Autumnal Equinox Blackstar Ride

Discussion in 'Trailhead' started by Rumpled, Aug 20, 2019.


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Added to Calendar: 09-23-19
  1. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    Ride Name: Autumnal Equinox Blackstar Ride
    When: Monday, September 23rd
    Time: 6pm
    Where: Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd
    Ride Description or Details:
    Continuing in my new old tradition of doing the solstice and equinox rides, let's ride for the autumnal equinox.
    The actual equinox is Monday 12:50 am and we'll celebrate on the same night. There is Monday Night Football, but teams no one cares about; so lets ride.
    Meet next to the tree farm with a go time of 6:00 by Garmin or Verizon.
    We'll ride up to Beek's and toast the change of the seasons.
    It's just about 18 miles total and ~2300 feet of total climbing.
    Sunset is at 6:46 pm and so we will most likely see the sun set on the way up and it will be dark by the time we get to Beek's.
    The moon sets at 3:26 pm, so we will have no moon light.
    BYO libations for the top or the end back at the cars.
    ?'s - Ask away.
    Invite others, let's make it a party.

    ~~~~~ Optional Details ~~~~~
    Meet Location: Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd off of Silverado Canyon Road which is off of Santiago Canyon Road.
    Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
    Ride Pace: Social Cruise
    Type of Ride: Out and Back
    Rider Limit: Many
    Anticipated Mileage: 18
    Elevation Gain: 2200
    Ride Duration: 3 Hours
    Previous Ride Reports: https://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/autumnal-equinox-blackstar-ride.7822/

    https://www.imtbtrails.com/forum/threads/unofficial-almost-end-of-summer-blackstar-ride.6489/

    Possible Bail-Outs: Turn around and go back, but you'll be missing out.
    Facilities: No water on trail. The world is our restroom.
    Food/water suggestions: Most get by on a bottle of water or so. Snacks if you want. Maybe a beer or two to toast at Beek's.
    Option to Upload:

    65142847_10215119026310915_8631775493382733824_n.jpg
     
  2. Cornholio

    Cornholio iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    B
    Current Bike:
    Huffy
    Will try to put the next day on my calendar as out of office..
     
  3. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    These are always a good time. Will do my best to make it. :thumbsup:
     
  4. Grego

    Grego iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Fullerton
    Name:
    joe
    Current Bike:
    WFO9
  5. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    Definite Maybe.......

    Awe, who am I kidding....I'll be there.
     
  6. mountaingirl sara

    mountaingirl sara iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    So Cal
    Name:
    Sara
    Current Bike:
    Ibis Ripley
    I need a helicopter with a bike rack..and maybe a pilots license :whistling:
     
    Stkx66, Faust29, herzalot and 4 others like this.
  7. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    I think I might owe you a beer or two. I will bring some.
     
  8. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    As you wish...
    Helo with Bikes.png
     
  9. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I may have a conflict. :thumbsdown: If it works out, though, I will be there... :thumbsup:

    Edit: No helicopter for me. Just a car.
     
  10. mountaingirl sara

    mountaingirl sara iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    So Cal
    Name:
    Sara
    Current Bike:
    Ibis Ripley
    Yep, that’ll do!:inlove:
     
    mtnbikej likes this.
  11. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    I will probably be there :) I think I have missed two out of the last eight :)
     
    Grego and mtnbikej like this.
  12. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
  13. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    My buddy is going to join me on this ride, and since it is his first ride in CNF we are going to head out from the Tree Farm at 4:30 and probably be at Beek's at 6:30. If he has any trouble at all during the ride, I will turn around and head back with him... but he is riding really well and I don't think he'll have an issue.

    If anyone wants an early and slow ride, feel free to join us!!
     
  14. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    Well then @BonsaiNut we'll probably see you as you head down. Virtual high five.
     
  15. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    We'll see... depending on conditions. I am hoping that we might overlap with some people. We only have one bike light, so I have to be sensitive to the fact that my friend has not only never ridden in CNF, but never ridden in the dark. It is amazing how quickly the days get shorter at this time of year.
     
  16. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    Now looks the high will be about 79 with a low of 60. Should be pretty good for riding. Though it might be windy.
    Last full day of summer is now ending, fall starts tomorrow.
    Hope to see some of you out there
     
  17. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    I wouldn't miss it!!
     
  18. Grego

    Grego iMTB Addict

    Location:
    Fullerton
    Name:
    joe
    Current Bike:
    WFO9
    Hoping to start around 6:15 - 6:30. depends work BS and traffic.:mad:
     
  19. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    I’ll be there.
     
  20. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    So you'll be at Beeks at 6:45? :)
     
    Grego, Rumpled, Old&InTheWay and 3 others like this.
  21. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    I'll be there... Maybe some extra credit if it works out.
     
  22. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    You made the word of the day, @Rumpled ! :p

    IMG_2542.jpeg
     
  23. DangerDirtyD

    DangerDirtyD iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    CA
    Name:
    Chicken Nugget
    Current Bike:
    2018 Guerrilla Gravity SMASH
    ...and so the days get shorter and the nights grow longer, charge your lights if ya wanna ride.
     
    Rumpled likes this.
  24. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    Unfortunately I gotta miss this one. Have a good time, keep the rubber side against the dirt.
     
    Rumpled likes this.
  25. Rumpled

    Rumpled Well-Known Member

    Location:
    OC
    Name:
    Jim Martin
    Current Bike:
    2018 Specialized Epic Carbon C
    So, we rode. Basically 12 souls all told. Some started early, some started very early. A very pleasant evening. I was slow as hell, maybe I'll blame that on carrying an extra beer for @Grego . It certainly can't be because I'm too heavy and out of shape.
    Thanks all for coming and continuing my random tradition.
     
    Grego, BonsaiNut, mtnbikej and 8 others like this.
  26. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    My buddy Dean rocked it! Considering it was only his third ever mountain bike ride, he managed to push through the pain and get up to the ridge without collapsing. I haven't heard from him this morning yet, so I'm waiting to hear if we're still friends :)

    A beautiful night, but a little chilly at Beek's. On the way up to Hidden Ranch we were playing tag with a dad and his 8 year-old daughter - who was crushing the climb. They turned back at Hidden Ranch and Dean and I had the trail to ourselves the rest of the way up to Beek's - stopping a few times for breathers or to take photos of tarantulas. We met up with @Faust29 and @mtnbikej at Beek's, and got to chat and watch the sunset from the ridge. Great night! We even used a jury-rigged CAT (as in Caterpillar) rechargeable shop light for a bike light on the way down... and I think it outperformed my Cateye Volt :)

    Thanks again Jim for organizing these rides! It was fun to stop and say "hi" on the way down, even if our schedules didn't exactly line up. See you for the winter ride!

    ride1.jpg
    ride2.jpg
    ride3.jpg
     
    Stkx66, Redman, SnakeCharmer and 8 others like this.
  27. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    Got out early for some extra credit with @Faust29 . Didn't think about Sierra Peak when I was climbing Mustard 3x on Sunday.

    4:00 roll and it was cool, then quite toasty. The legs felt heavy....really heavy. Pushed on...not fast, have been slower. Nice breeze blowing out on Sierra Ridge. Made it to Sierra Peak. Turned around and headed back. Was feeling ok at that point.

    Made it back to Beeks at 6:08. Chose to forego the extra extra credit to the Ball. Looked up this thread and saw they weren't meeting til 6:00. It was a little chilly, and there was no way I was going to sit for another 1.5 hours.

    We started to head down, then ran into @BonsaiNut and his buddy. Chatted for a bit, watched the sunset and headed down. Ran into the rest of the gang climbing out of Hidden Ranch.

    No cars parked at the gate when we exited.

    It wasn't pretty, but I made it.

    IMG_5606.JPG IMG_5607.JPG
     
    Grego, Redman, Rumpled and 5 others like this.
  28. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

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

    Sounds like today would be a great rest day. :whistling:
     
    DangerDirtyD and Redman like this.
  29. BonsaiNut

    BonsaiNut iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Troutman, NC
    Name:
    Greg P
    Current Bike:
    Santa Cruz Hightower CC XX1
    Oh I forgot to add... riding out on the road to the tree farm, we passed three cars:
    (1) Two dudes acting strange in the parking area in front of gate
    (2) A black euro sedan parked under one of the trees
    (3) A light sedan parked by the cars at the tree farm (on the opposite side of the road), that turned on its headlights and drove away (heading towards the trailhead) as we approached.

    We were just loading our bikes into the SUV when a big Police SUV pulled up (lifted, bars, light racks, the works). A female officer who I couldn't see (due to the lights in our faces) checked in and asked us how we were doing, and what we were doing :) I told her I was happy to see a patrol on the road at that time of night, and that we were just finishing up our ride. With a "have a good night" she pulled out and drove down towards the trail head. About one minute later, a car came flying up the road like it was being chased by the devil, and sped past us on the way out of the canyon. The officer obviously disturbed someone who didn't want a conversation with law enforcement :) I was packing the car and couldn't see which of the three vehicles described above was the one fleeing the canyon - I just heard it fly past and turned to see its tail-lights up by the stop sign, turning right.
     
  30. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower
    You were not far behind us.....there were no cars when we hit the gate, just the 1 parked under the trees.

    The 3 vehicles and the Sheriff Yukon went in when we were loading up.
     
    DangerDirtyD and Faust29 like this.
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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?