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genusmtbkr5 · 09-01-2007, 08:52 PM

Rich aka Steamrolen and I went down San Diego to ride Noble/Big Laguna. We left at 4:30am! . I was pretty tired when I got up but was motivated enough to get up because I've never ridden there before. Rich has been there before, but not in a while.

We arrive at about 6:45 and it was already 84 deg out. It was going to be a hot one Fo Sho! Oh well, I'm glad I had an extra water bottle.

While we got ready, I noticed several riders getting ready to roll as well. I recognized one of the riders as a member of 3f, Dave something or other, recognized me as well and asked me what I knew about the drama between 3FBC and STR. We talked for a few and had a few laughs about it and agreed that it may have been blown out of proportion. They also offered us to join them on their ride, but we graciously bowed out and went on our own. Seemed like nice guys.

It was getting hot and that was expected. We started rolling about 7:30ish at the lower parking lot and climbed up. We don't need no stinking shuttle! The ride itself was great. This trail has everything you would want. Not riding there before and all being new to me, it was a blast!

We climbed a bit(7 miles). Once we hit the Big Laguna Trail(BLT) the fun starts and just seems to go on forever. It looked as if we might even get rained on, but not the case, but we did get a good thunder and lightning show. BLT was fun, but Noble was the prize. Some of those sections reminded of some of the trails here on our end of The Cleveland forest, but more of it.

The temps got as high as 106.6, but it really didn't have any effect on me or Rich. We stayed pretty well hydrated. At about the 27th mile. We ran into a guy named Huge who was visiting from Atlanta, Georgia and said his friend went on without him. We thought why would he leave someone who doesn't know the trail out there? We weren't far the end but we or he didn't know that at the time. Huge looked pretty wiped out so I offered a gu pack and cliff bar which he accepted. We all then rode out and ran into his friend about a mile or so later. Turned out Huge's friend went down to find which way to go and then came back for him. I took lot of pics, but somehow erased the first 20 or so. I also stopped taking pics so I can just ride! Here's what pics I do have.

dstepper · 09-01-2007, 09:16 PM

Good stuff but riding when it is that hot out takes the fun out for me.

PacMan · 09-01-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstepper

Good stuff but riding when it is that hot out takes the fun out for me.

Umm, we live in Southern CA...what're you gonna do, not ride until October??

Stay hydrated and go ride

dstepper · 09-01-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PacMan

Umm, we live in Southern CA...what're you gonna do, not ride until October??

Stay hydrated and go ride

Ride higher up in the Mountains, Wright Mountain never got above 80 today. Mt. Waterman...stuff that is 7-8000 ft and above with a good canopy. And here on the coast. I know not everyone can get away like I can but next week beat the heat will be Quaking Aspen. If I ride local the ride will be over by 10am, or you are right...I won't ride and spend the day body womping at Crescent Bay.

Dean

bjammin · 09-01-2007, 10:52 PM

Glad you had fun. We'll have to hook up for a Tour de Noble one of these days.

genusmtbkr5 · 09-02-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjammin

Glad you had fun. We'll have to hook up for a Tour de Noble one of these days.

Count on it Ben, but probably not till sometime on Oct or Nov to take a break from all the "training rides" in the Santa Ana's that will be going on then. Plus the weather should be favorable by then.

CC · 09-02-2007, 05:01 PM

Hey Gene just got a chance to read your post...Great RR and love the pix. That ride sounds like a blast, did you say it was abut a 30mile ride? Would you consider this a easy or moderate ride. Is it too much for a noobie ride?

Sounds like a good ride maybe through it up when the weather cools a bit and I'll definitely be up for it.

Great job out thar representing STR class all the way.

~ cc

RacinJason · 09-02-2007, 05:18 PM

What drama?

While we got ready, I noticed several riders getting ready to roll as well. I recognized one of the riders as a member of 3f, Dave something or other, recognized me as well and asked me what I knew about the drama between 3FBC and STR. We talked for a few and had a few laughs about it and agreed that it may have been blown out of proportion. They also offered us to join them on their ride, but we graciously bowed out and went on our own. Seemed like nice guys.

genusmtbkr5 · 09-02-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC

Would you consider this a easy or moderate ride. Is it too much for a noobie ride?
~ cc

The climbs would get to a noobie and Noble has too many technical sections. Although I didn't wear any armor, I wish I had for some of the more rocky sections like The Stairway to Hell. Here are some pics from Mountain Bike Bills site. The first pic here is the same section where I'm coming down a rocky drop in my RR(yes rich and I both cleaned it ). I hear March is a good month to ride it. Still some snow on the ground. Maybe after the VQ/CC. Check out this site for more pics.

http://www.mountainbikebill.com/TourDeNoble.htm

OMR · 09-02-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC

ride? Would you consider this a easy or moderate ride. Is it too much for a noobie ride?

Sounds like a good ride maybe through it up when the weather cools a bit and I'll definitely be up for it.

cc

Cathy,

This is definitely an intermediate ride. Considered by many to be one of THE best trails in California.... to really enjoy it, you should be in good condition (less chance of getting hurt). There are some very technical but doable sections... most is just plain fun downhill single track. Climbing out is a bear if hot... therefore, best to wait until late fall, winter or early spring. We will organize a ride down there later in the year & meet up with Justin and Allison (their backyard).

OMR

Dagomako · 09-02-2007, 07:12 PM

Im still somewhat of a noob but can handle myself very well, and ever since i came across Noble on Geoladders i have wanted to ride it. But I think you right about the climbs Gene... but someday soon, i will ride NOBLE!!! the only difficult part would be finding someone that would ride it some what at a novice pace.

genusmtbkr5 · 09-02-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagomako

Im still somewhat of a noob but can handle myself very well, and ever since i came across Noble on Geoladders i have wanted to ride it. But I think you right about the climbs Gene... but someday soon, i will ride NOBLE!!! the only difficult part would be finding someone that would ride it some what at a novice pace.

There are lots of technical sections that also make Noble a tough ride for a begineer. I guess you can always walk through them, but then you would be walking through some of the sections that make Noble what it is. Think of it like this, when learning to surf, catching a wave for the first time is exhilarating, so is going out on a 20 foot day. You wouldn't paddle out on a 20 foot day if you were a beginner would you? Hone your skills and you'll enjoy Noble that much more.

PacMan · 09-02-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagomako

Im still somewhat of a noob but can handle myself very well, and ever since i came across Noble on Geoladders i have wanted to ride it. But I think you right about the climbs Gene... but someday soon, i will ride NOBLE!!! the only difficult part would be finding someone that would ride it some what at a novice pace.

I'll take you up and show you around. I have no problems with a slow paced ride. But here's a little food for thought: Allison made a good point about Noble and pace last year when she said, "if you can ride 36+ miles and climb 4,500'+ chances are you're not really that slow."

Dagomako · 09-02-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PacMan

I'll take you up and show you around. I have no problems with a slow paced ride. But here's a little food for thought: Allison made a good point about Noble and pace last year when she said, "if you can ride 36+ miles and climb 4,500'+ chances are you're not really that slow."

Nice! Ill have to hit you up for that some day soon. I might be able to convince some others to come along.

PacMan · 09-02-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagomako

Nice! Ill have to hit you up for that some day soon. I might be able to convince some others to come along.

Well, let's pick a date and get it done. A Saturday in October would be best for me. My September weekends are all booked up

Evil Chocula · 09-02-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagomako

09-01-2007, 09:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
dstepper Over the Hill	Good stuff but riding when it is that hot out takes the fun out for me. __________________ If I'm not lost or getting bushwacked, the trail was too easy. Prescott Valley Houses The Path

09-02-2007, 05:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
CC V.P. Kickstand Inspection	Hey Gene just got a chance to read your post...Great RR and love the pix. That ride sounds like a blast, did you say it was abut a 30mile ride? Would you consider this a easy or moderate ride. Is it too much for a noobie ride? Sounds like a good ride maybe through it up when the weather cools a bit and I'll definitely be up for it. Great job out thar representing STR class all the way. ~ cc __________________ "To travel by bicycle is a humble, nonagressive way to get close to people. It is a way of saying we are passing through with no thought of invasion or conquest, only the simple will to share a part of the road...Claude Herve, cycled around the world

09-02-2007, 07:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dagomako Dont tell me what to do!!	Im still somewhat of a noob but can handle myself very well, and ever since i came across Noble on Geoladders i have wanted to ride it. But I think you right about the climbs Gene... but someday soon, i will ride NOBLE!!! the only difficult part would be finding someone that would ride it some what at a novice pace. __________________ Pass the wire cutters holmes!!

09-01-2007, 10:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
bjammin STR Veteran	Glad you had fun. We'll have to hook up for a Tour de Noble one of these days.

09-02-2007, 05:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
RacinJason STR Veteran	What drama? While we got ready, I noticed several riders getting ready to roll as well. I recognized one of the riders as a member of 3f, Dave something or other, recognized me as well and asked me what I knew about the drama between 3FBC and STR. We talked for a few and had a few laughs about it and agreed that it may have been blown out of proportion. They also offered us to join them on their ride, but we graciously bowed out and went on our own. Seemed like nice guys.

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