RR: Super Studs on Patrol Aliso Woods 5/26/08

[OMR]

OK...OK.. perhaps Gene and I are not super studs, but what the heck, I'm writing this RR and I get to take certain artistic liberties!

WE met at the ungoddly hour of 9 am (OMG that is soo early). Funny thing, hardley anybody in the parking lot... due to the half marathon they were holding had blocked off with cones the entrances to AW. (We drove around the cones anyway). Art (Art23rockpile), Adam (Jamr), Brenda (BrendaG) joined Gene and I for a patrol through the park.

Our route turned out to be up the canyon to Coyote, up Rock-it (at Brendra's request) and on up to Top of the World... back down to Lynx where we spent some time working with Beth and Brenda on a couple of rocky sections. Then out coyote, where we worked on another uphill section and finally back to the cars. At the start of the ride, I had felt miserable since I was in the final stages of a summer cold (my annual cold) ... no energy climbing up rock-it.... but, mid way through my energy level started to pick up and I was really enjoying the riding. Sometimes you just need a good ride to clean the pipes out!

Althought the temps were a little chilly when we first took off.. the temps warmed up very quickly. the conditions were ideal and perhaps the best I have seen it this year. They had graded the ruts out of West Ridge and this made for extremely fast (no brakes) downhills...weeeee!

We kept running into more and more people that we knew. There was even a Hugh sighting... on a geared 26er!!!! Wonders never cease...

Gene and I really enjoyed the company while we did our patrol thing... all in all, an enjoyable 3 hour ride.

The gathering before the ride



Up Rock-it. great conditions



The Gathering after climbing Rock-it ... you should have been there!



Gene, the man! Have you ever seen him not smile?



Art23Rockpile


Doug Grant -organizer of the Rwanda ride


Adam (Jamr)



US Air Force champion MTBer - Ken?



Dan White - think White Brothers



BrendaG - Sweeping up to the top of Rock-it...


A Hugh sighting ... a 26er with gears??? that bike look tiny!!!



Nice views



Brenda on Lynx



Beth on Lynx



The End!

[jonathan_sykes81]

Those are some ominous looking clouds at the top of Rock-It. Glad you guys had a nice ride.

[hoovermd]

But... did you bust any Soccer Moms?

I hear they will do ANYTHING to avoid a ticket.
Oh, I forgot you can't write tickets...

[OMR]

Originally Posted by hoovermd

But... did you bust any Soccer Moms?

Didn't have to, the rangers were out today writing tickets .... for real!

[foofighter]

the trails LOOK AWESOME!

[CalEpic]

Thanks for the RR. I thought for sure the trails would be closed and a muddy mess this morning after waking up to rain at 5:00 am.

We ended up riding Santiago Oaks instead and it didn't even look like any rain fell in the park.

[foofighter]

im thinking about sneaking out tomorrow to do a ride at the nix center and connect to LWCP

[singleminded]

Good one

Originally Posted by OMR

The End!

[brendagilbert]

I decided last minute to join this testosterone fest, and I'm really glad that I did! The conditions were perfect, as Greg said- nice and tacky- There were lots of hikers and bikers out to enjoy the day. It was nice to meet Art and Adam, and all the others.. THere was a Wheres Waldo sighting on the West Ridge, and also a Hugh sighting. I met a nice man walking his dog carrying a shovel to do some "trail work". We waited for Beth (Elisheva) on the West Ridge, then headed out to TOW. The boys really worked with us on our skilz on Lynx- although I am still hesitant to clean those- Beth did an awesome job! Thanks guys for a wonderful ride!

Meeting up on the trail...
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Things really start to heat up as the boys remove clothes!
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Group shots on the West Ridge
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Waldo (Steve)
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Hugh is looking mighty fine!
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Rocky doing some trail work
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Enjoying the Coastline
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Gene stares down the Groms at TOW
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Gene with a nice view
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Beth cleaning Lynx
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Getting to know the bushes!
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Watching Adam rolling down the big rock
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[art23rockpile]

After waking-up to a light drizzle (it had rained here sometime earlier), I was wondering whether we'd still be riding. Not to worry, we all met-up at the main parking lot and got rolling by about 9:30.

At Brenda's urging, we decided to climb Rock-It. I'm used to descending Rock-It (much more enjoyable), and this was my first time climbing it. After reaching the top (West Ridge), we paused to re-group. Hugh appeared, riding a geared 26er.

After getting to TOW, we descended West Ridge. What a blast! The traction was GREAT with the moist trail... it's the fastest i've ever ridden it... barely braking at all.
Another 'first' for me was riding Lynx. I just always seem to use other trails down (Rock-It or StairSteps, depending on which canyon i'm aiming for). It was fun and actually a LOT easier than I thought it would be.
After numerous rides with STR peeps over the past few months, it's magical to see one's riding skills improve. Descents that used to intimidate me have become truly enjoyable.

Anyway, yesterdays ride was a LOT of fun. Thanks to Gene, Greg, Brenda, Adam, and Beth for the honor of riding with you!

[genusmtbkr5]

After working all night, it was nice to do a mellow ride. Always a pleasure to ride with some STR peeps and like others have said, the trails were perfect. It was the best I've ever seen Lynx. We avoided Mathis as we got some reports from others that it was a little muddy in some spots. I'm a little tired from working last night or I would head out again. Too much fun when you don't have to worry about washing out. Just point and shoot!

[Jordansrealm]

Hugh thats the longest seat post I have ever seen on a bike. Let me rephrase "on a bike" because that really sounded .... lol

[NitrOx]

Originally Posted by OMR

Didn't have to, the rangers were out today writing tickets .... for real!

You guys went patrolling rock-it & Lynx Why didn't you go out and patrol the "do not enter" trails? That's what I (or jamr) would do if I was on patrol duty. No point in busting people coming down or up rock-it you know.

BTW, what kind ticket did the rangers hand out on rock-it/Lynx? (just curious so I know to watch out)

Originally Posted by brendagilbert

Gene stares down the Groms at TOW

So was that it? Did you guys stop them from going down "do not enter" or at least inform them the trail is not legal?

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by NitrOx

You guys went patrolling rock-it & Lynx Why didn't you go out and patrol the "do not enter" trails? That's what I (or jamr) would do if I was on patrol duty. No point in busting people coming down or up rock-it you know.

BTW, what kind ticket did the rangers hand out on rock-it/Lynx? (just curious so I know to watch out)




So was that it? Did you guys stop them from going down "do not enter" or at least inform them the trail is not legal?

We aren't allowed to "patrol" closed trails. We are Trail assistance volunteers and not the trail police. All we can do is inform them that the trail is closed. We're also there to help with mechanicals and folks who may not have brought enough or no water.

[OMR]

Originally Posted by NitrOx

You guys went patrolling rock-it & Lynx Why didn't you go out and patrol the "do not enter" trails? That's what I (or jamr) would do if I was on patrol duty. No point in busting people coming down or up rock-it you know.

BTW, what kind ticket did the rangers hand out on rock-it/Lynx? (just curious so I know to watch out)




So was that it? Did you guys stop them from going down "do not enter" or at least inform them the trail is not legal?

Actually grasshopper, we're not the police and about the only thing we can do is advise people that they are on an illegal trail and can get ticketed by the rangers. As trail assistants (TAs) our job is to help direct people, offer water and help people who have flats and mechanicals. We are to advise rangers when we see a dangerous situation such as a downed tree, etc. We also report people we see using trails illegally... oh, and we try and tell people to pick up after their animals... remember, dogs are not allowed in Aliso woods as it's a wilderness park and their urine upsets the balance... all according to the naturalists.

BTW: Adam was riding with us for fun & not really looking to bust people...