Southern California - Mountain Bike Ride 10/20

A few of us are going up Mount Wilson and down the Gabrielina Trail. Any BFers who can handle a 6 hour mtb ride are welcome. It's not beginner friendly. I'll post details later if anyone wants to come. 8:00 a.m. start in Pasadena.

6 hrs is good...
as long as 3 of 'em are spent posing...

john, i think i'm in. i was a little worried because the bike i'm riding only has a 22x28 and not a 22x34 low gear but since i didn't get a chance to find a lower cog for the cassette i've given up worrying about it. if the weather was like today it will be great.

No posing! Last time we did this ride, it took 8 hours, but there were many water crossings which will be dry this time. If you want to do it, take the Windsor/Arroyo exit from the 210, go north on Windsor 3/4 mile, or so, and park at the lot on the left, or on Mountain View, the cross street. Bring food, but there is 1 water stop on the top before the descent.

Will, mine has a 22x30, so you'll be fine. Randy has decided to take the easier climb instead of the toll-road. Pete may show up on his Atlantis and do the climb, then descend Angeles Crest.

back in the day when Lower Arroyo seco was more rideable, i'd sort of time trail the loop- JPL up Mt Lowe Rd., Red Box to JPL in under 4 hours. But, that was '93 and I was in my mid 30's vs 50. Oh well........

Have fun tomorrow and be careful......that one section on the toll road above Henninger Flats is extremely rocky.
I've gotta work a couple of hours in the morning so I can't make it this time around.

George, the toll road was rocky the last time I was up there, but this time we are going up Mt Lowe.
Sewellymon, I understand about slowing a bit, I'm 53. I took my ex-wife on a shuttle trip to the Gabrielina when we first met in 1990, or so. She had a crappy rigid bike and was not happy that day. It took a long time before she would ride off-road again.

Dang, not sure how I missed this. I've heard a lot about that trail and have been wanting to try it. Maybe next time. Looking forward to report (and maybe some photos?).

the climb that lasted forever
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2096/1661404970_18726c00b0.jpg
pete coming out of the tunnel
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/1661519688_e21baa6f0a.jpg
mel takes a break
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/1660640719_7e871cb72f.jpg

didn't see any flashing yellow light but saw some stars at the top and then again when i made like superman and flew about 30 feet into a fabulous faceplant

pete pretending to be grant petersen and waiting for the others near the top of the climb on his "29er"
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/1660650831_794e9157b7_b.jpg
at the waterfall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/1660627471_c95a6996ce_b.jpg
the faceplant forest
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/1661527562_f6f31c5cb2_b.jpg

andy
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/1661430644_61446d406c_b.jpg
pete 'we're almost there'
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/1661422586_c8c38d77c9_b.jpg
mike
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/1660555009_80187206a7_b.jpg

Will didn't mention that I went over the bars and tumbled down a 40 foot drop into a creek. It was hard getting out of there. I have; facial scrapes, bruised and scraped back, shoulder, and chest,(the chest hurts the most, hard to breathe in), bruised and swollen elbow and knee, a few other cuts and scrapes, and a bruised big toe. The bike is fine, though, it stayed up on the trail.

Wow, John, I hope you are OK, Heal quickly!!

Wow, great pics, Will! :beer: That does look like fun.

Big John, :eek:, that is not the kind of ride report I want to hear. :( You'd better get your ribs/chest looked at if you are still having pain when breathing in tomorrow.

Hope you're feeling better John.

So like who is Mel, Pete, Mike, Andy? Forum members?..............Glad you're not too badly hurt John!

So like who is Mel, Pete, Mike, Andy? Forum members?..............Glad you're not too badly hurt John!
Fred, those guys are SFVBC members but some of them have done BF rides. Pete has, he has long hair, usually no helmet, tatoos on both arms, great climber.
My first crash with injuries in 20 years, dumb,dumb,dumb. I was having a great time, we had cleaned the high-speed rocky section, we cleaned the hairy, scary section when I pulled over to let Will FLY by, then Jeff chased after him, so I was alone going down a fairly steep part when I saw a big rock, sort of a step-down. I'm not sure if I was too far forward or gave a little too much front brake or both, but WHAM, over the bars and face first and then tumbled to the bottom of the cliff and landed in 2 feet of black water with the wind knocked out of me. I was confused because I couldn't find my bike after I was able to stand up. I heard the other guys coming and yelled to them. Mike said my bike was up on the trail, so all I had to do was get back up there and ride out of the mountains for 2 hours, or so.
Not riding today, too hard to breathe in, plus my hand is very sore. I'll think about the doctor later.
Thanks you guys for your well-wishes.

nice pics.

Yikes....Sorry to hear that John...hope you are ok!!

Not riding today, too hard to breathe in, plus my hand is very sore. I'll think about the doctor later.
Thanks you guys for your well-wishes.

John, I mean this sincerely, if you need someone to drive you to the doctor, call me. Take it easy!

Sorry about the "mishap." Get well soon!

John, I mean this sincerely, if you need someone to drive you to the doctor, call me. Take it easy!
Thanks M.E., but I can drive alright. It just hurts to get up from the chair.