From Space Mountain to Bunny Mountain

[jeffj]

I had to make a trip out to the Ventura county area today and decided to make the best of it and get in an afternoon ride on one of my favorite trails.

I used to work just across the 101 from the Los Robles area trails and did my first real MTB ride here back in 1996. I have probably ridden these trails over 100 times so I have come to know them pretty well.

My route of choice has always been to climb up the Rosewood trail to Angel's Vista, across (dirt) Ventu Park, head east along the ridge and descend Space Mountain.

The Rosewood climb and the part of trail from Angel's Vista to the top of SM was it's usual self (so long as you don't count the sanitization they did the the short HAB section next to Ventu Park some years back).

I've always appreciated the regular trail maintenance performed by CORBA and whoever else has been looking after this popular route over the years. I've felt like they have struck a good balance between keeping the trails rideable, yet not going overboard and removing the features that make this trail as fun as it 'is'... or should I say 'has been'.

Somebody(s) really did a number on Space Mountain since I was last there in February. Some of the switchbacks, I hardly recognized along with several other formerly very fun sections that are now just stretches of dusty trail.

Like I said, I've always appreciated the work that has been done over the years, but it just seems they went way too far this time .

[DBD]

Possibly the fire dept.?

I have not seen the area for a while but they could just be doing some brush clearing a bit early. I have noticed that Ventura has really stepped up the fire watch this year.

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by DBD

Possibly the fire dept.?

I have not seen the area for a while but they could just be doing some brush clearing a bit early. I have noticed that Ventura has really stepped up the fire watch this year.

I wish it was, but this wasn't about brush clearing at all, this was straight up massive amounts of rock removal. What really surprised me was how completely the rocks were removed and how much of the trail much was altered. It was almost like I was on a completely different trail.

[Burner]

It was probably Fo, that's his lunch loop, and he's a pansy.

[dirtmistress]

I feel for you! That sort of trail sanitizing makes me vomit!! I can still remember rocks on Mt. Pinos that disappeared. On BackBone in Sycamore that diappeared and a few that went missing in other places. It stinks! Same old issue and I'm sure this will get this thread blowing up! If you can't ride it, why ruin it for others! Leave the natural features! Rocks were there, they belong there and they should stay there!
I hope someday,someone that removed a rock and is now skilled enough to ride it,regrets ever taking it out!

[1080P]

Originally Posted by dirtmistress

I feel for you! That sort of trail sanitizing makes me vomit!! I can still remember rocks on Mt. Pinos that disappeared. On BackBone in Sycamore that diappeared and a few that went missing in other places. It stinks! Same old issue and I'm sure this will get this thread blowing up! If you can't ride it, why ruin it for others! Leave the natural features! Rocks were there, they belong there and they should stay there!
I hope someday,someone that removed a rock and is now skilled enough to ride it,regrets ever taking it out!

While I don't agree with it, I think they call it "progress" We travel faster, our freeways get smoother, better engineered, etc. It's bound to happen to trails.

If you want rocks to ride on in your pathway, ride a mining path like Upper or Middle Merrill, which will remain unsanitized, I hope, forever.

[jeffj]

I have my suspicions as to why it was done and who it may have been done to appease (equestrians). Of course, I could be wrong and don't mean to disparage them over it.

However, one thing I think it will do is allow bikers to go faster, which will likely be a source of conflict with other user groups.

The reason I have always preferred to ride up Rosewood and down Bunny (Space) Mountain was because of the more technical nature of the descent compared to Rosewood. Rosewood is steeper, but kind of boring and not much fun for the climbing you put in. Now the switchbacks are relatively boring too IMHO.

[1080P]

There is nothing like a little technical to challenge you, keep you on your toes, so to speak, and give you a sense of accomplishment when you finally clean it.

Jeff, I don't know how you'll like the climb up to do La Tuna, but I think once you do the single track, you'll see the climb in a different light. Bring Ted with you. It's definitely a "payday" when you drop in off the ridge, that more than makes the climb worthwhile, in my book. Even better is doing it on a night ride, after the La Tuna traffic dies down.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by jeffj

I have my suspicions as to why it was done and who it may have been done to appease (equestrians). Of course, I could be wrong and don't mean to disparage them over it.

However, one thing I think it will do is allow bikers to go faster, which will likely be a source of conflict with other user groups.

The reason I have always preferred to ride up Rosewood and down Bunny (Space) Mountain was because of the more technical nature of the descent compared to Rosewood. Rosewood is steeper, but kind of boring and not much fun for the climbing you put in. Now the switchbacks are relatively boring too IMHO.

The group with the most to gain would be runners. I know equestrians who love the tough trails.

I've read in other threads that the way to get over rocks is to go fast, so why expect more speed?

It can't be as boring as completing the loop by returning on the bike path and streets can it? I sometimes have to do that out of deference for riding partners.

Anyway this thread is useless without pictures!

edit: OK I'll add my own.

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by Abui

The group with the most to gain would be runners. I know equestrians who love the tough trails.

I've read in other threads that the way to get over rocks is to go fast, so why expect more speed?

It can't be as boring as completing the loop by returning on the bike path and streets can it? I sometimes have to do that out of deference for riding partners.

Anyway this thread is useless without pictures!

edit: OK I'll add my own.

Looking down onto the Bunny Mountain switchbacks


Runners would also be among those possibly wanting to smooth out the trails, but for all I know it could be mountain bikers too. Maybe they want riders that prefer lumpy trails to ride somewhere else

As for riding at speed, it does help to carry a bit of speed over rocks, but you can get going much faster over smoother surfaces. Even washboard on a fire road will slow you down.

At any rate, it's not like they paved it. I'm just disappointed it's not as lumpy as it once was. I really liked it as it was and felt this was inconsistent with how the trail had been maintained since I started riding it in 1996. Now, it's still decent, just considerably lower on my list of favorites.

No doubt, it will always beat riding streets and bike paths

[Impy]

Someone also did a terrible job on hidden pond in sycamore. What was a fun if sandy and rutty descent is now almost unrideable - some runoff drainage ditches have been dug into the soft sand which are wheelcatchers and I doubt they will even be around by the next time the rains come as they collapse if you try and ride through them anyway. What is usually a fun if tricky descent is almost unrideable gravel/soft debis now.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Impy

Someone also did a terrible job on hidden pond in sycamore. What was a fun if sandy and rutty descent is now almost unrideable - some runoff drainage ditches have been dug into the soft sand which are wheelcatchers and I doubt they will even be around by the next time the rains come as they collapse if you try and ride through them anyway. What is usually a fun if tricky descent is almost unrideable gravel/soft debis now.

The recent trails day had the worst result ever. The entire Overlook was tractor scraped except the one section that needed help - the steepest short section with deep ruts almost parallel to the road and overhanging brush.

And Guadalasca is still overrun with P.O.

[dirtmistress]

Impy, where exactly is Hidden Pond trail?

Originally Posted by Impy

Someone also did a terrible job on hidden pond in sycamore. What was a fun if sandy and rutty descent is now almost unrideable - some runoff drainage ditches have been dug into the soft sand which are wheelcatchers and I doubt they will even be around by the next time the rains come as they collapse if you try and ride through them anyway. What is usually a fun if tricky descent is almost unrideable gravel/soft debis now.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by dirtmistress

Impy, where exactly is Hidden Pond trail?

edit: It's open to bikes now. Yay!

[1080P]

Originally Posted by dirtmistress

Impy, where exactly is Hidden Pond trail?

Try a Tylenonol PM, might get you better results?

[Upchuck]

Hidden Pond is finally MTB approved. You can access it from Ranch Center paved road across from Coyote (I think that's the name of that trail).

Backbone in Sycamore is also jacked up. The powers-that-be did a horrible job with treadwork up near the top where it's really swoopy and BMX like. Now the tread is loose in the turns. There was absolutely no reason to screw with that upper section.

Really gets my dander up, and that's saying something considering how little hair I have on top.

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by Upchuck

Hidden Pond is finally MTB approved. You can access it from Ranch Center paved road across from Coyote (I think that's the name of that trail).

Backbone in Sycamore is also jacked up. The powers-that-be did a horrible job with treadwork up near the top where it's really swoopy and BMX like. Now the tread is loose in the turns. There was absolutely no reason to screw with that upper section.

Really gets my dander up, and that's saying something considering how little hair I have on top.

Thanks. I misread Impy's post and for some reason thought this was Cheseboro. I know where HP is. Thanks

[FoShizzle]

yep, total friggin idiots ruined the trail. hikers should not be allowed on my trails

Originally Posted by Burner

It was probably Fo, that's his lunch loop, and he's a pansy.

STFU...speaking of the trail, did it twice this week during lunch which felt great!