Planning on some more long riding this weekend if the weather cooperates. I'm thinking about Maple Springs to the peak on Sat, and possibly Blackstar/Motorway again on Sunday. Any takers?
Maple Spring up to Santiago??? I've been itching to try that route for a while but I'm weary to try it solo.... What is the milage and what is the ride like?
I took this route last Saturday for the first time. I think its around 24-25 miles. I'd bring an extra layer for the trip back down; it'll be cold coming down. I couldn't feel my hands at all and was wishing I had brought an extra pair of dry gloves. I'd be down if my knee feels better. We'll see in a couple days.
Correct Jawbreaker is correct about the distance. You can also extend the ride by another 14 mile if you park at the beginning of Silverado and take the 7 mile ride in and out. 7 mile uphill warm-up before Maple Springs, and 7 mile downhill coast at end of the ride. It definitely was cold last weekend. Got caught in the rain for the last 12 miles of my Blackstar/Motorway ride and had no feeling in my hands or feet on the way down Motorway. No rain anticipated for Sat morning but it should be a chilly one. I usually bring dry socks to change into after all the stream crossings on Maple Springs.
For my first time up, I probably don't need to extend the ride by 14 miles... 8-[ Maybe next time if I think it's a cake walk! :lol: What time were you thinking of hitting the trail? I know that weather predictions are "iffy" this far ahead of time, but according to the NOAA, it looks like chances of rain on Sat morning. [-o< http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/forecasts/CAZ042.php?warncounty=CAC059&city=Orange I definitely want to go, but I'd love to have expansive (and dry) views once at the top.
Saturday I'm thinking of my typical start of 8:30am. The nice part about this ride is that it's 12 miles up and 12 miles down. Also, it's easy to tack on some additional downhill distance by adding the Motorway instead of simply coming back down Maple springs. Probably 5 to 6 miles longer, but downhill almost the whole way. We can make that decision once we get back to the Maple Springs/Main Divide intersection. So who all's coming on Sat?
I'd love to ride with ya' on Sat but I've been riding with the Paramount team Sat mornings the past few weeks. I'm down for Sunday, but I want to see what FX & BD are doing, I haven't ridden with them in a little while. ps. Are you doing this on your SS?
Unfortunately they have upped the anty to "...FLOOD WATCH FOR FLASH FLOODING IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY TO SATURDAY NIGHT..." If I don't have to worry about imminent floods (and I can clear it with the boss) then I'm in. I'll give a solid answer when I can. I was wondering if this was to be a SS expedition as well!
Saturday Ride Hopefully the weather will cooperate. A small amount of rain doesn't really impact that those trails. I'm planning on the SS, but I'll make that final decision the morning of the ride depending on how the old legs feel.
Re: Chainrings That was my 3 speed "pig bike" Triple up front and SS speed hub in the rear. Great training bike.....33 lb hardtail with donuts for tires. Climbs like a pregnant cow, but built like a tank. I think it's almost indestructible.
I'm going to skip the Maple Springs to Santiago Peak ride this time, but will motivate to do it next weekend! Have fun and let us know how it goes!
