RR: Holy Jim Loop (Main Divide cherry popped)

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Singletrack Angel wanted to train for the Toad Festival so I promised her I would take her up the Holy Jim Trabuco Loop at her pace. At the last minute BrendaGilbert, Eric Foltz and Paula joined us.

Eric, Paula and I rode in Trabuco Creek road while Singletrack Angel and Brenda drove in to Holy Jim to stay fresher for the loop.

The ride up Holy Jim was tough as usual but still fun. The new Mach5 handled well. we were all suprised by the beautiful wildflowers along the trail. I have never seen HJ look this nice.

IMG_0939.jpg
Starting up Holy Jim.

IMG_0940.jpg
Paula crossing the creek on Holy Jim.

IMG_0941.jpg
IMG_0942.jpg
IMG_0943.jpg
IMG_0944.jpg
IMG_0945.jpg
IMG_0946.jpg
IMG_0947.jpg
IMG_0948.jpg
The flowers were amazing!

IMG_0949.jpg
IMG_0950.jpg

It took us 2 hours plus to get up Holy Jim so more than once I questioned whether we should continue on. But the girls were determined and we pushed on. For Brenda and Kristine this was their first time on the Main Divide other than Beeks so they were thrilled and proud of themselves. Good job girls!

While I stayed back with the girls Eric rode up ahead and did a loop up and rode down upper Holy Jim to get some more miles in.

IMG_0951.jpg
IMG_0952.jpg
IMG_0953.jpg
IMG_0954.jpg
Kristine was really happy when she reached the top of Holy Jim.

IMG_0955.jpg
IMG_0956.jpg
Kristine helping Brenda with her bike just before the top of Holy Jim.

IMG_0957.jpg
Happy to be done climbing Holy Jim.

IMG_0958.jpg

The ride along the main divide was beautiful with nice patches of wildflowers interspersed along the ride. Other than 3 motos we had the trail to ourselves. We took a break at the top of West Horsethief to re-group before the last climb up to Trabuco.

Shortly thereafter we ran across a mountain biker DRIVING along main divide. The girls gave him a hard time for not riding and then peered inside his car and saw his bike still had reflectors, a dork ring and dunh-dunh-dunhhhhh!!! A kickstand!!!

The girls continued to razz him for a few minutes and then rolled on.

Once we all made it to the top of Trabuco we re-grouped, took a group shot and then headed down the E-ticket ride back to the cars.

Back at the cars Brenda and Kristine had some beers waiting. Mmmmmm We all had made it and were in good shape with no crashes or mechanicals.

---to be continued---

[KeepsWhatHappens]

IMG_0959.jpg
Singletrack Angel on Main Divide.

IMG_0960.jpg
BrendaGilbert on Main Divide.

IMG_0963.jpg

IMG_0964.jpg

IMG_0965.jpg
Kristine showing off her skills at West Horsethief.

IMG_0966.jpg
Brenda rolling into West Horsethief junction.

IMG_0967.jpg
The girls razzing the mountain biker driving Main Divide with his bike IN his car.

IMG_0968.jpg
Eric riding through the burned section near the top of Trabuco.

IMG_0969.jpg
Paula rolling into the top of Trabuco looking strong.

IMG_0970.jpg

IMG_0971.jpg
Kristine - happy to have the climbing over with.

IMG_0972.jpg

IMG_0973.jpg
Brenda powering up the last section to Trabuco junction.

IMG_0974.jpg
Group shot at top of Trabuco.

IMG_0975.jpg

IMG_0976.jpg
Kristine loving upper Trabuco Trail.

IMG_0977.jpg
Bar shot on Trabuco.

IMG_0978.jpg
Kristine on the shale section of Trabuco.

IMG_0979.jpg

IMG_0980.jpg

[CalEpic]

Nice RR. One of my favorite loops in the Santa Ana's. Poison Oak is getting thick at the bottom of Trabuco eh?

C

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Before long Paula had to continue on to make a prior time commitment. So she rode out the rest of the canyon back to the VQ finish line. What a studette! So it was just four of us then. After a brief beer break at the Holy Jim parking lot, Eric and I rode out the rest of the Canyon while the girls drove out.

IMG_0981.jpg
Kristine and Brenda at the West Horsethief/Trabuco junction.

IMG_0982.jpg
Brenda on Trabuco.

IMG_0983.jpg
The girls were ecstatic when we rolled back to their vehicle. They loved the ride down Trabuco!

IMG_0985.jpg
Mmmm beer!

IMG_0986.jpg
Helmet hair!

Then we all headed over to the best place to go after a hard ride, The Rose Canyon Cantina. We were there a few minutes before they opened so we patiently waited and then ate and drank some well-deserved calories.

IMG_0987.jpg

IMG_0988.jpg

IMG_0989.jpg

IMG_0990.jpg

IMG_0991.jpg

Thanks all for a great ride! Now Brenda and Kristine are no longer Main Divide virgins! Congratulations! And Paula you rock as always!

[ericfoltz]

Good stuff! Fun ride with a great group.

The two newly deflowered MD virgins did great and kept going on a tough route. Hopefully this will be the first of many new adventures up in the Santa Ana's for them.

[Trizz]

man, i have been dying to give this ride a try, some day real soon, thanks for the great RR,and all the Awsome pictures you posted.

[xhuskr]

way to go ladies...you got the chance to enjoy the thrill of Trabuco and the pain of 'the wall' AND you brought bier!

[bighit8]

I will see you girls(some) Saturday in aliso. We have to kill Mathis.

[dstepper]

Great job ladies! John I was starting to think you only rode Chiquita Ridge.

Dean

[Letyrides]

That's so awesome. Kristine I'm so proud of how far you've come from when we first met. You definately have grown leaps and bounds since that Bikes n' Beers ride last year. You're looking really strong. I have a lot of catching up to do.

[brendagilbert]

We made it! I had a great time today, perfect weather, great company, and wonderful trails to ride. My favorite part, other than giving the guy with the bike in his car a hard time- was riding down Trabuco Trail from the Main Divide. I could not stop smiling! Thanks Kristine, Paula, John and Eric- can't wait to do this ride again.

[bighit8]

Eric is one cool dude!Just my 2 cents

[ChariotsOfTires]

Awesome Pics!!!! It encourages me that a Kristine is hitting the trails!!! All the more encouragement to get my Christine on the dirt trails. Going to take her up Telegraph Canyon for her first ride sometime in the near future. I think I am going to show her these pics!!!

[CPATCRASH]

Great job! But why the tiny cooler? With that ride someone should have brought a bigger one!