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

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

  1. CarbonLegs

    CarbonLegs Search for ultimate ride.

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    I saw that-

    You are 31sec faster on that Segment.

    Fast = )

    That is the Beauty about Luge, Conditions can be off the Hook......
     
  2. A D NOH

    A D NOH Custom Newbie Title

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    I've seen Eazy E's times! You are flying!

    I like how on a DH specific section I am two seconds behind that Anneke Beerten person. However, on STW I am 17 seconds behind. I think I need to learn to pedal faster. Also, the top of the luge seems to be my achilles heel.

    Carbon Legs still has some fast Whiting Ranch times! There just isn't enough grade for me to get fast times at Whiting, haha. The flat sections on Cactus really exploit my out of shape weak legs.
     
  3. FD Pezman

    FD Pezman Member

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    The luge is starting to take shape and Im stoked to see others stoked, thats what i find most rewarding about doing trail work.
     
  4. Cougar

    Cougar New Member

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    I'm demoing my first full suspension bike this weekend, and I'm making a point to go bomb the luge Sunday morning so I can compare it to the runs I've taken on my hardtail. <3 Luge, but man is it rough/bumpy on my hardtail hehe :)
     
  5. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    Hey Folks...

    First Thanks Jim and Folks for all the hard work, enjoyed the work, the berms, drops, etc... Luge was *very* fast / fun today not quite a PR but a really fun run. (context I tend to be a top ~10% timewise)
    Also context I have worked on the Luge a number of times in the past with Jim, and help re-build major portions of STT several years back after the heavy rains and slides... Work Share, Warriors, etc many times and volunteer at the state parks.... although I am a volunteered hand... I know zilch about building trails (I follow direction)... and only a little more about riding them.

    That said I do have one comment though.....

    The rather "Abrupt Feature" / Jump / Ramp about 2/3 rds the way down in the center of the trails that leads to a descending left hand turn somehow didn't seem to flow / real well thought out. 1) I am *really* glad that I rode it the first time in the day as it would have been a *big* surprise at night... but hey that's on me. but 2) It seems to have the intention to produce / induce air... fine... but its a downhill landing immediately into a turn (also fine for some folks) BUT it seems (and I already noticed some) that it is going to induce major braking bumps as folks come off the lip and the grab masses of brake try to prep for the turn. BTW I sat at the end and talked to 5+ folks at the end of the run ... everyone was really stoked at the conditions and work today... but without my prompt the same feature came up several times.

    Take this for what it is ... internet comment but thought it was worth a couple key-strokes

    Again thanks for your time and effort.
     
  6. portlypeddler

    portlypeddler Active Member

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    I thought luge was stellar today, just like Joplin. Thanks for hard work to whom it concerns.

    steve (doesn't do strava, not in a hurry to leave the forest)
     
  7. no worries

    no worries Member

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    Couple comments as I rode it today as well.

    So fun! Set a PR by like 15 seconds! I'm not that fast though (450/3500ish), but what I really noticed in reviewing my Strava info is how consistent my speed was. I think that's why its so fun right now; it flows really consistently.

    I also noticed the jump Bvader pointed out, but I think at my more conservative speed it was less disruptive. I don't recall, was it on side and a choice?

    Lastly (maybe due in part to this thread), there were DH guys pushing their bikes UP the trail! Watch out for this.
     
  8. portlypeddler

    portlypeddler Active Member

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    Did you have any conversation with the riders pushing their bikes up the luge?

    Interesting thought, if descending and rider collides with hiker or bike and serious injury/death occurs who's responsible in court of law? No park jurisdiction here, I dunno, just hate the thought of it all but poo happens .
    Steve
     
  9. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    Go back to post #274.

    The Luge is not a closed course, it's a multi-use trail. Uphill riders, up and down hikers, the occasional equestrian.. any user should be anticipated and descending riders are expected to ride in such a way as to avoid collisions.
     
  10. dcrfx

    dcrfx Member

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    On another note, the flag pole was laying down yesterday. Someone took the flag so it wasn't laying on the ground. If someone has plans to get the pole up again let me know and I can help, schedule permitting.

    I rolled all the way down Luge from Old Camp yesterday, which was a mistake, should have taken a break. Arm/hand fatigue got to me half way down the Luge. Accidentally hit the seat post remote bringing seat to full height at a bad time, other than that, great stuff. Remember seeing the jump, maybe there was a go round or I squashed it, it's all a blur. I generally try not to get air so not that fond of putting in jumps on the main line. Rather see them to the side and optional. .02$
     
  11. CarbonLegs

    CarbonLegs Search for ultimate ride.

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    With that said, i do not recommend going up Luge. I done it a hand full of times and, let me tell you- Its more dangerous than you think.

    Why you ask-

    Couple of areas when you are climbing get really tough, narrow and terrain play a big factor and they are all against you. SO, when you get to a point where your legs cant pull you through or cant pedal anymore and you un-clip, there is a good chance you will step off the narrow trail and go over the edge.

    Luge up- Is a completely different trail. Looking for a challenge, attempt the Wall on MD and or Dread. There are others that are done backwards, but it best not to say. But, STT loop have 3 hidden trails that no one does = )
     
  12. kioti

    kioti Active Member

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    I have a certain responsibility for the way this trail is built, and whether or not there are features that are in the best interest of the full scope of riders.. so I went up this morning to see for myself.

    The long berm was fine, but I toned down the kicker and also split the berm with a high and low line. That way those wanting to sail can stay high, but other riders still have a lower berm to enjoy. There was also a kicker below that into a brake bumped straightaway and I toned that down as well, but fast riders can still get off the ground. I also cleaned up the brake bumps in that landing zone and through the straightaway toward the next drop and turn.

    Overall I like what Jeff and Sicky are doing, but pull back a bit at jumps that could send an unsuspecting or inexperienced rider off the trail. The berms are awesome, as long as drainage isn't compromised. Sicky and a friend were out there doing laps, and we all had a long chat. He and Jeff are good guys and I'm glad they're working on the Luge.
     
  13. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    I had a nice run going down the luge today but then some rough-looking dude with a shovel tried to smack me off my bike!

    It was the one, the only Kioti fine tuning his masterpiece (and no, he didn't really try to take a swing at me). I stopped to chat for a bit, then continued on my way. I had a blast even with a social stop. One of my favorite new features isn't even on the Luge proper but is on the way out to the road after The Luge - SOMEBODY built a nice berm in that transition before the last little climb and I must say, that helped immensely with that last little climb - I could actually carry some speed!

    Thanks for your hard work, Jim!
     
  14. Cougar

    Cougar New Member

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    I was out on the luge midday, and it looks like it was after Kioti's latest improvement, as I definitely noticed the high and low line added today. As a somewhat new rider to the Luge (this was my 5th time down) I certainly appreciated the low line to avoid that jump.

    The luge was noticeably faster for me today (45-90s depending on the segment measured), but I was also on a demo Turner Burner (vs. my Rockhopper Comp 29 hardtail). We'll chalk those improvements 50/50 to the hard working trail workers and the other half to the Burner ;)

    Thanks for all the trail work!
     
  15. A D NOH

    A D NOH Custom Newbie Title

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    I need to ride the luge more. I rode it for the first time 5 years ago and then 4 times within the last year. I have no idea what you guys are talking about. All I know is that I get to the end and think, holy crap that was intense.
     
  16. nmeofun

    nmeofun Member

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    Rode the Luge last night. Haven't ridden it at night in years. I was surprised at how slow I was at night! I thought I was faster than that! It was a fun, frigid ride. Kinda surprised we didn't see anyone else out last night. Besides being cold it was beautiful!

    [video=youtube_share;xGxdWr-5cRw]http://youtu.be/xGxdWr-5cRw[/video]
     
  17. mako my day

    mako my day New Member

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    Where do you guys park for a night luge ride? I'm planning on going tomorrow night. First timer here.
     
  18. Cougar

    Cougar New Member

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    Cook's Corner is where I've always parked for a night ride through STT -> Luge
     
  19. mako my day

    mako my day New Member

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    The luge loop is awesome! Did it last night with a buddy. Pretty crazy that it was less than 1500ft of climbing, when I average 2000 in aliso. My legs were burning, even though it was 38 degrees.

    The trail condition is perfect right now.

    Also, some crazy guy was out there riding alone. Headed to the top he said.
     
  20. no worries

    no worries Member

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    nmeoffun - that was terrifying.
     

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