Rescheduled Santa Ana River Trail - July 8

[Pain Freak]

Thanks for the update. Sounds similar to last week as we thought we were going to get rain, but just got a lot of thunder, or was that STJunkie and gas again? Looks like our group will be pushing twenty so I'm taking the ss.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Thanks for the update guys. Hope our ride is as fun as yours.

[gurp13]

Well, as an intermediate rider, I'd like to give my ride report. First off, I think the SART is a great trail. I really enjoyed riding it and would do it again. I look forward to being stronger next time to ride more of it.





The SART offers amazing views. First, you're cruising through trees, mostly California Oak, and then redwoods. Then, suddenly, the whole sky opens up and you're presented with these awesome vistas of hill and dale. Stunning. I think I actually caught my breath at one point.






The trail is kinda deceptive. The climbing is not killer by any stretch. But, what gets you is the technical quality of the trail. I think something many of us take for granted is that mountain biking, as opposed to road cycling, takes a great deal of attention. The more technical a trail is, the more attention you must pay. And, I think that as you get to be a better rider, the less technical a trail feels.

I would say that this trail is not as technical as, say, the Cannell trail (Plunge) or Strawberry Peak, but it has it's moments. I walked several times over a couple of rocky sections. And, a few of the climbs have some rocks. Now, I'm not griping or complaining, just observing. It's one thing to go uphill. It's another to go uphill over obstacles, er, "trail features." It just wears you down because you need extra momentum to get over or even around the rocks and such.





And, attention takes energy, too. Which is why, when we got to the South Fork campground and the word "bailout" was bandied about, I perked up. I'd already ridden 17 miles. That's respectable ride for me. The idea of riding that trail backwards seemed like it would just tax me to my limit. I knew that, even though a lot of the trail is downhill going back, I'd still have to pay attention and navigate the rocks and exposure. So, discretion being the better part of valor, I chose to ride the road back. As we also caught the thunderstorm, it was quite exciting to zip down Hwy 38 at 20+ mph with the rain falling and drenching us and cars roaring past. It felt extreme to go from the heat and humidity of the forest to the cold and wind of the highway. I had to keep pedaling on the downhills to keep my muscles warm.

But, I learned my lesson from Kernville. When they say, "bailout," I should listen. We got back to cars and got to relax, eat a sandwhich and burrito, drink Gatorade, and think about the ride. Good times.




This is a fun trail and very beautiful.

[SScheetz]

Great ride! Cathy – you spanked the boys! Even with an injured knee. Way to go girl!

You’re all a great group to ride with. Lot’s of fun, however, I was expecting more lycra jokes.

My ride ended with bit of adventure. Being on a time crunch I decided to climb up Glass Road to 38. This ended up costing me far more time sticking to the trail. The climb is a steady ascent for about 3 miles. A nice rain began, that was cool, I like riding in the rain. I was thinking, “what a perfect day, good company, new friends, good lycra jokes (I didn’t hear them), life is good”.

Once I hit Hwy 38 the clouds opened up a big can of whoop-ass. I was right in the middle of an enormous thunder storm. Soaked from head to toe I ducked into a grove of trees and shivered for a good 30 minutes stuck in a freaking monsoon. I then said "screw it" and made several attempts to ride in the storm, but pounding sheets of rain forced me to stop several times.

Once I got near Angeles Oaks the rain was gone and the air was warm again. Riding back down to Loch Leven was like facing a blow drier. You know that feeling when you’re your freezing and then you step into the warm sun? Yeah, life was good once again.

When I got back to my truck the temperature was 101. I could only feel the heat on my skin, my core was still cold. The news last night actually reported the storm. It rained 3 inches in half an hour.

I’m glad to hear all went well for the rest of the group. Sorry I had to bail and miss out on all the fun descending. I’m glad to hear everyone had a good time.

Cheers

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by SScheetz

The news last night actually reported the storm. It rained 3 inches in half an hour.
Cheers

I think we got lucky, as it never rained very hard on us. At the time, it was a little strange because the ground was totally soaked, but the only rain we had experienced was only a light drizzle.

[CC]

I finally made this ride...and I'm so glad I did. Thank you to everyone who came and made this a memerable ride. Thom and Justin did a great job bringing up the rear thanks guys....and Jose you too, thanks for check'n up on the girl and for taking most of the pix posted on the link below (and lending me the sunglasses). It was nice to meet everyone and I hope that you'll be up for more riding in the near future. Oh yah good seeing you again Nam, and thanks Mark for the kind remarks, but all you guys were kickin' a$$!

It was a perfect day as far as I was concerned. For me, the ride up to Barton Flats was challenging, Glen described it perfetly. Not all at once type of challenging but a continous challenge of up and down technical trail. I am looking forward to doing it again.

BTW: knees ok, hurt like heck when it happened. I thought I just hit my funny bone because my knee just slammed into the frame or front shock, then I looked down and blood started spewing out....looks worse with all the blood though. Thanks Gurp for playing medic.


Here's a link to the rest of the photos...enjoy
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cyclec...lecc/my_photos

[Skeeter]

Gurp(i think) you must be a fast runner to keep up with all those guys on bikes

[ShinKen]

Just wanted to post a quick comment!! That freaking ride did not feel freaking 8 hours +!! WHOAHH!! we was riding a good pace.. does anyone have the riding time?

Cc and gurPo u guys totally KICKED BUTT out there!! this ride sure was a challange!

Thanks to the rest of the cool cats that made it. I had a great time. We gotzz to ride again foo sure!!

[dirttorpeedo]

[quote=SScheetz]Great ride! Cathy – you spanked the boys! Even with an injured knee. Way to go girl!

You’re all a great group to ride with. Lot’s of fun, however, I was expecting more lycra jokes.
sausage casing.....hahahaha...weasle sqweezers....hahahaha.......

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by RSMLA

Gurp(i think) you must be a fast runner to keep up with all those guys on bikes

Oh, I didn't run. I just used my bike painted in camo colors. Works good, huh?