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

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

  1. jae2460

    jae2460 Active Member

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    Rode STT/Luge yesterday morning. Kioti, your work is incredible. STT barely had any puddles, and Luge was perfect. I saw the drain you must have cut for the huge puddle right before Little Mustard / FU / Puke Hill and it worked like a charm--dry as a bone. I was expecting some mud and puddles, but it was ideal conditions out there! Thanks for all you do.
     
  2. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    Thanks guys! Those puddles have been bugging me, and it's been fun getting rid of them. I just wish I had more time! Mo definitely helped last week, and anyone who can pitch in on Sunday will make a difference, too. If conditions are good, we'll do some berm work too.

    We're leaning toward working in the morning, but I'll post a meet time and location when we nail it down (and have a better handle on the weather). Thanks!
     
  3. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    There are currently 3 of us who'll be working on the Luge this morning, and we're meeting at 9:30am, behind the gate, AT THE TOP OF LIVE OAK (where you exit the Luge). If anyone else would like to join us, meet us there and I'll provide you with tools, etc.

    As for conditions, the sun is shining and it should be a fun day on the STT/Luge. Expect some mud and puddles early on, and improving conditions throughout the day. Watch out for us on the way down, but otherwise ENJOY!!!
     
  4. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    So we go up there this morning expecting hordes of riders.. and it was a ghost town. Those we did see didn't have much mud on their bikes and said the trails were in good shape everywhere except the start of the STT. The Luge had a few tiny puddles but looked prime.

    We took advantage of the low traffic and built 2 new berms on formerly flat corners. Not sure how they'll ride, but damn they look good! We made some other improvements and got back to the cars as the clouds moved back in.

    Thank you Chris and Boaz for busting your butts and making those berms. They've been needed for a long time, and I think they're gonna be fun! Go check 'em out and let us know what you think. Go easy because they might be a little soft as they settle in, but I'll be fine tuning them over the next week or two. :wave:
     
  5. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Bermmmmmmms!

    We put in a couple of new berms today on two critical left turns -and by we, I mean Kioti used the McLeod, pick and his vast experience to cut and shape while Boaz and I shoveled and packed. We also cut new drainage, improved a few sight lines and fixed a few bad spots. Still some braking bumps into the last two turns before the creek. Surprisingly light traffic on the trail today, made it easier to work. Also, it dumped some pretty good rain right after we finished - PERFECT for packing in the berms before they have a chance to dry and turn to powder. I'll have to go check them out from the cockpit this week.

    Thanks Jim for your dedication and expertise. It was a pleasure to finally get a chance to work with the Luge-Master. And thanks to Boaz - He worked very hard.

    My legs and back are far more sore than after a 25 mile, 4000' ride!
    Jim in red, Boaz in yellow.

    New Luge Berm.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 30, 2012
  6. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    Yippee!!!
     
  7. Mtnbikeman30

    Mtnbikeman30 New Member

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    Think STT to old camp will be okay to ride tomorrow? By okay I mean not a mud bath? Lol. Maybe down the luge? I'm honestly not sure anymore cuz I always thought I'd be tarred and feathered for riding anywhere right after the rain. What is your opinion Kioti? Thanks.
     
  8. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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  9. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    I agree. There's nothing wrong with riding the STT and Luge after storms, and I think it's actually good for both trails. It should be good for the new berms, too, as long as you don't hit them too hard (or too high).

    Thanks for asking about the whole 'don't ride it when wet' thing.. but it doesn't seem to apply to these trails. They get ridden almost every day through the rainy season and look a lot better than they do at the end of the dry season. Go out and have some fun.
     
  10. Mtnbikeman30

    Mtnbikeman30 New Member

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    Thanks guys. Afternoon session sounds good!
     
  11. CarbonLegs

    CarbonLegs Search for ultimate ride.

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    Do you guys hike up to Luge for these repairs ?
     
  12. cateck

    cateck New Member

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    I was going to hit Luge this afternoon. I haven't been for a while, can you still park at Cook's Corner?
     
  13. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    ^^ It depends on what type of work is being done, the tools that'll be needed and whether they're easily transported or already in place. We worked the Luge from top to bottom yesterday and had a bunch of shovels and picks so it didn't make sense to ride our bikes. Last week, Mo and I worked a short section of the STT, so we rode out to some stashed tools, shuttled them along with us; then re-stashed them and rode the Luge.

    Please keep in mind I'm a USFS volunteer and have permission to work these trails. However, I encourage and rely on help from fellow mountain bikers to keep these trails open and rideable. If there's anything you're concerned about or have suggestions on, please feel free to contact me or the Trabuco Ranger District office in Corona. My goal since the Santiago Fire has been to update trail maintenance and design to incorporate mountain-bike needs while still being sustainable and accessible to other legal users.

    Let me know anytime you'd like to help out, and I'll do my best to get out there with you.

    Riders are still parking at Cooks, but it wouldn't hurt to buy a coke and ask if they mind.
     
  14. BROWNIE

    BROWNIE I'm good at recess!

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    Thanks Jim for all the work you do to maintain Whiting and the Luge (the quick go-to loops), I believe these trails get ridden more than most and personally I appreciate your effort.
     
  15. Zulu

    Zulu New Member

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    I wish I had read this a few days ago I would have loved to give a few hours of my time to assit the trail work.
    Please feel free to PM me anytime your out there and would like a helping hand.
    Thanks for your hard work on these trails.
    J
     
  16. proraptor

    proraptor The Bikes & Brew Crew

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    Going to go ride the luge today with tim, cant wait to check out the new berms....thanks guys
     
  17. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Please report back and Happy New year!
     
  18. proraptor

    proraptor The Bikes & Brew Crew

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    The luge is in perfect shape, the new woRk is great. I railed the one of the berms pretty hard and it felt good. The luge is epic right now
     
  19. sir crashalot

    sir crashalot Member

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    did u park at cooks? is it ok to park there now?
     
  20. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    Thanks Tom! Glad you liked the berms-- we were pretty psyched putting them in. I think a personal test ride is in order.
     

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