Hadn't been to SS on a Saturday in a while.. it was great, lines were not bad at all.. I was kinda surprised. One of the lift operators said Saturdays have been better than Sundays.. I find it hard to believe but yesterday was nice! As for the trails, things were getting blown out in the some of the usual heavy traffic areas. They were watering in some spots but not in enough spots.. I'd love to see a bit more of it. In terms of riding, my little guy keeps proving it harder and harder to keep up with him, which is fine.. my ego can handle it. The downside to yesterday is that is buddy and race partner crashed hard OTB going into the 650B jump and broke his collar bone.. and it's also worth noting that while 90% of the people who came into the jump while we had it blocked were understanding and asked if we needed help, I was also amazed (although not completely amazed) at some punks who genuinely seemed put out that they had to slow down and go around an injured kid laid out on the trail.. nice job guys.. let's hope what comes around goes around and leave it at that. Aside from that, it was a good day.. here's a pic of Ryan killing it on the Party Wave step up.. just before this pic was taken, we watched a dude case it and almost go OTB, then Ryan rolled in and made it look way too easy.. I'm jealous
Sorry to hear about the injured rider. Thanks for the RR - looks like you're having fun, and certainly no apprehension on the part of Ryan when it comes to the jumps. :bang:
Blake.. sorry to hear about the crash.. look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks when you are back at it! Jim
Nice, that's some big air for a little kid. How did you guys like the rest of the jumps? Healing vibes to the kid who broke his collar bone.
I was at SS on Saturday and Sunday. 2N10 is just about my speed. On my first ride down it, I was showing a 11 year old kid and his grandma the "easy" trail. She flatted and walked back to town. The kid and I then rode. Funny, but I learned a lot from him. For the first time, I got a little air on a "bump" on the Town Trail. I've always just rolled up and down it. Wow. I also discovered I could go somewhat faster than I previously had on that trail. Having a benchmark really helps. Then, he got me to do Party Wave and Turtle. I'm not likely to do those again. I banged my shoulder on something and its pretty tender, but serviceable. BTW, the something was the ground. I wish there was somewhere where I could practice on berms where I wouldn't be in other peoples' way. It wasn't pretty.
That is quite some air he has there! Good going. I didnt even try it Sunday after the guy ahead of me crashed into the lip on my first run down. I'm going to wait for later in the season till when I can get enough speed through those two berms before that behemoth.
That's great. I wish I could keep up with the kids too. I was up there 2 weekends ago with my son John. He has been progressing too. But on the last ride of the day, for the camera, he crashed. It was gruesome for a father to watch. And even with people waving their arms and yelling rider down, they continued to come almost causing and even worse accident. I literally had to drag him off the trail while he was still screaming. He ruined his helmet, but it did its job and he's been sore for a week. It was his first hard crash so ow he knows what it's like.
Thanks. I watched a video on Meadows. It looks like a good bet. How do I get there? It looks like I need to take the 5 south to Aliso Parkway and then south past Aliso Creek Road. It looks like I may want to go to Awma Road. After that, I'm not sure. Is the trail marked? Is there more than one route if my goal is to practice berms?
Alicia Parkway, but yes, that's the way to the main entrance of Aliso and Wood Canyon park. Form there you could go the two easy miles to the bottom of Meadows, then up Meadows for a brutal 800' climb, then turn around and ride down it. There are several other options. You could park at Alta Laguna Park in Laguna Beach - which is at Top of the World. You can access Meadows by riding south on Alta Laguna to a connector trail, to a service road to the top of Meadows. Best to just study some maps or satellite views, or just go with somebody. That said, I am not sure Meadows is the easiest or best way to learn to take berms. I believe there is a berm run near Oakley in Lake Forest that is easier to access and good for doing laps. BTW - Meadows' berms were installed in March of 2013 by STR trail guru Kioti and his band of merry men and women, with permission from the rangers, of course.
Thanks even more. Thanks to my wife, it looks like I'm going to ride Boyette Bike Park this weekend. Once I'm back, I'll drive out to Oakley and see what I can see.
