Saturday Morning Coastal Cruise

Ride Name: Saturday Morning Coastal Cruise
When: Saturday June 24
Time: 7:00 Roll Time
Where: Quail Hill Trailhead
Ride Description or Details:
I'll admit, I'm a bit over the heat for a few days. So why not head down towards the coast and enjoy some cooler temps.

I'm figuring a 25'ish mile(maybe more) depending on how everyone is feeling. 4500-5000'.....maybe more.

Staring from Quail Hill Trailhead, up Serrano, down Camarillo, across Stagecoach to Willow. From there, the route is flexible...but figure some ups and some downs. We'll finish with a run down Lizard before returning long through Nix back to Quail.

Don't want to do the whole ride....meet us at the bottom of Willow.

This won't be a hammerfest pace....I'm still trying to get my legs back. However, this is not a beginner ride either.
~~~~~ Optional Details ~~~~~
Meet Location: Quail Hill Trailhead off Sand Canyon/405 Fwy
Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Ride Pace: Moderate Pace
Type of Ride: Loop, Lolipop
Rider Limit: Everyone
Anticipated Mileage: 25 min for me.
Elevation Gain: 4500+ for me
Ride Duration: Til we are tired or it gets too hot.
Previous Ride Reports:
Possible Bail-Outs: Lots of bailout points. They can/will be pointed out along the route.
Facilities: Water is available at multiple sources. Restrooms at multiple locations
Food/water suggestions: 2 Bottles for me....Tailwind. The route will works its way to locations where agua is available.
Option to Upload:

 

It beats the Black Star/Motorway idea I was toying with...

 

It was supposed to be 90+ In the Santa Ana's tomorrow.

 

Hmmm... Maybe you would have gotten more takers with the promise of tacos afterwards.

 

TACOS AFTER THE RIDE!!!!!!!!!!

 

I will be far inland at that time. But for a good cause. Grandson's birthday party.

 

Oooooohhhhhh.....

I could do 5-Oaks, Cholla, Stairs - meet you at Willow, then see what the future brings...

 

I'm thinking it may be time to take Faust down Rattlesnake.

 

We need to block the far left line!!!!

 

I have no idea what the implications of that are, but it sounds sinister.

 

I've watched videos before... Isn't there only one section that's really sketchy?

And, let's remember that my fork is acting a little wonky.... Much like its operator.

 

If anyone wants to meet us at the bottom of Willow....we should be there by about 8:00.

 

I used to ride it rigid....with rim brakes and 26" wheels. Next excuse.

 

Up hill in three feet of snow - both ways! Barefoot too!

 

By J's definition, none of it is "really sketchy." I find it delightfully chunky for about 200 yards.

 

I could join this route. What time would you want to roll from Canyon View Park to meet them at Willow at 8?

 

Probably need to be rolling about 7:15. Do you have my digits?

 

@Faust29 rattlesnake is one of my favorites. Would join in, that's my backyard but out of town.

 

Sounds like fun guys. Have a blast!!!

 

Just got 'em. I'll be there and ready to roll by 7:15. I'll text you if anything changes.

 

Rattlesnake trail video link please? I can't find anything on youtube.

 

Well that was fun! A Five-Drop morning...

@MattB and I started with 5-Oaks, then up Cholla, down Stair steps, across Laguna Canyon. We hit the lot at 8:02. @mtnbikej and @Faust29 were there, as planned. Up Willow we go, then Missing Link, Fenceline, and the trek on over to Rattlesnake. For two miles we were riding through shoulder high clover and bees. Lots of bees. They seemed to be more agitated with each passing rider. I kept my mouth closed and fingers crossed. We finally got to the top of the Rattlesnake descent and past the bees. No one got stung.

Group photo at the top of Fenceline/Missing Link. J, Herz, Faust, Matt




Rattlesnake was fun and chunky as always. I had a good run. Matt hadn't been there for a while so was unsure of a couple of lines, but did quite well. Steve hadn't done the run before, so he did recon. As usual, J showed us that rear suspension and gearing aren't necessary when you have talent and fitness.

Then it was the fireroads down and back up to the top of the park, where we parted company again. Thank you Steve for hanging back with Captain Slow (me). The two intrepid singlespeeders headed for fenceline, Lizard, Laurel, Camarillo and back to their starting point. Matt and I cruised Bommer ridge headed for some T and A. We both had a really fun run down through the T and A chunk. then it was time to climb back up stair steps.

I knew it would happen. We were 3500' of climbing in and my quads cramped on me while climbing Philips Rd to Stairs. I forgot that I had a bottle of hot shot in my pack for just such an occasion. Slow walk up the remainder of Philip and the usual push up Stairs.

Given my legs, I couldn't make a pull up to Car Wreck, so we finished with Rock-It. LCF was out cutting back brush. We tiptoed past all the workers and said our thank yous to all. I thought we were past the work and I started to drop the hammer. Ooops, came a round a blind turn and almost crashed into the man, the myth, the legend - the leader of the LCF trail "improvement" team. I felt bad. He and are are just destined for conflict. Sorry Mike - and thank you LCF for clearing brush and NOT touching the tread.

That's about it. Temps never got above 70°. A little slimy from the moisture in the air. 22 miles and 3914 on my device. Matt's Garmin had us over 4000' so I'll go with that.

 

^^^ What he said.

It was cool to ride with some legendary imtbtrails riders today. After reading all of their ride reports, I finally made it out to join them. Herz was seriously quick on the downs and was a lot of fun to try to chase, especially down T&A. I even learned a couple new lines that I'd never noticed on some familiar trails. I couldn't believe how quick J was on a couple of the trails where I was following him and I was working really hard to try to keep up on my full suspension bike. Herz isn't kidding about J's handling skills on that hardtail! I don't usually ride with many singlespeeders. Usually, it makes my legs hurt just watching them climb. Today it was pretty impressive climbing with J and Faust and watching them just grind up everything. Maybe someday I'll give it a try.

And yes, the official climbing number was 4,245' for Herz and I for the day ... when in doubt, the higher number must be right.

 

Nice work on the two park combo meal guys! TnA is running great right now. @MattB I assume one of the lines that herz showed you was the high right line on slick rock slabby thing towards the bottom? Also did you guys do the roller in the 3 line zone? I haven't yet because I'm not ready right meow.

 

Yep, it was that high right line. I've done the roller down the middle once and jumped the drop to the left a few times, but today we took the line to the right. Still fun and challenging. I haven't felt like taking the chance on launching off the drop to the left for a good year or so. The one time I did the roller in the middle, a small pothole at the bottom almost stopped my front wheel and nearly sent me over. Instead I had an unpleasant encounter with the back of my seat. If you roll it, make sure you scope out the transition at the bottom and avoid the pothole/dip.

 

That's what I figured. I use to do that line but it's a bit more tricky than in years past. Also I'm a wuss... As for the roller I know what you're talking about in terms of the pot hole. It's rider left on it and the more right line on the roller seems much better. Might have to hit TnA tomorrow. Sounds like you guys had a great time.

 

New PR for elevation!?!?!

 

Possibly! I certainly haven't been in that realm often, unless a chairlift or shuttle truck was involved.

 

Nice ride gents! Anniversary weekend is keeping me off the trails, but I will probably roll for a bit today.

"The right line on the thick rock slabby thing " is that the one where the left line is white rock?

If so, I didn't know that there was a right line.

Edit: Yes @Faust29 and @jzilla are specimens, and @jzilla's bike handling is always amazing to behold.

Nice ride. Nice elevation. Good job @herzalot !

 

Nice ride report! Good to meet @herzalot today albeit at the cars.

There were lots of kids out today on the Aliso side. How was it on the Laguna side? Good to see the little ones out on the trails instead of the ipads.