Traverse Dry Run

[genusmtbkr5]

I'm trying to put a training ride together on June 2 to train for the Traverse. Meeting at the Trabuco Canyon Rd(VQ/CC finish area) at 7am. We can leave a car @ Live Oak, 1 @ Maple Springs and @ Black Star, depending on how many riders we have. So far there are 4 of us. PM me if you want to join.

[OMR]

Gene, Let me know what your ride schedule is for the MD weekend... I may join you.

OMR

[genusmtbkr5]

I don't have any rides planned yet for MD weekend. I just got an email from Mary Huth. I've scheduled the training ride for the 2nd which is 1 week before the event because everyone has plans out of town. Hopefully, we'll have enough recovery time as long as we don't ride hard the rest of the week. Times are still pending the amount of riders and which route they will take down. If you have something in mind, let me know. Gene

[genusmtbkr5]

I set a time of 7am and meeting at Live Oak and Trabuco Canyon Rd. The weather is suppose to be partly cloudy and in the mid 70's on Sat. So plan on it being about high 80's, mid 90's up on the Main Divide.

[Keith B]

I might well be in for this but I'll probably meet you guys at Blackstar as I'll be riding back to the car on the street. (Thats the plan anyway!)

[Edog]

I'm planning on riding Blackstar to 4 corners, maybe Holy Jim. I'll be leaving soon after 6. Say hi when you come by I'll be on the Trek going SLOW. My goal is to hit the corners in under 5 hours, then go for the cut off time at Holy Jim. I don't want to push myself over the edge a week before the ride

[m210]

i think blackstar - motorway will be a common plan. what is the eta the group will be arriving/riding through to the start of blackstar?

[Edog]

I think it's diffinatly worth pre riding top of motorway to the 4 corners, I have a feeling that this is going to be the dark horse of the ride. I've ridden this the oppersite direction plently of times, & I remember there being alot of downhill & plenty of loose gravel!!

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Edog

I think it's diffinatly worth pre riding top of motorway to the 4 corners, I have a feeling that this is going to be the dark horse of the ride. I've ridden this the oppersite direction plently of times, & I remember there being alot of downhill & plenty of loose gravel!!

I totally agree with that section being the dark horse. That long downhill before tthe last climb to the MW coming from 4 cornersis now a long climb!

Originally Posted by m210

i think blackstar - motorway will be a common plan. what is the eta the group will be arriving/riding through to the start of blackstar?

I just confirmed time with the person I'm training with. We will meet at Live Oak/Trabuco at 7am. We will then drive to Black Star. I would like to get started By 7:30-7:45. I would've like to start ealier, but the time is set.

[mp3]

I'll be out there riding but I'm hoping to start at 6, but 7 is the backup plan.

[ThinkFast]

Originally Posted by Edog

I think it's diffinatly worth pre riding top of motorway to the 4 corners, I have a feeling that this is going to be the dark horse of the ride. I've ridden this the oppersite direction plently of times, & I remember there being alot of downhill & plenty of loose gravel!!

I've ridden this section 3 times in the last month. I think the section from Motorway to 4 corners should be called the "Pain Divide". The sun just beats down on you on that section. There's one loose steep climb that is especially tough. Plus, I broke my frame on this section a couple weeks ago. Ya, it's the "Pain Divide".

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by ThinkFast

I've ridden this section 3 times in the last month. I think the section from Motorway to 4 corners should be called the "Pain Divide". The sun just beats down on you on that section. There's one loose steep climb that is especially tough. Plus, I broke my frame on this section a couple weeks ago. Ya, it's the "Pain Divide".

Ya that section is the wild card for sure. You riding in the Traverse next week?

[ThinkFast]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Ya that section is the wild card for sure. You riding in the Traverse next week?

Hi Gene, Ya, I'm gonna suffer through it. Hopefully it's not too hot. Are you gonna be rolling the new wheels you won?

[cH4os]

Im starting at 6am... call me Steven 714-914-1109 Ill ride or hitch back after a couple beers at cooks. gotta a few others from Geo coming as well....

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by ThinkFast

Hi Gene, Ya, I'm gonna suffer through it. Hopefully it's not too hot. Are you gonna be rolling the new wheels you won?

Ya, I just got home from going to Adrenaline and picking up a spare derailleur hanger for my Rocky Mtn. I'll be at Black Star around 7:30. I'm meeting someone else at Live Oak at 7am. I'll see you on the PAIN DIVIDE!

Originally Posted by cH4os

Im starting at 6am... call me Steven 714-914-1109 Ill ride or hitch back after a couple beers at cooks. gotta a few others from Geo coming as well....

No problem, I know 3 others going to do the ride as well. all have different start times. 1 at 6am, the others at 7 or so. There's alot of us going to be up there. I'll be wearing a mtbr.com jersey

[xhuskr]

I'll be doing the HJ-Trabuco section leaving HJ around 7:30/8:00. Small group just practicing......just hope I can make the cutoff times next Sat! Trying to decide on tires as well........Python or buy a SmallBlock 8 for the back.......thoughts?

[genusmtbkr5]

I almost bought a set of small block 8's at Adrenaline, but I've decide to go with my current set up which is wtb Mutano Raptor in ft and Nano in rear. It's fast but loose. Climb wise, I can climb as long as I don't try to torque/power up steep sections too much. I used it on the Toad and then a couple weeks ago on Indian Truck trail. No problems climbing, but descending is another story.

[genusmtbkr5]

Rode the part of the Traverse course today. We started at Black Star at the Xmas tree lot about 7:45. Saw Carl, Andrew(winger), Matt(hermit on geoladders) and "Waldo". There was 3 in my group(me, Mary & Tim V. and was joined by 1 more Matt about mid way up). We made 1 brief stop just before Beeks. Got to beeks and rode through. Started the climbs past the golf ball and made it to the Motorway in about 2 1/2 hours. We meet up with my friend Rich at the MW. He and Tim went down the MW and Mary and I continued on. This section IS LONG and only really 1 part is where I had trouble with traction. It's just steep and lots of loose rocks. We walked about 15 yards up just through the worst rocky sections(gee which one you ask?) and started riding again. We were able to ride the rest of that climb. We got to 4 corners in just under 4 hours. We ran into some other STR guys Steven, Troy and 2 others(can't remember their names) there. They went on towards the peak, we went down Maple Springs along with Troy, then out on Silverado Canyon Rd back to Black Star were our trucks were.

As far as tires, everytime I tried to power up the steep sections, I spun out. I had a Nano Raptor for my rear and a Mutano Raptor in front. Fast but loose on the down hills. Mary had small block 8's and she spun out on climbs and she also said she was loose on the DH. Tim had Ignitor/Larsen and had the same problems. so there you have it, 3 different tires, same result. Good luck to all next week. I'm going to get some grub and a cold one(several)

[Pain Freak]

Gene I said it before and I'll say it again, a good tire for traction on that kind of route would be the Larsen TT from Maxxis. I like the 2.35 better then the 2.1, but might be a little to slow rolling in that width. Very good tire though. Good Luck and I realize it's probably to late to change now.

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Gene I said it before and I'll say it again, a good tire for traction on that kind of route would be the Larsen TT from Maxxis. I like the 2.35 better then the 2.1, but might be a little to slow rolling in that width. Very good tire though. Good Luck and I realize it's probably to late to change now.

Thanks Mike, I may still change. I'd give up rolling resistance for traction. You can only go so fast on those down hill sections, but climb alot faster if you have the traction and this route has lots of climbing.