RR: Evening Rides are Getting Darker....

[kanga]

Our regular OTBMBC Tuesday/Thursday night rides are now starting to require lights for the last few hours. Have you all checked and charged your lights? It's time...

These are from the Rim of the Valley trail at the foot of Mt. Lukens last night. Thirteen riders, a brutal climb with 18 switchbacks, and a really steep technical descent. Good times

We had someone from out of town come and say he was fit and accustomed to steep technical trails.... a few minutes into one of our local San Gabriel singletrack trails he knew he was in way over his head and turned back. As has happened before, somebody from out of state underestimated the level of riding we have locally in So Cal.

Garo spun out on a loose climb section and went over the side... He's 76 years old and still out charging it with us two or three times per week.



Mt. Lukens sunset riding:

[Piranha]

Steve, thanks for the great photos as usual and also for taking the time to capture yet another one of our weekenight rides on camera, you are the man!
Garo is superhuman. You have to admire a guy that's so humble yet could completely bury most guys that are 50 years his junior on the climbs. I sure hope he's OK and not too sore from his fall last night.
That was a fantastic ride last night, thanks guys! Good times as usual with my pals from OTB. See ya at Mt. Lukens on Thursday evening.

http://otbmbc.com/calendar/calendar.cgi

[Zippy]

Nice pics. I've hiked the Gabs and it's exposed and techy just walking it. Props to you guys for riding it.

[kanga]

Originally Posted by Zippy

Nice pics. I've hiked the Gabs and it's exposed and techy just walking it. Props to you guys for riding it.

Some things are easier to ride at night, when you only see what's in your light beam. You can't see how far the drop to your side is when it's all black

There's a pretty sketchy section on the ROTV trail that has been widened to about 1 1/2 handlebar widths, but runs along the edge of a vertical cliff.

[DISCO]

It's a good thing my Tri-Newt Battery is coming back from Nite rider warranty.

[KBL]

I've noticed the days getting shorter, too.

On the plus side, we have fewer hot days ahead of us before the weather cools off. I absolutely love riding weather in the fall!

[GP_pilot]

Yeah, last night was an awesome night in the north Gabes w/ cooler temps and riding a forgotten 3,000' moto descent.

[OMR]

Glad to hear that Garo is OK ... bones tend to heal fairly slowly the older you get... but that doesn't mean you stop doing what you love!

See ya on the trail....

[kanga]

Originally Posted by DISCO

It's a good thing my Tri-Newt Battery is coming back from Nite rider warranty.

When I pulled my tri-newt out a month ago after it sat for three months, it wouldn't turn on. It came back from the warranty repair with a "replaced PCB" and bad "D7". It pays to check your lights before needing them, thus the reminder. I was actually left stranded in the dark on Mt. Lukens with 15 miles to ride home in the dark. Should'a checked...

Originally Posted by OMR

Glad to hear that Garo is OK ... bones tend to heal fairly slowly the older you get... but that doesn't mean you stop doing what you love!

See ya on the trail....

Garo was fine... just a little scratched up. He's already posted a request on OTB forums to do an extra lap of tomorrow night's ride up Mt. Lukens!

[JoeTruth]

Garo is motivation and inspiration to me and I'm sure many. That dude can hammer better, faster and longer then most in there 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. Never mind 70's and up. That's a no brainer.
Something I can only hope to do at a fraction of the level he does at that age.

Good stuff...thanks and I'm glad he was okay.

[mtbski]

We were out doing the Pt. magu ride one day. Started out at Moorpark Rd., Los Robles Trail, Sin nombre, Guadalsco. On the way from overlook to the top of Backbone we're ripping the semi rough fire road in a pack of 12 or more riders. We're going pretty fast. I look up from the tire in front of me, and it's Garo!!! I'm thinking WTF is a 76 doing in front of me!!! I was in shock! Classic!!

This old guy has got some moves!

Way to go Garo!

[Piranha]

Yep, Garo is my cycling hero! The guy is a stud for sure.

Martino, I am headed off to Mt. Lukens in 15 minutes or so for some EC with Julio, Garo, Roobik etc, If you want to get started about 4PM, call me on my cell and I'll wait for you at the ranger station.

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Garo is motivation and inspiration to me and I'm sure many. That dude can hammer better, faster and longer then most in there 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. Never mind 70's and up. That's a no brainer.
Something I can only hope to do at a fraction of the level he does at that age.

Good stuff...thanks and I'm glad he was okay.

It that good Armenian blood that keeps Garo hammering!

[bvader]

Originally Posted by El Presidente

It that good Armenian blood that keeps Garo hammering!

Just keep it on the inside

[OldDogDan]

Nice RR and good pictures. I guess it's a darn good thing that Garo is so tough, because whether these three guys are spotters or rescuers, they don't look like much help. Did he kick their butts when he got back up?!

[El Presidente]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

Nice RR and good pictures. I guess it's a darn good thing that Garo is so tough, because whether these three guys are spotters or rescuers, they don't look like much help. Did he kick their butts when he got back up?!

We formed a chain and pulled him out of there!