Turkey Ride: Thursday; November 24th

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Who: all XC Mountain Bikers

What:
Unofficial "Annual Turkey Ride"
2 options: 33 mile full loop (tons of climbing)
or
16 mile shuttle ride
**** both include: A LONG 10 MILE DESCENT

Where:
33 miler starts and ends at Oak Mesa Park in La Verne
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp...te=ca&zipcode=
or
16 miler starts the ride up at the top at the Cow Canyon saddle just west of Mount Baldy village on Glendora ridge road & ends at Oak Mesa Park in La Verne.
http://www.socalmtb.com/socal/trails/cowcanyo.htm

When:
Thanksgiving Day: November 24th, 2005
33 miler start: 6:30 am
16 miler start: 9:00 am

MTB Action article from last year:
http://www.mbaction.com/detail.asp?id=1128
***** mileage numbers are a bit skewed on the article


**** this ride is a lot of fun, i highly recommend it to all

[singleSSpeedster]

Armando,

how similar is this to the Labor Day ride you guys did.

i missed that one due to illness.

oh, and what kinda climbing/gain are we talking about here???

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Hey Kam,

The loop that is mentioned above is the same one that was done on Labor Day. Total combined climbing for the loop is between 5500 to 6000 feet easily.

[mingo1]

I did this ride with Armando (Some Incycle Dudes) and it is a great ride. One hell of a climb but one long downhill from the top. Pack plenty of food and water. Temps should be good for this time of year. I will try and make it. Everyone should try this at least once. A ride that you will not forget.

[RidetheRAAM4]

How would this ride be for a beginner rider? is it very technical?

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

the 16 mile ride is most suited for someone that is not so much of a beginner. nothing technical, just a bit of a grind

[mikecsulb]

What time will be done on thursday?

[RidetheRAAM4]

its probably gonna be a 5 hour ride or so...so probably before 12

[Gers77]

We'll try our first turkey ride (16 miler) this year! We'll be riding slow but in a steady pace so pls bear with us if you'll pass-by slow turtles this coming thursday.

Is there a available trail maps/guide on this 16 miler route? ... just in-case we'll be riding alone on this trail. Pls share if you have a "marked" satellite google map on this trail ... it is very helpfull to us first timer.

Thanks!

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Hey Gers77,

don't worry too much about getting lost, there will be tons of bikers out there to guide you if neccessary which i highly doubt you'll need. last year, there was easily over 100 bikers with there being snow on the trail. i expect riders more this year. there is no way to deviate from the trail because it's all fireroad, there will be some moderate climbing and fast descents (over 40 mph) if you let go of the brakes.

the only way to really get hurt on this ride is to just ride like a maniac and allow yourself to go too fast, the descents are best when taken at a nice pace, that way you can enjoy the great view and the ride.

you asked about using google map. try zooming into Claremont then move your way north along Mt Baldy Rd till you hit you See Glendora Ridge Rd, go west to the first junction where you see a trail going north and south. that is the start of the ride for the 16 mile ride. from there you will go south on Trail: NF-2N07 till you climb to get to Sunset Peak Mtwy. there you continue climbing going east on Sunset Peak Mtwy ( this fireroad will venture south then west and then south again to the trailhead). at the end you'll be at the top of a community in La Verne on Mountain Springs Ranch Road. there you will continue south to the community gate at the junction of: Golden Hills Rd and Wheeler Ave.. go south on Wheeler to Oak Mesa Park (5400 Wheeler Ave, La Verne) there is where you should leave your other car. ** you may use either the MAP or Hybrid on features on Google map to best show you the path

Anymore questions, feel free to PM, E-mail or IM

[ShinKen]

I see snow on somm of them pics. Do we need to wear jackets and stuff? I only been riding for a good 3 years so how crazy and heavy are these climbs? Is this ride as hard as Carbon Canyon? lol I know Carbon is not Heavy duty climb to many but I just want to get a feeling about the type of climbs. Is the 30 + ride too heavy for sommone like me? I have a 34 pound bike that can get a little heavy somm times. thnks for the info.

[ShinKen]

somm of my friends that are not members of this site want to try out the 16 miler but they have a question

If I'm to do the shuttle, where is the first meet spot??? It looks like we meet at Oak Mesa Park first to hammer out the shuttle rides and leave the return vehicles here... Correct?

I need to know this if I'm to pass this along to folks. .



on another note for my self where do we really meet for the 30+ loop?

[RidetheRAAM4]

starts and ends at the oak mesa park in la verne

[Gers77]

Originally Posted by Epic_Mtn_Biker

Hey Gers77,
Anymore questions, *feel free to PM, E-mail or IM

Thanks Epic. More questions. Pls check your PM or email.

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

the 33 mile ride starts & ends at Oak Mesa Park in La Verne.

the 16 mile shuttle ride: you drop your car(s) off at Oak Mesa Park and Shuttle to Cow Canyon Saddle (just west of Mount Baldy Village)
From Oak Mesa Park:
1. drive south on Wheeler
2. east on Baseline Rd
3. north on Padua Ave.
4. northeast on Mt Baldy Rd (goes up to Mount Baldy Village, you may also see bikers climbing the road)
5.west on Glendora Ridge Rd (1st street on left as you begin entering Mt Baldy Village)
6. park at Cow Canyon Saddle (guys doing the 33 miler should be arriving there during that time or earlier)


********Also, Be aware that you'll be climbing for 21 miles if you do the 33 miler. this is not easy. the climb is only for those that love the challenge of climbing long distances, 17 of which will be on road.

********the weather should be cool. a light windbreaker, or long sleeve should be enough to be you by. the first 3 miles of dirt are in shade and at elevation so be prepared for a slight chill. the other 13 miles of dirt are on the other side of the ridge facing the sun.

[ShinKen]

Thank You sooo much for the info. I will cya all there. I'm prob the only one here w/a Jamis Bike ;o)

Jose, are you shuttling this?

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by DINO

Jose, are you shuttling this?

Yep!! I have a few others going too (well thats if they don't party too hard the night before lmao)

[RidetheRAAM4]

forget the shuttle..DO THE LOOP!

I am typically down to ride full loops and have never shuttled, but 17 miles of climbing on asphalt on a mt. bike isn't appealing to me.

Jose, I'll shoot you a PM with my number, I might be interested in the shuttle. I have a truck, so we can haul some bikes in my truck if needed.