San Sevaine (Sapphire side)

[dstepper]

San Sevaine Mountain seems like it should be in the San Gabriel National Forest but it is in San Bernardino National Forest. It the smaller peak in front on Ontario and Cucamonga Peaks. The road we took is called the Cucamonga Truck Road (1N34) it is not a truck road anymore. Some motorcycle traffic but at this time they can not go the 24 miles across to Lytle Creek...trees down across trail. Although this is a fireroad it has degraded into mostly singletrack.

For the hucksters out there are some jumps and doubles down on the bottom just inside the Gate.

I normally would not be attracted to this ride but because of the cold and the snow factor decided to go with Mr. P. Freak. I was feeling way strong for the first mile and a half, staying in the middle ring feeling strong. Then Mike stopped, we wondered how much we had climbed. At that point I realized that I had been in granny gear from the gate. I looked at my GPS and it said we had climbed a little over 1100 ft in the first mile and a half. It was good because most of the climbing was in the beginning and mostly on pavement, if that rate of climbing would have continued, I would not have lasted very long. We agreed that we would ride until we got to any steep snow covered downhills then turn back. After pedaling for 3 plus hours and climbing 3709 ft, half of it in the snow, we turned around. I enjoyed this ride a lot, even thought the elevation was not that much 5,300 ft where we turned around it felt remote and much higher.

On the downhill Mike screamed off like he likes to do and I had one of the worse crash ever. It was after the snow and on a fast decline with those rather large chucks of shale everywhere. One of those if you have a good downhill bike it is easier to just slam though them then to try to go around them. My 5-Spot with all coil suspension loves this stuff and the faster I go the smoother the bike handles the chunks. Well I eat it hard going well over 20 miles per hour. My front tube gave out…instant running on the rim, sending me skidding down the trail on my head and side. If I were not dressed in muti-layers for the cold I would have met the same fate CC had on her Sunset mishap. No carnage pics of me, only a couple of scratches on my left leg. Mike took pictures of my helmet; it saved me big time today. I remember sliding down the trail, it felt like nothing was touching the trail except my helmet, I was purposely using my helmet for protection, thinking, “I hope my helmet stays on”.

Anyway I am blessed that nothing serious happened and big thanks to Mike for suggesting this ride. Glen you suck.

[FONT=Times New Roman]Dean[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]Thanks for the pics Mike.[/FONT]

[tkblazer]

holy crap that helmet is f'ed! glad you're ok dood, sounds like a nasty crash.. i was admiring the snow on the peaks of the mountains when i was in fontana and i'm guessing you guys were up in those mountains?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

holy crap that helmet is f'ed! glad you're ok dood, sounds like a nasty crash.. i was admiring the snow on the peaks of the mountains when i was in fontana and i'm guessing you guys were up in those mountains?

Yep that was us up there, we were looking right down on you guys.

[gurp13]

I suck? No, I'm sick! I'm so bummed I didn't go with you guys. It's a tough ride, but fun. i like climbing so I enjoy the challenge this ride presents. I think it has some great views, too. And, because this ride is in my backyard, I have fondness for it.

When are going back? I'll try not to be sick next time.

[dstepper]

[quote=gurp13;46027]I suck? No, I'm sick! quote]

Sorry, typing error just one letter off, give me a break.

If there is snow on it I will ride it again. Me likes snow riding. The snow was very ridable today, only in a couple of spots did it feel like a chore to get though. I think this trail is easier to ride with a thin coating of snow. It freezes the normaly loose rocks together and makes a smoother ride. Even the soil was crunchy and hard, not icey.

[gurp13]

Well, it gets snow, like, what, once every ten years or so. See you soon.

[the beekeeper]

Mike-
I can't believe you did San Sevaine again. I still have nightmares of precariously balenced 8,000 pound rocks from last time.

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by the beekeeper

Mike-
I can't believe you did San Sevaine again. I still have nightmares of precariously balenced 8,000 pound rocks from last time.

Well in my defense we only went up the Sapphire side and we only did about 25% of the trail. We would of continued on for a while if the snow wasn't becoming such a hinderance, but I had no intentions of going past the campground. Yes, this trail still makes me call my mommy.

[Tom Cosgrove]

Damn, good thing for helments, hope your ok Dean.

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Saved his noggin

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Good to hear you are ok Dean.