The Weather Thread

I was wearing the Novarra Commuter water resistant and windproof pants from REI. They went below the tops of my shoe covers... so completely sealed, except for deep river crossings, of which there were none.

Edit: I was never a fan of wearing anything on the bottom... even in driving rain... but I didn't really put together how having the top of the shoe covers sealed also keeps the feet warm and dry. Now, I am a big fan of the RIGHT bottom. There are really nice.

These are VERY breathable, and water resistant (not completely water proof), and the wind does not whip through them (hence the name) ... AND you don't hear the fabric when pedaling, (unlike the waterproof Novarra Commuter pants that I have... with the waterproof ones, you sound like George Costanza walking in a tight suit).

https://www.rei.com/product/102060/novara-headwind-bike-pants-mens

 

It's that first crossing on Maple Springs that's been deep for me in the past. Sort of 'guess at a good line, ride in and hope for the best.'

 

As I posted elsewhere:

OC Parks are certainly in much more of a hurry to open trails after a rain than they used to be. Both Whiting and Aliso opened today (Sat. 1/7/17). I can't imagine Mustard in Whiting or Meadows in Aliso are in very rideable condition.

 

Mustard is shaded and could benefit from some gravel embedded in the clay for wet conditions like this. Meadows might fair a little better since much of it gets sun, but not when it's this saturated. I'd rather see that end of the park get at least a half day to dry out.

 

I was running yesterday on Aliso Crest Trail (directly across the canyon from Meadows) and it wasn't even damp. There were a few small puddles, but the trail was for all purposes in great condition. A week prior, it was slick and saturated, but yesterday it was great.

 

Gonna do Peltzer to Maple to Motorway ... just to give the Laguna trails a break from
My shredding. . At the tree farm at 7.

 

That's the reason I always keep duct tape wound around the bike pump I carry in my pack. Never know when you'll wish you had it, and this way you always do!

+1 on the OR gaiters as well. Not sure where my pair is at the moment but they have been great for keeping stuff out of my shoes.

I have a pair of Rocky gore tex socks that are probably 20 yrs old now but still functional. I used them a lot when I lived in BC as we could (had to) ride in the rain. They worked pretty well but I'd have to tape them around the top otherwise water would run down the leg into them. I don't need em much down here.

 

Dang.....I missed this

 

But at least if you'd seen it you'd have some good footwear ideas.

 

Yup.....but it's not that cold today.

 

Teva's with stealth rubber soles on cleated flats over cotton socks with butterflies on them. Levi's and a clean white T-shirt. Flat bill snapback with ears tucked. Caffeinated E-cigs. Tailwind in a hip flask.

 

You've been spying on me.....haven't you.

 

I'll admit I look up to you. (Every time I look at the Santa Ana's I figure you're up there somewhere..)

 

Pouring in Palmdale...
...that is all.

 

I thought this was kinda magnifico

 

One thing I will say about all this rain... when I rode up Harding yesterday the trail was relatively wet in spots even with no precip in the last few days. For the first time in 6 years we have gotten enough rainfall that the ground has gotten saturated through the clay down to a sediment layer, and in spots the hills are "weeping" water out onto the trail. This dramatically increases the risks of mud slides. Be aware when you are out on trails that traverse prior slides / earth movement.

 

Even with that....I was pleasantly surprised that the trail wasn't spongy in the lower areas.

 

Yeah I didn't have any issues with it. I would say conditions were excellent with a few wet spots. I think there were a total of two puddles that I couldn't skirt on the edges, and they were neither large nor deep.

 

Raining in Corona and Chino Hills...oh well...

 

@kioti Are we going to fix Meadows this weekend?

 

We could try. Are you in? Maybe Saturday if it's still damp?
If you can help, I'll clear it with the Ranger. We could use some extra help, too. Maybe 3 or 4 besides ourselves..

 

She hoped for the best but it didn't work....

 

Sure. And I can't imagine it would be dry. I haven't been on Meadow for about a month or more, but I understand the chief problem is ruts, so picks, shovels and tampers.

 

After all this rain you'll be able to ride a road bike up the PCE wash.

 

Yes, I haven't been on it for awhile either, but I remember @jaime's post and video. Not good. Could be a lot worse now, but I hope not. I'll post something up once I've checked in with Hallie and the Rangers.

 

@kioti will be checking the post for the trail work and if everithing lines up I will be more than glad to help you
guys !!!

 

Thanks @jaime! The tentative plan is to work either Saturday or Sunday morning, depending on the Ranger's decision. If you keep both those slots open, we'll be good to go!

 

I think they are headlining Coachella this year!

Keeping Sunday open now. Pinged Hallie today. I think we'll be good to go, as long as our man Jim is.

BTW - it's DUMPING in South Laguna right now.

 

^^Pouring in Trabuco, too.

I'm guessing Sunday will be our day. Please keep it open if you'd like to help, and I'll post details tomorrow once I've heard from the band (I mean Ranger).

 

My usual "posse" have all passed on doing any digging on Sunday, but I will be there with boots on. Will we meet at Moulton Meadows Park (top) or at the main gate (Alicia).