RR: Blackstar to Beeks (newbie ride)

[andy aka rut]

What a great ride. Surlygal and neccros are examples of why mountain biking stays in my blood. They were out there pushing their bodies beyond their pain thresh holds. I saw tears, cramps, empty camelback bladders, frustration and the biggest sense of accomplishments I have seen in years. Huge prop's to you two!!!

Gene-wonderful job getting this all organized. It was nice to get Beeks Place cleaned up again. Too bad Chris had to spray paint the area with Indian signs everywhere!!!

J Sims and Wrecker-you two were amazing. Great job on "leaving no one behind." Rachel, it looks like I owe you another beer.

Congrats to all the newbies that de-virgin-ized themselves today.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by maxwell

That's what this ride was all about for me!

Watching Lacey take off at the first turn, and not seeing her until we reached the top. She said she felt GREAT! Then when the decsent came, BANG, she was gone! All of my worrie's of her losing intrest after being off her bike for three week's, shot down with one ride! SWEET!!

Seeing old freind's, that for them, riding BlackStar to Beek's isn't really a challenge, throwing out incouragements to the newb's, and just plain having a GREAT time!
Rut, you my friend, are a BIG reason I mountain bike!!

And last but not least, my boy Jake!
This was his first real climb, 15.6 miles round trip, with 2135 ft. of climbing. Not once did he mention turning around, and cutting it short. He just stayed motivated to get to the golf ball in the distance. Of course when we reached Beek's, and he saw the road to the golf ball, he changed his mind.
At the top, both my kid's we there and more than willing to help with the trash collection, and drinking the COLD soda's!
And for the ride down, Lacey took off! And Jake, he was nothing but smiles! Bunny hopping ruts, and rocks and whatever else he could find!

For all you first timer's up Blackstar, you ROCK!!!!

Thanks Gene!! You made a usually normal training ride, into one VERY special day for me!!




What more could a Dad ask for?



Another GREAT STR ride goes into the book's!!!!!

Darin, it was my pleasure! You said it though, this ride made any ordinary ride very special for many!

I was very pleased you made it out and pleasantly surprised to see Lacey as well. Dude, YOU ROCK!

[LBmtb]

Good times. Always awesome to meet people in person.

Here are some photos. . .

Von-Skipp


Tecate!


Almost there!


STR Jerseys Galore


Skipp & Nam


Russel aka 29erturkey


Ride isn't complete without an ocrider sighting


Matt feeling the booze?


Johnny Dirt


Gene


Watering the plants


Gene coming up


Craig


Hmm


Big Red


One of my last rides with her


Up Blackstar


Rest of my photos here: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/gall...ry.php?cat=827

[OMR]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]This was a day that will be long remembered as one of the more successful and fun rides. Major props to Gene for initially organizing this… then it took on a life of its own and sorta grew exponentially. But this was Gene’s baby…. Well done![/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]First, the weather cooperated. It could have been a scorcher … but instead was warm with a cool breeze during the climb. The weather is always a major consideration while riding during the summer months on Paine Divide…. But not today![/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Second, there were just too many acts of kindness that I saw today. Let’s start at the beginning. Chris Vargas (Warrior Society Chief) started off instructing those that hadn’t done this ride before in some of the nuances of riding Blackstar and what to expect. Then off we went in a cloud of dust (literally!) as we were 50+ strong. Groups of similar riders formed as we went and you could hear the laughter up and down the main road of Blackstar Valley. Of course it was then that Andy turned the music on and we pedaled upwards to loud classic rock. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Rachel (Wrecker) and Jeff (J-Sims) volunteered to do sweep and gladly escorted and encouraged those struggling at the rear … but more about that later. Andy continued to pull the heavily loaded bob with beer and ice steadily upward on his trusty single speed… and we did our best along the way to lighten his load… wheeee… hic![/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]At one point Andy became a key beer station, handing cold cans to thirty riders as they made their way to Beek’s. This all played out against a musical background and plenty of smiles to go around. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]We finally reached Beek’s only a few minutes ahead of the sag truck carrying cold beer, sodas and water. Driven by LarDog (Larry) and Who’s Your Daddy (Jeff), the truck was quickly surrounded by thirsty riders … then the party began in earnest.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]A major milestone was reached when Jake (Maxwell’s son) finally arrived towing his smiling dad of course. He was greeted with cheers from the waiting group. . Lacey had arrived much earlier and looked much too fresh to have made the climb up… and she’s only going to get faster!!![/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]After quenching their thirst, riders began picking up trash and debris. Copious amounts of trash and debris! Rich even found spent roman candle fireworks hidden in a bunker… What crazy person would shoot fireworks off in a forest that is just waiting to go up in flames??? The pile of trash grew bigger and finally even bikes were being thrown on to complete the trash pickup.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]After completing the policing of the grounds, we gathered together for one last group picture. Unfortunately Gene had taken off in search of the “lost” riders yet to show. Chris continued to encourage people to start picking up trash and even took up a spray can and started spraying over the graffiti left by other idiots on the stone walls of the crumbling buildings.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman] In small and large groups riders lefts for the fun downhill that awaited back to the cars parked far below. I finally started down and ran into Andy, who had turned around and were escorting the final two riders, Traci (Surly Girl) and Brian (Neccros). They were being continually encouraged by Gene, Jeff & Rachel to make it to the top. I quickly rode back up to warn those remaining with the truck that the last riders were nearing the top. Traci came around the corner first.. red faced, sweaty and tired but quickening her pace as she knew that she had finally made it. Champagne was quickly opened and we celebrated her victory… great effort Surly Girl! Brian followed and we all sat under the trees enjoying the cool breezes and cold champagne and pizza (Andy had been hiding this in that bob of his!)[/FONT][/SIZE]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]After some time enjoying the company, I had to head down and back to civilization. The miles seemed to fly by and I was back at the car within 30 minutes… as I drew near the car, I reflected upon what had been accomplished today. Many riders had never been to Beek’s place while some had never ridden this far. I saw laughter on everybody’s face and a satisfaction that only comes from accomplishing something hard… something that those couch potatoes at home would never even consider… something that when thought of in retrospect will bring smiles again…. A ride well considered…. A ride well done![/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The pictures I took were many, but rather than show the ride which others will do more ably, I wanted to show the human side of the ride… these speak for themselves.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Humbly submitted,[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]OMR[/SIZE][/FONT]

[OMR]

A couple of more shots of the day.

OMR

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

What a great ride. Surlygal and neccros are examples of why mountain biking stays in my blood. They were out there pushing their bodies beyond their pain thresh holds. I saw tears, cramps, empty camelback bladders, frustration and the biggest sense of accomplishments I have seen in years.

Crying?? Theres no crying in bas.... Oops, wrong movie!!!!

[TURNERob]

Great turnout for this ride, definately the most fun I've had riding Blackstar! You know when Craig finds a big red _____ on the side of the road before we even hit dirt that it is going to be a good ride Big props to all those who arranged the ride, especially Gene for donating his truck as the beer delivery vehicle.

I had just built up my Cove into a SS last night and so it was my first attempt at riding a SS. Overall I did a lot better than I expected running the 18t cog in the rear. At least now you all can't make fun of me for saying I'm gonna build up the Cove anymore

The refreshments at Beeks were quite tasty, and almost made you forget about the giant dust clouds on the way down........ok maybe not. Seeing Traci and Brian almost up to the top as we headed down was pretty cool, way to tough it out you two! Here are my pics in no particular order.

[Neccros]

BTW, who has/took the soon to be famous, George and the dildo picture???

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by Neccros

BTW, who has/took the soon to be famous, George and the dildo picture???

Yeah like that won't be deleted

[tkblazer]

GREAT ride today guys! This was my first ride out in the area and it did not disappoint. It was also the first time i've ridden that many miles and did any substancial amount of climbing on the SS. I started out the ride with the first group, but i decided to stop and take pictures of everyone on the way through.

Gene, you pulled off a hell of a successful ride/event/gathering. You should feel proud.

STR, the bubbs, way to represent like whoa... had to be at least 20-25 members (not including the one Craig found )

Thanks to Justin for stopping while i was taking pictures and helping me sweep some of the slower riders along.


Marcy, you rock girl... battered and bruised, but she did not quit no matter how much sh*t i talked For the guys that don't know, she had a bruised leg and climbed a lot, but also had to walk/limp up for what i would say at least 1-2 miles.

Kid A, Adam good to finally meet you dood. I didn't know it was you until Bret said that you were Kid A. I was expecting you to pull some funny pictures out of your camelbak during conversations like you do here.

Duke and 14 yo... way to go guys, smiles all day... Duke, did you make it up first or did the boy....

Maxwell family, Crash, Lacey and Jake are soon becoming regular newbie ride attenders. Its good to hear that Jake had such a good time, sure beats videogames! Darin, you're gonna have to bring him to Big Bear for sure

Jason (springrubber) way to go on the climbing dood. i didn't see ya the entire climb, I was a ways behind, but way to go man.

Brian and Traci, i thought you guys had turned around.... way to stick with it and motor up. Truly was awesome to see you guys continued to press on and Chelle and Jeff, thanks for supporting them along the way.

Jeff, i was hoping you would have made it up earlier.. i was thinking about beer and pizza the entire climb

tha pics!

before the madness



Duke and son







Tito leading the way



scarboats



the ladies strolling in casually late



yea, its gonna be a small ride..... NOT





Carbonman, Shugamomma and little Adam is in the burley




along Blackstar Canyon