RR: Pinos July 30th

[LBmtb]

As always, thanks to everyone who came out to the ride. Dean's "beat the heat" ride in the Los Padres national forest kicked ass!

It's so sweet riding new trails. Although fun, the OC and Palos Verdes trails can get a tad bit repetetive after awhile. The climb and descent down Mt. Pinos was like a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. Temps were in the mid 60's, the scenery was spectacular, the riding was fun, and the company was even better.

We climbed about 9 miles and reached 8700ft at the summit. The downhill, although not as techy as some stuff in the OC, is still a ton of fun. Fast, flowly, swooping singletrack through the forest. Some ruts, sand, rocks, jumps thrown in to spice things up a bit.

I created a category in the album for this here, I'll be uploading my pics shortly.

[dstepper]

Thanks to everyone that showed up, but the idea for the ride was Scott's not mine.

I was thinking on the way down...man! I did alot of climbing. Yeh you climb 3,000 ft, but much of it is not steep, mostly singletrack, with the smell of pine needles and great views the grind goes by fast for me.

Once again Scott...Thanks.

[LBmtb]

Ahh, then Scott - thanks for the great ride! Here are some of my photos. The rest are here.

STR Thugs


Diggity


Helmet hair


Hmm, if I fart in the forest and no one's there to hear it . . .


Bench warmers


Almost to the top


Not too many DH pics - we were all too busy enjoying it.

[Von-Diggity]

I hastily posted some photos on my own site here. Check 'em out. BTW, fun ride even if I felt like the altitude was killing me on the way up. I look forward to more rides of this nature. Thanks to Scott and Dean for setting the ride up, and thanks to everyone who came out. It was great fun on a great trail. BTW, the temps at the bottom when we started were 63 degrees. I have not seen that low a temp for far too long.

Matt

[dstepper]

Matt, George thanks for the pics.

[Pain Freak]

I think the pics are pretty good. I'd just like to see a camera that can show how truly gorgeous the views are up there. The ride up went fairly quick with the size group we had. Props to all, good day, good people, and good times.That's what mtb'ing is all about!

[bananaseat]

diggity, is that a new bike???

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by bananaseat

diggity, is that a new bike???

Hey, Aldo, check out the link he posted to his album. I think you'll find your answer there.

[Pain Freak]

We all called it "The penny", as Matt was riding ahead at one point he was stopping taking a break and I could see his bike standing out like a bright brand new shiney penny. That is one of the best looking paint jobs I have ever seen and I love that color.Beautiful bike!

[Von-Diggity]

A new Flux! 4 Inches of XC climbing prowess. That was the second real ride on the bike. The first one with non-functioning brakes and a narrow handlebar left me frustrated. After getting new brakes and a new wider handlebar, I am really happy with the bike. Really a good climbing bike, even when I had the fork set up in the 130mm setting. Coming down the Mcgill trail on it was awesome, it ate up the trail, and hitting the lilttle jumps on the way down was really fun. Makes an excellent companion for the Nomad.

Originally Posted by bananaseat

diggity, is that a new bike???

[Shannon]

Hey guys. That was a great ride yesterday. I agree, the altitude was a biiiatch. But the trail and views at the top were well worth it. Can't wait for the next one.

[CC]

cool pix...sounds like you guys had a great time. Fell in love with the surroundings myself when I went up there; can't wait to go back!

sweet pix guys, i really wanna do this ride!!!

[dstepper]

Tell us when, it does not take much to talk me into riding McGill Trail. Matt (Diggity) mentioned that he has never riden Chillao, you guys that like a more tech trail would like the Mt Hilyer boulder field. Maybe we should give it a try this weekend?

Dean

[Von-Diggity]

I would be down for A Chilao ride. I've heard great things about it, been wanting to do it for a while. How long is it, and should I bring the Nomad or the Flux?

Originally Posted by dstepper

Tell us when, it does not take much to talk me into riding McGill Trail. Matt (Diggity) mentioned that he has never riden Chillao, you guys that like a more tech trail would like the Mt Hilyer boulder field.

Dean

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by DINO

sweet pix guys, i really wanna do this ride!!!

dood!! are u sure? u would have to get up early and actually had to drive a little!!

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by Von-Diggity

I would be down for A Chilao ride. I've heard great things about it, been wanting to do it for a while. How long is it, and should I bring the Nomad or the Flux?

It is not a long ride and needs to be put together with other stuff to make a day out of it. The Three Peaks ride I have not done for awhile (Mt. Brown, Vetter and Hilyer) that is 19.5 miles and 2,000+ climbing. When I ride just the Mt Hilyer loop it is 8.23 miles and 1127 foot climb. I would prefer to do a figure 8 and come down Mt Hilyer twice. Any interest and we will go.

Bikes: I have done Chilao more times on the Single Speed than the geared bike....suspension bike is more fun. Chilao is one of the flatter rides I do in the San Gabriel's Nothing more tech than 5-Oaks. There is a section of Silver Moccasin that drops from Horse Flats to Chilao Campground that has me walking a few sections. Not to many people I know can make those switchbacks with the steps on them.

[Von-Diggity]

LOL@Jose!
OWNED!

Originally Posted by ShinKen

dood!! are u sure? u would have to get up early and actually had to drive a little!!

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by Von-Diggity

LOL@Jose!
OWNED!

Big time, good one bub!

gOoD oNe bUBs