Harding/Joplin/STT/Luge report w/pics
6 of us came for this ride yesterday and it didn't dissapoint. Arrkelly (on his 1st ever STR group ride.....FINALLY!), Ladd Jasper, Bananaseat, IntenseKipp (breaking in his brand new 5 Spot), Dino and myself.
The climb up Harding started off with pretty tacky dirt which would eventually take its toll on almost all of us. Overall it wasn't that muddy at all but the dirt was slowing you down just enough that it made the climb seem even longer and harder than it is. I was coming in and out of energy climbing up.....ended up 3rd to 4 corners but I was pretty much toast and the last climb up to Modjeska I totally bonked. Thankfully there was hardly anymore climbing after that.
A few of us put some armor on and bananaseat prepared himself against the poison oak. I had only done Joplin once before and knew it was going to be a sketchy ride for awhile. I personally layed my bike over 3 times on this trail (but somehow manged to not scratch my 5 Spot on only its second ride) and I'm not one to crash very often. Last time I crashed twice so I guess I was just going faster this time
The trail is in excellent condition actually aside from needing some trimming. I know Dino enjoyed the trail as he exclaimed, "this is probably my favorite singletrack" only 2/3rds of the way down! The trail is all basically rideable except for one noteable drop about 1/3 of the way down. I came up to it and Arrkelly and Ladd were on the sides just watching so I just went for it. Made it down the drop then my right foot/pedal clipped a big rock at the bottom and my foot came out of my shoe (shoe still clipped in) and I fell over with my left foot still clipped in. Not sure if anybody else attempted it or not after watching that :lol:
We all made it down to Old Camp without any major accidents and we just chilled for about 10 minutes or so and gather up some strength to climb out of there. On our way up Dino and Bananaseat were bothing having some cramping issues but we all made it up to the saddle and breathed a sigh of relief towards the downhill to follow. I hung towards the back with Bananaseat since I was pretty wasted and wanted to make sure he didn't have anymore cramping issues. We came around a corner and saw Dino fixing a flat......seems like he gets at least one rear flat coming down from Old Camp everytime!!! He fixed her up and we made it down to the Luge.
Ladd went 1st, then Dino and I followed. Couldn't believe how fun the Luge was! The dirt was incredible and the trail was just balls out fast! I kept yelling out going down the last half I was having so much fun. A great way to end a long ride like that. Arrkelly hopefully you'll join us for more STR rides in the future. Everybody else it was a great time as usualy even though a few of us weren't feeling like our usual selves. Now here are my pics:
Our 1st rest stop (or 2nd for a few of us) about half way up Harding:
Look at those 3 beautiful 5 Spots:
Oh yeah, and here's a couple of lonely Santa Cruz's:
Views from Harding:
The climb ahead of us:
Dino coming into 4 corners:
Great views from 4 corners:
more pics below:
6 of us came for this ride yesterday and it didn't dissapoint. Arrkelly (on his 1st ever STR group ride.....FINALLY!), Ladd Jasper, Bananaseat, IntenseKipp (breaking in his brand new 5 Spot), Dino and myself.
The climb up Harding started off with pretty tacky dirt which would eventually take its toll on almost all of us. Overall it wasn't that muddy at all but the dirt was slowing you down just enough that it made the climb seem even longer and harder than it is. I was coming in and out of energy climbing up.....ended up 3rd to 4 corners but I was pretty much toast and the last climb up to Modjeska I totally bonked. Thankfully there was hardly anymore climbing after that.
A few of us put some armor on and bananaseat prepared himself against the poison oak. I had only done Joplin once before and knew it was going to be a sketchy ride for awhile. I personally layed my bike over 3 times on this trail (but somehow manged to not scratch my 5 Spot on only its second ride) and I'm not one to crash very often. Last time I crashed twice so I guess I was just going faster this time
The trail is in excellent condition actually aside from needing some trimming. I know Dino enjoyed the trail as he exclaimed, "this is probably my favorite singletrack" only 2/3rds of the way down! The trail is all basically rideable except for one noteable drop about 1/3 of the way down. I came up to it and Arrkelly and Ladd were on the sides just watching so I just went for it. Made it down the drop then my right foot/pedal clipped a big rock at the bottom and my foot came out of my shoe (shoe still clipped in) and I fell over with my left foot still clipped in. Not sure if anybody else attempted it or not after watching that :lol: We all made it down to Old Camp without any major accidents and we just chilled for about 10 minutes or so and gather up some strength to climb out of there. On our way up Dino and Bananaseat were bothing having some cramping issues but we all made it up to the saddle and breathed a sigh of relief towards the downhill to follow. I hung towards the back with Bananaseat since I was pretty wasted and wanted to make sure he didn't have anymore cramping issues. We came around a corner and saw Dino fixing a flat......seems like he gets at least one rear flat coming down from Old Camp everytime!!! He fixed her up and we made it down to the Luge.
Ladd went 1st, then Dino and I followed. Couldn't believe how fun the Luge was! The dirt was incredible and the trail was just balls out fast! I kept yelling out going down the last half I was having so much fun. A great way to end a long ride like that. Arrkelly hopefully you'll join us for more STR rides in the future. Everybody else it was a great time as usualy even though a few of us weren't feeling like our usual selves. Now here are my pics:
Our 1st rest stop (or 2nd for a few of us) about half way up Harding:
Look at those 3 beautiful 5 Spots:
Oh yeah, and here's a couple of lonely Santa Cruz's:
Views from Harding:
The climb ahead of us:
Dino coming into 4 corners:
Great views from 4 corners:
more pics below:
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. We rested up for a few then as I was climbing out my left leg started cramping. I had to stop and ***** & moan about it, then ended up hiking about 1/2 out of Old Camp, then hopped back on the saddle to the saddle to regroup. After another couple of minutes we rolled out, I went first and was having a great time unti that one little climb and I dismounted because my legs were fried, Von Skip and Dale passed me and Stu was right behind me. Got back on the bike and continued on and then when making a left I must have pinch flatted because all of a sudden I heard the dreaded noise of a flat and the extremely loose/wobbley back end. Thank goodness Stu had some Co2 cartridges because my mini-pump sucks ass and I was too tired to haggle with pumping up a flat. He filled up my tire in about 3 seconds, very nice!(*note to self: buy a Co2 inflater set up). After that 10 minute delay we continued to the Luge and regrouped then bombed down. I have NEVER seen that trail in such great shape. I was on Dales ass the entire time and Rob was closing in on us. We could hear him hootin' and hollerin' as we railed every turn and floated over every rock. I don't recall seeing once ounce of slick mud on the Luge at all. Much to my surprise I cleaned that last little climb after crossing the bridge heading out of the Luge. I didn't think my legs had it in them to get me up that. We arrived at Cooks and Aldo gave me and Dale a lift back to our trucks and when I came back to Cook's a cheeseburger and soda were waiting for me (thanks Stu).
