RR: Strawberry Peak (The Dino Brown Ride)

[Dino Brown]

Strawberry Peak- Saturday, June 30, 2007 an interesting day to say the least.....

Before I continue, MAXIMUM RESPECT to Pain Freak for setting up the ride. Thanks to everyone who showed up for the ride. A second thanks to the people we met along the way. I truly enjoyed myself.

The Strawberry Peak to Switzer Loop gave me everything I could ask for--- climbing, technical riding, TONS of exposure (i.e. cliffs), steeps, rock gardens, sand, mountain riding, switch backs, more climbs, drops, etc. etc. etc.

An unexpected surprise-- mini jumps. Whether it was a small rock or the natural terrain, I must have been airborne 30 times during (a) 5 minute “section” of riding!

While we all “showed up” early, (for some reason) we started “pedaling” later than we should have. Yes, it was hot.

This is NOT a beginner ride. If you are afraid of heights, it’s not for you. If you are not a fan of moderate level climbs, it is not for you. If technical riding is not your thing, it may not be for you. For everyone else, Strawberry Peak must be ridden!

Memorable moments... Next post!!

A race to the top... Turner finished second!

Scott... Followed by the beautifull CC

Gurp in the lead... Followed by Vic.... Some FREAK on a Turner bringing up the rear

A smiling CC glad to have reached the peak. Scott (white Turner 6 Pack) not far behind.

Enjoying some much needed shade

Steppie snapped his frame. Let's form a search party.

Could have taken the same picture at 100 points during the ride.

A fallen tree. One misstep and.... it's not good!!

The BADDEST bike in all the land!!! I couldn't resist...

[tkblazer]

nice pics dino, i really do love that ride and have no freakin idea why i haven't been back... any idea how hot does it get out there?

[Dino Brown]

I wouldn't say the temperature itself was as big a problem as much as the reflection related heat (i.e. rocks and white sand). It was a "piercing" heat. Pain Freak loves the hotter rides. I am of the opinion if the temps are 75 or below..... ideal!!! Colder the better!

Sorry for the image sizes and quality. First ever attempt at uploading images. I plan on resizing them and boosting the quality.

Again, thanks to everyone for showing.

A special SHOUT OUT to Scott (StJunkie). It was alot of fun following your BIG airs with my mini airs!!

[CC]

Ahhhh...the memories are flooding back...Good times! Thanks Dino you rock as a trail mate. Thanks go to you and Victor for hanging out with me in the shade for awhile. Pheeew...it was hot


Strawberry Peak...
Saturday's Strawberry Peak ride was my first..and a hella lot of fun. I wasn't familiar with the trail so the climb up was tenative...in other words it was hot and I took a few breaks because I didn't know how much longer I was going to climb. It really wasn't a bad climb. There was a fire road climb up of about 3 miles, (correct me if I'm wrong), then a ST climb. Neither was too bad but the heat did get to me a few times on the way up. I ended up drinking too much water and getting a tummy ache.

On the other hand...I must say the ride down was a blast! The first down hill section was mostly smooth with a few rollers. Just enough to get a little air. Then down to Red Box were we took a short break before heading to Switzer. This section of down hill was looser and more rocks and bolders. Nothing too techinical but I did get off the bike a few times just to get over bolders.
Note to self work on getting over bolders and cleaning the switchbacks! You guys rock!

Thanks everyone, espcially to Dino for letting me ride the "horse" and to Scott for offering to take over Dino's promise to push. LOL

I'm ready to do it again, as long as it's not over 100d

Hope you enjoy the pix.

stjunky - self proclaimed dork face ~ in an interview he said he doesn't understand it, but the ladies love it. Hmmm, naw I just don't see it jk
Scott.jpg

Pain Freak was envious of the other group of riders ahead of us, he said they were more in his age group. I think he wanted to be the leader of the Over the Hill gang Seriously we never saw them again, except that one rider that lost his group. He followed us down from Red Box (he missed the trail head there)
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Here's Dino watching Dean help the ladies over the fallen tree. You should have heard Dino, he just doesn't get it...What's he got that I don't have (that big budda belly, it's so non-threatening)
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Scott in the smoking section
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My only action shot...Glen you were almost a blur...
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The Iron Horse himself ~ Actually Dino was the only one that did the extra credit. He went back to help Dean and caught back up with the rest of the group. Niiiiice job!
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[genusmtbkr5]

Thanks for the RR and pics. I have to get up there soon, well maybe when it get cooler. I rode San Clemente on Sat morning and then attended a BBQ that afternoon. Not a bad way to spend my Sat, but still wish I could've made this ride. looks like alot of fun.

[Dino Brown]

A few of the MANY memorable moments..
1) DEAN SNAPPING HIS TURNER FRAME!!!

* While waiting at a regroup point, I decided to walk down the fire road and push CC up the remaining 200 feet. A few minutes later DEAN was pedaling up the same final section. I decide to push him too. The second I did, he STOPPED pedaling!!!! It felt like I was pushing a tank through mud. If he is 220, I am a Gandhi! Never again!

* We came across a fallen tree on the trail. A death drop to the left. For the second time, I tried to help Dean. He lifted his bike over the fallen tree. I placed it along side the trail and returned to my bike that was about 200 feet away. When I turned around, Dean was “helping” two very attractive female trail runners over the same tree. “Oh, thank you... thank you..... your so nice... what a gentleman.” What can I say, the ladies love him.

*Ten minutes later, CC informed the group that Dean’s bike was in bad shape! I decided to go back for him- Geez, MORE cliffs, climbing, rocks, hike-a-bike etc. I kept asking the trail runners (all preparing for a 50 mile race) if they had seen a guy with a broken bike frame. The guys said “he is about 5, 7, 10 minutes away. When I asked the women if they had seen Dean, “...that Man was walking his bike. “Dean” is walking his bike... “Dean” is not too far ahead..... something wrong?” My response: he snapped his frame. .....”Oh my God, is he OK? Did “Dean” hurt himself?” WTF? The ladies love that guy!

* Still can’t get over the amount of cliffs and drops we had to worry about. I say that EVERY time I ride/hike The San Gabriel’s though.

*The heat! Enough said!


* While riding the fastest/ most dangerous 10 minute section of the entire ride, I could not figure out why my bike was handling so poorly. My fork was locked out!!! Not a section I would recommend locking the fork out!

Can't wait to go back!

[tkblazer]

dean is the true Ladies Man.... Leon Phelps ain't got nothin' on Tha Step.

[Pain Freak]

I only hang out with him for I can get his cast offs!

[CC]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

I only hang out with him for I can get his cast offs!

Sorry Pain...You know he has a back up for just that reason. He was on the trail the very next day with Lynn and I. At this point in his life I don't think he even willing to let go of any "cast offs" as you put it.

The minute his frame broke he was on the phone with the Path ordering a rebuild. Can you believe they open the store just for him, on a Sunday. The man has got some reputation.

I'm not sure what it is. I think it's that big budda belly. It must be hypnotic or something.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by cyclecc

Sorry Pain...You know he has a back up for just that reason. He was on the trail the very next day with Lynn and I. At this point in his life I don't think he even willing to let go of any "cast offs" as you put it.

The minute his frame broke he was on the phone with the Path ordering a rebuild. Can you believe they open the store just for him, on a Sunday. The man has got some reputation.

I'm not sure what it is. I think it's that big budda belly. It must be hypnotic or something.

I saw him at the path as they were putting the final touches on his new baby and I have to say that she is SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEET.. Of course you know me and RIP9's

[CC]

In case you already read my earlier post. I added some very appropriate comments to some of the pix.

Check them out above.

[guero]

is "mr. ironhorse" wearing KONA jersey? thats what im talking bout1

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by guero

is "mr. ironhorse" wearing KONA jersey? thats what im talking bout1

Hell Yeah I am wearing a Kona jersey.

...Page 4 section 2 of the Iron Horse manual states, "thou shalt represent any bike brand deemed hardcore, renegade, rogue, underground, pimp, gangster, thug- AS THY OWN!"

That's EXACTLY what I was doing!

[Epic_Mtn_Biker]

Nice RR's. thanx for sharing !!

[CeeDubb]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

The BADDEST bike in all the land!!! I couldn't resist...

Where?