RR: Tijeras Creek Tuesdays #4

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Today's ride was my second ride back after a big crash week so we took it at a pretty easy pace. We met at Ladera Taco Mesa with plans to eat after the ride. After the usual late start because there were several Trail Angels on the ride we rolled out about 25 minutes late. Present were Singletrack Angel (Kristine), KPeony (Karen), Dirthead (Art), GrannyRing (Peter), Elaine G., Carbon Carrie H., Blake H., Renee and yours truly.

We entered the Ladera multi-use trail heading south and starting climbing up to the "Three Lookouts." The pain I was feeling in the muscle in my hip fairly quickly dissipated so I was feeling pretty good. Everyone did real good considering these hills are pretty steep. The weather was sunny and getting warm- a big change from the weekend. The rain had done good things to the trail and it was firm in most areas and minimal ruts.

After re-grouping at the 3rd lookout we dropped into Trabuco Creek which was a blast. After reaching the 5 Freeway at the 73 Toll Road we doubled back and headed up canyon. After passing the golf course we entered what I call "The 2nd Jungle" singletrack which follows Trabuco Creek on the west side of the Arroyo. Many of the riders had never been this way before, so they were really enjoying themselves.

Midway into this section we came across an area that had recently burned. Hopefully this area recovered quickly once we get some real rain.

We continued up past the Crown Valley bridge and then crossed over the creek about halfway between Oso and Crown Valley bridges. This area had become very overgrown with bamboo in the last few months and some bushwhacking was in order. Then we continued up the dirt road to Oso where we climbed out.

Then we dropped Waterworks where we had a couple crashes but none as damaging as mine the previous week. I stopped to examine my carnage spot and tried to figure out how this innocuous looking turn had caused me so much injury.

From there we continued back south along the dirt road and then climbed out at Crown Valley back to the cars. Our mileage was 12.4 with 1283' of climbing. The route can be seen here:

Hidden Singletracks of Lower Arroyo Trabuco v2

After we finished all of us, except Art who had to take off, had a nice lunch and chat at Taco Mesa. Another awesome Tijeras Creek Tuesdays ride. Thanks all!

KeepsWhatHappens

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Getting ready to roll.

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Peter and the group head out.

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Hammering up the ridge.

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Peter and Blake out front.

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This section was really steep. Can you tell?

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Congratulations are in order at the top.

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Art.
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Kristine.
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Kristine, Renee, and Peter set to head down to the 3rd lookout.
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Group shot.
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Karen and Elaine admiring the bikes.

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Art and Peter estimate the costs of the bikes on the rack.

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Rolling into the 2nd Jungle.

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Blake says no to fennel seeds.

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Carrie trying fennel seeds.

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Art crossing a small creek.

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Elaine crossing a small creek.


..to be continued...

[KeepsWhatHappens]

...continued from before...

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Carrie crossing the creek.

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Kristine crossing the creek.

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Re-group.

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Kristine crossing.

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Art getting ready to cross.

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Yours truly crossing an overgrown, unrideable section of Trabuco Creek.

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Renee bushwhacking.

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Carrie bushwhacking.

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Karen and Elaine.

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Kristine.

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Carbon Carrie.

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Heading back down Trabuco Creek Road back to the cars.

That's all folks!

KeepsWhatHappens

[foofighter]

i always look forward to this RR because it just makes me wish i was still a 1099 consultant...look forward to more pics.

[Singletrack Angel]

Thanks to all the guys and gals on the ride today!

It was a little more vigorous than the promised "recovery" ride... but a total blast. Next week the Trail Angels get a call time a half hour earlier than the STR time! (FYI, most Trail Angels were on time...).

I finally cleaned the new Waterworks switchback (the rain must have helped the trail) and did some personal bests on the climbs. Good day!

[Pho'dUp]

Nice RR. Now I need to figure out a way to ride during the daytime M-F.

[KeepsWhatHappens]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Nice RR. Now I need to figure out a way to ride during the daytime M-F.

You might have to get "sick." Hope you can make one of the rides sometime.

KeepsWhatHappens

Originally Posted by foofighter

i always look forward to this RR because it just makes me wish i was still a 1099 consultant...look forward to more pics.

Nice to think you can live vicariously through our week day rides. Of course you could always "come down with something" and join us.

KeepsWhatHappens

[genusmtbkr5]

Nice RR John. The pics always great. I'll try and make it out next Tues if the workload is light Mon night.