Just saw this pic come up in the main page rotation, and gives a bit of an idea of the exposure on Luge. This is at the top, and it looks like it was taken soon after the Santiago Fire. There's a lot more brush along most of the trail, so you don't see the exposure much, plus in most spots there would be something to grab if you went over.
Most of us just blaze through that section, but if you actually look, you'll see a couple slide areas where its steep, cobbled boilerplate (that goes for a LONG way), and a fall would be tragic. That said, I've never heard of it happening to anyone, and the trail there is wide enough and low angle enough that an 'over the side' fall would be unlikely. I guess 20 to 25 years ago the county used to grade the "trail," and people could drive passenger cars up it. Thankfully those days are gone, but you can still see remnants of the metal reinforcements that were placed to hold the topsoil onto the steep rock, and make those sections passable to cars, and now bikes. I hold my breath after big rainstorms, hoping everything stays put.
The biggest problem on the Luge right now for me is too much vegetation! I can't see what's coming up, and at times, I can't even see the trail! The exposure is there, but hidden by some really healthy green shrubbery. Enjoy!:beer:
Here's a video I took when I rode with REX 320 on St. Patty's day. Not my best run, but it should show you some of the exposures mentioned. Hope it helps! I'll be back tomorrow and will try to post a new video. http://www.vholdr.com/node/84357
lol, classic lil vid i made of a few of us jumping the gap a few years ago.. [youtube]1G2m7zhyHZo[/youtube]
Nice vid, and great to see Luge in good condition and with green hillsides. Strange but cool to see it from the 'looking back' perspective.
Amazing how well so much of its grown back! I've done some pruning of 'eye ripper' branches, but left most of it so we can blaze through the new growth. Its almost like skiing through powder in some places. For those who don't like it a bit overgrown, take heart in the knowledge that it'll all be dried up and gone in a couple months.. And for those riding it for the first time this weekend (papabear050 and friends)-- have a great ride!
Road Whiting to Old Camp loop today. The trail between the flag pole and Old camp is in awesome shape. Lots of riders on the Luge and it is starting to show it. Whiting was great as usual. We live in a wonderful place!
That would be 'the sound of one flag clapping..' Here's a shot of 'her' at the STR reopening ride after the fire.:clap:
Whoa... the Luge is fasssst!! The trails before the flag poll was really rutted out if you didn't know they were there. The drop to the right that goes straight into the Luge was nice and scary. I had to muster of some Courage for that one. All in all though.... there were a couple oh $h*t moments..... can't wait to do it again!!
Yeah we made it up after I talked to you but we were going pretty slow. I figured you were already done and gone. Hopefully next time we can hook up.
