RR: Holy Jim/Trabuco

[TURNERob]

5 of us showed up for this one: CalEpic, Von Diggity, Ladd Jasper, Mcgrath and myself. We met up at Live Oak/Trabuco @ 7:30 and carpooled to the back trailhead. The weather was cool and damp, practically perfect conditions although it got a little chilly up on Main Divide. The conditions on Holy Jim were very good, not muddy at all.....although the rain seemed to wash down some of the leaves onto the trail so it wasn't quite as hardpacked as usual. The 5 + miles up to Main Divide were pretty uneventful for the most part. Once up to MD, Mcgrath had thoughts of turning around which were quickly reversed with the infamous STR "speech"

As we started climbing MD, I asked who would buy me lunch if I middle ringed all the way to Trabuco. Diggs promptly replied that he would and so I began to climb the "wall". I didn't think I was going to make it up the wall in a couple spots.....my legs were burning pretty badly but I managed to pull it off I knew the rest of the way shouldn't be a problem unless I bonked, but Diggs ended up treating me to some Memphis BBQ after the ride (thanks Matt) Main Divide is fairly dust free except for a couple spots where it is still pretty sandy.

CalEpic and I rode pretty much the whole MD together and arrived at Trabuco pretty quickly with no stops. Diggs was right behind us, then Dale and finally Mcgrath. Good job on hanging in there Pat, despite having a few beers the night before! A few motorcycles and a couple of trucks passed by at the Trabuco trailhead but we only saw 1 other mtn biker the whole ride who was coming down Holy Jim.

So we begin our descent down the 5 miles of sweet Trabuco singletrack and less than a mile down Craig slices yet another tire on a rock. He flats or slices tires basically every time we do this loop, and today was no different. I waited with him while he put a tube in and the others went ahead. Trabuco is in great shape, definately one of the best singletrack descents around. I hung in the back since Craig didn't have anymore tubes and sure enough he flatted once again. Gave him a tube and we made it back to the trucks all in one piece.

This is one of my favorite loops in the Santa Ana's, lots of singletrack and some good climbs. Trabuco requires a great deal of concentration due to how rocky and loose it is. Another good training ride for the Counting Coup

Yeah I know, no pics......I suck I think Craig took a few so maybe he'll add them

[ArrrKelly]

Thats gotta be a bitch in middle ring. Nice work

[roadkillross]

Once up to MD, Mcgrath had thoughts of turning around which were quickly reversed with the infamous STR "speech"

[/quote]

wut is this "speech"??

[dstepper]

Rob nice RR. I agree that Trabucco is one of the best OC trails. How is the poison oak on lower Trabucco? That is a fairly tough loop, good job guys. When are you going to try the West Horsethief Hike-a-Bike?

How long did the loop take?

Craig and Rob what bike did you take?

[CalEpic]

Rob and I were on 5 Spots. Poison Oak wasn't too bad on Trabuco but we all wiped down once at the trucks. The trail is in great shape. I absolutely love bombing down that trail.

Holy Jim has had some maintenance done. The trail was raked almost too much but I'll take that over poor conditions. Thanks to those that did the work Warriors?

Good job to Pat and Dell for sticking it out and not turning around at Main Divide.

As far as the flats, this is really starting to irritate me. I never flat. I run Stan's and usually laugh at people and all their flats but for some reason I always cut my rear tire on Trabuco without fail. Many thanks to Rob for staying behind with me and providing another tube. That would have been a pretty long walk.

My camera is still in my Camelbak and I'm too lazy to get it right now to load the pic or two I took. I'll try to get them up later.

Good ride today guys.

C

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by downhillross13

Once up to MD, Mcgrath had thoughts of turning around which were quickly reversed with the infamous STR "speech"

wut is this "speech"??[/quote]

It kinda goes like this: "come on you pu$$y"

Originally Posted by dstepper

Rob nice RR. I agree that Trabucco is one of the best OC trails. How is the poison oak on lower Trabucco? That is a fairly tough loop, good job guys. When are you going to try the West Horsethief Hike-a-Bike?

How long did the loop take?

Craig and Rob what bike did you take?

Dean, the PO is pretty abundant on Trabuco. We were thinking of doing West Horsethief since none of us have done it before (or maybe Diggs had but he didn't recommend it). What's your take on WH Dean, is it worth it compared to Trabuco?

Craig and I were both riding our 5 Spots. Not sure how long the loop took us.......probably around 4 hours with all the stops and flats.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by TURNERob

wut is this "speech"??

What's your take on WH Dean, is it worth it compared to Trabuco? [/quote]

I have pushed my bike up it, to come down Trabuco. It was two years ago if that tells you anything...I do not see myself doing it again. I would not enjoy riding down WH...it may or may not be loose but the switchbacks would have me off the bike anyway.

Yes, Holly Jim Trailhead is closer, but I would rather ride Mt. Wilson. It takes some time to drive out to HJ Trailhead....it is almost as fast to pedal out there.

[bananaseat]

Bummed I missed this one. I dig that loop, and the last time I was there it owned me, so I'm in need of redemption.

Middle-ringing main divide, you da man! Besides lunch, sounds like someone also deserves some well earned Jack-n-Coke.

[Pain Freak]

Jeez Rob, middle ringing that section.... I think maybe you should be looking at ss'ing more. That's tough in any gear.

[Sprockethead]

You da Man Rob, when I saw that wall on the Toad Fest ride, I got off and walked it. I wasn't climbing any faster in granny than walking. Great job, hats off to ya.