Ah jeez, not Joplin again - Sat 12/19

Made a loose plan with Knucklebuster to knock this one off this weekend...

Holy Jim-Upper Joplin-Joplin-Cadillac

Tons of singletrack up and down. Joplin itself is a mere two miles, but packed with tech challenges. The rest of the ride is not very technical and is quite hoot-worthy, but some steep ruts on Caddy are tricky. Advanced skills beneficial; good fitness mandatory.

This route was in good shape on Thanksgving; should be as good or better now.

Meet at Holy Jim parking (or park at/ride out from the Wash or the base of Caddy). Launch time from HJ parking TBD (nothing too early); check back here. Casual pace with lots of breaks as needed up and down.

This route linked below includes the Luge, which we are not planning to add to the end of our ride, just a reference (or optional finish), so we are looking at a few miles less mileage:
http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=522

I expect the ride will take 5-6 hours at a casual pace with lots of breaks.

 

So tempting.....

 

I think CoolBreeze Jonathan, knuckles' partner in crime, will be up for this.

Optional super-decadent finish: Lunch at Rosa Canyon Cantina...right in the hood, outdoor patio for bike watch.

 

To make it really decadent, we might just have to leave a vehicle near the cantina and shuttle up to HJ for the start, so we don't have to ride up the wash with a full belly at the end

 

onshore flow and chance of rain, wish I could go! I love riding in that weather

 

Thanks for the forecast, SirC!

As it looks now, Saturday at 4pm the chance of showers kicks up through the night. A decent plan might be to get a reasonably early start Saturday, or just do the ride Sunday. I'm game for either, but Rose Cantina might not be such a great plan for Sat (if we seriously are considering it).

Some showers on the trail are always welcome, but Joplin should be fine either way at this point. The cruxes tend to be rocky, so tacky dirt doesn't give a huge advantage.

 

What kind of start time are we looking at?
I'm really trying to make this happen. I will know by tomorrow morning.

 

Throw us a start time, Ross. If u gonna breach the orange curtain, we accommodate. 9am is standard winter crack-o-noon. Either way from there is cool with me, knuckles and Jon are hard as nails. Make it easy knowing the weather. It'd be epic if ya made it. U can trade stories with Mikie : )

 

Yeah Ross, you name the start time we'll be there (within reason, I don't have lights ). Would be cool to ride with the legend and survivor . JB is not confirmed yet but talking him into it....

 

The cosmic alignment is happening....
Cleveland is awesome in December
Sure ain't got nothing better to do
I need an epic
I'm in.
9am start.
Is there parking at HJ at that time?
I might bring a friend, if I find one.

 

Cool beans, rossage. Yes, there will be space in the lot or before you cross the last bridge near the fire barn.

Sure, friends welcome.

Sweet!!

 

If Ross is in then so am I!!

We can compare trailside drops.

Note: I'm talking going over the edge; I did it on MTT....get your heads out of the ...sheesh.

 

Awwwww yesssss!

Might need some extra fiber for this ride.

 

I'm interested. Only done Joplin once... didn't really enjoy it on the hardtail. But I've got a FS now.

I'm a bit of a weather weenie though, so I likely won't confirm till later tomorrow to make sure the rain stays away.

 

Yay, rox!

Cougz, you know that Burner is chomping at the bit to flex its chops. Grab a layer and let's send

@abuck55 come on, pal...way too long

 

I'm working on this.

 

I brought a hardtail to a mike ride once. Once.....bring a fully, and some pads. A few cojones would help too!

 

Looks like the weather is gonna be fine... NOAA hourly for top of Holy Jim, chance of .03in before 4pm Sat, little wind

 

Thanks for the intel, Knuck

10-4, TTB. IHYCMI!

 

You guys have fun.....ill be out in the Santa Ana's, but I'll be heading the other way this weekend.

 

Okay,
I'm in...

 

and the winner of the Golden Steering Wheel for Commute of the day goes to....
Camera cuts to Hillbilly pulling his acceptance speech from his tuxedo pocket. He fumbles a bit before attempting to stand.

Mikie Watson!!!!!

Hillbilly slumps back into his chair, a broken man.

Over 130 miles, each way, of SoCal traffic bliss.

At least its on a Saturday. See you there....

 

I'd like to thank my mother and father...
...if it wasn't for them... I wouldn't be here tonight.

 

Perfect Ross! Congratulations Mikie, thats a lot of driving but, I'm sure it will be well worth it! I am a broken man, down sick, a rarity and hating it! Have mucho fun people!

 

This is an unprecedented all-star lineup. Jeez, Mikie...way to crush! See ya tomorrow, team...at the lot at 9!!!!

Still, I'm bummed a few of my trailbudz will be absent. Have a great Sunday, Luis, Scott, Jaime, redwoods, and whoever can't swing it or is too obsessed with mileage and elevation to be saddled with a party ride.

 

Yea I'll be working for da man Saturday. Have a great ride!

 

If this was 3 weeks from now....I'd probably be down for it. Alas, I have spent the last 50 weeks working on achieving a goal, and cannot just throw all that work away with 2 weeks to go for a party ride.

Have fun out there.

 

I can't let a threat of rain run me away if Mikie is coming down. I plan on being there.

 

Sounds great, cougarman!

 

Count me in for this ride....

Can't wait to ride some OC dirt and I know it will be with the right group!