For those of you who would like to check out Limestone Canyon, Loma Ridge which is on private reserve land, there is a docent led ride scheduled for this Sunday. The ride leaders are very experienced and this ride is for intermediate to advance riders due to climbs, technical singletracks and speed. The route distance (depending on where they go ) is usually 12 - 15 miles. It will be a group - "no drop" ride. If you are interested, send a email to irvineranch@tnc.org and reserve a space. The ride start is at Hick's Haul Rd., just past "Bat Bridge" and Santiago Canyon Rd. If you have any questions, let me know.
Here's the ride post:
Bike: Limestone/Loma Ridge - Sunday, December 17th; 2:30 p.m.
Explore historic Limestone Canyon and travel along panoramic Loma Ridge. Total elevation gain along the route is approximately 1,200 feet. Although there is little shade along Loma Ridge, riders are rewarded with a spectacular view of Orange County including Irvine, Orange, and Newport Beach with panoramas that include the ocean on clear days.
Mountain bike, helmet, gloves, a minimum of 100 oz. of water, lots of calories, spare tube, and pump required. Visitors will need to verify ride skills and fitness before registering for this ride. 12 miles, 16 yrs+, Docent-led.
Drew12
12-11-06, 09:31 PM
For those of you who would like to check out Limestone Canyon, Loma Ridge which is on private reserve land, there is a docent led ride scheduled for this Sunday. The ride leaders are very experienced and this ride is for intermediate to advance riders due to climbs, technical singletracks and speed. The route distance (depending on where they go ) is usually 12 - 15 miles. It will be a group - "no drop" ride. If you are interested, send a email to irvineranch@tnc.org and reserve a space. The ride start is at Hick's Haul Rd., just past "Bat Bridge" and Santiago Canyon Rd. If you ahve any questions, let me know.
Here's the ride post:
Bike: Limestone/Loma Ridge - Sunday, December 17th; 2:30 p.m.
Explore historic Limestone Canyon and travel along panoramic Loma Ridge. Total elevation gain along the route is approximately 1,200 feet. Although there is little shade along Loma Ridge, riders are rewarded with a spectacular view of Orange County including Irvine, Orange, and Newport Beach with panoramas that include the ocean on clear days.
Mountain bike, helmet, gloves, a minimum of 100 oz. of water, lots of calories, spare tube, and pump required. Visitors will need to verify ride skills and fitness before registering for this ride. 12 miles, 16 yrs+, Docent-led.
This is a great ride.
I recomend it to anyone that would like to see areas of OC that are "less traveled"
I would love to go, but have already commited to family matters on Sunday..
Well, maybe next time...
caligurl
12-11-06, 09:35 PM
hmmmmmmm intermediate to advance.... that leaves me out *pout*
jsigone
12-11-06, 09:42 PM
I already signed up for the Crystal Lake ride, though this sounds fun too. Maybe a double header??? Iduno
Are they strict on the pump and tube thing???? I NEVER carry that for a MTB ride, I'll ride on the rim back if needed.
BCIpam
12-11-06, 10:26 PM
Cali... if you just did Aliso and did Mathis, Cholla etc you really are an intermediate rider. I think the trails in Aliso are much harder than Limestone/Loma. It's different. The trails are better maintained in Limestone cause they are less traveled. There will be no others folks out there so no worries about riders coming the other way. The docents are very patient. If you have to walk down the singletrack, then no worries, cause most do, even some of the docents. I can't do this ride as a docent ride cause I don't have the endurance. I usually do it as a private ride and am OK on much of it. I have to walk here and there. You are much stronger than I and should be able to keep up.
I met a young gentleman too weeks ago in Aliso and sent him on the limestone ride this last weekend. He loved it! Had no problem keeping up and admitted it was beautiful.
You just don't want beginners going out for this ride. It really requires some endurance which you have in spades! Again if you liked Aliso, you will definitely like Limestone!
BCIpam
12-11-06, 10:35 PM
I already signed up for the Crystal Lake ride, though this sounds fun too. Maybe a double header??? Iduno
Are they strict on the pump and tube thing???? I NEVER carry that for a MTB ride, I'll ride on the rim back if needed.
Basically since this is not a beginner ride you need ot be responsible for yourself. Someone else will have a pump (the docent carry everything - pump, extra tubes, first aid, fuel etc). And no doubt someone will have a tube but in case you should bring one. The docents probably won't let you ride back on the rim. Why don't you carry a tube? I can't imagine doing a MTB ride without one!
Just one thing, the docent may test your skills. Most of you look like riders and have good equipment but If you show up on a beater bike, with no equipment in torn shorts and a tshirt, they may ask you to demostrate you have the skills and endurance for the ride. Problem is, once in the gate, you can't get out until everyone is back. If you can't make it a docent has to come back with you. It happens.
If anyone has any questions about the ride or route let me know. If you have GPS and can map this out, the usual route (although it can vary) is to take the main Limestone Canyon trail to Dripping Springs, climb Dipping Springs to Loma Ridge, Loma Ridge to the singletrack down to Bolero Springs. Bolero to the Sinks. Sinks to Cactus Trail and then turn left onto Lmestone Ridge an a fun, but sometimes hairy (just walk it) singletrack. The singletrack dumps into the Spur Gate staging area, you ride back to Limestone Canyon and back to the cars. All this on private land.
Drew12
12-11-06, 10:39 PM
I already signed up for the Crystal Lake ride, though this sounds fun too. Maybe a double header??? Iduno
Are they strict on the pump and tube thing???? I NEVER carry that for a MTB ride, I'll ride on the rim back if needed.
If with others, they probably have tube and pump.
If alone, tube and pump are more important on a Mt Bike.
Can't call a cab like when on a road bike!!
Now, a road bike get lots of flats, but a trip home is a quick phone call away!!
BCIpam
12-11-06, 10:40 PM
And if you miss this time, there will be other rides. I'll post them as they come up. If you have enough people - say 10 - you can request to take one of the rides for just your group. In otherwords if you have enough people, you fill up the ride and so its private. You can also request it be private.
Again once I get January/Feb/March schedule I'll post the rides. For those of you looking for a challenging ride, consider the Fremont Loop. A gorgeous ride with 3500' of climbing in 15 miles. Cali another ride you should try is the Weir/Blind/Fremont Loop. Also the "slow" to Tecate Cypress ride.
BTW here's Loma Ridge - although we are going the other way...
and the climb up to Cactus... if you look across the hills, you will be riding the ridgeline on the other side all the way from Hicks Haul. You then climb up to the other ridgeline and go back the other way.
i just noticed.... 2:30???? that makes it a 2 hour ride (it starts getting dark at 4:30!) why so late in the day??????
BCIpam
12-12-06, 07:15 AM
Well I guess they plan on getting done in 2 - 3 hours. Actually I like the late afternoon rides as well. Means the deer and other animals will be out and about.
Sometimes the docents who lead these rides have other plans (many do rides in the morning as well) and this is when they had time to volunteer. I don't think lights are necessary otherwise, the post would have stated bring them.
Wait until the next ride - I'll post it as soon as I know when it's going to be. Probably after the holidays.
jsigone
12-12-06, 10:39 AM
when we did Aliso on Saturday, we rode with Alex (I think that was his name), a Docent and park manager of one of those parks north of Aliso. Very cool guy to ride with, he told us about the private ride on sunday so i'm assuming this is it. His bike is a pretty trick gear setup, I may try it on my green one. I followed him down Rock It and was about 6-12" from his tire going through the rock gardens, just following his good line. We went through that section at about 18-20mph so it was fun, the bike did all the work. Alex is pretty quick on the DH. Anyone that is faster or can keep pace with me on the DH will always impress me.
BCIpam
12-12-06, 11:15 AM
Alex might also be a docent at Bommer Canyon/Irvine Ranch Land Reserve. I'm not familiar with an "Alex" at TNC but they are always adding new docents.
jsigone
12-12-06, 11:41 AM
I can't remember what park he said he's from.....I thought it was 2 over North of Aliso, whatever that is.
VMC
12-12-06, 11:49 AM
His name is Adam
He is from the trust
Bommer gang
jsigone
12-12-06, 12:10 PM
I'm so bad with names.....
JamR
12-12-06, 04:57 PM
Hi jsigone..........Adam here.
Great fun riding with everyone on Saturday. Rock-It has stayed in exceptionally good shape this year both up and down.
Here's the web-site to see all the biking, hiking and equestrian programs taking place on the Irvine Ranch Property. We list programs for the Irvine Open Space and the TNC. The next ride for Bommer Canyon is coming up this Saturday (weather permitting), and should be another great ride.
The rides on the Ranch are free, but do require pre-registration; but are all seriously fun rides. If you liked Aliso-Woods you'll love Bommer Canyon. Great climbing and descending, and we have quite a few bike docents to keep the rides fluid and interesting.
Here's the web-site to view the events and sign up for the rides. https://www.irvineranchlandreserve.org/activities/
Hope to see ya at one of the Bommer rides, and I'll keep my eye open for more upcoming BikeForums rides. After this week, I have a pretty easy schedule and plan on getting a ton of riding in this month.
See ya on the trails.
BCIpam
12-12-06, 05:03 PM
Hey Adam... I am a bike docent for TNC. I usually post upcoming TNC rides but if you can keep everyone advised of the IRLR/Bommer rides that would be great. The website Adam has listed shows both the TNC and IRLR rides. The locations right now are managed by different groups but come April, will be managed solely by the IRLR.
Basically for everyone - TNC does North reserve (Limestone off Santiago Canyon Rd. and Weir, Fremont, Blind located off Irvine Park and occasionally Laguna Coast Wilderness) and Adam's group does Bommer Canyon (which is affiliated with the City of Irvine) which is located off Shady Hill in Turtle Rock. Both group rides are free but rides do require pre-registration to make sure there are enough docents and to pre-screen the riders to make sure they get signed up for the right ride, something that suits their skills.
jsigone
12-12-06, 05:09 PM
hey Adam, I'm the on that was on the blue Giant following you down Rock it. Sorry I botched your name, I'm not good with names first time I meet people.
Looks like there might be rain/snow in the mountains for my morning ride, so I might be able to make it to this one. I'd rather ride in coastal rain/mud then in rain and snow @ 5000ft up in the mountains. Is there a deadline to the sign up date?
JamR
12-12-06, 05:13 PM
Registraion closes at 4:00 pm on Friday for the Saturday and Sunday rides. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for this weekend and we can do the ride.
BCIpam
12-12-06, 05:41 PM
hey Adam, I'm the on that was on the blue Giant following you down Rock it. Sorry I botched your name, I'm not good with names first time I meet people.
Looks like there might be rain/snow in the mountains for my morning ride, so I might be able to make it to this one. I'd rather ride in coastal rain/mud then in rain and snow @ 5000ft up in the mountains. Is there a deadline to the sign up date?
If you are interested in doing the Limestone ride, I would sign up before Friday in order to get a confirmation and directions. The TNC is not as organized as the IRLR. If you are doing the Bommer ride, then what Adam said. Note if it rains Thursday TNC rides are cancelled for the weekend. Uncertain Bommer's policy.