Saturday, October 24, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Phoenix Trip: White Tanks Goat Camp
[RR courtesy of Sean and Evan from here.]
Sunday was the graduation ride consisting of Goat Camp loop.
More climbing, more descending, more chuck, as recommended by the locals at SoMo. We really had no idea what this ride would be truly like, other than hard. MTBBill’s describes the end descent as a constant state of colon lockdown, so we had that to look forward to…or so we thought.
The antenna towers on the right would be close to what we’d be climbing up to.
Starting off on Ford Canyon.
Waddell Trail
Then it was time to climb Mesquite Canyon.
Or hike.
Switchbacks.
Looking down the canyon.
But still more to go.
Last part of Mesquite Canyon before we split off.
Climbing Willow Canyon trail.
Lots of flowers in bloom.
End of Willow Canyon and back on to Ford canyon
Why yes, that would be the trail up the ridgeline below the towers.
Trail paved with wild flowers on both sides.
This ride is demoralizing with the amount of climbing.
At least the scenery makes up for it.
Brief bit of descent, before climbing the trail below the towers.
Where’s Waldo?
We encountering two other riders the entire day.
And then the descent begins.
Pucker factor.
There’s a reason why this is double black diamond.
And it’s not because of the climbs.
We had a few miles of chunk and climbing on our way up the mountain
But it led to this sweet smooth section of singletrack higher up
It weaved along the hillside for quite a ways before we started heading up again
Lots of cactus which just added to the sweet views
Brent and Mark pause as we head up the last leg towards Goat Camp trail.
This was one of the most continuously nasty chunky technical trails I've ridden. Almost to the point of it not being fun. But then you kind of get into it. And then you get in a groove just as its almost over. Unfortunately I don't have many pics, just a few from the Waterfall section.
Sean navigates the opening drop
And clears the middle section.
He made it around the last corner and drop too, only to go over the bars on the flats at the bottom. I made it down to the last corner but wasn't feeling it, so walked down the last bit. Funny how you can lose your technical abilities when you aren't riding hard stuff all the time. I really had to psyche myself up to hit the the opening drop on this section but when I finally did it was easy. Towards the bottom I was cleaning almost everything, and kicking myself for not trying a few things higher up.
All in all a great weekend of riding. That's pretty much all we did - get up, ride, drop James at clinic, night ride, sleep, ride, drive home. Next time I'd like to have a bit more time as there's so much to explore. But this is a pretty decent weekend trip.
Thanks again to Sean for organizing everything!
Total Distance: 15.29 miles
Total Time: 4:55:27
Ascent: 2760 feet
Average Speed: 3.1 mph
Top Speed: 24.3 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
Sunday was the graduation ride consisting of Goat Camp loop.
More climbing, more descending, more chuck, as recommended by the locals at SoMo. We really had no idea what this ride would be truly like, other than hard. MTBBill’s describes the end descent as a constant state of colon lockdown, so we had that to look forward to…or so we thought.
The antenna towers on the right would be close to what we’d be climbing up to.
Starting off on Ford Canyon.
Waddell Trail
Then it was time to climb Mesquite Canyon.
Or hike.
Switchbacks.
Looking down the canyon.
But still more to go.
Last part of Mesquite Canyon before we split off.
Climbing Willow Canyon trail.
Lots of flowers in bloom.
End of Willow Canyon and back on to Ford canyon
Why yes, that would be the trail up the ridgeline below the towers.
Trail paved with wild flowers on both sides.
This ride is demoralizing with the amount of climbing.
At least the scenery makes up for it.
Brief bit of descent, before climbing the trail below the towers.
Where’s Waldo?
We encountering two other riders the entire day.
And then the descent begins.
Pucker factor.
There’s a reason why this is double black diamond.
And it’s not because of the climbs.
We had a few miles of chunk and climbing on our way up the mountain
But it led to this sweet smooth section of singletrack higher up
It weaved along the hillside for quite a ways before we started heading up again
Lots of cactus which just added to the sweet views
Brent and Mark pause as we head up the last leg towards Goat Camp trail.
This was one of the most continuously nasty chunky technical trails I've ridden. Almost to the point of it not being fun. But then you kind of get into it. And then you get in a groove just as its almost over. Unfortunately I don't have many pics, just a few from the Waterfall section.
Sean navigates the opening drop
And clears the middle section.
He made it around the last corner and drop too, only to go over the bars on the flats at the bottom. I made it down to the last corner but wasn't feeling it, so walked down the last bit. Funny how you can lose your technical abilities when you aren't riding hard stuff all the time. I really had to psyche myself up to hit the the opening drop on this section but when I finally did it was easy. Towards the bottom I was cleaning almost everything, and kicking myself for not trying a few things higher up.
All in all a great weekend of riding. That's pretty much all we did - get up, ride, drop James at clinic, night ride, sleep, ride, drive home. Next time I'd like to have a bit more time as there's so much to explore. But this is a pretty decent weekend trip.
Thanks again to Sean for organizing everything!
Total Distance: 15.29 miles
Total Time: 4:55:27
Ascent: 2760 feet
Average Speed: 3.1 mph
Top Speed: 24.3 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Phoenix Trip: White Tanks Sonoran Loop Competitive Track
[Again, this RR is from Sean's post here.]
So with James back on board and the sun setting, it was time to head for the next camping and riding destination at White Tanks county park. Apparently the northern snowbirds still haven’t migrated back north yet, so all the regular RV camping spots were taken. But the overflow camping was even better. It put us 150’ from the start of the competitive track, one of 3 mountain bike only trail systems in Phoenix. Since we cut the day ride short due to first aid needs, it was time for a night ride to finish out this day.
It reminded us of lower Cobbles: open, fast, swoopy, just perfect for night riding.
During the day, probably more just ho hum.
Then it was time for the usual dinner rib feast.
Total Distance: 7.04 miles
Total Time: 1:16:14
Ascent: 678 feet
Average Speed: 5.6 mph
Top Speed: 18 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
So with James back on board and the sun setting, it was time to head for the next camping and riding destination at White Tanks county park. Apparently the northern snowbirds still haven’t migrated back north yet, so all the regular RV camping spots were taken. But the overflow camping was even better. It put us 150’ from the start of the competitive track, one of 3 mountain bike only trail systems in Phoenix. Since we cut the day ride short due to first aid needs, it was time for a night ride to finish out this day.
It reminded us of lower Cobbles: open, fast, swoopy, just perfect for night riding.
During the day, probably more just ho hum.
Then it was time for the usual dinner rib feast.
Total Distance: 7.04 miles
Total Time: 1:16:14
Ascent: 678 feet
Average Speed: 5.6 mph
Top Speed: 18 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
Phoenix Trip: South Mountain
[This RR was written by Sean and posted on dirttreaders here. Additional pictures from Evan]
With 6 weeks to go before the big trip to Epic Mecca, several of us needed a spring training camp for some riding drills. Primarily to hone our technical rock prowess, it would also serve as shake down for our bikes, gear, and yes, our first aid skills. But the chunk terrain that we required wasn’t to be found in San Diego County, the OC, or even SoCal. So with the work week over and the RV loaded up for its first road trip of the year, it was time to leave the land of sanitized trails in search of real chunk. Hold the butter please, just crushed peanuts for the PB&J sandwich.
Day 1
Saturday morning arrived with everyone still groggy from the late night drive.
I don't mind waking up early to cool air and sunshine
Our campsite 45mins S of Phoenix
Today’s objective would be to soak in the rock at South Mountain Park in Phoenix. But this isn’t your average city park. At 16,000 acres, it’s the largest municipal park in the country and the hardest trails here make Noble Canyon look like kids play. The sanitizing trail management of SoCal needs to take a few pages of notes that multi-purpose trails can be under 24” wide, aren’t remotely required to be baby bottom smooth, and can have rock features that equestrian people will ride, just like in the Old West. We arrive at the parking lot to find 3 horses coming off the trail serving as the warm-up climb. First up is Javalina.
Lots of trail users this day.
The difficulty increased as we picked up Mormon Loop. Evan works his way up one of many waterbar steps.
Brent descends the final piece of chunk to join National.
National Trail is the main East-West through the park for a total length of 14.3 miles. But today we’d only be doing 1/8 of it. It’s definitely spring time in the desert with the wild flowers in bloom.
Watch your eyes, the Cactus is in bloom.
More climbing.
Views overlooking down town Phoenix.
More climbing.
Sean hitting a small drop feature.
Sean hitting the leftside of the waterfall drop feature. In your face Widow Maker.
Evan on the entry section to the waterfall.
Evan taking the rightside of the waterfall.
Sean rides the spine. Nicely done.
Sean goes for the hard line.
Sladnas gets in on the action.
One massive rock landscape.
Sladnas cleans a tough rise
Climbing...this mountain has a lot of tough, technical sections. Balance, endurance and power all required. And you have to pick the right line.
Cool cactus
Nice view towards downtown
Sladnas plans his approach
Threading the needle
James up next
In places the trail was worn down into a trench that you had to balance thru
Somewhere about here Mark was so giddy with so much rock, at one point he wanted to strip naked and just roll around in it. Instead we found a rock wall feature with a 90 degree right turn around a large slab.
The approach.
Sean is the first to hit the trailside rock feature
Brent hitting the drop.
Mark hitting it up.
Sladnas just has to be different...
James hitting it down.
We continue the climb to Buena Vista. On the way, there’s a sweet section of chunk descent. Finally we reach Buena Vista to take a break before the big descent.
Group shot to account for any lost bodies at the bottom. Geronimo is pure DH chunk, 1,000’ in 2 miles.
Ignore the scenery, this trail demands full attention.
It’s basically stair steps after a point.
Hey James, why is your leg all red???
Uh oh, Mr. Big ring doesn’t play nice with Mr. Leg.
Crap, this looks even worse after it’s been cleaned.
James declined any further fat deposit removal at this time, so Sean helped bandage him up before bleeding to death on the trail.
Nice views as James heads down Geronimo, pre-carnage
And finishes the ride, post-carnage
Geronimo was pretty technical, though nothing compared to what we would ride Sunday.
Sweet views on the way down
After finishing Geronimo, we made our way back to the RV on pavement.
James did make it to the bottom, but the pain was starting to set in. But hey, this was training. So next was the 4 mile street ride back to the vehicle while dodging neighborhood canines catching the whiff of fresh meat pedaling past.
Once reaching the RV, we further delayed James’ critical care needs as we ate sandwiches for lunch and lamented the fact we covered a paltry 8 miles of SoMo trails and 1,600’ of vertical in 4 hours. Mark set to work finding the cheapest and shady urgent care clinic on his phone. He scored as found out the place we dropped off James at had only started doing urgent care just 3 months prior. James came back with the doctor’s pathetic life story after jumping to the head of the line when the nurse freaked out on his gash. But it was a steal at $30…at least until the infection sets in.
Total Distance: 12.24 miles
Total Time: 4:39:26
Ascent: 1927 feet
Average Speed: 2.6 mph
Top Speed: 19.6 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
With 6 weeks to go before the big trip to Epic Mecca, several of us needed a spring training camp for some riding drills. Primarily to hone our technical rock prowess, it would also serve as shake down for our bikes, gear, and yes, our first aid skills. But the chunk terrain that we required wasn’t to be found in San Diego County, the OC, or even SoCal. So with the work week over and the RV loaded up for its first road trip of the year, it was time to leave the land of sanitized trails in search of real chunk. Hold the butter please, just crushed peanuts for the PB&J sandwich.
Day 1
Saturday morning arrived with everyone still groggy from the late night drive.
I don't mind waking up early to cool air and sunshine
Our campsite 45mins S of Phoenix
Today’s objective would be to soak in the rock at South Mountain Park in Phoenix. But this isn’t your average city park. At 16,000 acres, it’s the largest municipal park in the country and the hardest trails here make Noble Canyon look like kids play. The sanitizing trail management of SoCal needs to take a few pages of notes that multi-purpose trails can be under 24” wide, aren’t remotely required to be baby bottom smooth, and can have rock features that equestrian people will ride, just like in the Old West. We arrive at the parking lot to find 3 horses coming off the trail serving as the warm-up climb. First up is Javalina.
Lots of trail users this day.
The difficulty increased as we picked up Mormon Loop. Evan works his way up one of many waterbar steps.
Brent descends the final piece of chunk to join National.
National Trail is the main East-West through the park for a total length of 14.3 miles. But today we’d only be doing 1/8 of it. It’s definitely spring time in the desert with the wild flowers in bloom.
Watch your eyes, the Cactus is in bloom.
More climbing.
Views overlooking down town Phoenix.
More climbing.
Sean hitting a small drop feature.
Sean hitting the leftside of the waterfall drop feature. In your face Widow Maker.
Evan on the entry section to the waterfall.
Evan taking the rightside of the waterfall.
Sean rides the spine. Nicely done.
Sean goes for the hard line.
Sladnas gets in on the action.
One massive rock landscape.
Sladnas cleans a tough rise
Climbing...this mountain has a lot of tough, technical sections. Balance, endurance and power all required. And you have to pick the right line.
Cool cactus
Nice view towards downtown
Sladnas plans his approach
Threading the needle
James up next
In places the trail was worn down into a trench that you had to balance thru
Somewhere about here Mark was so giddy with so much rock, at one point he wanted to strip naked and just roll around in it. Instead we found a rock wall feature with a 90 degree right turn around a large slab.
The approach.
Sean is the first to hit the trailside rock feature
Brent hitting the drop.
Mark hitting it up.
Sladnas just has to be different...
James hitting it down.
We continue the climb to Buena Vista. On the way, there’s a sweet section of chunk descent. Finally we reach Buena Vista to take a break before the big descent.
Group shot to account for any lost bodies at the bottom. Geronimo is pure DH chunk, 1,000’ in 2 miles.
Ignore the scenery, this trail demands full attention.
It’s basically stair steps after a point.
Hey James, why is your leg all red???
Uh oh, Mr. Big ring doesn’t play nice with Mr. Leg.
Crap, this looks even worse after it’s been cleaned.
James declined any further fat deposit removal at this time, so Sean helped bandage him up before bleeding to death on the trail.
Nice views as James heads down Geronimo, pre-carnage
And finishes the ride, post-carnage
Geronimo was pretty technical, though nothing compared to what we would ride Sunday.
Sweet views on the way down
After finishing Geronimo, we made our way back to the RV on pavement.
James did make it to the bottom, but the pain was starting to set in. But hey, this was training. So next was the 4 mile street ride back to the vehicle while dodging neighborhood canines catching the whiff of fresh meat pedaling past.
Once reaching the RV, we further delayed James’ critical care needs as we ate sandwiches for lunch and lamented the fact we covered a paltry 8 miles of SoMo trails and 1,600’ of vertical in 4 hours. Mark set to work finding the cheapest and shady urgent care clinic on his phone. He scored as found out the place we dropped off James at had only started doing urgent care just 3 months prior. James came back with the doctor’s pathetic life story after jumping to the head of the line when the nurse freaked out on his gash. But it was a steal at $30…at least until the infection sets in.
Total Distance: 12.24 miles
Total Time: 4:39:26
Ascent: 1927 feet
Average Speed: 2.6 mph
Top Speed: 19.6 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
Sunday, March 1, 2009
RR: Black Mountain w/Miner's and Summit
I have no recollection of this ride.
Looks like a pretty standard local ride, with Miner's Ridge to the cutover to the summit to Miner's to Lilac. Took the road down from Lilac though, which is rare. Hmm.
Total Distance: 10.88 miles
Total Time: 1:36:41
Ascent: 1877 feet
Average Speed: 6.8 mph
Top Speed: 36.5 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
Looks like a pretty standard local ride, with Miner's Ridge to the cutover to the summit to Miner's to Lilac. Took the road down from Lilac though, which is rare. Hmm.
Total Distance: 10.88 miles
Total Time: 1:36:41
Ascent: 1877 feet
Average Speed: 6.8 mph
Top Speed: 36.5 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map:
View Larger Map
Saturday, February 21, 2009
TR: Black Mountain Trail Work
[Editor's note: The summary below was taken from the SDMBA website.]
On Saturday, February 21, eighteen SDMBA volunteers opened a new stretch of single-track at Black Mountain Open Space Park. The new connector links Miner’s Ridge Loop Trail to the north with the Nighthawk trail system to the south. Although the trail technically existed before this volunteer event, its sightlines, signage, and tread were inadequate for mountain biking.
The new connector trail has been a long time in coming. Aerial photos showed the trail existed when the arsenic mine was active. After the mine closed, the mountain reclaimed the trail. In 2002, Ranger John Barone and I discussed cutting a new trail near the site of the old trail. After John left Black Mountain Park, Ranger Tom Miller (with support from city trail manager Rick Thompson) continued to push for the construction of the new trail. Tom managed to bypass some of the bureaucracy of building a new trail by showing that the old trail had once existed and aligning the new connector over the old one. In 2007, Tom led a group that re-cut the connector, but final approval to complete construction (widen, mark, build the puncheon bridge, etc.) and officially open it didn’t come until earlier this year. Our group of 18 volunteers completed that construction.
For the seventh year in a row, Black Mountain Bicycles donated swag – including a rear derailleur and hydration pack – to raffle off to volunteers after trail work concluded around 12:30pm. Everyone went home with something.
Thanks go to all of our volunteers for helping to open yet another trail in Black Mountain Park (our second in the past 3 years) – now go ride it! (A map to the new Connector Trail can be found on the second page of the event announcement.) Special thanks to Rich, Gardner, Everett, Michael, John, Kim, Tom, and Evan for being trail bosses and Sr. Ranger Ed Christensen for providing tools, logistics, materials, and support.I was on Evan's trail crew, and had a great time doing work and chatting with Ranger Ed on the way back down the mountain. I've ridden this connector trail dozens of times, and have some ambivalence about the work that was done, but appreciate that a local ride of mine is getting some love.
Several pictures, including a couple of me, are available here.
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