Summer Solstice Blackstar

Discussion in 'Trailhead' started by Rumpled, Apr 26, 2018.


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: 06-21-18
  1. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    Ride Name: Summer Solstice Blackstar
    When: Thursday, June 21st
    Time: 5:45
    Where: Xmas Tree Farm to Beek's Place
    Ride Description or Details:
    Continuing my new tradition.
    How about a gathering for the Summer Solstice and the beginning of summer? Sunset is at 8:04 pm and the actual Solstice is at 3:07 am. I am a slow climber and plan to start at 6pm in time for sunset at Beek's. You may start then or later or take a different route. Basic idea is to be at Beek's before sunset.
    Bring some of your favorite libations and we can toast the sunset and perform whatever Pagan rituals you believe in at Beek's for the Solstice.
    Others can certainly join us by coming up from Skyline or other areas.

    ~~~~~ Optional Details ~~~~~
    Meet Location: Xmas Tree Farm at Blackstar and Silverado Cyn Roads. Or at Beek's Place if coming from another trail.
    Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
    Ride Pace: Easy with Moments of Effort
    Type of Ride: Out and Back
    Rider Limit: Just short of too many
    Anticipated Mileage: 18
    Elevation Gain: 2200
    Ride Duration: 3 hours
    Previous Ride Reports:
    Possible Bail-Outs: Turn around, dummy. But, please - come up to Beek's with us.
    Facilities: Sage and such, watch out for poison oak.
    Food/water suggestions: Bring something. Water for the ride, snacks or food and libations for a sunset toast at Beek's.
    Option to Upload:

    summer-solstice.png
     
  2. Andy

    Andy Well-Known Member

    Location:
    The OC, Calif
    Name:
    Andy
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Chameleon
    Holy crap... Where does the time go? Maybe I'll have lights by this one! (But I doubt it!)
     
  3. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I like your new tradition. :thumbsup:
     
  4. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    Barring insurmountable circumstances, I'll be there. :thumbsup:
     
  5. NIQ MAN

    NIQ MAN Newbie with Hope!

    Location:
    Garden Grove, CA
    Name:
    Nique Tran
    Current Bike:
    Specialized Stumpjumper
    This looks like fun. If I can line up a sitter, I'd like to join in. I've never ridden this trail, so any suggestions on where to park without fear of towing or citations?
     
  6. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Black Star is just a fire road that leads to Main Divide and the ruins at Beeks Place (8+miles and 2200 feet)... There are several single track options coming back down, though. Sometimes we hit them, and sometimes we enjoy the views from the fire road. :thumbsup: It's a great place for a social cruise at night...

    Black Star can also be the gateway to some larger rides- like the Black Star to Motorway loop.

    Parking is allowed almost the entire length of Black Star Canyon Road, but we usually park at the end closest to Silverado Canyon Road. Near Peltzer's Tree Farm.
     
  7. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    @NIQ MAN , @Faust29 says it as well as I could.
    I set this ride up as just a casual ride and to include some newbs as well. Simple fire road ride that almost anybody can do with some fitness.

    Consensus has come up with the Xmas tree lot as generally the safer place to park - so I choose that.

    Hope you can make it.
     
  8. Derek13

    Derek13 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Costa Mesa
    Name:
    Derek Smith
    Current Bike:
    SC Hightower
    I put this ride on my calendar. I hope new guys are welcome. Looking forward to meeting some of the imtbtrails crew. Thanks
     
  9. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    Is a light needed?
     
    Cyclotourist and Faust29 like this.
  10. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    The plan is to descend after sunset, so yes for most people most times.
     
  11. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    Just do what I do...close your eyes. :x3:
     
  12. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    If you throw it out there, some of us have spare lights that you are welcome to use for the descent. Or, you can do the @mtnbikej trick and descend just by feeling the trail at breakneck speed. :p :cautious:
     
  13. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    Ok, cool. I might try to join this ride...
     
  14. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    That is my preferred way of doing it.
     
  15. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    And just FYI, Jim, I demand these conditions again for the ride. Maybe 20 degrees cooler. :p

    20170620_194510.jpg
     
    Faust29, Old&InTheWay, Grego and 3 others like this.
  16. Stkx66

    Stkx66 iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Southern California
    Name:
    Steve
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower 27+/ 29r
    I'll be there and early this time :speechless:
     
    Faust29, Old&InTheWay, Grego and 3 others like this.
  17. Grego

    Grego iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Fullerton
    Name:
    joe
    Current Bike:
    WFO9
    I'm hoping to be there and on the B* cruiser again.o_O
     
  18. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    o_O:confused:

     
    Redman, OTHRider, Grego and 4 others like this.
  19. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    That is funny! Pedaling backward and he's pulling away. :laugh:
     
    herzalot, Faust29, Grego and 2 others like this.
  20. Grego

    Grego iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Fullerton
    Name:
    joe
    Current Bike:
    WFO9
    Just for the record, a push pull bike is typically a tandem where the riders face opposite directions. The B* cruiser is a retro direct 2 speed. :D But now you got me thinking...
    pupmb.jpg

    Regardless, can't wait for Summer Solstice.:thumbsup:
     
  21. Derek13

    Derek13 Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Costa Mesa
    Name:
    Derek Smith
    Current Bike:
    SC Hightower
    Looking to buy a light for this ride and subsequent rides. What light do we like best? Thanks. Looking forward to Thursday. Thanks
     
  22. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    Avoid Chinese and Greek knock-offs. Buy something from Nite-Rider or Light & Motion or Bontrager or Cat-Eye or Lezyne or even Serfas (most of which are still made in China but under some sort of genuine QA/QC).

    Look for a combined lumen of at least 1,500 between one or multiple lights. Helmet and handlebar combo is ideal. If you wanna go fast, combine 2,000+ lumens.
     
    Faust29, Cyclotourist, konakc and 3 others like this.
  23. LLPoolJ

    LLPoolJ iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Moreno Valley
    Name:
    James Johnson
    Current Bike:
    Specy Epic, Stumpu and Enduro
    I use less than 1000 and go fast should I be concerned?
     
  24. doublewide

    doublewide iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    Mark
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Tallcan
    Nope!
     
  25. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    Only if you crash.
     
  26. H2oChick

    H2oChick Well-Known Member

    Name:
    K-Oss
    Not at all but I want to follow YOU :)
     
    Faust29, Cyclotourist and LLPoolJ like this.
  27. floyd

    floyd Member

    Location:
    anaheim
    Name:
    garret
    Current Bike:
    5010
    I like ones that use external battery packs. I had a nightrider 750 but it didn't last long enough for me. With the external ones I can use a 2 cell for shorter rides or a 4 cell for longer rides. I'll also use a 2 cell mounted to my helmet to power a helmet light.
    I've had really good luck with some cheap chinese lights, but I also have some fancy ones I spent a lot on. If you know what you're getting some of the chinese ones are nice. I've got one of these that is almost as good as the more expensive ituo wiz20 I have:
    https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_124468.html

    I've got a gloworm xs I use on the bars. Great light. This ebay dude sells good quality battery packs for cheap:
    https://www.ebay.com.my/sch/hunk_lee/m.html
     
    Faust29, Cyclotourist and Voodoo Tom like this.
  28. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    It's a full moon.....you don't need lights. :sneaky:
     
  29. doublewide

    doublewide iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    Mark
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Tallcan
    dyxfkcwlbqpcksrcvxxx7potcaxvsbkibcxp.gif
     
    kioti, Faust29, Cyclotourist and 6 others like this.
  30. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    It's actually waxing gibbous at 61%. Full moon is a week later.
    For lights, I like the newer all in one USB rechargeable units.
    These units are generally about $10 or less per 100 lumens.

    DangerDirtyD includes good ones. I also like and use Cygolite
    I have two 800-850 lumen units that I rarely use at full power.

    Right now, I'm more worried about heat than darkness.
     
    kioti, Faust29, Cyclotourist and 2 others like this.
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?