|   BV inspired post. Bay Area XC mtb groups | E
Oct 7, 2002 4:36 PM | | BV made a post on showing the same old trails to new people...gave me a thought (it only hurt a little bit).
Where is the best place to find local Bay Area MTB riding groups?
I don't have that many riding partners and I think riding with new people can be like riding new trails...
I'm a XC rider, been MTB'ing for years so I think my skills are there...but my lungs suck. I'd have no chance of keeping pace with BV (or other riders at his level), but I'd like a chance to meet up and ride with some other 'intermediate' riders and possibly learn some new trails.
I'm sure there are plenty of groups that meet up once a week/month/ect...just need to find em'.
Anyway...thoughts? Questions? |
| Saw your post below. | Biking Viking
Oct 7, 2002 4:52 PM | | I can ride pretty fast if I want to, but I don't mind taking it quite easy on longer rides. It's not like I have to go balls out every time I ride.
I usually ride by myself because I go early in the morning, so I don't know of any regular groups in the area.
Your guess on where we rode was correct. I started from home in Sunnyvale and met up with John in the Redwood Gulch / Canyon Road intersection. We rode up the Canyon, up Table Mountain/Charcoal Road and did Saratoga Gap out-n-back. We then rode the ridge to Grizzly Flats and back down the Canyon. It took us a little over three hours (including a flat tire and another minor mechanical) from John's car and back - that gives you an idea of the speed.
BV |
| I figured you'd see that post.... | E
Oct 7, 2002 5:12 PM | | Well, I'm right in LG, not too far from you.
Sounds like that ride is a bit longer/quicker than I'm use to.
I've only been up to Skeggs once and I'd like to check out Demo Forest...is it easy to pick your way through those trails even if you've never been on them without getting lost?
-e- |
| bv's not that fast! | Brodiegrrl
Oct 7, 2002 9:07 PM | | ack!
Actually he's pretty quick but was very patient! and he had beer in the car.
I ride with people faster than me all the time, if they're riding with you and they know your speed then you shouldn't feel intimidated if they have to wait. All you can do is see it as an oppotunity to improve your fitness! Which is not a bad thing.
I also ride with people who are slower than me and don't mind waiting. What comes around goes around, its all about the ride. |
| Yes - just take me on some of those... | Biking Viking
Oct 8, 2002 7:44 AM | | ...bridges, totters and 4" drops kind of trails north of the border.
It'll be your turn to wait for me - big time!
BV |
| Four inches ain't much of a drop! nm :) | mr_spin
Oct 8, 2002 8:45 AM | | |
| Well, I'm REALLY drop challenged. | Biking Viking
Oct 8, 2002 8:48 AM | | I DID mean 121.92cm
Good catch.
BV |
| Spinal Tap made the same mistake...nm | mr_spin
Oct 8, 2002 8:59 AM | | |
| Soquel Demo | Obi-John
Oct 8, 2002 2:38 AM | | It's pretty hard to get lost inside Soquel Demo, but if you do manage to miss the (obvious) entrance to the forest, you'll end up in Aptos, 8 miles downhill :-). If you do the normal climb from the parking area:
2 miles up Highland Road
3 miles up Buzzard Lagoon (fire road, climbing whenever possible)]
then the entrance to the Demo Forest is on your right a short distance after the closed gate. Lower your seat, and go for it. I recommend Tractor Trail for newbies. Tractor Trail is not as technical as Braille and Sawpit, but it's still a blast. Make sure your brakes are in good shape and your wheels are true, that's 2000 feet of downhill singletrack in a couple of miles.
Obi-John |
| Demo on Tuesday's | frank
Oct 8, 2002 6:15 AM | | I do a ride most every Tuesday after work at the Demo Forest. The pace is adjusted so everyone has a good time. E-mail if your interested in going. |
| Demo | mr_spin
Oct 8, 2002 7:16 AM | | BV's ride did Table Mountain/Charcoal Road, which is actually pretty brutal once you get off the singletrack and on to the fire road. You need some real strength and endurance if you don't want to walk. It's worth it if you go into Longridge and come down Grizzly.
Demo doesn't have all that many places to get lost. If you go in at Buzzard and get on Ridge, all the trails (Corral, Sulphur, Braille, Tractor, Sawpit) end up on the same road, which takes you out on Highland. Climb Buzzard until you top out at a clearing. Look to the right and you'll see the entrance for Ridge.
Corral is tough off the top, but the rest of it is fairly easy.
Sulphur is the easiest of them all. It's a fire road.
Braille is pretty technical, and the hardest way down.
Tractor is long and sweet, and maybe the most pure fun in the park.
Sawpit is a lot like Tractor, but getting to it has some real challenges. I'd love to see someone actually ride the final climb on Ridge!
Demo is really beat after a long summer, especially Ridge between Corral and the picnic table. Tune your suspension and expect to get kicked around. |
| mr_spin | MTK
Oct 8, 2002 8:12 AM | | I'd love to see someone actually ride the final climb on Ridge!
I too would love to see that. Can it be done I thought? No way.
I remember a few years back talking to the guys at Voodoo about
that same Ridge. They would ride with Joe Murray up there and
they told me he Mashed it every time. Hardtail,Squishy,it did'nt
matter they said. I want to say he was in the Big Ring,but I am
not 100% sure of that,I cant remember? Although I am pretty sure
he was. Unreal. |
| mr_spin | mr_spin
Oct 8, 2002 8:42 AM | | There are some myths floating around, but I don't think it's possible. I know guys who can get up to the tree about one-third up, but that's it. It's too steep and too loose and too long. It's also slippery because it's usually covered in leaves. And there's no good way to get a running start. Until I actually witness someone doing it, I consider all claims as suspect! |
| OK - I'll take the YBB up there one day and... | Biking Viking
Oct 8, 2002 8:50 AM | | ...start working on it. Need to wait for more traction though.
It still counts if I leave the CamelBak at the bottom, right?
BV |
| Ummm, | MTK
Oct 8, 2002 11:29 AM | | There are some myths floating around, but I don't think it's possible.
About Joe Murray Mashin it,or other people?
I know how you feel,I felt the same way. It just dont
seem possible. However,I believe Joe can Mash it. I'd
put a Six Pack of your favorite beer on it,hell a twelve
pack. BV,you better change your rear tire if you try it. |
| Bay Area XC mtb groups | Obi-John
Oct 8, 2002 1:54 AM | | The two big MTB clubs are ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers) on the Peninsula, and BTCEB (the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay.) I am a ROMP member, and strangely enough I haven't gone on any ROMP rides except for when I was a complete newby. I attended the beginner's skill-building ride, which was very helpful! Maybe I should pick a ride and go for it, perhaps even tomorrow.
Some bike shops sponsor rides, too. The Bicycle Outfitters has both road and MTB rides. The MTB rides are every second and fourth Sunday morning on the trails and hills around Stevens Creek Reservoir. On Tuesday evenings there is a whine and dine ride that starts at Summit Bikes in Los Gatos and goes up into St. Josephs, then stops for burritos and beer/wine. Hey, maybe I'll do that one tonight, at long last.
Lots of social opportunities out there, if you have the time.
Obi-John |
| Thanks for the great info guys! | E
Oct 8, 2002 5:18 PM | | There seems to be enough of us local Bay Area people here...I'm sure one way or another we'll meet up or cross paths on the trails...
I'm considersing riding with romp to start...Didn't see much in the way of Yahoo groups...I'll try bike shop rides as well.
Thanks again all!
-e- |
| enough talk - let's ride! | grundy
Oct 8, 2002 8:58 AM | | all this talk of the demo forest makes me want to go ride it. - maybe this weekend?
buy hey, I'm not picky. Skeggs sounds good too, as does just about any trail ride with friendly folk.
Who wants to ride this weekend? |
| How about Friday? - Got the day off and want to go beyond | wg
Oct 8, 2002 2:02 PM | | the East Bay.
Hmmm. Haven't ridden in the South Bay/ Peninsula in many years.
Unfortunately the weekend is out. |
| I'm good for this Sunday... | E
Oct 8, 2002 5:20 PM | | nm |
| |
