Winter Solstice and Ursids Blackstar Ride

Discussion in 'Trailhead' started by Rumpled, Nov 28, 2017.


As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?

Added to Calendar: 12-21-17
  1. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    Ride Name: Winter Solstice and Ursids Blackstar Ride
    When: Thursday, December 21st, 2017
    Time: 5:30 PM
    Where: Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd
    Ride Description or Details:
    As this date will be the official winter solstice (8:28 am on 12/21) in our Northern Hemisphere, let's do another Blackstar ride.
    Us slower folks will be starting at 5:30 to make it to Beek's by 7:30.
    Faster people can start later or do extra credit past Beek's place.
    The goal is to meet at Beek's at 7:30 and toast the winter solstice. And perform whatever solstice or pagan rituals you feel like. (Please, no human or animal sacrifices).
    The Ursid meteor shower will also be peaking overnight, so maybe we'll see a few shooting stars.
    https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/ursids.html

    Lights will be needed as we will have just a 9% illumination waxing crescent moon - if it's clear.
    http://www.moongiant.com/phase/12/21/2017

    Weather will probably be cool to cold; so we won't have to worry as much about keeping the beer cold; more about keeping ourselves warm.

    Any significant rain on the day or preceding days will cancel as none of use want that Blackstar clay.

    ~~~~~ Optional Details ~~~~~
    Meet Location: Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd , near the intersection with Silverado Canyon Rd, which is near its' intersection with Santiago Canyon Rd.
    Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
    Ride Pace: Social Cruise
    Type of Ride: Out and Back
    Rider Limit: Probabl y limited to a few hundred due to parking
    Anticipated Mileage: 18
    Elevation Gain: 2200 feet
    Ride Duration: 3 hours
    Previous Ride Reports: http://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/unofficial-almost-end-of-summer-blackstar-ride.6489/

    https://www.strava.com/activities/1159364224

    Possible Bail-Outs: Turn around and go back, but you'll be missing out.
    Facilities: Probably no drinkable water on trail. The world is our restroom, just don't pee near a stream.
    Food/water suggestions: Most get by on a bottle of water or so. Snacks if you want. Maybe a beer or two or something to toast the solstice at Beek's.
    Option to Upload:

    Winter-Solstice-2017.jpg
     
  2. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    Calendared...should be another fun ride.
     
    Grego, Cornholio, mike and 2 others like this.
  3. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Sounds good to me!
     
  4. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    I'm confused. 8:28 am is the Winter Solstice, but you are toasting it at 7:30 pm? Oh well. It's same day, so that's cool. :thumbsup:

    Enjoy the ride and the celebration!
     
  5. Cornholio

    Cornholio iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    B
    Current Bike:
    Huffy
    Saw this at work today and earmarked the 22nd off in case star align and I can get a hall pass from my at home boss. That way I don’t have to think about “getting up for work in a few hours” while riding. I used to play ice hockey until after midnight and had no problems getting up for work a few hours later but that was before kids. :sleep:
     
  6. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    Yes, the point is to do a ride on the same day. Many of us will be at work at the official time.
     
  7. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    Hey it was 100 on our Fall Equinox ride, so no doubt it will be 20 on this one :)

    I'll definitely try to make it! Though people need to be aware... even at the start at 5:30 it is going to be darkish, sun sets that day at 4:46 so we will be starting to ride in twilight. It will be completely dark at 6:16.
     
  8. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    You don’t need lights to climb B*. Your eyes adjust, even on the darkest nights out there, you can still see.
     
    Faust29, Old&InTheWay, Grego and 3 others like this.
  9. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Is that because of light pollution?
     
  10. doublewide

    doublewide iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    Mark
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Tallcan
    It's cuz J has night vision. :geek:
     
    Grego, Rumpled, Old&InTheWay and 5 others like this.
  11. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    To go along with my cat like reflexes.
     
    Faust29, mike, Old&InTheWay and 2 others like this.
  12. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    No, once you get into the canyon it gets dark. Even with only a sliver of a moon, it provides enough ambient light to climb with. You are not going that fast anyway.

    The DH on the other hand....not recommended unless a full moon.

    Then again, it’s B*....other than it being slippery right now, there really isn’t any ruts/rocks/holes to deal with.
     
  13. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Is it those catlike reflexes that have given you the trouble on that narrow rock section those few times on the LHJ? I must have cat-like reflexes too, then. :whistling:;)
     
    Faust29, mike, Old&InTheWay and 2 others like this.
  14. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    You'll know me because I'll be the one wearing these...

    opplanet-eotech-gpnvg-grnd-pan-nv-gog-sys-kit-le-mnt-tan-gpg-main.jpg
     
    Faust29, herzalot, mike and 3 others like this.
  15. mike

    mike iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Western US
    Name:
    Mike O
    Current Bike:
    HT, FS
    Holy shyt, you gotta be on point when ya ride with steel trap data archivin mofos!!!!! I smiled when I read J's quip...I smiled harder when I read yours :cool:

    Now, pardon me while plan to hone my sloth-like agility... :cautious:
     
    Faust29, herzalot, Grego and 5 others like this.
  16. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    We remember....we remember everything. :laugh: :cautious:
     
  17. Grego

    Grego iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Fullerton
    Name:
    joe
    Current Bike:
    WFO9
    Will try to make it. Thanks for posting.:thumbsup:
     
  18. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    ...no wind forecast :)
     
    Cyclotourist and Faust29 like this.
  19. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
  20. Cornholio

    Cornholio iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    B
    Current Bike:
    Huffy
    I’ve got the bubonic plague and had 2 chunks of skin removed yesterday so I am out. Hopefully it’s not too windy up there tonight, it was whipping again at our house last night/this morning. Have fun for those who make it out.
     
  21. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    I think we are riding BS* tonight.....however, based on last night on Maple Springs....we will be riding earlier. We actually may be finishing up as you guys start.

    Have fun and enjoy.
     
    Rumpled and Faust29 like this.
  22. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I'm going to try to be there... I couldn't make the Redlands ride today, but might make it out to Black Star tonight. With lots of extra clothes.
     
  23. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    I will be there!
     
    mtnbikej and Rumpled like this.
  24. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    I'm still on. Looking cold and windy.
     
    mtnbikej likes this.
  25. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I'll be there... Bundled up.
     
  26. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    Yeah, I didn't make it.
     
  27. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    That's okay...neither did I.
     
  28. Grego

    Grego iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Fullerton
    Name:
    joe
    Current Bike:
    WFO9
    Nope!

    Stupid job.:mad:
     
  29. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    Ride report to come later. 6 sick or stupid SOB's showed up and rode. It was windy and cold, and then not. And then even more.
    Quick beer at Beek's and then down.
    Y'all shoulda stayed at the trucks and had another beer, Erik and I actually saw a meteorite.
    I'm still trying to thaw out.
     
  30. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    Wait for meeeee!



    Dang. Missed it again.
     
Loading...


As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?