Ride Report RR: Lower Arroyo and Water Works

Did a quick ride this evening. I had about an hour and in that time, did 12 miles. About the fastest I've ever ridden. Decided to ride with out my CambleBak and just a water bottle. It was freeing to ride with out the pack. The trails are all in greatly great shape and the water crossing all rideable.

I did feel bad though. On the Water Works trail what I thought was a stick that I planed to ride over turn out to be a snake. Poor guy. Before I could react I had ridden over him. An image search when I got home has me convinced it was a California King snake. I'm sure I'll be hunted by its ghost for the rest of my days.

 

That probably does leave a rotten feeling inside. But better hunted by its ghost than avenged by its siblings.

 

What If Your Haunted By Its Ghost And Revenged By It Siblings ......

 

Sorry about the snake. I've done that too, just managing a meager attempt to unweight as I went over it. Not a happy moment.

How was the condition of the Arroyo down there after the grading a few weeks ago? I've ridden some of the upper end, but haven't tried that stretch since the work.

 

@ScottyWC, Have you noticed that new path that was carved into the side to avoid the water erosion at the bottom? It's a bit lose to climb out of but doable.

 

Think of the snake this way... he will make a great meal for some raptor or a coyote... nothing goes to waste in nature... although I would have felt bad as well...

 

I've ridden the length of Arroyo Trabuco from Ladera Ranch to O'Neill twice since the grading, and I can barely tell a difference. A bit sandier in spots, and some rocks moved, but pretty much the same otherwise. I think much of the work was actually done to facilitate the removal of non-native plants, those nasty thistles especially. Or perhaps they removed plants while they were doing the other work, I don't know. But on the hill by the golf course, especially, there were a lot of plants removed/killed.

From the other thread, I was expecting mass destruction. Nope, just smoothed some things out in spots.

 

Thanks, Tex - good to know.
That's one of my regular loops to ride, especially during the warmer months since there's some shade and I can keep my speed up to get some airflow. I was concerned that it had become a sandpit that would do lead to the opposite kid of ride. Glad to know it's mostly still the same.

 

It's not bad. A little loose in areas but very rideable.

 

I have enjoyed the new path for a few rides. very loose on the way up, but with the right technique, doable. Sadly I lack the technique...

 

I just moved into the area at La Paz and Margarite. This sounds like a solid local ride, do you have a Strava/GPS available of the loop?

 

Check Geoladders.com and search for Arroyo Trabuco, Tijeras Creek, Waterworks, Ladera Ridge, O'Neill, Riley, etc. There's tons of fun stuff within pedaling distance of you. I ride that area pretty often too and would be happy to show you some trails if you don't mind riding with a slow guy.

 

I will hit you up in a month! (after I return from Tahoe). I'm no speed demon

 

Where is this new path of which you speak?

 

It's at the dropped pin.

 

Hit me up when you get back, I'll go riding with you. Show you around.

 

Ahhh. Thank you. I've been down that, haven't attempted to go up it since the re-route was done. I may need to go that way this afternoon. Any idea whom to thank for that new route?

 

It was some trail runners actually. I ran into them when they just got done building it. I was the first biker down that line. They asked me to try it out, but it was still loose at the lip then, and I almost went OTB.

 

After reading this thread, it reminded me I haven't rode it in a year and a half. I just got back from trying it out again, and the south part of the trail (on the crest of the big hills above the golf course) were the best I had ever seen them. The ruts were gone and there was a smooth, hard single track where things were graded. The graded areas were easily rideable. I forgot how much fun, and close to home, this is. Waterworks was fast and smooth :beer:

 

Sounds like a good time for a tour ride... I just moved over to this side of the 5 fwy, off Oso and Felipe from Laguna Niguel. Have only ridden this area once years ago. i spent most of my time at Aliso and Laguna Coast. It looks like its time for a 2nd bike, maybe an SS, I think my HD is overkill.