RR: Marshall Visits The San Gabriel's...

[Dino Brown]

RR: The San Gabriel's (Ride #5,827)

Normally, I start all SG-based Ride Reports with the words, "I Love The San Gabriel's." And for good reason. In my opinion, The SG's provide the best (and most varied) terrain in Southern California. The second line is generally devoted to telling everyone "WHY" a particular ride was memorable. So, what made this ride "sooo" special? Two words: Marshall Willanholly!

What's so "special" about him? 1) He is one of the coolest (and most mellow) people I know. 2) He is an unlimited source of information for those who visit MTBR and Ride Monkey 3) Every one of his builds is a work of art 4) He (and Carla) spend one week in Whistler- every year 5) He owns an Iron Horse 6 Point and an Iron Horse Sunday 6) I have been relentlessly GRILLING HIM to join me for over a year 7) He had NEVER ridden The Gab's before.
Of all the people on STR, Marshall is the ONE person I have most wanted to ride The Gab's with!

The Route: The Merrill's to Sunset to El Prieto to JPL
The Crew: DB, Marshall, Andy, Bryce and Grandpa.
The Weather: I was a bit nervous that rain and cold would find us. The rain did not find us. For the first few minutes of the ride, the cold did!
Trail Conditions: It could be argued, the BEST time to ride the San Gabriel's is the day AFTER a light rain. Due to its soil composition, drainage is second to none. Today was no different. Absolutely perfect conditions.
Skill Level: Upper intermediate to advanced. While the trails are not overly difficult, there are nonetheless 100's of switchbacks, turns, rocks, step-downs, ROCKS, ruts, cliffs, very narrow trails and and loose soil that could conceivably ruin one's day. For those who make the journey- respect the mountain! If not, YOU will learn a painful lesson- the hard way!

Rather than giving a ride report, I will allow the others to do so.
Why? None of them had ridden the trail (in its entirety before). Curious what they have to say..

The ride itself was PERFECT except for one thing: One of us crashed. That lucky person was me!
The set-up: Two weeks ago, I transferred the bash guard from my MKIII onto another bike.
The story: I was preparing to drop one of the many rocky step downs when my chain ring LITERALLY dug itself into a rock (that was resting comfortably) in the middle of the trail. Not only did I go "over the bars," I did so while riding over a 2-3 foot step down. Somehow, the flimsy-plastic (XC) helmet visor protected my face from making contact with the trail. I give you my Holy Word, one millimeter either way, the visor would have shattered and I would have been in big trouble. The helmet did crack, my neck and trapezius muscle are sore, I dinged up my left thumb (again) and I have a cut on my head. I do consider myself *VERY* lucky. Total cost: 1) The price of a new helmet 2) One of my nine lives.
The pictures? Oh yeah.....

My Hero- Marshall Willanholly

The Tunnel to "Paradise"

Andy: This is awesome
Dino: Uh, we are only 7 minutes into the ride!

My Childhood Friend (Bryce)
Minutes before cracking his knee pad

...of course the chicks will "DIG" it!

Take the picture already...

Andy.. Just riding along

Grandpa taking a look (steeper and looser than it looks)

Making it looks easy..

[mtnbikerfred]

Next... next time....Can.... can I come too?

[eruizela]

damn i also rode this trail!

Had a great memorial weekend of riding.

Sat- rode with jesse and his brother in law at turnbo canyon. ride was ok with a short climb and very quick downhill (you are down at the bottom in no time)

Sunday- Rode with Juan Torres (1959 boy) and Montiel. We rode Chilao campground http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/trail-talk/19426-rr-chilao-da-snow.html#post299369 (a video some guys made this weekend) (up near Pasadena) for the first time and it was very fun. Nice climb then a sweet intermidiate downhill singletrack with nice sized boulders. Damn, it snowed and the weather was perfect, no overheating.

we ate at a diner then went up to mount wilson to to the Mt. Lowe Railway trail to Sam merril trail to inspiration point. damn, that was the best ride i have ever had, that trail is the shit!!!! advanced technical single track down hill with some nice fireroad and singletrack climbs. the Mt. Lowe Railway to the foothill must have been like 14-16 miles, this is a bad boy trail that makes my gave my bike its purpose in life. this ride was almost a religous experience it was that good! no accidents this ride and no mechanical issues (not even flats) Juan torres was freaked out on this trail since it took him out of his confort zone and made him rely on himself and trust himself. Juan rode better than before although he walked a little to much IMO. Montiel is an exvcellent rider with some balls and good endurance.

Moneday I rode jpl to oakwild, rode ok and had a little crash going uphill and went over the edge but hung on and pulled myslf up and just kept riding.

PEACE OUT

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by mtnbikerfred

Next... next time....Can.... can I come too?

We'll talk on Thursday!

Sorry for the lack of invites:
1) I have been feeling anti-social lately
2) Family health related issues have been making me feel that way
3) Certain trails are better suited to smaller groups
4) The ride ORIGINALLY began as a (2) person ride--- It evolved into a 3, 4, 5 person ride!

P.S.- Marshall is My Homeboy

[jeffj]

It looks like a new trail every time you guys post a report. One of these days...

[Dino Brown]

Dino Brown (and The Iron Horse Bicycle Company) providing an impromptu Freeride Clinic for a few very grateful young riders. No need to thank me...

TRUST the bike Young Jedi's (IH 6Point/Sunday)

Marshall taking the easy way down

Grandpa- Mountain Bike Action will be calling you

Andy having some fun

Air "Marshall" cleared for take-off.. Again!
(Note: He started at the RED asterisk. On his first attempt, the only thing my camera captured was the bottom of his wheels- He jumped out of the screen, Haha!)

Sorry Andy... I blew it!

Grandpa- "Yeah, I'm glad I brought the Big Bike"


This CAT was a jumping machine.


One more set of pics.... Later this afternoon!

[Patrick]

Where soes this ride start? Route? Grew up in Pasadena, used to ride all these trails, been down behind the orange curtain for over 10 years now, need to head up for some fresh tracks, thanks.

[tkblazer]

my IH membership must have been revoked cause i didn't get an invite

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

my IH membership must have been revoked cause i didn't get an invite

Eeeezzy there Genius..
The IH *ONLY* ride is in the planning stages!!! Be patient....

[mottmcfly]

Originally Posted by eruizela

damn i also rode this trail!

Had a great memorial weekend of riding.

Sat- rode with jesse and his brother in law at turnbo canyon. ride was ok with a short climb and very quick downhill (you are down at the bottom in no time)

Sunday- Rode with Juan Torres (1959 boy) and Montiel. We rode Chilao campground http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/trail-talk/19426-rr-chilao-da-snow.html#post299369 (a video some guys made this weekend) (up near Pasadena) for the first time and it was very fun. Nice climb then a sweet intermidiate downhill singletrack with nice sized boulders. Damn, it snowed and the weather was perfect, no overheating.

we ate at a diner then went up to mount wilson to to the Mt. Lowe Railway trail to Sam merril trail to inspiration point. damn, that was the best ride i have ever had, that trail is the shit!!!! advanced technical single track down hill with some nice fireroad and singletrack climbs. the Mt. Lowe Railway to the foothill must have been like 14-16 miles, this is a bad boy trail that makes my gave my bike its purpose in life. this ride was almost a religous experience it was that good! no accidents this ride and no mechanical issues (not even flats) Juan torres was freaked out on this trail since it took him out of his confort zone and made him rely on himself and trust himself. Juan rode better than before although he walked a little to much IMO. Montiel is an exvcellent rider with some balls and good endurance.

Moneday I rode jpl to oakwild, rode ok and had a little crash going uphill and went over the edge but hung on and pulled myslf up and just kept riding.

PEACE OUT

That was us up at Chilao. I have one question. How did you get from Chilao to Wilson?

[Pato]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Eeeezzy there Genius..
The IH *ONLY* ride is in the planning stages!!! Be patient....

Would that be the ride to the LBS to get a real bike?

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Eeeezzy there Genius..
The IH *ONLY* ride is in the planning stages!!! Be patient....

i was only joking since a lot of people tend to cry about not being invited to rides... in other news i am gonna start riding my IH again

[BigRedHit]

Can I come next time? I love to ride new trails....

[Marshall Willanholly]

I applaud Dino for not starting his ride report with a big "I TOLD YOU SO!" As he mentioned, he's been asking me for quite a while to join him on a ride in the San Gabes. Finally the planets aligned and my schedule worked out with his.

The trails were non-stop fun. Full concentration and focus were required, as the penalty for failure was high in many sections. It was a little cold at the start of the ride, but once we got going, it was perfect. The trails had a little bit of everything: rocks, stream crossings, tight switchbacks, etc. My face hurt at the bottom from smiling so much.

Dino was a great ride leader, and some of you may be shocked to learn he's not a goofball 24/7. It was great day of riding with Dino, Andy, Tim, and Bryce. Can't wait to go back!