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kanga · 07-22-2008, 09:37 AM

The OTB crew headed up to Santa Cruz this past weekend. It has become an almost annual pilgrimage. This was the fifth trip we'd taken up there, and the trails are becoming more and more familiar each time. They're also becoming much more fun as confidence builds and we get to know our way around.

We camped at Henry Cowell State Park, and rode from there to Pogonip and Wilder Ranch on the first day. Some fun single track there.... One of our former transplanted members moved there five months ago and joined us on his SS. We also rode there on the third day, but skipped the ride from Henry Cowell and drove to Pogonip to get an earlier start to So Cal.

Day two we headed up to Soquel Demo Forest. With a large group of eleven riders we weren't expecting to ride everything (as we did last year), but we still had lots of fun, covered some ground and sessioned a few spots on a couple of trails. Braille trail has to be one of the most fun trails I've ridden... right up there with Mr. Toad's in Tahoe.

It was drier and dustier there this time around than in previous years when we've been at the same time. For those who haven't ridden there, the trails are very different to most of what we ride in So Cal. Trails are very flowy, the traction is 99% amazing with a few patches of sand in the worn spots on the berms. It's incredible to be riding through tight, tight trees and must-make bermed turns (or you're gonna hit a tree). The availability of wood for jumps, logovers and skinnies among the redwoods makes for some fun trails overall.

Here's a quick vid, sessioning some of the features on the Braille Trail. Footage by Roobik, I put it together. Hi Res: Http://www.viddler.com/explore/kanga/videos/20

Youtube:

Some still pics:

Jutty · 07-22-2008, 09:46 AM

Sweet pics!!! That looks like a place I would love to go to in the near future!

Pain Freak · 07-22-2008, 09:58 AM

I rode that about 5 years back and thought I'd be back soon. Man, I got to get back up there. I might put a trip together next year around Sea Otter time.

zbrown1800 · 07-22-2008, 10:00 AM

Great pictures. I grew up just a few miles from there. I wasn't much of a mountain biker back then and only rode Demo once or twice. I remember it being a ton of fun. Totally different from our local trails here. I've been meaning to go ride there when I go home to visit but I never seem to have time.

art23rockpile · 07-22-2008, 10:12 AM

Nice RR, Steve.
I've surfed in SC for years (I get my boaords shaped up there), but have never ridden in the SC mountains... it looks really nice! BTW... how was D-ville?

kanga · 07-22-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I rode that about 5 years back and thought I'd be back soon. Man, I got to get back up there. I might put a trip together next year around Sea Otter time.

Seems like an STR SC pilgrimage might be in order...

VTVic · 07-22-2008, 10:35 PM

Been there once and loved it. Going back soon.

art23rockpile · 07-22-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanga

Seems like an STR SC pilgrimage might be in order...

THAT is a splendid idea! SC (after the Bay Area) is my "home away from home". If it happens -and I would be willing to help- count me in.

mtb_prodigy · 07-23-2008, 12:28 PM

that trail looks really fun steve
nice pics and vid

07-22-2008, 09:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
kanga What should I put here?	Santa Cruz - Soquel Demo The OTB crew headed up to Santa Cruz this past weekend. It has become an almost annual pilgrimage. This was the fifth trip we'd taken up there, and the trails are becoming more and more familiar each time. They're also becoming much more fun as confidence builds and we get to know our way around. We camped at Henry Cowell State Park, and rode from there to Pogonip and Wilder Ranch on the first day. Some fun single track there.... One of our former transplanted members moved there five months ago and joined us on his SS. We also rode there on the third day, but skipped the ride from Henry Cowell and drove to Pogonip to get an earlier start to So Cal. Day two we headed up to Soquel Demo Forest. With a large group of eleven riders we weren't expecting to ride everything (as we did last year), but we still had lots of fun, covered some ground and sessioned a few spots on a couple of trails. Braille trail has to be one of the most fun trails I've ridden... right up there with Mr. Toad's in Tahoe. It was drier and dustier there this time around than in previous years when we've been at the same time. For those who haven't ridden there, the trails are very different to most of what we ride in So Cal. Trails are very flowy, the traction is 99% amazing with a few patches of sand in the worn spots on the berms. It's incredible to be riding through tight, tight trees and must-make bermed turns (or you're gonna hit a tree). The availability of wood for jumps, logovers and skinnies among the redwoods makes for some fun trails overall. Here's a quick vid, sessioning some of the features on the Braille Trail. Footage by Roobik, I put it together. Hi Res: Http://www.viddler.com/explore/kanga/videos/20 Youtube: Some still pics: __________________ To expand your comfort zone, you have to leave it! http://www.BioniconUSA.com http://www.OTBMBC.com http://www.CORBAmtb.com

07-22-2008, 09:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Pain Freak Peanut butta jelly	I rode that about 5 years back and thought I'd be back soon. Man, I got to get back up there. I might put a trip together next year around Sea Otter time. __________________ If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body—but rather a skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!’ ” —anon.

07-22-2008, 10:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
art23rockpile Surf 'n' Trail Rat	Nice RR, Steve. I've surfed in SC for years (I get my boaords shaped up there), but have never ridden in the SC mountains... it looks really nice! BTW... how was D-ville? __________________ "I don't need to go to the Arctic, to know that it's cold." SheDevil "Besides....half of this forum go both ways"

07-22-2008, 10:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
VTVic STR Veteran	Been there once and loved it. Going back soon. __________________ Dirtmistress' new bike review: "is better than I could have ever dreamed. It made me feel things I never thought possible!

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07-22-2008, 09:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jutty STR Noob	Sweet pics!!! That looks like a place I would love to go to in the near future!

07-22-2008, 10:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
zbrown1800 Junior Member	Great pictures. I grew up just a few miles from there. I wasn't much of a mountain biker back then and only rode Demo once or twice. I remember it being a ton of fun. Totally different from our local trails here. I've been meaning to go ride there when I go home to visit but I never seem to have time.

07-23-2008, 12:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
mtb_prodigy Senior Member	that trail looks really fun steve nice pics and vid

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