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ThinkFast · 07-02-2007, 09:03 PM

Does anyone know what kind of condition Bell Ridge is in? I remember everyone doing a big group ride on this trail a couple months back. I was also wondering about armor on this ride, is it needed? Would arm and leg warmers be enough protection from the brush? Thanks.

asian fury · 07-02-2007, 09:11 PM

this is a brutal ride with not much shade. it took me over 4 hours to go up horsetheif across main divide down bell. i was wasted and the temperatures were pretty mild back in feb. unless you're one of those freaks of nature who loves the heat or is in tremendous shape, i'd wait until it cools down.

mazer75 · 07-02-2007, 09:25 PM

Hey Fury, I think I'm ready for this ride!

(j/k, I still can't do the entire Loop without stopping at least once or twice... )

CalEpic · 07-03-2007, 06:13 AM

I don't think I'd do this ride at this time of year due to the heat but that's just me. There is some serious hike-a-bike. As for armor, there are a few tech sections where I wouldn't feel too comfortable without. (I still ended up with a dislocated finger and stitches in my ear)

Can't help with the trail conditions.

Dirty D · 07-03-2007, 06:23 AM

If you were to go to the top of the Divide where you enter Bell early enough you'd be in good shape. Maybe get a shuttle to the top or something and then drop down Bell to avoid the summer temps. Knee or shin armor will come in handy with all the low lying brush but overall the trail was in fantastic shape in January on the Push A Kona ride.

One of my faves for sure. I can't wait to get back, and try to get a full clean on Can't See Bottom.

D

[SIZE=1]Pic by the Fergus[/SIZE]

Geronimo · 07-03-2007, 11:04 AM

I did the loop starting from Albertson's parking lot about 8 weeks ago. Trail was in great shape. Temps hit about 90 that day and it was brutal. I would definetly start at the trabuco trailhead to beat the heat while on the ridge. Shuttling back to the trailhead would be a good idea as well. It's one of my favorite loops now and am looking forward to going again when it cools down. BEWARE: lots of poison oak on trabuco.

genusmtbkr5 · 07-03-2007, 01:54 PM

Troy, I'd bring armor if you have it. WS did that ride back in April and lots of the riders came back with cuts, scratches, and skin missing. I missed it due to work , but at the BBQ later that day, they said the conditions were starting to get dry and loose and since we've had no rain, it safe to say it hasn't gotten better. It'll be a hot hike-a-bike up Trabuco or WHT.

OMR · 07-03-2007, 02:26 PM

I did this several times earlier this year with WS in April & May... and May was hot enough! I would really advise waiting until the weather cools a bit unless you happen to like death marches... but, if you end up doing it, take plenty of water... no, make that PLENTY of water as pointed out previously, there's very ittle shade. The trail itself is really getting loose in spots... WE NEED RAIN! Take protection as Gene pointed out there plenty of poison oak to go around on some of the sections.

Also: Be extra careful as you are way away from any help .... tell people where you are going and when to expect you back.

OMR

ThinkFast · 07-03-2007, 03:24 PM

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the concern about the weather but I think we'll be OK. Typically we're out around 4-6 hrs every Saturday and everytime we're on a bike that long it's a tough day. We'll be starting early so that should help.

Thanks for the heads up about protection.

Pain Freak · 07-03-2007, 05:58 PM

Hey if you don't mind I'd like to tag along for this one. The heat doesn't bother me that much and I do like this ride. what day did you have in mind?

ThinkFast · 07-03-2007, 06:28 PM

We're doing this tomorrow, July 4th. I PMed you my phone number. Lemme know.

Schecky · 07-03-2007, 08:41 PM

I understand your desire for an epic but I think you should listen to the veterans.

Bell canyon was 91 today.
Fremont canyon was 96.
It's going to be a mighty hot one.

Winger · 07-04-2007, 03:22 PM

The trail kicked our asses today. I went through my 100oz + 24oz with 5 miles to go. No protection needed or used as I wasn't too proud to walk. Very challenging ride & would be fun to do every once in a while. Definitely wait until cooler temps to do it. Also make sure to take a few tubes. We had 3 flats out of 5 of us and we rarely get even 1 flat.

ThinkFast · 07-04-2007, 06:26 PM

Happy B-Day Winger.

Yes, very tough trail. I had leg armor but ended up not wearing it because it was too hot and I wasn't riding any of the really tough areas anyway. I think only one person even drew blood the whole day. Glad we did this but even with as much riding as we are getting in it still took a lot out of us, especially for only being a 20 mile loop.

The advice to wait till the weather cools was great advice and I'd suggest the same. The hike-a-bike sections were numerous and the heat made them even tougher.

I'd prefer to do it again after some rain since the trail is very loose.

Here's a few pics.

Mark climbing Trabuco

One of the many hike-a-bike sections that really sucked in the heat.

Winger on one of the tamer descents.

Just one of the many views on this trail.

Pain Freak · 07-04-2007, 06:32 PM

Gawd, I love that trail!

OMR · 07-04-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Gawd, I love that trail!

Whole heartly agree Mike.... but I think I'll wait a few more months before I go back there for another ride!

OMR

Geronimo · 07-04-2007, 07:01 PM

How hot would you say it was out there today?

genusmtbkr5 · 07-04-2007, 08:04 PM

Really glad you guys "survived" the heat let alone the trail. When it gets cooler and with better conditions after some rain later in the year, I'd be more than willing to join you guys on this ride and I'm sure many others will as well.

ThinkFast · 07-04-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geronimo

How hot would you say it was out there today?

It was probably around 90 degrees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Gawd, I love that trail!

Too bad you couldn't join us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

Really glad you guys "survived" the heat let alone the trail. When it gets cooler and with better conditions after some rain later in the year, I'd be more than willing to join you guys on this ride and I'm sure many others will as well.

Ya, we'll have to do it again when the weather cools. I would like to do the trail with full suspension. I'm still riding my hardtail.

Winger · 07-05-2007, 08:08 AM

Thanks for posting the sweet pic. It looks like I'm going straight downhill.

07-02-2007, 09:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
ThinkFast STR Veteran	Bell Ridge Does anyone know what kind of condition Bell Ridge is in? I remember everyone doing a big group ride on this trail a couple months back. I was also wondering about armor on this ride, is it needed? Would arm and leg warmers be enough protection from the brush? Thanks. __________________ "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". - African Proverb ThinkFast's GeoLadders Dashboard

07-02-2007, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
asian fury You give love a bad name	wait until the winter this is a brutal ride with not much shade. it took me over 4 hours to go up horsetheif across main divide down bell. i was wasted and the temperatures were pretty mild back in feb. unless you're one of those freaks of nature who loves the heat or is in tremendous shape, i'd wait until it cools down.

07-03-2007, 06:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
CalEpic STR Moderator	I don't think I'd do this ride at this time of year due to the heat but that's just me. There is some serious hike-a-bike. As for armor, there are a few tech sections where I wouldn't feel too comfortable without. (I still ended up with a dislocated finger and stitches in my ear) Can't help with the trail conditions. __________________ ShinKen: OOhhh helLSS YEsS!~!!! JoeTruth: As far as I'm concerned, I could really care less. Just ride your damn bike and STFU already

07-03-2007, 11:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Geronimo Need......More.....Fiber!	I did the loop starting from Albertson's parking lot about 8 weeks ago. Trail was in great shape. Temps hit about 90 that day and it was brutal. I would definetly start at the trabuco trailhead to beat the heat while on the ridge. Shuttling back to the trailhead would be a good idea as well. It's one of my favorite loops now and am looking forward to going again when it cools down. BEWARE: lots of poison oak on trabuco. __________________ http://www.ronpaul.com/

07-03-2007, 01:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
genusmtbkr5 Single Track Mind	Troy, I'd bring armor if you have it. WS did that ride back in April and lots of the riders came back with cuts, scratches, and skin missing. I missed it due to work , but at the BBQ later that day, they said the conditions were starting to get dry and loose and since we've had no rain, it safe to say it hasn't gotten better. It'll be a hot hike-a-bike up Trabuco or WHT. __________________ Gene"GuidesNewWarriors" *http://www.warriorssociety.org/* *http://www.sharemtb.com/*

07-02-2007, 09:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
mazer75 Rocket Man	Hey Fury, I think I'm ready for this ride! (j/k, I still can't do the entire Loop without stopping at least once or twice... )

07-03-2007, 02:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
OMR	Who's your insurance carrier??? I did this several times earlier this year with WS in April & May... and May was hot enough! I would really advise waiting until the weather cools a bit unless you happen to like death marches... but, if you end up doing it, take plenty of water... no, make that PLENTY of water as pointed out previously, there's very ittle shade. The trail itself is really getting loose in spots... WE NEED RAIN! Take protection as Gene pointed out there plenty of poison oak to go around on some of the sections. Also: Be extra careful as you are way away from any help .... tell people where you are going and when to expect you back. OMR __________________ OMR .... An elder grasshopper of the Tribe The journey is the thing .... ride like it's your last one...

07-03-2007, 03:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
ThinkFast STR Veteran	Thanks for the responses. I appreciate the concern about the weather but I think we'll be OK. Typically we're out around 4-6 hrs every Saturday and everytime we're on a bike that long it's a tough day. We'll be starting early so that should help. Thanks for the heads up about protection. __________________ "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". - African Proverb ThinkFast's GeoLadders Dashboard

07-03-2007, 05:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pain Freak Charlie bit me	Hey if you don't mind I'd like to tag along for this one. The heat doesn't bother me that much and I do like this ride. what day did you have in mind? __________________ If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body—but rather a skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!’ ” —anon.

07-03-2007, 06:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
ThinkFast STR Veteran	We're doing this tomorrow, July 4th. I PMed you my phone number. Lemme know. __________________ "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". - African Proverb ThinkFast's GeoLadders Dashboard

07-03-2007, 08:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Schecky SoCalMTBubbs	I understand your desire for an epic but I think you should listen to the veterans. Bell canyon was 91 today. Fremont canyon was 96. It's going to be a mighty hot one. __________________ tkblazer: it was Steven Jackson that led me to STR... Chewyeti: Sam and I banged it out this morning. LOVE THAT http://www.ventanausa.com/

07-04-2007, 03:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
Winger STR Veteran	The trail kicked our asses today. I went through my 100oz + 24oz with 5 miles to go. No protection needed or used as I wasn't too proud to walk. Very challenging ride & would be fun to do every once in a while. Definitely wait until cooler temps to do it. Also make sure to take a few tubes. We had 3 flats out of 5 of us and we rarely get even 1 flat.

07-04-2007, 06:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
ThinkFast STR Veteran	Happy B-Day Winger. Yes, very tough trail. I had leg armor but ended up not wearing it because it was too hot and I wasn't riding any of the really tough areas anyway. I think only one person even drew blood the whole day. Glad we did this but even with as much riding as we are getting in it still took a lot out of us, especially for only being a 20 mile loop. The advice to wait till the weather cools was great advice and I'd suggest the same. The hike-a-bike sections were numerous and the heat made them even tougher. I'd prefer to do it again after some rain since the trail is very loose. Here's a few pics. Mark climbing Trabuco One of the many hike-a-bike sections that really sucked in the heat. Winger on one of the tamer descents. Just one of the many views on this trail. __________________ "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together". - African Proverb ThinkFast's GeoLadders Dashboard Last edited by ThinkFast; 07-05-2007 at 05:55 AM. Reason: spelling

07-04-2007, 06:32 PM	#15 (permalink)
Pain Freak Charlie bit me	Gawd, I love that trail! __________________ If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests? “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body—but rather a skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!’ ” —anon.

07-04-2007, 07:01 PM	#17 (permalink)
Geronimo Need......More.....Fiber!	How hot would you say it was out there today? __________________ http://www.ronpaul.com/

07-04-2007, 08:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
genusmtbkr5 Single Track Mind	Really glad you guys "survived" the heat let alone the trail. When it gets cooler and with better conditions after some rain later in the year, I'd be more than willing to join you guys on this ride and I'm sure many others will as well. __________________ Gene"GuidesNewWarriors" *http://www.warriorssociety.org/* *http://www.sharemtb.com/*

07-05-2007, 08:08 AM	#20 (permalink)
Winger STR Veteran	Thanks for posting the sweet pic. It looks like I'm going straight downhill.

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