August Rides / Sycamore Cyn 8.23.09
Cranked out a few rides mid-week this month. Those plus some weekend fun. Aug 23rd we got a small group of five together and road Sycamore from the valley end. Started with a few sprinkles, but soon turned hot and muggy. Only got one photo off before our little Canon point and shoot died (good news is, even though its old, Canon is going to replace it. Seems there was a known problem with the sensor used in several cameras).
The “Frobisher” 8.2.09
Three of us cranked out the Frobisher, a 20 mile mostly fireroad ride, with plenty of climbing. Strange weather at the start, very damp with mist. Made for a dirty ride to start. At the top the sun was out, and you’d never know of the cool damp weather below.
June / July ‘09
Summer is here, and the heat is on. The Mammoth trip was great, and now that we’re back on the local stuff, it seems summer is on full tilt. Having to get up and get going in order to beat the heat.
Summer Time Riding
Lots of good riding going on right now. Been down to “the OC” for a group ride, and have been getting in some stuff all around the Santa Monica’s.
Santa Monica Mountains 5.2009
Usual stuff, Westridge, Sulli, Cheesbro, etc.
Sycamore Canyon 4.10.09
Sycamore Canyon with Brain and Perry. All was good until the very end. At the bottom of a single track run, Brian did an OTB’s. He seems OK, but he banged his shoulder pretty good.
Westridge / Sullivan Cyn (UGL) 5.3.09
Quick spin around our local loop.
Backbone (SGL) 4.27.09
First ride back on the local stuff since returning from our Moab trip. Took two semi-noobs, and first timers to this trail, out with us. Brain and Perry did pretty well!
Sycamore Canyon 3.29.09
Have been getting in a few mid week rides, including Malibu Creek / Bull Dog, and this past weekend hit up Sycamore Canyon again. Did the same route. Conditions were great, but you do need to keep an eye on the poison ivy!
Sycamore Canyon 3.14.09
We rolled up the canyon (started beach side), and to my surprise, no mud or water. Got to the base of Guadalasca and started climbing. I put Lori out in front. She was rolling over everything, rocks, ruts, whatever. She cleaned the entire climb. We topped out, and I left the decision to Lori. She said, lets do an about face and drop back down Guadalasca, and then when we get to the bottom we can climb it AGAIN. In the back of my mind I figured once at the bottom, she’d want to do something else, but no. After a quick bite, we climbed it again. By now the overcast was burning off, but temps were still really good.
Backbone (SGL) 3.7.09
SGL (Super Ghey Loop / Sulli Ridge – Backbone ST) with our friend Ron. Great way to spend my birthday, on the bike.
2.28.09 – Littel Pine Trail, Santa Barbara
Brett and I headed up to the mountains above Santa Barbara to ride Little Pine /Santa Cruz single track with Paul. We’d been wanted to meet up and ride with Paul for some time now. The Little Pine fireroad (Buckhorn Road) is a heck of a climb. One site lists it as 4k feet of climbing over 12 miles. The Santa Cruz ST down hill starts with some pretty extream exposure, but then mellows into some fun semi-tech ST. After the ride, we all headed back into Santa Barbara for some good Tex-Mex / Mexican food! Great time riding with Paul. Will need to get back up there again.
February Rides
I’ve been getting in 3 or so rides duing the week, and some time on the trainer. This coming weekend looks good weather wise. Hopefully we’ll be able to get the Knolly out again.
Tues 2.3.09 / Wed 2.4.09 Mid Week Rides
I was able to get a couple of mid week solo rides in. Weather was summer like. Tues did a long, mostly fire road ride in the Santa Monicas – 20+ miles. Wed did the UGL (Westrige / Sulli Cyn) with some extra credit at Red Bull and Salad shooter. Because of changes with my work I may be able to get more mid week riding in.
Sunday 1.25.09 – Knolly Shake Down Ride
Brett joined us for Lori’s first ride on her new Knolly. We road Westridge, knowing that we might be stopping for adjustments, etc.
Weekend 1.17 / 1.18 / 1.19.09 – 3 Day Weekend
Saturday did a easy ride up and back Westridge. We had Brett’s wife Lisa along. Not a noob, but a novice. Sunday we hit up Echo Mt / Sunset trail over in Pasadena, and Monday I did the UGL (Westridge up / Sulli Cyn down). Weather was almost too hot! Crazy for Jan.
Weekend 1.10 / 1.11.09
Cranked it up Bulldog and over to Tapia. Bulldog was its usual fun grunt of a climb. Sunday, worked Sulli canyon climb and then over to ”the hub”. Made this an out-and-back. Weather has been amazing. Summer time temps.
Cheesboro 1.3.08
Hit up Cheesboro from the Las Virgenes side. Mud was a factor! Tires caked, not what I enjoy. Conditions improved as we road on.
New Years Day 2009
Road the Backbone trail out-and-back from Corral Cyn to Kanan. 100% single track, and while its not a “long” ride, it is a workout. Fairly technical and constantly climbing and descending. Brett, Lori and I enjoyed the absolutely amazing weather on this first day of 2009.
