Stair Steps...Come on People!!!

[project_d]

I haven't ridden Stair Steps in quite a while, so I decided to hit it up this morning on my big bike. As I ride down, I could still remember most of my lines (mostly right down the middle), so I just stayed focused and hit them. Definately a bit slower since it's been about a year and I couldn't remember every nook and cranny, but that trail is still a blast!

Anyways, as I was hiking back up, I noticed that the trail has become much wider in places due to people riding their bikes on the edges of the trail (up against the bushes) and taking an "easier" route. You know, where it's not as technical and rocky due to dirt still covering the underlying rocks. This is a similar situation to what has happened over the years on Rock-It.

Come on people; if you can't ride a section of ANY trail, just walk it! Maybe you'll be able to conquer it next time, not everybody can ride everything, but don't look for a line that will ruin a trail by widening it! When I first started to ride Mt. Lowe, I would hear people bitching about how wide certain parts of El Prieto are and how the trails are getting ruined. Now I know how they feel.

Let's all have fun on our bikes, and let's be safe. Don't ride beyond your abilities; walk it if you have to, just don't ruin our trails. [/RANT]

[xhuskr]

Still haven't gone down that trail.......and your post will make it so...for a bit longer......don't want to widen a good trail like Rock-it

[TURNERob]

Well said, if you aren't blasting down the middle sections then you are missing half the fun anyway!

[foofighter]

ive personally never gone down it on 2 wheels or 2 feet is it like lynx but with switch backs?

[PacMan]

Well said. The same goes for skidding tires.

I am seeing my local trails rutted out on the downs because of skidding a lot more than in previous years.

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by foofighter

ive personally never gone down it on 2 wheels or 2 feet is it like lynx but with switch backs?

No switchbacks, MUCH steeper than Lynx and a lot bigger rock step downs. Overall much more technical than Lynx.

[project_d]

Originally Posted by foofighter

ive personally never gone down it on 2 wheels or 2 feet is it like lynx but with switch backs?

I'd actually say it's more like the rocky, washboard middle part of Rock-It, but with bugger bumps and steeper. It's a fun trail, I had to walk a few parts the first couple of times I rode it.

[guero]

i hear ya dan...stairsteps and i suppose any trail with a lick of technicality all suffer the same fate.

this is why we need to make a "pussy line" gallery...capture the offenders and post them on here...maybe we can embarress them into riding the chunk. (kinda sorta joking, not really though) i can think of a few bubbs i've seen take those lines and we have photographic evidence.

[spookydave]

Stairsteps is like a local mini Tunnel! Lines? there are lines? I don't need no stinkin lines. I seem to just bash right down the middle.

[OMR]

Yeah... I've been trying to bring this to riders' attention. Check this thread out & read some of the reponses:

A situation developing in Aliso Woods & Need your Help!

OMR

[asian fury]

while there are plenty of people that take the outside lines coming down trails like steps, i think the bigger part of the trail widening is people going up the trail. every time i'm going up steps, i see people taking the outside lines walking their bikes. I have to make a conscious effort to walk up the middle as it is a lot harder to take this line. quick synopsis; pay attention on the ups, you may be doing just as much damage as those taking ouside lines coming down.

[CalEpic]

Since he's no longer among us, I'll out him.

Aaaaack! Who's that walking down?

[OMR]

Now the truth comes out!

OMR

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by OMR

Now the truth comes out!

OMR

Poor guy had to move all the way to North Carolina to avoid the shame

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by asian fury

while there are plenty of people that take the outside lines coming down trails like steps, i think the bigger part of the trail widening is people going up the trail. every time i'm going up steps, i see people taking the outside lines walking their bikes. I have to make a conscious effort to walk up the middle as it is a lot harder to take this line. quick synopsis; pay attention on the ups, you may be doing just as much damage as those taking ouside lines coming down.

This I think happens more then riding the P-line. Specially on "Steps", there is just no room to get over in some places. Any 5" bike will let you come down the middle.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

This I think happens more then riding the P-line. Specially on "Steps", there is just no room to get over in some places. Any 5" bike will let you come down the middle.

And if you don't have a 5" bike....

We have quite a number of high quality Shops in the area that can take care of that problem for you...

Think Sept 9th...............

[Winston]

People ride down Stair Steps?

I thought that trail was uphill only.

[Wrecker]

THAT'S my problem, my bike only has 4 inches. I'll be there on Sept 9th

[genusmtbkr5]

I have less than 4", about 3.86" of travel, so I go nice an easy down the middle, even on my 0" travel HT.