andy aka rut
Active Member
Sunday was the 5th annual Push-a-Kona. Huge prop's to Maxwell for doing such a great job, yet again!!! :bang:
My morning started before dawn, picking up Jon Kearley. As we drove to the Holy Jim wash we noticed the skies turning a soft pink and light blue. It looked like the day was going to be a beauty! We also noticed the temp reading in at 38 degrees! As we got to the trailhead the temp dropped another 4 degrees. It was cold riding in on the Trabuco wash. Donkey, Jon and I rode in to the inner parking lot to meet up with the rest of the guys. On the way in we saw a Jaguar attempting to drive in. :-k It was Mutz. He turned around and decided it would be best to simply ride in as well.
Once we got to the inner parking lot we saw some t-shirts being handed out, shots tossed around and bikes being weighed in. I believe the heaviest bike weighed in at 41 lbs.
Soon the climb began. Holy Jim was pretty uneventful (I believe) and eventually everyone regrouped at the Main Divide. Up to Upper Holy Jim we go. Most everyone road the Main Divide. Jon and I rode (please read as walked and rode) up Upper HJ. Again we regrouped at the top. Soon bones were thawing out. The sun was shining and the wind was minimal.
Now comes the fun. Coldwater!!! The Path boys could be heard yelling and screaming as they descended ahead of us. The boys from Washington could be heard yelling and praying ahead of us. 8-[ The switchbacks are in great shape thanks to the Warrior's Society. :wave: I did a high-side when my bike followed the trail to the right, but my body went straight. Ow well. Jon did the big drop at the botton 3 times. The first was great, the 3rd was great, the second... well needed some work. :bang: He ended up with a broken spoke.
We watched the others come down and soon it was time to start IT2 (Indian Truck Trail) Donkey, 1x1Clyde, Mutz, Brett and myself took our shots of Tequila and started the beast. Special thanks to our aid station boys (and a special pre-happy birthday to Pat.) It was endless miles of constant pain. Donkey was kind enough to trackstand and wait for my sorry butt, but eventually we all got to the top.
From there we had a decision to make. It was now 2pm and it would be getting dark before too long. We were sure several of the riders would be heading down in the dark. We opted to give the rest of the riders a bail out point. We decided to head to Holy Jim instead of Trabuco. For you see,if we headed to Trabuco, everyone would have to follow, otherwise they would be the less'er man. We took that mental anguish from you. We didn't want to,but we thought it would be best. :lol: We did it for the team!! My ride finished just before 4pm.
Neil would be kind enough to offer us a ride to the cars in a warm truck instead of riding out!! Neil... you rock... oh and the beers were pretty good too! :beer:
I was unable to attend the festivities at The Tustin Brewery. #-o I was already a few hours late for a wedding reception so I had to take off.
HUGE thanks to T-brew for sponsoring this event and a GIANT thanks to Maxwell for everything!!!
My morning started before dawn, picking up Jon Kearley. As we drove to the Holy Jim wash we noticed the skies turning a soft pink and light blue. It looked like the day was going to be a beauty! We also noticed the temp reading in at 38 degrees! As we got to the trailhead the temp dropped another 4 degrees. It was cold riding in on the Trabuco wash. Donkey, Jon and I rode in to the inner parking lot to meet up with the rest of the guys. On the way in we saw a Jaguar attempting to drive in. :-k It was Mutz. He turned around and decided it would be best to simply ride in as well.
Once we got to the inner parking lot we saw some t-shirts being handed out, shots tossed around and bikes being weighed in. I believe the heaviest bike weighed in at 41 lbs.
Soon the climb began. Holy Jim was pretty uneventful (I believe) and eventually everyone regrouped at the Main Divide. Up to Upper Holy Jim we go. Most everyone road the Main Divide. Jon and I rode (please read as walked and rode) up Upper HJ. Again we regrouped at the top. Soon bones were thawing out. The sun was shining and the wind was minimal.
Now comes the fun. Coldwater!!! The Path boys could be heard yelling and screaming as they descended ahead of us. The boys from Washington could be heard yelling and praying ahead of us. 8-[ The switchbacks are in great shape thanks to the Warrior's Society. :wave: I did a high-side when my bike followed the trail to the right, but my body went straight. Ow well. Jon did the big drop at the botton 3 times. The first was great, the 3rd was great, the second... well needed some work. :bang: He ended up with a broken spoke.
We watched the others come down and soon it was time to start IT2 (Indian Truck Trail) Donkey, 1x1Clyde, Mutz, Brett and myself took our shots of Tequila and started the beast. Special thanks to our aid station boys (and a special pre-happy birthday to Pat.) It was endless miles of constant pain. Donkey was kind enough to trackstand and wait for my sorry butt, but eventually we all got to the top.
From there we had a decision to make. It was now 2pm and it would be getting dark before too long. We were sure several of the riders would be heading down in the dark. We opted to give the rest of the riders a bail out point. We decided to head to Holy Jim instead of Trabuco. For you see,if we headed to Trabuco, everyone would have to follow, otherwise they would be the less'er man. We took that mental anguish from you. We didn't want to,but we thought it would be best. :lol: We did it for the team!! My ride finished just before 4pm.
Neil would be kind enough to offer us a ride to the cars in a warm truck instead of riding out!! Neil... you rock... oh and the beers were pretty good too! :beer:
I was unable to attend the festivities at The Tustin Brewery. #-o I was already a few hours late for a wedding reception so I had to take off.
HUGE thanks to T-brew for sponsoring this event and a GIANT thanks to Maxwell for everything!!!
