RR: 17 of us in the San Gabes

[davidB]

17 showed up this morning at JPL!!!! *shocked*

Same ride as last Sunday (up Lower Sam Merill, down Sunset, down El Prieto), but a lot more San Gabe newbies today. Apparently Jesse (Integradriver) has a reputation to uphold and didn't show up until waaaay past the starting time of 8am. Annnnnd without a bike. I told him he could ride my squishy bike if that meant he was going to come. When him and his carpool buddy Jasonmason got ready, we were out........at 9am-ish?

*smacks head*

stupid 3 mile road ride to the trailhead and we all made it.

First Chewy break:

When I asked who had not ridden these trails before, half the hands went up.

Jox2, leading a pack of san gabe virgins (he's the one looking particularly bright today)

I got caught between groups and stopped to wait. I waited, and waited. Apparently the back group had stopped, and when they caught up I was greeted with these bubs

letty's gabe


lettyrides


Pato


Integradriver on my other more comfortable bike


Another Chewy break



randomness


eventually we rolled into the ruins with 14 of us left in the group

Chewyeti^^^


↓ Integradriver



Pato, in his spot from the same ride last week


I swear Letty lifted this thing


my bike of the day



most of the group today, minus a few wandering around


more randomness leaving the ruins




Stjunkie (scott), one a few pics I ever get of him














regrouping on Sunset somewhere. Very technical trail in many areas, and only tossed one rider today (chewy).



Stjunkie again

then Jesse




finishing up in El Prieto before my camera died

All in all, in was quite a fun ride. It was pretty warm as expected, so an earlier starting time is in order for the next ride, whenever that is. LSM is a killer of a climb, ever time. It seemed shorter today though with more people to ride with.

Also I cleared a couple switchbacks on el prieto I always have problems on, and cleared one section on Sunset I never thought i'd make. wooooooot!

Jesse, get your pics up!

[maxwell]

GREAT pics & RR Dave!

Looks like you guys had a blast!

[dutch]

awesome pictures and RR! I have only ridden out there once (actually a very very similar loop) and I can't wait to go back.

[TrojanInsomniac]

Great RR and pics! 9AM start?!?!?! Geez, you all could've waited two more hours for me to join you

[Chewyeti]

Wow... that was way fun!
I hadnt ridden in 3 weeks from being sick, and the climb to the ruins in 100degrees kinda kicked my ass LOL. Waaaay too much fun.

HEY! the break after the road climb wasnt a chewy break.... that was an everyone break LOL

I got tossed on a water bar i didnt see....uh....until i was airborne no harm no foul.
My biggest issue... was nailing the switchbacks in my stretch limo of a bike..... had to do a couple hop 180's.....

great ride, and looking to do more in the gabes!

Thanks for setting it up.

[freekengo]

Couldn't make it again. Working through holiday weekends SUX!!!

[vukyle]

Nice ride report. I actually did that ride on the same day but I started 2 hours before your start time. If you guys end up doing that ride earlier, I would definitely want to join you guys. Keep the pictures coming.

[scottay]

Thanks for the putting the ride together! Sorry I had to bail, was running short on time ( and water). Hooked up with Chris and Mike (?) who were cool enuff to let me finish the ride with them. One flat, one snake sighting and NO Hikers on the way down! ( bailed at Horsey trail) Nice to meet everyone!


scott

[Letyrides]

Thanks for posting this ride. Last week we saw you all take off and we ended up climbing another trail. This week we decided to try your route and while definately a challenge for me it was so much fun. The switchbacks up LSM were killer in the heat. Gabe kept encouraging me to keep moving forward no matter what speed and next thing I know we're at the top. The exposure didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. When we got to the down hill part I walked a few of the drops at first but then decided I need to try some of them or else I'd never get down. That first and second downhills were a blast, what really tired me out was El Prieto...I ran out of water at that point and I couldn't decide if I wanted my seat lowered for the DH or up so I could peddle since it was rolly. It was really a lot of stress on my lower back to try to peddle up on some of the uphills. I ended up with the seat up but then had to walk some of the steeper stuff since I couln't get behind my seat as easily. I guess I'll figure it out the more I do it. Thanks to everyone for being patient with the one girl. I had a great time and can't wait for the next challenge!

[JoeTruth]

San Gabes are very over-rated, not to mention hot, smoggy, full of PO and crowded with grumpy hikers. To boot, it's a long ways away for most of you and considering the cost of gas, you're better off staying near your local rides and off these mountains.

This has been a local PSA. Have a nice day and KIR!

[scottay]

Originally Posted by Letyrides

I couldn't decide if I wanted my seat lowered for the DH or up so I could peddle since it was rolly.

You need a Gravity Dropper! LOL

Hey , good job on the ride. Its tuff, boy or girl!

.

[TrailJesus]

Thanks for hosting such a great ride David. I'm super grateful that you let me borrow your Kona but oh my god I was dying on that bike. Climbing on a large was not very enjoyable, the seat would not stay where I clamped it, brake cables were flying everywhere, n' yeah.... BUT THAT BIKE WITH THE KENDAS WAS AMAZING ON THE DOWNHILL! Because of that ride I want a full suspension bike now ASAP. I'll post pics when I get home.

[DISCO]

That's a great ride and a better choice for a social type ride. Awesome pics are making me restless

[schleppp]

David, thanks setting this up and showing us around. It was a great time! Thanks again.

[IMALLSLO]

Thanks for letting me crash in on the party last minute. I was one of the three that had to bail out after the climb due to lack of time and water. Scottay and my buddy Mike finished up the ride w/ me down Sunset and the horse trail. Hope the carnage was few and the smiles were huge. Fun times!

[BoingBoing]

Originally Posted by IMALLSLO

Hope the carnage was few and the smiles were huge. Fun times!

My smile was huge! It was nice meeting and riding w/ every1. But the best thing is that now I know how to climb Lower Merrill w/o having to go down it (usually too many hikers). Sunset and El Prieto are very nice trails indeed. OOOPS! I mean they suck, right Joe?

[JOx2]

They talked about it, heard about it and for the very first time i got to experience it. That's right SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAIN!!! Dino Brown, you were right about the San Gabes.





One of the many Chewy stops, aside from yielding to hikers.




This is what showed in front of my eyes while doing the climbs, WOW



schleppp who climbed like a goat, resting at the ruins.


Bikes looks better at higher altitude


The part of the group taking a much needed rests before bombing the downhills. L-R Gabe, Letty, Pato, Davidb, Jesse, Chewyeti, JOx2 and schleppp.



evidence of poison oak can be seen at Davidb's legs. Chewy, looking like he is wondering why did he do this ride.



My FSR xc pro who took a good beatings during the downhill, appreciating it so much for the first time since i got the Niner.




FSR pro and Ellsworth ID,




The man who feels like a million bucks after all the climb to the ruins.

A few action shots i took, i was so busy enjoying the downhill part of the trail and paying extra attention on the poison oak which is all over the trails.


Letyrides



Gabe




Pato, this guy is a monster on the downhill