RR: Morro Bay weekend 4/12-14

[art23rockpile]

Laura (my girlfriend) wanted to get away for a few days in Morro Bay, so we called Shannon & Bruce to find out about some rides up there, packed everything into my truck, and hit the road.

After arriving and checking in, we went for a ride up Black Hill and along a eucalyptus covered trail by the estuary. Later, Bruce and I went surfing, and the four of us had dinner at a local seafood restaurant.

Sunday morning, Laura, me, Shannon, and Bruce went for a ride along Santa Rita Road, near Cayucos. The ride starts out on a paved road that soon turns unpaved in a beautiful tree covered canyon. Basically, it's a 15 mile out and back... 7 1/2 miles of climbing to the top and then down the same route back to the cars. Although the road lacks any technical challenge, it's a long sustained climb, the scenery is awesome, and the 7+ mile descent is a blast!

Monday morning, Laura was feeling under the weather, so I rode the 'Cabrillo Peaks Loop' solo. This is trail system near downtown Morro Bay set aside for recreational use. It's a small area with a number of interesting trails -some of them very short- and quite confusing without the local MTB'ing book (which Shannon was good enough to loan me). The diversity among so many short trails in this small area is amazing... the scenery is breathtaking! See the photos: #4-10 were taken in an area roughly 10 square miles. And notice how narrow the trails are... all well groomed singletrack and *cough* ALL legal.

That evening before we left, we went back to Black Hill for photos. It's a small steep hill at the edge of a golf course. The trail starts under big pine trees, and climbs up the hillside about 400ft in a half mile (as i recall). For a short trail, it's surprisingly technical with a number of switchbacks, waterbars, and rocky sections/drop-offs. I'm told the local downhillers gear-up and bomb down from the top.

All told, my impression of the area is that there's some great riding to be had, which I sampled just a little of.
The scenery and terrain are a change of pace from SoCal, and of course Morro Bay has a charm all it's own.
We are talking about returning sometime soon and even looking at a more challenging ride in the Big Sur area.
A sincere 'Thank You' to Shannon & Bruce for their warmth and hospitality!

Photos:
1) Shannon, Laura, and Bruce on Santa Rita Rd.
2) Downhill
3) Gunther the lap-dog and Shannon
4) & 5) Quarry Trail
6) Singletrack everywhere
7) Canet Trail... where does it go?
& 9) Left or Right?
10) The view when exiting onto Turri Rd.

[art23rockpile]

Here's some photos of Black Hill:

1) Rock garden at the top
2) Me and trusty steed
3) Laura
4-6) Riding down

[Dino Brown]

I'm officially jealous!

One day you're surfing, the next day you decide to start riding again after YEARS off the bike, shortly after that takes you under his wing, a few weeks after that you attend the FLANNEL RIDE for .... and now you are taking bike vacations!

I TOLD YOU that you were one of us!

P.S.- Bruce and Shannon Rule!

[Bryguy17]

NOICE!

you chose some good places for a laid back ride. I've only ridden at Cabrillo peaks once, but its quite fun with lots to explore. Plus theres some super fast straight downhills that made the hifi i was riding lots of fun

Its also cool that you went to Black Hill. Thats one of those trails that travelers tend not to hit. It's pretty fun though, especially the part above the parking lot. I remember a really nasty right-hander that has a 2ft drop in the middle. I think it had paving stones in the runup?

Everything below the parking lot is awesome. We actually had a race from there to the road on that part, and it was a blast. I especially like the part AFTER that crazy waterbar/staircase/turn thing. Really fast and fun. It was especially cool because we had 4-5 shuttle trucks and some 30 racers and their associated paparazzi making a rather large ruckus for all the golfers out there (who had no clue what was going on )

you can check out this place for some pics from that race. http://downhillnews.smugmug.com/gall...46057784_NrA5q

[art23rockpile]

Originally Posted by Bryguy17

NOICE!

you chose some good places for a laid back ride. I've only ridden at Cabrillo peaks once, but its quite fun with lots to explore. Plus theres some super fast straight downhills that made the hifi i was riding lots of fun

Its also cool that you went to Black Hill. Thats one of those trails that travelers tend not to hit. It's pretty fun though, especially the part above the parking lot. I remember a really nasty right-hander that has a 2ft drop in the middle. I think it had paving stones in the runup?

Everything below the parking lot is awesome. We actually had a race from there to the road on that part, and it was a blast. I especially like the part AFTER that crazy waterbar/staircase/turn thing. Really fast and fun. It was especially cool because we had 4-5 shuttle trucks and some 30 racers and their associated paparazzi making a rather large ruckus for all the golfers out there (who had no clue what was going on )

you can check out this place for some pics from that race. http://downhillnews.smugmug.com/gall...46057784_NrA5q

It's too bad that with all the big hit bikes and safety gear that there's no shots of the riders at the top parts: far rockier and more technical. Yes, I know the drop-off you're talking about exactly (which is in the middle of a switchback)... I tried it 3 times and even stopped to try and figure out a line through it. I couldn't do it, but I know a number of STR guys who could!

[Bryguy17]

haha...we actually didnt even run the top part. It would've been a mess trying to do practice with 30 people trying to walk up that trail.

That turn is rediculous. I did the same thing trying it 3 times, looking at the "lines" and deciding it couldn't be done cleanly (at least on my super-long trail bike). I could probably pull it off on something shorter like my hardtail

[dstepper]

Good stuff Art, glad you got to visit with Shannon and Bruce. I need to get back up there and do some more trail explorin'.

Dean

[CalEpic]

Did I hear something about Big Sur trails? I've been camping up there the last couple years with the family and am determined to get back up there with my bike. I havn't really done any research but was under the impression there wasn't much to ride.

I really want to spend some time riding among the redwoods.

C

[guero]

nice art, sounds like a fun weekend indeed!!! thanks for the pix and RR!

[Shannon]

It was a nice surprise to hear Art and Laura were going to be in Morro Bay. It's not often enough we get STR peeps up our way. As Art mentioned, there's tons of trails to explore up here, and we're looking forward to working our way up to the trails in Big Sur. It was also great for Bruce to have someone to surf with!

[cbHarping]

That's SUCH a gorgeous area, I love Central Coast! Thanks for sharing...and for making me JEALOUS!

[Bryguy17]

if i recall correctly, big sur does have some pretty awesome/epic rides, kinda like noble. only thing is that the system doesn't see much use/maintenance, so i cant testify as to the condition the trails are in. of course, i could be thinking of a completely different area

[cjwally]

I love that area of the central coast. I went to college at Cal Poly SLO. That is when I first started to mtb. I remember hitting up trails in the area you described. I also hit up Montana del Oro, Madonna Peak, Shooters, Morninglory, etc. There is so much beautiful scenery up in that area. You made me want to go back there for a weekend.... Thanks for the RR.