Greengiant
Steady diet of dirt
Over a post-ride lunch last Saturday with some of my getting-to-be-regular-riding-buddies, we cooked up the idea of going down to Noble Canyon for a ride---because the majority of the lunch group had never ridden Noble before....and had heard lots of stories and seen lots of pictures of the trail.
So, everyone agreed, if the weather planned to be nice, we'd plan mid-week to get together on Saturday and do a ride.
A dozen peeps showed up to ride, seven of whom were Noble virgins!
No shuttling today, we all climbed up the narrow road, and took a little breather at the oak tree to decide on going on the extra credit loop: Indian Creek to Champagne Pass, or just ride up the rest of the pavement and then ride the Laguna Meadow loop.
Even the bikes needed a rest...
So, after the torturous asphalt climb to the top of Sunrise Highway, we re-grouped at the Upper Noble Trailhead where an Aid Station was set up for a 50 mile trail run on the PCT....and they had food! And they were giving away this food--even to hungry mountain bikers! Dirtmistress, who kept dreaming of sandwiches as we climbed up the road, scored a huge bag of red potatoes..which the majority of the group attacked!
After a water refill at the top of Noble, we took off toward the Meadow loop and picked up Aquaholic who was lurking around the Aid Station and recognized dirtmistress. He's a Noble local and told us of some new areas that had recently been added to the trail system with some log jumps and other fun features.
The singletrack around the meadow does not disappoint. It flows through the meadow's edges through trees and mini-rock gardens and whoops and yells could be heard from some of the riders!
Jay's seatpost dropper broke just before the turnoff for Los Gatos where the log jumps are and all the McGyvers in the group helped him to get it back into working order so he could continue riding, and up to the log roll we went.
Shannon's rocking this log feature...
Dirtmistress was bound and determined to ride the log--and she did!
We finished our loop around the Meadow and then headed back to the top of the Noble Cyn trail. After a couple of climbs, the trail winds through the oak woodlands over rock gardens and water crossings. The Noble virgins finally had their first experience with the Stairway to Hell--since I was off the back I don't know who attempted it and who cleaned it, so those who did have to post that up!!
It was a full day on the trail and loads of fun! I'm sure those who popped their Noble Cyn cherries will be back to ride this trail again! Good times all, thanks for the ride! :beer:
So, everyone agreed, if the weather planned to be nice, we'd plan mid-week to get together on Saturday and do a ride.
A dozen peeps showed up to ride, seven of whom were Noble virgins!
No shuttling today, we all climbed up the narrow road, and took a little breather at the oak tree to decide on going on the extra credit loop: Indian Creek to Champagne Pass, or just ride up the rest of the pavement and then ride the Laguna Meadow loop.
Even the bikes needed a rest...
So, after the torturous asphalt climb to the top of Sunrise Highway, we re-grouped at the Upper Noble Trailhead where an Aid Station was set up for a 50 mile trail run on the PCT....and they had food! And they were giving away this food--even to hungry mountain bikers! Dirtmistress, who kept dreaming of sandwiches as we climbed up the road, scored a huge bag of red potatoes..which the majority of the group attacked!
After a water refill at the top of Noble, we took off toward the Meadow loop and picked up Aquaholic who was lurking around the Aid Station and recognized dirtmistress. He's a Noble local and told us of some new areas that had recently been added to the trail system with some log jumps and other fun features.
The singletrack around the meadow does not disappoint. It flows through the meadow's edges through trees and mini-rock gardens and whoops and yells could be heard from some of the riders!
Jay's seatpost dropper broke just before the turnoff for Los Gatos where the log jumps are and all the McGyvers in the group helped him to get it back into working order so he could continue riding, and up to the log roll we went.
Shannon's rocking this log feature...
Dirtmistress was bound and determined to ride the log--and she did!
We finished our loop around the Meadow and then headed back to the top of the Noble Cyn trail. After a couple of climbs, the trail winds through the oak woodlands over rock gardens and water crossings. The Noble virgins finally had their first experience with the Stairway to Hell--since I was off the back I don't know who attempted it and who cleaned it, so those who did have to post that up!!
It was a full day on the trail and loads of fun! I'm sure those who popped their Noble Cyn cherries will be back to ride this trail again! Good times all, thanks for the ride! :beer:
