RR: Skyline Shuttle....NOT!

[maxwell]

Well, we all met up at The Path this morning with the intention of shuttleing the Skyline trails in Corona. I'd never been, and every time the guy's come back from one of those rides, I always wished I'd gone along. Since most of the riding that I've been doing lately has been long fireroad rides, (I'm getting ready for this http://www.bendsbigfattour.org/ ) I thought I owed it to myself to get in a little DHing.

After loading up all nine riders, we left Tustin and made the 35 minute drive to the trailhead. We get there and the gate was LOCKED!



Now what?

I say, "let's just ride up and do a run".

Most of the guy's were on dedicated DH bikes,( of course I had my trusty STINKY ) so the major response to that idea was no thank you!

Joel's truck loaded with plenty of FUN!


After a few phone calls were made, and some ideas were thrown around, I decided that I was going to go ahead and ride up Skyline, down Blackstar, and ride Santiago Canyon Rd. back to Tustin. Well, since Chivo (riding a Kona Dawg Supreme) is comming along to Oregon with me he said; "yeah man, I'm in". Martin, who'd come along with us at the last minute had his Kona Kikapu said he was into it too.

SWEET!

And just as we were ready to start the climb a couple of guy's dressed in hunting camo, pulled up to the gate, with a key, and unlocked it!

The three of us decided to still go for the long ride, and the other's got their shuttle gig on!

The climb up Skyline really wasn't bad at all, and going down Blackstar, was well, going down Blackstar. The road ride back was kinda funny. We didn't break any speed limits,(I'm not going to on a 39 lb road bike) and with Martin being the only one with a big chainring, he held the front most of the way back.
The looks on the faces of all of the roadies on Santiago Canyo Rd. was priceless.
I'm not sure of the total distance ridden, and there wasn't any technical DHing involved, but I think it's one ride I won't forget.

On with the pics.......

Here comes the shuttle truck!



and there they go.........



We could see the guy's on their first run.....






Our three Konas at Beek's Place. A 4" travel Kikapu, a 5" travel Dawg, and my 7" travel Stinky.


Santiago Canyon Road...


Tustin dirt bike path.....


We made back to The Path!


I guess maybe next time I'll finally get to ride the Skyline trails!

[allison]

haha! Sounds like you guys had a great ride anyway. Love the 3 bike photo

[stolidog]

Was the guy in Camo a Bow Hunter?

I have one of those keys.

Gov. Issue.

[Pain Freak]

Darin, that's my friday night ride. I have a friend with a key. There's some good side action up there too. They've been locking the gate for the last 3 or 4 weeks. My friend said because of the fire danger warnings. There is a way around the gate too, but you need a 4wd and can't be concerned with getting some scratches on your paint.

[denmother]

How funny, I have a key. Paid $100 deposit for it several years ago and then never had to use it because they quit locking the gate. I guess I won't return it after all.