The Good, the Bad, the Luge (Updated 01-03-15)

Discussion in 'Trail Conditions' started by dpmod, Dec 14, 2012.

  1. dpmod

    dpmod New Member

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    Hi, want to get a ride in this afternoon there wondering if there are any updates on conditions, I believe these trails do well after it rains but want to make sure before I get out there this afternoon

    thanks
     
  2. ejhorn

    ejhorn Member

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    Let us know if you end up checking it out, thinking about heading up to old camp for a night ride tonight and was wondering the same thing.
     
  3. Pilas

    Pilas Member

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    Please stay off The Luge. It needs a couple of days to dry out. STT should be OK for the most part.
    Other good options are San Juan, Harding, Maple Springs, and Holy Jim/Trabuco.
     
  4. ejhorn

    ejhorn Member

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    Sounds good. I asked since i don't want to F-up that trail with a bunch of ruts. Maple Springs it is.
     
  5. bikerider

    bikerider New Member

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    STT is all rideable during and after a rain. The one short steep climb halfway between the start and the Luge gets muddy but not too bad. The rest of the way up to Old camp handles water well. The luge, as previously stated, gets torn up after rains from those that choose to ride. You'd be ok if you did an out and back to Old Camp. Harding is pretty soft for the first mile and then it's fine.

    Give us a trail report from whereever you choose to ride.
     
  6. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    It's sunny right now, and if it stays that way it'll all be fine (and possibly great!).

    The STT might have a few puddles, but overall dries out quickly. The Luge is mostly a trough and actually benefits from being ridden in damp conditions (I know because I maintain it). Unless it starts drizzling/raining again, go out and have some fun. :)
     
  7. dpmod

    dpmod New Member

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    Rode Santiago Truck Trial to Old Camp and back down thru Luge yesterday afternoon, STT was in good shape just some puddles along the way and a couple of sections near the top which easily could be avoided, Luge was also in good shape except one little muddy section near the bottom; all that being said it did start raining again right near the end of my ride so I don't know how much more it rained there yesterday afternoon/night; and for the poster that said Luge would be fine to ride, Thank You, you know your trail conditions as opposed to others

    thanks
     
  8. b.martin

    b.martin New Member

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    The questionable part of The Luge after a rain is always "will it be fun" not "will I ruin the trail". The couple sections that do get very muddy also stay wet for a while after the rain. The number of people who flock to the luge for riding while the parks are closed will usually smooth out the ruts caused by the guy who rode it right after an inch of rain and put 3" deep tire tracks through those sections that get soft. I stay away for a day or two because I hate cleaning mud from my drivetrain and I prefer traction to a muddy slip and slide. To each his own though...nobody is going to ruin the luge by riding after a rain.
     
  9. Aviatrix

    Aviatrix Active Member

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    Thanks for the report. Am maybe gonna try and do this tomorrow AM.
     
  10. pachaven

    pachaven Member

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    Did a late afternoon ride from Cooks to STT and down Luge. The whole thing is in great shape! Small mud puddles here and there but no big deal. Go ride it!!
     
  11. Fullerton Mike

    Fullerton Mike I LOVE BIKES!

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    That is so awesome that you go out and work on the trail... Thanks for the trail support!
     
  12. Danimal

    Danimal Gary the Cat

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    Kioti does a lot of maintenance on my regular trails.
    Big thanks to Kioti for his work! :bang:
     
  13. ebenke

    ebenke Member

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    Conditions are primo, if you don't mind a little nip in the air and some mist on your shades. The dirt was beautiful on the Luge crazy grip, brakes optional. It's in awesome shape.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (sucks)
     
  14. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    Wow, that sounds fun! Yesterday I decided it'd be easier to grab clean tools instead of cleaning a dirty bike, and did some work on the STT just past the step-over. Eliminated that funky puddle on the blind right-hander and rebuilt the area before that steep climb, getting rid of a puddle and making a descent (reverse direction) through there more fun.
     
  15. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    I saw your handiwork today. I knew it was you - who else? As always, thanks for the loving touch to our trails! It was indeed awesome out there today, even if a bit crowded.
     
  16. ebenke

    ebenke Member

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    Kioti, I should have known you'd been there. Thanks for the TLC. What a great ride STT/Luge is right now.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (sucks)
     
  17. b.martin

    b.martin New Member

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    This is the drivetrain muck I was talking about!

    So after seeing a couple people's reports of how awesome the luge conditions are right now I decided to go for it this afternoon. STT got sloppier and sloppier the closer we got to the top. Managed to stay on the bike almost all the way, then hike a bike for a couple hundred yards to the top of the climb in peanut buttery mud. The descent to the flag was fun and much less slippery than the climb up had been. Took a break at the flag...wondered how many times I would crash on the way down...and went for it. There were some slippery sections for sure, but nowhere where I felt like I was going to slide off the edge. I had a blast! It was the muddiest ride I've ever done up there and while I was over a minute slower than my fastest STRAVA time down the luge, I managed to stay upright, and enjoyed every bit of mud that ended up in my mouth! Then I got home and spent almost an hour getting the mud off my bike and shoes! IMG_0714.jpg
     
  18. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    That's funny! I saw the drizzle roll in and thought to update the report, but chose not to. That dirt gets slippery fast, but the basic rule of thumb is: if you can get to the flag, you can ride the Luge. And staying upright is a PLUS! Another thing is that if you can get to the flag and want to keep going, the soil on the way to Old Camp is rockier and not as sticky. Glad you got out there and had some fun.
     
  19. CarbonLegs

    CarbonLegs Search for ultimate ride.

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    I was Mud dry, all the way to ol Camp, Awesome conditions none the less. However weather did change as soon as i entered the creek that of ol camp (bottom). I can see why you got mud all over you with a couple hours difference. I started my ride at 8am sharp, not clear weather per say to the flag - but i was dry. 1/4mile in pass Flag then conditions where changing but dry conditions with very little to none puddles. Once at the bottom of ol camp there was a heavy mist in the air, my helmet was dripping from this. total of just under two hours moving time ! If i could i would do it again.

    http://app.strava.com/activities/32684427

     
  20. b.martin

    b.martin New Member

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    Well thanks for not posting the update. Probably would have skipped the ride and missed out on one of the most fun Luge rides ever!
     

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