RR: Harding Truck Trail

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Matt aka ocrider is heading off to college next week, so for one of his last rides in town he chose to go up Harding on a patrol with a few Warriors. This area is still in the closed section of the forest.

Since the fires, Harding was re-graded from top to bottom. It's in pretty good shape now but no where near as smooth as before the fires. Where there was a definite "line" before, now there is none. In many places there are sandy conditions, usually where the drainages cross the road. In lots of other areas there are scattered rocks and debris making for what I'd call a "twitchy" descent in places. It was kind of like riding on marbles in places.

The 8 mile, 3100' climb up was more draining than normal due to hot, humid conditions. Near the top the flies were just crazy thick and swarmed our heads with voracious tenacity. During my many hours of riding in the Santa Anas with "fly conditions" I've found that if I can exceed seven mph, the flies can't keep up. Well, these flies were "superflies" and they could keep up with us at 10 mph! My guess is they were so excited to see/smell humans up there that they didn't want to lose track of us!

After the climb we took a brief break at four corners in some shade, took a couple photos for Matt, and then headed down. We'll miss you Matt! I wish you all the best on your adventure!

Now onto the photos:


Gene aka Genusmtbkr5, Chip aka Chipster and Matt aka ocrider starting the climb up Harding.




These workers were checking on the conditions of the hydromulch that was aerially dropped.


Chip and Gene.


We stopped for Matt to show us some wreckage of a military bomber that crashed in the 1950's.


Chip and Gene passing by Laurel Springs. All of us but Chip took off our helmets on the climb due to the miserable heat conditions.


Above Laurel Springs. This area used to be one of my favorite areas on Harding with almost complete tree cover. No more.


But on a more positive note, the flora is coming back nicely.


Matt fixing flat #1.


Check out this wicked-steep firebreak cut by the hotshots. Oh I can just see the DHers taking a crack at that when the forest opens up!


Gene pulls into Four Corners after 1:45 of solid climbing.


Matt at four Corners.


Matt at four Corners gate. Note unfortunate view of burned pines in the distance to the right where Maple Springs Road comes up from Silverado Canyon.


Matt fixing flat #2. Time to go tubeless Matt.


oops! Look closely at what happened to Matt's tube


Group shot at Four Corners.

[Lovin]

Nice choice in front tires! hahaa

I was beginning to think I was one of a few that rides them. I can't wait until it gets cooler and those trails open again.

[Jordansrealm]

Glad you guys had a good time on the mtn today. Yup, it was hot out there. Chris and I climbed Blackstar around 9am. Posted about it on my blog.

[ocrider]

Great group and ride beside the flats!! hope 2 ride with u boys again in a couple months!! I'm driving out tomorrow

[genusmtbkr5]

Good ride with you Matt. Best of luck to you in school. Let us know when you've arrived in Kentucky. See you when you come home to visit.., Soaring Falcon!

[bikelmo]

Thanks for the photos, John.
Best of luck to you, Matt, out in the hills --- I mean, at school! How cool is a mtb scholarship?! We'll miss you at the Nature Center and on the trail!

[Kid A]

1) again best of luck matt
2) jon - thanks for rr altough i was so pumped thinking that harding was open again and then the catch
3) hey If i sign up for a class at a community college can i ride harding with the WS at the next patrol maybe something like glass blowing to help the peeps on str who brew there own beer

[dstepper]

Matt study hard, stay away from the girls, hard ride and most of all keep in touch....

Dean

[CPATCRASH]

Matt, what dstepper said except for the girls part. You need the full collage experience!

Oh, how do you get TWO flats climbing and wht the number plates????

[guero]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Matt study hard, stay away from the girls, hard ride and most of all keep in touch....

Dean

that is like giving the kid a new mt. bike but telling him to stay off the dirt! (we all know steppie was joking)

thanks for the RR john, looks like the mountain is rebounding quite well. have a safe trip matt!

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Originally Posted by guero

that is like giving the kid a new mt. bike but telling him to stay off the dirt! (we all know steppie was joking)

thanks for the RR john, looks like the mountain is rebounding quite well. have a safe trip matt!

OK this is only for the males to read...

Sensitive females...stop reading.

Sorry but WE don't get a men's forum, so here goes...

What I think Dean meant to say is "Stay hard and ride all the girls!"

[tbowren]

Thanks for the pics. I can't wait until this trail opens up again. I was hoping it wasn't getting forgotten about.

[Wrecker]

Matt, good luck and have fun in school, but not too much fun...of course, not too little either

Can't wait til all these rides open up to everyone.

[Padre]

Who wants to go "patrol" with me this week?

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Matt, what dstepper said except for the girls part. You need the full collage experience!

Good call, pat.

Nothing like a degree and 3 different STDs to his name...

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by Padre

Who wants to go "patrol" with me this week?



Good call, pat.

Nothing like a degree and 3 different STDs to his name...

I didn't mean ALL of them. Just use good judgement and keep it rapped!

[Chipster]

John, nice pic's... good riding with you guys! Matt, have fun and enjoy! Keep in touch.

Chipster

[OMR]

You have grown from a sprout into a grasshopper... I look forward to the many stories you'll bring back with you... until we ride together again...

[ocrider]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

Matt, what dstepper said except for the girls part. You need the full collage experience!

Oh, how do you get TWO flats climbing and wht the number plates????

only got one climbing and 1 dh I think they were slow leaks from the ride I did on wed.

I'm in Armarillo, Texas now, camped out on mt. eden last night near Flagstaff. The trails there look like so much fun!!!! It rained so much that my moms mini van got stuck in the mud on the side of the road lol had to dig it out.