major issues. I kept the pace pretty moderate all day, but at least I finished without tears (yay).

Photos:

Starting up ITT



There was snow on the right side bump, but you can't really see it



More snow below the moss



Made it to Pain Divide



Justin and Steph rode off toward the Peak



We'll be heading that way



Snow on Pain Divide (I didn't check the level, I'd say 5200ft?)



Descending UHJ





Girls at the Trabuco Christmas tree



Credit where it's due - photo was Steph's idea



One of Justin's two flat's today



Climbing Holy Jim



The only time I'm happy to see Pain Divide



Nearing the top



Post-ride meal.. guess where?



Profile -

[genusmtbkr5]

Good RR and nice pics. Wish I could've gone. I see the feather I put on the tree was still there. Anyway, good to hear that Upper HJ is in good shape. Thanks for the RR.

[Pain Freak]

Nice job, you are going to kick arse on the VQ. So that's how you slow Justin down, you flatten his tire.

[sdyeti]

I have officially begun my VQ training, with the lovely and talented Mr. and Mrs. Mann leading the way for this Santa Ana trail newbie. (I'm not a newbie to riding but I've never ridden the trails out there until today)

Lesson #1: When mechmann says we are going to do something, we do it big AND then add more distance than planned.

I met up with allison and mechmann early this morning (6:45) at their house and we all jumped in the truck quickly and were on our way. 10 miles down the freeway and I realize, I have forgotten my helmet. DOH!

Lesson #2: Must have someone else remind me to bring my helmet.

We retrieve my brain bucket and we at the ITT trailhead in no time. What to wear? It was cold so we all dressed appropriately and headed off. I had prepared myself mentally for a long day but this would be my longest off-road ride to date (ever) and the most climbing ever done in one day (ever).

Lesson #3: Only admit this once the ride is done so you don't get one of these looks)

We climbed ITT to Pain Divide, then up Pain Divide to almost the top of Santiago. About a mile from the peak there was snow...most was pedal-able but by the time we were about two turns away from the top, I put up the white flag and decided to turn around. Justin said we'd have a lot of climbing left ahead.

Lesson #4: Snow in SoCal is awesome! And again, believe mechmann when he tells you about how much climbing you still must do.

Back down Pain Divide/Upper Holy Jim and up The Wall. This was hard. I was bouncing all over the trail and feeling pretty hungry. We decided to stop for lunch before descending Trabuco.

Lesson #5: The Wall on Pain Divide is far harder than The Wall at Fontucky, hands down. And, one PB & J is never enough.

Finally we got to Trabuco. I had taken off my Defeet base layer and was finally not overheating. My body couldn't regulate between the heat of the sun and the freezing cold of the shadows. Trabuco was SO awesome. Easily one of my favorite singletracks, ever. I was grinning from ear to ear. We stopped and took pictures at the Christmas tree (what a cool sight)! By the time I knew it, it was over and we were at the bottom of Trabuco (okay, that was after stopping for hikers, letting Justin fix his flat, and chatting with Donna (CaDownhillDoll), Vickie, Debbie, and Steve B. for a bit on the trail.

Lesson #6: Downhill trail riding ROCKS (even if it is to be followed by a painful climb).

We chatted with some fellow bikers at the Trabuco parking lot (thanks for the water!) and headed up for Lower Holy Jim. We climbed and climbed and finally I began to feel numb...my brain more than my body. I felt like I was on autopilot and realized that as we climbed higher and higher and saw the view back down into the canyon that we were really accomplishing something.

Lesson #7: Even in moments of pain we can still experience beauty and wonder.

Finally, we crested back out to Main Divide and rode back down to the gate. Carrying downhill speed never felt so good in contrast to constant resistance on my wheel. We dressed in our warm clothes, new gloves and socks and started our descent back down ITT.

Lesson #8: Warm dry socks = a good thing.

We flew down the fire road. We made it most of the way down when I saw a BALD EAGLE take off from a tree and soar on the updrafts in the canyon. Talk about a breath-taking sight. It was beautiful and a real treat. Soon we were back to the car and so excited to have finished such an awesomely hard ride. I'll let allison post the official stats, but let's just say we went pretty far and climbed a lot!!

Allison and mechmann did an amazing job today...absolutely killed it on the descents and climbs and encouraged the hell outta me! A truly fantastic day.

Lesson #9: Great endeavors are that much greater when shared with friends.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by mechmann

my legs cramped pretty bad again going up HJ. i guess i need to take the Enduralytes more regularly. they fixed the cramps quickly as usual though. funny thing, this was the first time i ever had my ARM cramp up during a ride. it was pretty strange/crappy.

Pickle juice I tell ya! I haven't tried it, but I hear it works wonders. I do carry mustard packs and have taken it at the first hint of cramping, haven't cramped yet.

[allison]

Steph - awesome RR!!

Gene - can you merge? Thx bud!

[allison]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Pickle juice I tell ya! I haven't tried it, but I hear it works wonders. I do carry mustard packs and have taken it at the first hint of cramping, haven't cramped yet.

Unfortunately Justin abhors mustard and pickles. I have a mustard packet in my pack for my own emergencies, though.

[Pain Freak]

It was real nice of you to wait up for them Steph, you're a good one.


This lady can C..L..I..M...B..

I hope to see you and Allison in the top 10.

Justin will kill it too.

[dstepper]

Good jod ya all

[sdyeti]

Thanks Mike.....

BUT climber of the day award went to Allison, hands down!!

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

It was real nice of you to wait up for them Steph, you're a good one.


This lady can C..L..I..M...B..

I hope to see you and Allison in the top 10.

Justin will kill it too.

Official distance/elevation?

[allison]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I hope to see you and Allison in the top 10.

Justin will kill it too.

That's definitely not gonna happen (for me). VQ for me is still one of those things that I am just going to focus on beating the cutoffs and finishing. If I'm successful, I'll probably take 09 off to cheer on everyone else.



BTW, our ride was like 37.74mi and between 7500-8000ft of climbing. Gorgeous blue sky all day.

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Thanks Mike.....

BUT climber of the day award went to Allison, hands down!!

Haha! Only once we got to HJ!

[Pain Freak]

Girl, don't sell yourself short, you're going to do great.

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Love the xmas tree ornament shot. That's calendar material!

I think you're right Justin just keep up the Enurolyte intake on a regular basis and maybe more Heed can't hurt and you'll be fine. I don't know you very well but know you are a strong rider.

I've got those cramps in weird places before two at odd times - the arms, the top of my feet where it meets the leg when hiking up WHT. They all suck!

Awesome RR.

KeepsWhatHappens

[sdyeti]

I felt so inspired by this ride...it was an awesome day!

Originally Posted by mechmann

btw... love the RR steph!!!!