dcrfx
Member
Gary (Sircrashallot) and I went looking for a smooth easy route today, since Gary is recovering from a lippy jump injury to hand an shoulder 
Plus wanted to try some new dirt (for me anyway). I've never started from Nix before, and haven't ridden Emerald to the gate and back. So here we go...
We start at Nix in Laguna Coast (to avoid the Willow climb from the start). The climb on Stagecoach going west out of Nix did not seem to be that much "easier" than Willow to me, but more interesting. I like that it was singletrack, and the switchbacks and brake bumps make it a challenge to climb. Once up the first climb the singletrack down Stagecoach to Camarillo is a blast. Going up Camarillo, well, not as fun as going down to say the least. Pretty tough and a couple HABs for me.
The fast fire road decent into the laurel hole (or is that the rabbit hole, or the lizard hole?) reminded me why I don't like fast fire road descents, almost washed out on an off camber loose dusty section (shorts check, ok, huevos intact). And yes, the climb out of the hole to Bommer ridge is just as fun as it ever was.
Off to BVD/Emerald Falls/Cactus Alley, and I overcooked a corner up top, and this. Could have been so much worse. Serious consequences for going off trail there.
Gary flatted on BVD so a little break, then off down Emerald canyon to the gate (new dirt for me). It's fun, it's flowy, It's non-technical, it's a long but fairly easy climb back out. The bridge they built is amazing. We think it's fiberglass beams and sturdy as can be. A couple pics down a ways where a waterfall would be if there was any water, with an ocean view....
Slow and warm climb back up Emerald to Bommer, then up to and across Fenceline. Couple close calls with runners but always a blast. Made our way down to the hole again, climbing up to the toll road I see my big ole slide marks in the dirt from coming down, that could have been bad. Camarillo going down has gotten more technical than I remember, stalled in one of the drops in a corner and had to tripod through. Still tons of fun and tossing it around leaves big smile on the face
The backside climb back to Nix isn't too bad, and the downhill payoff to the parking lot gives a nice happy ending. 17+ miles, around 2800 feet climbing, lots of stoke and no setbacks for Gary. It's a good day. :beer::bang:
Plus wanted to try some new dirt (for me anyway). I've never started from Nix before, and haven't ridden Emerald to the gate and back. So here we go...We start at Nix in Laguna Coast (to avoid the Willow climb from the start). The climb on Stagecoach going west out of Nix did not seem to be that much "easier" than Willow to me, but more interesting. I like that it was singletrack, and the switchbacks and brake bumps make it a challenge to climb. Once up the first climb the singletrack down Stagecoach to Camarillo is a blast. Going up Camarillo, well, not as fun as going down to say the least. Pretty tough and a couple HABs for me.
The fast fire road decent into the laurel hole (or is that the rabbit hole, or the lizard hole?) reminded me why I don't like fast fire road descents, almost washed out on an off camber loose dusty section (shorts check, ok, huevos intact). And yes, the climb out of the hole to Bommer ridge is just as fun as it ever was.
Off to BVD/Emerald Falls/Cactus Alley, and I overcooked a corner up top, and this. Could have been so much worse. Serious consequences for going off trail there.
Gary flatted on BVD so a little break, then off down Emerald canyon to the gate (new dirt for me). It's fun, it's flowy, It's non-technical, it's a long but fairly easy climb back out. The bridge they built is amazing. We think it's fiberglass beams and sturdy as can be. A couple pics down a ways where a waterfall would be if there was any water, with an ocean view....
Slow and warm climb back up Emerald to Bommer, then up to and across Fenceline. Couple close calls with runners but always a blast. Made our way down to the hole again, climbing up to the toll road I see my big ole slide marks in the dirt from coming down, that could have been bad. Camarillo going down has gotten more technical than I remember, stalled in one of the drops in a corner and had to tripod through. Still tons of fun and tossing it around leaves big smile on the face
The backside climb back to Nix isn't too bad, and the downhill payoff to the parking lot gives a nice happy ending. 17+ miles, around 2800 feet climbing, lots of stoke and no setbacks for Gary. It's a good day. :beer::bang:
