RR: Lower Sam/Sunset/El Prieto - San Gabs

[VTVic]

Here's my quick post with pics... Great meeting David and Willie for the first time and nice seeing Letty, Gabriel and Tim again. Thanks to David for posting this ride. It could not have been a better day to be riding the San Gabs today. Weather was definitely on our side today. Not too hot with a nice breeze through out the ride.
We rode from JPL to Lower Sam. climbed LSM to the ruins and eventually to Sunset. Went down Sunset to Millard and up Brown to finish up at El Prieto...classic loop. Hope to see you guys again soon.
On to pics
Gabe getting ready to hit a switchback on Lower Sam


Gabriel and Letty after the switchie


Here's Gabriel using his trials skills to clear the steps/switch back on Lower Sam. He's the second person I see doing so. And the first one doing it trials style. I tried it myself but fell as I was attepting to hit the switch back...blah blah blah... Good job Gabriel









David approaching the steps


Willie, Letty and Tim as we climb up to Sunset




David and Willie on Sunset




Letty on El P


David after crossing the stream


Tim showing us how to do the tree drop

Fun times out there

[dirtmistress]

Great pics Vic! Awesome Trials shots!!

[Chewyeti]

LUCKY!!!!

nice ride!

[Rockinthecasbah]

looks like a fun ride sorry to miss it

[queenwilhelmina]

Thanks for the pics Vic! It was great meeting you today. I'm so glad I dragged my butt out of my cozy bed this morning to do this ride. The weather was gorgeous, the trail was awesome (and a little scary), and most of all the company was great.

There were quite a few hikers on LSM, and I was surprised how polite and friendly everyone was. I always say hello to people and it's nice to actually get a "hello" or "good morning" in return. That doesn't always happen in OC.

Anyway, I'm really glad Lety went - otherwise I might not have gone. And Dave, thanks so much for hosting and posting this ride. Tim, it was great riding with you again finally!

Thanks everyone for an awesome day. It made my weekend!

[BrewMaster]

Thanks for the RR. Looks like fun!!

[Letyrides]

I wasn't even aware of the ride till Gabe told me we were doing it. I was even happier to hear Willie was thinking of joining us (yay another girl). This is my 3rd time up the LSM's and 2nd doing this particular loop. I am clearing more each time. Willie you did awesome for your first time out. This is a great intro loop to the Gabes. Can't wait to do it again. Fall is in the air so the weather is perfect. Thanks for being the photog Vic and thanks to David for getting us out there again.

[KBL]

Nice pics of Gabe making that corner. That's the only corner on Lowe Sam Merrill I haven't successfully cleaned on the way up. Now that I've seen how it's done I'll have to give it another go.

Almost all of the hikers I've met near Mt. Lowe have been cordial. Most of them are amazed to see people who are nuts/gutsy enough to pedal those trails in the first place.

[davidB]

Originally Posted by Letyrides

This is my 3rd time up the LSM's and 2nd doing this particular loop.

seriously?! could've fooled me. I figured you guys both rode up there a bit.

today was probably the best ride I've had there ever. I cleared so many switchbacks that I haven't before so today was a good day! It wasn't a hammerfest, we started at a good time, and the weather was awesome.

thanks for coming everyone

[Pain Freak]

Damn, I wanted to make this ride. I got woke up at 2 am from my son asking for a jump. So I went back to sleep around 4 and slept till 7.I thought I'd wake upin time. Good job showing the way Gabe got up the stairs. WishI could of seen that. Scott does it a little differently.

[dstepper]

Vic that sequence of Gabe cleaning that stair step switch back was excellent. Gabe good job.

Girls good work on that trail...classic San Gab loop.

Dean

[grandpa]

Thanks for the photos Vic. It was nice to ride with you all.
I wish I wasn't such a slow a$$ climbing so I could have seen Gabe make that switchback.

[JoeTruth]

Nice pics & RR, Vic. I saw the ride posted and was considering showing up but I've been bothered by a pain in my neck and shoulder that could be a bulging disc in my neck, which is causing lots of pain and some numbness in my right arm/shoulder. I've had a history of back/neck issues so when it's bad, I've learned not be stupid and rest for a bit. I might try and get out this week, we'll see.

Looks like you all had fun & great job girls! Very nice sequence of Gabe making the stair steps. I don't know many (3 or 4 riders) who've made those stairs and all who've made it, have been riders utilizing their trial skills. I've seen riders trying to hammer up it and make it to the top but not the switchback. Nice job, Gabe.

[Letyrides]

Originally Posted by KBL

Almost all of the hikers I've met near Mt. Lowe have been cordial. Most of them are amazed to see people who are nuts/gutsy enough to pedal those trails in the first place.

I've never had so many people talk to me. Almost every hiker on the way up was amazed we were riding up, I got a lot of encouragement and no rudeness what-so-ever. A lot of hikers move over to the side before I have a chance to stop for then; even though they have the right-of-way. I thanked each and every one that did that.

[JoeTruth]

It's all in the approach and attitude. The "kill them with kindness" approach almost always works. Of course, there's always that one or two extremist but luckily for all of us, it's very infrequent. Glad you all had a pleasant experience with the hikers on the way up LSM. I love hearing that kind of feedback.

Originally Posted by Letyrides

I've never had so many people talk to me. Almost every hiker on the way up was amazed we were riding up, I got a lot of encouragement and no rudeness what-so-ever. A lot of hikers move over to the side before I have a chance to stop for then; even though they have the right-of-way. I thanked each and every one that did that.

[dstepper]

Yep those hikers, they seem to be much nicer on the climb up.

Dean

[VTVic]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Damn, I wanted to make this ride. I got woke up at 2 am from my son asking for a jump. So I went back to sleep around 4 and slept till 7.I thought I'd wake upin time. Good job showing the way Gabe got up the stairs. WishI could of seen that. Scott does it a little differently.

Scott's the other person I've witnessed making it by riding the outside of the steps and then bunny hopping to get ready for the switch back. I think I'll try next time and see if it works for me...

Originally Posted by grandpa

Thanks for the photos Vic. It was nice to ride with you all.
I wish I wasn't such a slow a$$ climbing so I could have seen Gabe make that switchback.

Did I mention that Tim had his 40lb bike with him? It was amazing to see him push that thing up to the top of LSM.