RR: MS->Peak->Motorway

[LBmtb]

I haven't done a solo ride in a long time and since I didn't decide on this ride till the last minute, well that kind of forced me to do this ride solo. Doing rides alone kind of appeals to me sometimes because you can go at your own pace without any pressure.

Met with Dean at blackstar for the laptop exchange a tad after 9am. Parked a little below the MS lot since it was full and finally got rolling closer to 9.40am. Decided on not taking the camera - used the pouch for food and iPod instead (sorry!). Not used to carrying a full camelbak and halfway up the paved road my lower back started talking to me. Stopped and popped an advil at that point which ended up helping later. Ass factor also started to kick in. These two issues gave me some doubt as to whether I should go to motorway after the peak or if I should even continue on to the Peak after 4 corners. Being alone, there was nobody to convince me otherwise and no one to give me the speech. It was 10.25 when I got to the dirt.

I was pacing myself going up maple springs; trying to conserve energy for the main divide if I decided to go to motorway. Luckily the lower back pain almost completely went away and so did the ass factor which made the second half of MS more enjoyable. However another thing that I soon realized was how boring a long fireroad climb by yourself can be. I would have gone mad without my ipod. Didn't see too many riders out there. Passed a few riders going up and got passed by two guys on hardtails. When they went by I thought of a good sticker that someone should make - "powered by lycra" .

At four corners I stopped to rest a bit and talked to a rider who arrived shortly after myself. Guy named josh sportin a path jersey. Said he started at blackstar.

Headed up to the Peak. Lots of motorcycles and trucks today. Might of been the good weather? I had forgotten what a pain the loose climb to the peak was. I've done that in my middle ring before but today I learned a good lesson: don't be afraid to use the small ring! It helps keep you fresh for the rest of the ride. At least it did for me. Arrived at the peak feeling pretty good. Was 12.40 at that point. Wasn't sure if I wanted to continue on to motorway. Legs felt good but the pure boredom factor was nagging at me.

Back at 4 corners I said what the heck, if I cut the ride short I might regret it later but If I finish what I planned on I know I wouldn't. So onward I went. Main divide was pretty uneventful. Cleaned the nasty hill before motorway (although I took my sweet time).

It's hard to tell because it's always loose but motorway seemed a bit sketchier then usual. Maybe it was my imagination. There's a spot on the motorway where my phone gets reception. By chance, I was going by a group of hikers and my phone starts going off - which was pretty funny as I had no reception for the entire ride beforehand.

Legs still felt good and could have refueled to go up maple again but had enough solo fireroad climbing for the day and called it quits. Was in the car and leaving at 2.40.

A few things I learned today: advil works wonders, don't be afraid of small ring during long rides with some steep climbing, I like taking more (shorter) breaks. Just getting off the bike every now and then to stretch the back and legs does wonders on the extended climbing.

Oh . . . I thought of doing a video RR immediately following the ride but thought it might of been cheesy to do a self-interview thing so I decided against it.

Whoa that ended up pretty long

[sauce]

You're the STR Godfather, and you did a ride ALONE!

That is so wrong. So anti-social.

Good to see you're CC training though!

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by sauce

You're the STR Godfather, and you did a ride ALONE!

That is so wrong. So anti-social.

Good to see you're CC training though!

Figured all the usuals were taken - either doing the Idylwild thing or the aliso dh tour and it would have been really late notice to post something.

It was pretty funny though - tried to strike up a convo with any rider I encountered. I was so bored .

[Sprockethead]

George, we just missed you on the Motorway. We finished the Motorway at 1:40 and we were back at the car by 2pm. Pretty uneventful day on the Blackstar/Motorway ride except for the helicopter landing at the top of the Motorway. There was a drilling machine out there and a big pool of water. I'm not sure what they were doing, but there was a hose starting at the top of the motorway to almost halfway down the mtn.

[andy aka rut]

George, regarding Josh from The Path. He started at BlackStar, descended Motorway, climbed Maple Springs to 4 corners. He then proceeded down Maple Springs where we chatted for a bit (just above the paved section.) He then turned around and we rode up to the peaks, around to Upper Holy Jim and descended the Holy Jims back to the car on Rose Canyon. Josh is the man! Humble as pie, but as fast as lightning.

We talked with the guys doing the work on top of Motorway. They were doing some soil samples "deep in the earth" to test for making a tunnel! They have been wanting to do this for years, but can you imagine the cost of making a tunnel from Ladd Canyon all the way over to Corona???! Ouch! I wonder if my Adventure Pass pays for that!!!

[Pain Freak]

Better under then over.

I think this is becoming closer to a reality more then any other proposal.

[Schecky]

This tunnel should be fought hard. The already existing 91 corridor should be expanded, not a tunnel through wilderness.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

George, regarding Josh from The Path. He started at BlackStar, descended Motorway, climbed Maple Springs to 4 corners. He then proceeded down Maple Springs where we chatted for a bit (just above the paved section.) He then turned around and we rode up to the peaks, around to Upper Holy Jim and descended the Holy Jims back to the car on Rose Canyon. Josh is the man! Humble as pie, but as fast as lightning.

We talked with the guys doing the work on top of Motorway. They were doing some soil samples "deep in the earth" to test for making a tunnel! They have been wanting to do this for years, but can you imagine the cost of making a tunnel from Ladd Canyon all the way over to Corona???! Ouch! I wonder if my Adventure Pass pays for that!!!

Seems the main focus is a water tunnel.
LINK
IMHO any link to a traffic tunnel is an attempt to get state/federal highway funds to pay for the tunnel. Water is wanted by developrs.

[mp3]

Solo rides are refreshing. 85% of my rides are solo--the other 15% of the solo rides get tossed out to ride with the dirt divas.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

We talked with the guys doing the work on top of Motorway. They were doing some soil samples "deep in the earth" to test for making a tunnel! They have been wanting to do this for years, but can you imagine the cost of making a tunnel from Ladd Canyon all the way over to Corona???! Ouch! I wonder if my Adventure Pass pays for that!!!

we ran into them last sunday (3rd of feb). they told us that they're drilling for a Edison power structure. odd.

the tunnel that you speak of has been in the works for a while- it's supposed to lighten the load from the 55 and ortega higway as a new oc-inland moat route.

edit: wow- after reading trekker's post, I'm wrong!

[CRASH JORDAN]

Good to hear you pushed through your whole ride George. Having music on solo rides is a lifesaver to help you get through it on your own and helps the time go by a little easier.
As far as the tunnel project goes, I'm not surprised at them looking into an alternate route over to the 91. I know in the next few years they're talking about widening Jeffrey road and having it go thru to Santiago Canyon and most likely that will continue through that tunnel you're talking about. That will be a sad day when that happens. Enjoy it while we still have the time.