Holy Jim Trabuco loop 2/19/06

[CalEpic]

What a killer ride today guys.

I had some doubts we would be able to finish when we were caught in that hail storm.

I can't remember the last time my feet were that cold. It was miserable at the time, but looking back with a few beers in me now, it wasn't that bad.

I will say the mud on Main Divide the last mile before Trabuco sucked balls though. My bike must have weighed 40 lbs with all that mud on my tires and in my drivetrain.

Trabuco was a blast to finish it off. I love that trail. My legs were toast by the time I got to the bottom.

The best part - Everyone finished without injuries or mechanicals.

The tortilla soup and carnitas tacos at Wahoo's afterwards was the icing on the cake.

Here are the only pic's that came out.
#1 Dell making the final push to Main Divide.
#2 Aldo hot on Dell's heels.
#3 Bret contemplating the hike.
#4 Dell looking for a good spot to make a snow angel.

[TURNERob]

We had a group of 8 for this ride (after I convinced a couple to come), and it was an adventure that's for sure. The day started out with hail at my house when loading up my bike/gear into Bret's truck. Then the sun came out when we got onto Santiago Canyon rd. After a few mishaps with the bike rack we finally made it back to the trailhead where we waited for the straggler Banannaseat to arrive. Finally we were off and a couple miles into the ride it started pouring...then hailing. At this point I'm sure a few of us were skeptical if we would do the whole loop, but we moved on. Slowly but surely it started getting colder, then we started seeing snow about 3/4 of the way up HJ. Once to Main Divide we were all pretty damn cold so we tried to keep moving as quick as possible. Most of us managed to clean the "hell climb" on Main Divide despite the slush and snow layering the trail. At that point my toes were getting very numb so I borrowed another pair of Aldo's socks (which made 3 pairs for me) and that helped a bit. We saw this awesome dude on a dirtbike at the Indian Truck Trail junction wearing shorts, a jacket and NO GLOVES ....hilarious! We stopped and gathered just before West Horsethief and waited till we saw Pat and George in sight (turned out George started cramping a bit). Then we moved on and about the last mile and a half or so the mud got pretty bad. We made it up to the Trabuco trailhead.....all of us practically frozen at this point. We didn't stop long and couldn't wait for Pat and George so we left them some signals in the mud that we had left and gone down Trabuco. We made it down Trabuco with no mishaps (except for Craig's tire) and I was totally exhausted and frozen at this point. Pat and George made it down about 10-15 minutes later and a few of the guys had some cold ones......then we headed for Wahoo's. Another great ride even though the weather certainly was a challenge. At one point on Main Divide it felt like you were in space because of the clouds.....visibility was very poor. BTW: riders were Bret, Dell, Craig, Aldo, Lance, Pat and our founder George (and me of course). Great ride guys, I think my toes are finally warm

Here are my pics: a couple others took some pics also so I'm sure they'll add some.

The guys getting ready (and waiting for ALDO!!!!!)


Lance giving Pat's Foes a test ride.


Craig warming up on his 5 Spot.


Lance coming up after a stream crossing.


The group huddling under a tree during the hail storm.


Our first sight of snow as we climbed up Holy Jim.




more pics below:

[TURNERob]

This is the top of Holy Jim at Main Divide (there was plenty of snow below on HJ also).


The cold group....and Bret trying to snuggle with Aldo


Aldo, Dell (putting more socks on), Craig, Bret and Lance just before West Horsethief


Just before getting to Trabuco.


Bret's truck after the rally session on Trabuco Creek rd.


George put his stamp on Bret's headlight.


Awesome ride guys, now add your pics!!!

[TURNERob]

Sorry Craig, I didn't see your post. George, thanks for combining them

[bananaseat]

What an adventure. Once I got home, and digested the whole experience, it dawned on me how cool (no pun intended) it was. Not the type of ride one thinks of for SoCa. And with that here's my Oscar/STR acceptance speech..
-Thanks to Rob for the motivational surmon to get me out there... Here's how it went... I pick up the phone and I'm greeted with... "Is this the P*$#! that isn't riding today..." Truly inspiration! Rob I think you've found your true calling...
-Thanks to all for waiting for me
-Thanks to all for a great ride
-Thanks to Craig for the beers
Good nite

[LBmtb]

Nice pics! That ride kicked my ass pretty good but it was tons of fun. Here are some more pics. Also want to thank Craig for the cold beer

Nice view towards the end of the climb


A bit slushy


Pat


Lance


Bret


full res versions and a few more pics

Great ride today guys. The hail squall was a trip and I was thinking that we were in for an ugly road ahead, luckily it passed and we only encountered one more light hail dusting. I've never ridden in such conditions as we did today and it really was amazing. Cleaning the "hell climb" was an accomplishment for me and everyone did an amazing job. That mud really sucked about a mile before the Trabuco s/t, like Craig said, it made our bikes feel about 10 pounds heavier at least! The first 1/2 mile or so of the Trabuco s/t had quite a bit of snow on it, that was pretty fun and tricky to ride through.

Anyhow, I took a little time and brightened up Craigs photos he posted and I'll be posting my post ride pix on tuesday.

Good times fellas!!!

[Von-Skipp]

Nice pics everyone!

wOw, on Saturday there was no snow even close to Holy Jim. Looks like the snow level dropped considerably!

Thats cool you guys got the experience of the cold/snow as we did, it may suck at the time but looking back it was a neato experience!

[ECOdork]

Not to sound like a broken record, but that sure was a killer ride and awesome experience! Good company, sweet riding-uphill and down, hail?!?!?, rain, snow, ice, cold fingers, insane mud, 4-wheelin', tasty brews, fish tacos...this ride had it all!
I don't want to get all sappy on everyone, but it was a pleasure to share that experience with you guys!

Thanks for the write-ups and for posting the pics!

Alright ladies, here are my pix, they are all post ride pix...

Group waiting for the rest of the group after the ride...


Aldo...


Dale...


Gonzo...(getting ready for the famous "show your bike some love" shot)


Craig...


Rob...


Pat...


Some guy...


Lance...


This pic sums it all up!!! (thanks for the brews Craig)

[TURNERob]

Hmmm....Gonzo looks ready to lay a big wet one on his frame

[ECOdork]

man, we look "weathered"!

[TURNERob]

Craig, first flava flav....now the Burger Kind dude...awesome! What's next?

[CalEpic]

You'll have to wait until I visit Captain Cream with my camera first.

The "king" remark is in honor of the latest scandal vid on the 'net.

C

[guero]

::bump::

[TURNERob]

I think if my big toes got any colder that day they would have fallen off That was one ride I definately will never forget!

[mcgrath]

"it's not bad, I think I might have to take this off" was my most memorable quotes of the ride, and then almost immediately after, the hail came.