RR: Mini RR: Harding-Motorway

[Keith B]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Riders: Sauce-Monkey-Sarah, Jose & I.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Stats: 35miles and 7200ft of climbing. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Mini RR: Jose fell in love in the parking lot although I wasn’t sure whether it was Leslie from Niner bikes or her bike. You just can’t tell with Jose! Both Sarah and Jose were SS-ing this death ride - Yikes. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]After a pretty rapid start we took a break 35mins in then headed up to 4 corners. I’m starting to really enjoy the Harding climb, great views and its always challenging. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Few folks up at 4 corners and I think we made it up there in about 1hr 45mins ride time.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]The main divide rollers over towards Motorway were fun although the surface is really lose up there in places – Jose had the 10,000yard stare after riding some high speed action on thick gravel.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Tahoma]The worlds tallest mountain biker appeared at the top of Motorway – I didn’t even know they made seat posts that long (Had to be like almost 2 feet!) Motorway was a blast as usual and although there were no motorbikes this time there were some guys riding up! Never seen that before. Sarah caught both the guys that started in front of us (giant Chewbacca dude and his friend both on Full-Sus) - Miss speedy![/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Tahoma]I wasn't looking forward to heading up Maple and once it got steeper the pain really hit home – man that’s a hard climb after already doing over 4500ft. [/FONT][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Tahoma] The cloud had come right down just below 4 corners making Harding a cold descent but the trail is in fine shape and although its not singletrack it was a fun blast back down. Total ride time was about 4hr 45mins and 6hrs 20with stops [/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]I doubt I could have ridden my SS up to 4 corners let alone this whole route so big kudos to Sauce and Jose for SS-ing every last bit of this route. That is truly 'core [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Things we discovered on this ride:[/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Sarah’s screen name is actually from the reservoir in her Camelbak[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Gateaux is French for cake [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Jose has ‘ckle legs like matchsticks! He just wears baggy pants to make it look like he has Schwarzenegger thighs. Actually this makes him even more of a hero for pedaling that beast of a 29er up 7000ft+ ![/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Following spandex clad women downhill is really distracting. Ought to be warnings posted out there![/SIZE][/FONT]

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Keith B

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Riders: Sauce-Monkey-Sarah, Jose & I.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Stats: 35miles and 7200ft of climbing. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Mini RR: Jose fell in love in the parking lot although I wasn’t sure whether it was Leslie from Niner bikes or her bike. You just can’t tell with Jose! Both Sarah and Jose were SS-ing this death ride - Yikes. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]After a pretty rapid start we took a break 35mins in then headed up to 4 corners. I’m starting to really enjoy the Harding climb, great views and its always challenging. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Few folks up at 4 corners and I think we made it up there in about 1hr 45mins ride time.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]The main divide rollers over towards Motorway were fun although the surface is really lose up there in places – Jose had the 10,000yard stare after riding some high speed action on thick gravel.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Tahoma]The worlds tallest mountain biker appeared at the top of Motorway – I didn’t even know they made seat posts that long (Had to be like almost 2 feet!) Motorway was a blast as usual and although there were no motorbikes this time there were some guys riding up! Never seen that before. Sarah caught both the guys that started in front of us (giant Chewbacca dude and his friend both on Full-Sus) - Miss speedy![/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Tahoma]I wasn't looking forward to heading up Maple and once it got steeper the pain really hit home – man that’s a hard climb after already doing over 4500ft. [/FONT][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Tahoma]The cloud had come right down just below 4 corners making Harding a cold descent but the trail is in fine shape and although its not singletrack it was a fun blast back down. Total ride time was about 4hr 45mins and 6hrs 20with stops [/FONT][/SIZE]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]I doubt I could have ridden my SS up to 4 corners let alone this whole route so big kudos to Sauce and Jose for SS-ing every last bit of this route. That is truly 'core [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Things we discovered on this ride:[/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Sarah’s screen name is actually from the reservoir in her Camelbak[/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Gateaux is French for cake [/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Jose has ‘ckle legs like matchsticks! He just wears baggy pants to make it look like he has Schwarzenegger thighs. Actually this makes him even more of a hero for pedaling that beast of a 29er up 7000ft+ ![/SIZE][/FONT]
• [FONT=Tahoma][SIZE=3]Following spandex clad women downhill is really distracting. Ought to be warnings posted out there![/SIZE][/FONT]

If there were great views, where are the pictures?

[sauce]

keith keith keith ... I enjoyed your ride report. I hereby elect you "rr man." I relinquish all future rr duties. :-) However, you did not mention the fact that I almost cried at Maple Springs. It was death. I was screaming so loud - with every pedal stroke!

Great job staying up front (as usual) Keith. And Jose, I think I need to learn the art of "pacing" from you. You are always strong 'till the end!

ps - well after Jose announced my "ghetto booty" of course it became "largely" conspicuous ... Any "booty" related crashes are therefore on Jose's head. j/k :-)

[Keith B]

Sarah sarah sarah - You looked like you were hurting big time on Maple , you'd definetly get the medal for perserverance. I dont know how you made in running 32:18

I definetly aint staring at Joses booty in future - even if he is responsible for booty crashes!

[Wrecker]

Geez girl, you ran a 32:18 up all that? Yikes, I vote for changing your name to Wonder Woman.

[sauce]

Originally Posted by Chelle

Geez girl, you ran a 32:18 up all that? Yikes, I vote for changing your name to Wonder Woman.

Thanks Chelle, but Keith was rather "charitable" in his description ... after about 20 miles (once we hit Maple Springs) I was riding at a snail's pace and screaming w/ every pedal stroke. I only made it the full 35 because Keith and Jose are such good motivators. Yes, beer was mentioned.

[andy aka rut]

Keith, somehow you made that ride sound kinda fun. Leslie has a giant man of a husband. He is known as Padre over there on the other board.
Sauce-are you running 32:18 on a 29'er??? Holy shimoly! You go girl! No wonder you were in such pain. How are the knees feeling now? Is there any reason you are staying with that gearing and not sliding down to a 20 on the back?
Congrat's to all.

[Pain Freak]

I believe she's still on her 26" Trek, hardtail conversion. Still a very impressive feat. I'd say you're ready for VQ.

[pshloss]

I did that ride last spring with Von Skip and Outlaw. Almost killed me and the Outlaw, too. Turned out to be a very hot day and Outlaw and I both cramped bad on Maple Springs. Von Skip was fine, of course.

[mp3]

[quote=andy aka rut;48533]Sauce-are you running 32:18 on a 29'er??? Holy shimoly! You go girl! quote]

Wow! Sounds like there's a pirana (female disher outer of pain) on the trails. Very cool.

[sauce]

Thanks guys ... but I like to ride my Trek 8000 coverted single-speed (26er wheels ... I'm too short for a 29er) for 10-25 mile rides in the Santa Monica mountains. I really hadn't gone more than 25 straight on her before, so this was hard. The 18-32 gearing actually perfect for most of the rides I do (Santa Monica mountains). It's great for Westridge and Sullivan Canyon ... etc. Jimn suggested this gearing to me, and I think he was right.

[andy aka rut]

Originally Posted by sauce

Thanks guys ... but I like to ride my Trek 8000 coverted single-speed (26er wheels ... I'm too short for a 29er) for 10-25 mile rides in the Santa Monica mountains. I really hadn't gone more than 25 straight on her before, so this was hard. The 18-32 gearing actually perfect for most of the rides I do (Santa Monica mountains). It's great for Westridge and Sullivan Canyon ... etc. Jimn suggested this gearing to me, and I think he was right.

Sounds like we should call you Pirana Sauce now!

[Padre]

Good meeting Jose and friends also.

FWIW, the dude at the top of the Motorway was not me...We were already climbing Maple Springs...we did the exact same loop. We call it the "Harding Figure 8."

More proof that my bike doesn't have 2' of post exposed....

Also...Saucy...too short for a 29er? My wife Leslie is only 5'7 and rocks one. My good friend is 5'1 and she has 2 of 'em.

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Padre

Good meeting Jose and friends also.

FWIW, the dude at the top of the Motorway was not me...We were already climbing Maple Springs...we did the exact same loop. We call it the "Harding Figure 8."

More proof that my bike doesn't have 2' of post exposed....

Also...Saucy...too short for a 29er? My wife Leslie is only 5'7 and rocks one. My good friend is 5'1 and she has 2 of 'em.

Molly?

[Padre]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Molly?

Nah...she's not on big wheels....yet....it's Carol-Anne...she lives in Silverado...

[Pain Freak]

Damn, I was hoping she was going to put her Ti bike up for sale.

[sauce]

Yeah, I saw Carol-Anne's bike at the Friday Blackstar night ride ... Soma frame! Boy was it nice. She's my height (5'2"), and she seems to love the bike. There goes my excuse for NOT spending more money.