If J Was More into the Road

Just came across this, I think I've met her once or twice - but this is a type of ride J might be into.

http://www.larissaconnors.com/2017/10/palomarsantiago-peak-redemption-ride.html?m=1

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lrb7qHCi...s1600/Screenshot+2017-10-23+at+9.00.09+PM.png

 

So now we have three roadie threads going? WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE????

 

Any ride that includes Upper Holy Jim isn't a roadie ride... I don't even know how to classify this one.

I also can't imagine coming down from the peak on 28mm tires. That's nuts.

 

There's a secret roadie inside each and every one of us. Yep, even you Herz!

 

It's totally doable...

 

I read her blog last night too. One hell of an adventure that I will never attempt, but big-time kudos to her.

 

Doable, but it stops being fun after a while. Just beats you up so much, and your hands get tired from braking.
Although I guess I could just go faster and not use the brakes...

 

Doable.....yes. Recommended....no.

Santiago Peak down Maple Springs sucks on a mtn bike with 2.3 tires.

 

I did Silverado/Maple Springs/Harding on an all-rounder. You get really beat up though, which isn't the idea of the ride in my book!

 

Hence, the need for a cyclocross bike with lockable rear suspension. Just an inch or so of movement would be a dramatic improvement. Not flimsy seat stays, I mean a mini fox shock in back.

 

There were no scree fields in that video... As much as I've seen cross bikes on Black Star, Maple Springs, and Harding, I have yet to see one above Four Corners. The scree field with cantaloupe sized rocks keeps them away. Riding down that on road tires is nuts. She may not have known this going in, but there have been several rock slides recently that the forest service has cleared to make it more passable.

 

No such thing.

Put a shock on it and it's no longer a 'cross bike.

 

Aw, come on... Next you'll say it can't have 2.4" tires!

 

This is beyond impressive, and I like the idea of "thinking big!" Two peaks, two hundred miles; one pavement and one dirt.. that's big!

If I were to do a ride like that, I'd add one thing-- a second bike. Swap out for a full-suspension (or even hardtail) at the bottom of Indian Truck Trail, and bring it on home.

^^(As if..)

 

Never say never:
https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/searchlistingdetail.aspx?id=36828

 

Don't think it would help. I don't like riding that section on my Tallboy.

Not to mention the climb up the backside of Santiago Peak....it's no fun on a mtn bike...I could imagine how not fun it would be on a roadie/CX bike.

 

What a horrible, heavy squeaky bike.

 

But it's got a squishy rear end!!!

 

Holy. Sh!t.

 

Gonna need bigger tires and front suspension/damping to make that a viable alternative. Otherwise might as well rename Santiago Peak to "Un-Pleasants Peak."

 

Yeah, but it is a 27 lbs CX bike.

 

Ha! My all-rounder probably weighs that and doesn't have a rear shock!

 

This is one bad-ass woman.

 

I saw that and thought like everyone else.... INSANE! Its a long day for sure, with the toughest climbs coming at the end of it. Of course it got my head spinning thinking about some of the rides I've always wanted to try. I'm probably going to give a few of them a shot in the next 6 months.

I've ridden the gravel bike all over out there and its not as bad as you would think, but I do have 35's on it. The Silverado/Maple/Harding loop is awesome on it. As is Blackstar.

 

I took my 700X28c tires up Silverado and Maple Springs, but only as as far as the busted up guardrail maybe 7/10 of a mile above the end of the pavement. Decided it wouldn't be good for me or the bike to go very far on that shtuff.

With proper CX tires it would probably be as fun as @DBMX119 says.

 

The climb is nice, no problem. The descent is hard on your arms and hands.

 

Then I guess I have just invented something knew. Me and my million dollar ideas. One of these days, I am going to cash in on one of them...

KHS stole that idea from me!

 

Larissa was just on with Lance Armstrong. Another fantastic podcast

 

ummmmmm......



nope

 

Strava-stalked her to find the route: https://www.strava.com/activities/1241260633