RR: Blackstar - Motorway 1.6.2007

[~ Pakiha ~]

First thing first. I want to give a big shout to Jose for helping convince me I could handle this ride, Sencondly Where the #&$@ were you dude??

... [ ] nevermind ...

Well after asking around the lot for the STR group(because of a lack of a big red truck) I found the group, and we headed out around 8:30. You'll have to forgive me I'm not good with names but there were eight of us there including myself. I have to say I was proud of myself for not walking any of the first 4000f,t I felt great, I think we all did, well minus 2 unceremonious dismounts (for prides sake I'll leave out who -NOT me-)

The killer on this ride for me was the traverse of the peaks. After walking a bit up to the Doppler station I did pretty good and stayed in the saddle until a gnarly climb a bout a mile in. After that my poor arse was walking too much. But that’s were the fun began.

As a note of advice, and maybe I am just a tad too gullible, do not ask any one in a truck or on a Motorbike for directions . After passing the radio tower and traveling down the correct path for about a mile I noticed i was alone I asked a guy in a truck and he said they'd be at the top of the hill a mile back by the radio towers. I ended up riding back and climbing the gate and huffing it up to the radio towers thinking I had Finally made it, But when I got there I realized I was alone. I knew [prayed actually to the almighty ] that no one from STR would leave a man behind, and I figured I wasn't in the right spot. Thankfully after coming back down to the gate I ran into a couple of MTBers they told me how ass backwards I'd gone and pointed me in the right direction. They took off and after a couple more miles I saw a SoCal Edison truck, I'd told them I was with a group and Immediately the guy said "OH, the one with the chick and the Asian dudes?, I think they're waiting for you." Needless to say I was back on course (and cursing Jozer the whole time ) Thankfully I was right about not being left behind I ran into a few of you as you went out looking for me in what seemed regular intervals.

After catching my breath and some rest at the top of motorway we headed out. THANK you Chelle for the gel and reminding me that it was the last hill I'd have to climb, I haven't felt my legs burn that much EVER. The decent on Motor way was great and pretty much uneventful, I got tossed to the edge but managed to stay on the trail for a bit, and two of us ended up with flats mid way down. ( THANKS FOR THE TUBE! - At home I found 4 more holes! )

All-in-all I had a great time and really enjoyed every mile especially the encouragement and assistance that was so freely given.

Thanks again to every one!

Jared

First Rest stop at the top


Nice View of the city


The Group


My Tired Arse

[Keith B]

This ride kicked my ass as well. Repeat 100 times: "I must not take 3 weeks off drinking beer and eating anything that looks good."

I got cramp, my legs were stiff (and are still sore today!), my ass was sore, my pulse was way up over normal too. Going down Motorway was pretty fast but the motorbikes that are now using it are really churning it up making it alot more rocky and a few times I thought I was going down for sure.

I cycled the last mile on the road flat out and that really hurt.
Good job we had John with us to go back for our missing in action rider!

[guero]

great RR jared! nice pix too. i've yet to do this ride, perhaps one day i'll do it! glad you eventually met back up with the group, i'd imagine it was a little nerve racking be up there on a new trail not knowing what way to go.

like we say, beware of shinkens!

[Sprockethead]

Way to stick with the ride Jared. Must have been pretty tough knowing you backtracked and did more miles than everyone else ; ) I'm sure I'll be dying on the trail now, I haven't been riding regularly and we're starting our ski season. Thanks for the ride report.

[CalEpic]

Nice job Jared! That's a tough ride.

Are the moto's poaching Motorway or are they allowed now?

[Keith B]

I can tell you they're ruining the trail thats for sure!

[tkblazer]

way to stick with it dood... i don't think i could even finish a ride like that

[kentonn]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Nice job Jared! That's a tough ride.

Are the moto's poaching Motorway or are they allowed now?

I am pretty damn sure that they are not allowed on Motorway. Could you imagine?

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

Are the moto's poaching Motorway or are they allowed now?

The motos are not allowed on Motorway. The barrier came "down" at the top of Motorway a bit ago. I rode the loop today and someone had fixed it.
I have been riding Motorway for years and I haven't noticed any heavy duty damage from the motorcycles lately. Motorway is always a rough ride-very loose, rutted out with a few spiney cactus on the side just to add some flavor.
I might be mistaken but I'm pretty sure no motorized vehicles are allowed on any of singletracks in the Santa Ana's.
Nice RR Jared. This loop is a killer the first time you do it. And the second time and the third time. Everyone expects the climb to the Doppler golf ball to be the hardest part of the ride.
There are three b!tches along the main divide that can really mess with your mind.
Are you all training for the counting coup? Or maybe the vision quest?? In what kinda time are you making it to the top of Motorway?

[Keith B]

It was about 3hrs or so to top of Motorway

[~ Pakiha ~]

I was just along for the ride, and very glad I went.

[Wrecker]

Keith, like i said before, I like riding with you when you've had 3 weeks off, lots of beer and chocolate n stuff (heeheeh).

Jared, you did a great job; I can't tell you how much I used to despise that ride....now I just hate it

Jose, the next ride is going to be a special one, for you

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by Chelle

Jose, the next ride is going to be a special one, for you

why? he should be happy I got him out there!! he's a better rider now b/c of me!! muhahhahhaaa!! I'm trying to hook em on another ride this weekend as I type this he he.

[Keith B]

Chelle - I spent 3hours in the cold and dark last night burning that beer and choc off! I can't take it when all these women are getting too fast for their own good

I used to hate Blackstar/Motorway and grew to love it but last weekend it was an utter pain fest all over again - hopefully I'll be lovin it again next time