Crashfest in Laguna

[ArrrKelly]

Rumor has it some soil samples were taken in Laguna today. Does anyone care to comment?

[LBmtb]

Ah, yes. Good times indeed! Dell got a face full of cactus, Steve ate it a couple times as did Kipp, I had a small fall on 5 oaks. Think I missed somebody? Aldo got a small handful of cactus also.

We did 5oaks -> cholla -> steps -> willow -> T&A -> up steps -> lynx -> cars

First huck attempt at the top boulder was Dell. Landed fine but crashed into a small patch (probably the only patch in that little area) of cactus. Thorns everywhere on his face, chest, shoulder, and arm. Once I took out most of the thorns he had to ride shirtless because his jersey was infested with thorns. Steve also crashed on that huck and Kipp did also. Rob was the only one that made it cleanly. We then "trickled" down to the bottom play area. Dell apparently had a couple of endos on the way down. Kipp had a hard fall on the right side huck there. Steve crashed into some bushes and got a face full of dirt, which looked pretty funny. Both Steve and Kipp redeemed themselves on that huck. I cleaned the rock roll on my first attempt ever. Bret and Rob both hucked the right side and did fine.

I probably missed some action but the rest will chime in sooner or later. Videos and pics are coming.

edit: I attached a couple of teaser photo, more will come later

Man o' man, today was ugly!!!

We assembled at Canyon Vistas and headed up to the top of 5 Oaks; riders included:
Aldo
Dale
Von-Spill
Steve
Gonz
Rob
Mark
Me (Bret)
and a special guest appearance by Dave, Stu's friend.

Like Gonz said, we headed down 5 Oaks and I believe Gonz took a couple minor diggers heading down Oaks, we reassembled and headed up Cholla, then up to Steps, padded up, dropped the seats and I believe everyone cleaned Steps without incident. Headed over to LCWP, signed in and climbed Willow, took a little breather at the top of Willow where it intersects Bommer and then we were on our way to T&A. This is where things got ugly. Everyone was scoping out the top huck, trying to figure out the best approach and what not...Dale who has never hit it before steps up and charges it, when I say charges it I'm not kidding. He had a bit too much speed in my opinion, took off beautifully, looked great and level in the air and upon landing it looked like maybe the rebound was a tad too fast or something because he kinda bounced which caused him to lean/tip over to his left where he proceded to wad the landing and superman into a small pile of cactus, FACE FIRST and then did the 180 rollover with his feet still clipped in. (video of this to come this evening). He hit the cactus with so much force that he litterally broke off about 3 patties at the base of the plant so there was nothing left but a stump. I ran over, moved his bike off of him, and his face wasnt too mangled....yet. About a minute later he had blood leaking from at least 5 or 6 areas on his face, his chest area got pretty worked as well, and I think I saw his leg received some lovin' as well. I can't remember who hit it next, but Kippie went for it, looked great on the take off and then somehow wadded the landing, he went down hard too. (video coming later). He was semi-stunned for a few seconds and he layed in the dust cloud. Steve took a shot at it as well, and he looked good in the air, landed pretty smoothly and applied a little too much front brake and rode a nose wheelie for about 3 feet, nearly went over the bars (video coming later) and then ended up on the dirt falling over to his left side. Rob also hit it and nailed it perfectly. Unfortunately I wasnt into hitting it after all the carnage and so far I'm 1 for 1 on that huck and I'm satisfied with that for now. Mark and Dave contemplated hitting it, but also felt a little tripped out by the carnage that took place before them and decided against hitting it.

So we make our way down to the next play area and decide to have some fun. Most of us rolled the rock in the middle upon arrival, then it was time to huck. Von-Spill was feeling pretty anxious and was the first one to hit it today. From my perspective it looked like he pulled up a bit too hard on the bars, landed his back wheel pretty hard and then I think one of his hands slipped or came off the bars and he went down hard! (video coming later). I then hit it after Von-Spill and landed it fine, then Rob did and Mark and they landed it clean as well. Steve went for it and this was his first time on T&A (as well as Marks) and Steve looked good in the air and somehow wadded the landing and got a a face full of dirt (pix and video later). Gonz did the rock-roll after about 843 STR motivational speeches, infact, Rob announced that we couldn't leave the play area til Gonz did the roll, thank goodness he did it, and he looked like a pro, nicely done eh! I think that is it for the crashes, Dale rounded the corner about 1/2 way into our huck sesh at the bottom and he wasn't wearing a shirt, his face was filled with dry/crusty blood, that bubb looked crazy!!! Wisely, Dale chose to skip doing anymore hucks on this ride, I think he went OTB a couple times coming down T&A.

We regroup at the bottom of T&A and get our mtb pelaton going down 133 and head back up to Steps for the hike-a-bike. It was warm, but not too bad. There was a nice breeze which helped out a lot. Once back in Aliso we decided to hit Lynx and then head out. No crashes on Lynx and nothing more to really report about the ride after this point. Checked out some more T&A over at Wahoo's, then called it a day.

Dave, thanks for joining us. Mark is was cool to meet ya and ride with ya.

Stay tuned for the pix and videos, they WONT disappoint!!!

[TURNERob]

Yes it did get pretty ugly out there on T&A today! I have a lot of video footage that hopefully Gonzo will help me get posted up later on when he comes over for his fork install. Definately don't want to miss the video to come......stay tuned

Here are some of my carnage pics, video will follow later:

Dell undergoing surgery


Von Skipp gathering himself after a crash


Steve lost it after landing this huck


Steve after getting a little taste of dirt


Nice group shot of Bret, George and Steve after Steve's crash


This was me stumbling over my bike after cleaning a huck.....I guess the closest I came to crashing today somehow

[Pain Freak]

Hey, Steve looks good with a face full of dirt!
Dell I got news for you, you are going to be feeling those little cactus spears for weeks to come. Gawd, I hate prickly pear cactus almost as much as PO.

Great story guys and I'm glad I wasn't riding with you guys this weekend.

[TURNERob]

Let's see if this works: this is Dell with his little visit with Mr. Cactus.....rest of the videos will be up later.....hopefully all joined together if I can figure it out I think the best part is hearing Aldo say, "oh, I didn't get that!".....LMAO!!!

[CC]

Awsome pics of the carnage!!! Thanks for sharing! Dang and to think i got a 10pm call for dirttorpeedo and I to show up for this ride....That would have bee sooo cool to see it all unfold in person!


ps: any illegal kickstands?

[dukethenuke]

awesome day today! We had our full share of spills, but everyone managed to get up dust themselves off and continue. We finished it up with some great food at Wahoo's

[dstepper]

The transition on that hunk is way loose and steep. I have to give you guys credit for attemping it***not easy***

[Ladd Jasper]

I'm sore. And burned. And chafed.

More later...

[ocrider]

Heal fast Dell
Cactus Sampler

[outlaw]

That was a great ride today! I am really glad I bailed on that first drop,The take off and landing just did not look very sexy at all, as
you will see later in the videos. could not have picked a better group of guys to ride with today! I dont know how with all these falls that nobody was really hurt, "since I seem to be getting hurt alot lately" anyway, cant wait to see all the videos. thanks again,
Mark

[Pain Freak]

Mark, you got to watch out for these huckers. They'll have you jumpin off 3 story buildings and stuff like that!

[Von-Skipp]

I love the 'STR Signature' loop but it wasnt lovin us today. I guess the outcome for steppin it up bites you in the face, literally for Dell.

I thought I had the first huck on T&A but couldnt control stopping after landing. I went down hard and slid on my chest which is very sore as speak. The lower huck I have no freakin idea what I did. I think I was still woozy and sore and somehow let go of the bars in mid-air. Ive yet to master to the one hander huck!

It was an honor crashing with you guys, and I mean that cuz you guys have my backs when I need it and Im therrr for you guys.

Steve luvs dirt! >>>




Von-Spill

[dstepper]

I'm thinkin that they way you guys keep "steppin it up" and lookin at Dell's face, it may be time for some full face hemets.

[Ladd Jasper]

And bruised. And stiff. And punctured.

More later...

Originally Posted by ocrider

Heal fast Dell

Thanks, Matt. Feeling better than I should right now, I think.

Originally Posted by dstepper

I'm thinkin that they way you guys keep "steppin it up" and lookin at Dell's face, it may be time for some full face hemets.

Amen, brother.

[ShinKen]

ha haaa!! and u guys wanted me to go here? ohh danngg I feel the love!! muhahhahhaa!! neways great shots and great vid!! it looks like a sweet ride!! I will try to make the next one foo sure!!

[mcgrath]

Well you guys aren't the only ones who sucked it up.... It all started with a lovely day out in Corona. good temps, great day overall until you consider my 104 stroke golf round. Trilogy owns me. Glad I didn't have to witness these crashes. Dell, what can I say man. I hope you feel better, and heal soon. Dean may be on to something.

[jfromlv]

Originally Posted by cyclecc

Awsome pics of the carnage!!! Thanks for sharing! Dang and to think i got a 10pm call for dirttorpeedo and I to show up for this ride....That would have bee sooo cool to see it all unfold in person!


ps: any illegal kickstands?

Definitely looks like the kickstand got in the way and caused that crash. Sometime I'm going to have to meet up with you guys and do some hucking.

[TURNERob]

Here is another video of me doing the top huck of T&A. I was the only one out of 4 that successfully landed/stopped in time although I didn't have a whole lot of room left as you'll see. The huck itself is actually pretty easy, just like Dean said the landing area is steep, very loose and there isn't much runout room. I may make it look easy but it isn't as was evident today with the crashfest.

George has the full video and he'll work on getting it posted up tomorrow

Originally Posted by mcgrath

Well you guys aren't the only ones who sucked it up.... It all started with a lovely day out in Corona. good temps, great day overall until you consider my 104 stroke golf round. Trilogy owns me. Glad I didn't have to witness these crashes. Dell, what can I say man. I hope you feel better, and heal soon. Dean may be on to something.

BTW Mr. Mcgrath....104!!! HAHAHA, you should have ridden with us instead