RR: Daley Ranch (through new eyes)

[sdyeti]

As the second day to our unusually unscheduled weekend, we decided to do a nice Sunday spin with the Manns at Daley Ranch. And we brought along a guest, an XC racer from Texas named Lisa. She helped me see this riding spot through new eyes.

Lisa got hooked up with us through our LBS. Our mechanic said she was in town for work and looking to go out for a decent ride. We immediately made plans to pick her up from her hotel and bring her with us. Right away, I could tell she was super nice and a very good rider.

Kermit, round #2


We met up with Allison and Justin by 8:30, and it was already getting very warm. Knowing they had just done a long road ride yesterday and that Lisa's home turf (Houston) is pretty flat, we decided to keep the pace pretty casual.

Looking out


Dan and Lisa starting out


The Mann, sporting his sleeveless jersey...he is sturdy


From the first climb, she was so impressed with the scenery and wow, did we ever come up here on the most perfect day! The air was so clear that we could see Point Loma and the islands off Baja! The greenery was so vivid, the flowers were pretty, ponds were everywhere, and the mountains looked gorgeous.

Wonderful


I thought "wow, I really underestimated this place the last time I rode here." So, cheers to Lisa for making me pay attention to the beauty that is in our backyard. She said that she must drive 2-3 hours out of Houston to get any trails really worth riding on. I immediately felt very lucky.

Lisa, admiring the view


Justin & Dan ride on


Allison


I'm not sure of the fire-road names but we basically completed the huge loop around Daley. We threw in some singletrack (Burnt Mountain, Bobcat, and a few other) and had some good climbs and fun downhills. I brought the Niner out again and had a blast. On some of the sketchy dh (i.e. Crest trail), it handled remarkably well and was very, very solid.

Allison & Lisa, their smiles say it all


JRA singletrack snaps




Pensive moment


Okay, I threw the original in for Nam


We rode along at a nice pace, not too fast or slow. I felt really good today and did most of my climbing in middle. We stopped briefly at the Ranch House to rest and water up.

The ladies' stable


A fine looking bunch


At Cardiac, we all gave it our best try. Justin and Dan cleaned it easily and all three of us gals, though we each dabbed, made it up the rest of the way.

Justin and Dan get ready for Cardiac




On the climb where we had the infamous Sladnas ride climb-a-thon, I managed to clean it again. It seemed a lot easier this time around...maybe less loose stuff to get in the way...maybe the bigger tires...maybe stronger legs?

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...we had a great time (and for once in a long while, the gals outnumbered the guys-though I'm sure they didn't mind that!).

Allison digs for it with Lisa following


Double your pleasure



Right before dropping in on Bobcat


Now, triple your pleasure

[sdyeti]

Long slog up to Crest


The Manns making it happen


Yep, we're going up there





On the very last downhill before the pavement, you know...the sketchy very steep one...I was pretty skeptical about taking the Niner down it. I was actually a bit nervous. We got to it, and I rolled up on it, scoped my line and just went. The bike did great! It was really solid and I never felt sketchy. We all made it down in one piece.

We were done by 11:30 or so. The stats came out to about 14.5 miles and 2400 feet of climbing.

Lunch was one highlight of the day...Chipotle. We even got VIP parking

Awwww yeah


Photographic proof


That's what it's all about...great food, great friends, great riding


It was awesome to spend a relaxing day with friends and seeing the familiar through new eyes.

Hey mechmann...look familiar?!

[OTHRIDER]

A very nice RR!

I finally rode out there for the first time on Friday with Atomrat (Garry). He was an excellent leader and put up with my slow pace. Thanks for the photos - I'll show the better half tonight. I can't get over the scenic ponds and how much scat I saw on the trails. It must be animal heaven out there.

[sdyeti]

Yep, lots of coyotes out there apparently. For the record, aside from birds, the only wildlife we saw was one garter snake (and I'm ok with that )

Originally Posted by OTHRIDER

A very nice RR!

I finally rode out there for the first time on Friday with Atomrat (Garry). He was an excellent leader and put up with my slow pace. Thanks for the photos - I'll show the better half tonight. I can't get over the scenic ponds and how much scat I saw on the trails. It must be animal heaven out there.

[jonathan_sykes81]

Thanks for posting this. I have yet to ride Daley and this just pushed me over the edge. I will try to check it out next weekend.

[OldDogDan]

Great RR comments & pix! Yes, very nice to see a familiar ride thru another's eyes. Good thing Lisa was from Texas -- you guys didn't even mention the heat today, and everybody rode Cardiac w/ just a dab or less...y'all fielded a strong team.

[tkblazer]

nice pics! glad you are liking the niner

[Zippy]

NICE! Last time I rode there, everything was brown and dead. Looks like I need to get out there before Summer hits.

[sdyeti]

Jeezus! Holy cow Justin! You are, of course, a loser and a winner in my book!

Originally Posted by mechmann

I was a tad bit sturdier when we first rode Daley Ranch 3 years ago...

I am loving it. I have never felt so strong as a rider.......

Originally Posted by tkblazer

nice pics! glad you are liking the niner

[tkblazer]

dood justin, who is that guy holding up your/allison's enduro?

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by mechmann

i even went from a Large Giro Xen to a Medium!!!

I was thinking your head's gotten bigger.

We were thinking of doing Daley today starting at 1PM, but canceled it for a few reasons--one of them being the heat.

Nice pics.

[CPATCRASH]

How can you ride there without going to Stone Brewing Company for post ride boozin?

[sdyeti]

I just stare and stare at that picture and ya know what, I just don't recognize you. I'm sure the new you is better anyway

Originally Posted by mechmann

yeah... i was straight up fat when we started riding. it is pretty crazy the difference. hate to go too far OT, but here is another shot from back then...



funny thing to note...

i went from a 38/40 waist to a 31/32 waist, i even went from a Large Giro Xen to a Medium!!!

[92se-r]

Daley beautiful when it's almost 100 out? That is awesome that she is able to see that. I would've been puking.

[allison]

Originally Posted by 92se-r

Daley beautiful when it's almost 100 out? That is awesome that she is able to see that. I would've been puking.

It totally wasn't that hot. I was actually fine temperature wise until the last climb to get up to Rock Ridge. That was warm. It was pretty windy over at the entrance to Bobcat and I wasn't overheating at all prior to the last long climb.

I had ice water in my pack with Elete, and then Cytomax (that was warm about 15 minutes into the ride, but, eh) and didn't have any issues. I wasn't hammering, though.