TR: Tour de Noble Lite

moondogg · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:35 pm

Well work has been slow and the guy I work for is an avid mountain biker. Earlier in the week I get an icalendar for 6:00 AM, Friday morning that says "Noble Canyon." You can't tell the boss no, right? Only problem is the Enduro is STILL on the DL, so I gave a call down to B+L and they hooked me up with the Lime Greem Stumpy Machine.

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An alpine start out of Cardiff had a truck full of four at the trailhead by 7;30, where we met one other rider. It was still pretty chilly at 8:00 am, but warmer than expected. The plan was to head up the pavement (Alp de Huez) until the oak tree, catch the fire road to Indian Creek Trail, connect Indian Creek to Noble Canyon and then 8 miles of (mostly) downhill descent back to the truck. The connector from Indian Creek at Champange Pass to Noble Canyon would be new trail for me, so I was excited.

Doug starting up Indian Creek Trail.

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It was a bright, clear morning with some wonderful clouds in the sky. Looking South toward the famous oak tree.

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The loose rock and shale of the Indian Creek Trail makes for a very challenging, yet somehow still enjoyable climb.

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Champagne Pass. Getting ready to drop Indian Creek Trail towards Noble Canyon.

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Mike on Indian Creek Trail.

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Continued below......

moondogg · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:42 pm

Some of us sessioned the drops on the way down. Doug with a cyclocross air!

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SDMoondogg gaining some speed and confidence with the drops.

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The boss got in on the fun too.

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This is what I believe they call Devil's Staircase which starts with a steep waterfall switchback. Today I cleared it for the first time, from the start of the switchback to the bottom of the staircase, and on the first time no less. The stoke factor was high.

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After it was said and done, 18 miles, 3,000 ft of climbing, 1 PB&J and an ice cold Firehouse Pale Ale all before noon. Quite the day at the office.

-CHEERS :cheers:

Red Hot Sloth · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:25 pm

Nice writeup and pics sdmoondog. I miss Noble, I think its been too long since Ive ridden there...although in my current lack of fitness I would be relegated to doing a shuttle run, which is fine by me. One day though maybe in the spring I will do the climb again.
What were temps at top and bottom? Any evidence of snow?
Thanks

moondogg · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:45 pm

Red Hot Sloth wrote:

Nice writeup and pics sdmoondog. I miss Noble, I think its been too long since Ive ridden there...although in my current lack of fitness I would be relegated to doing a shuttle run, which is fine by me. One day though maybe in the spring I will do the climb again.
What were temps at top and bottom? Any evidence of snow?
Thanks

Thanks Sloth. Once these rains roll through town we should run a shuttle through BLT and down Noble before the end of the year. I think DM and others were interested.

As for the temps, I was dressed for the 30's. However it was right at 50 when we got to the parking lot and stayed cool once the sun came out because we had gained elevation. Maybe 65 when we had finished. No evidence of snow at all. Beautiful day with in and out sun through some awesome clouds.

PacMan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:04 pm

sdmoondogg wrote:

This is what I believe they call Devil's Staircase which starts with a steep waterfall switchback. Today I cleared it for the first time, from the start of the switchback to the bottom of the staircase, and on the first time no less. The stoke factor was high.

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That would be "Stairway to Hell" and mucho congrats :thumbsup:

for cleaning it all. No easy feat. I've only completely cleaned it once myself.

Nice TR too. :cheers:

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:42 pm

I'm envious...that beats the s**t out of my Friday at work. I unfortunately do not have an MTB boss. However, I did get to have a good conversation with an indirect boss, who was visiting, as he does occasionally, and is an avid MTBer...except in Wales. He's younger and in great shape -- I keep hoping to get over there on a business trip so he can thrash me soundly, then drag me to the pub. There's a fantastic trail called Skyline he wants to take me on. I've googled it -- it will do me in. But I digress -- Happy Friday!! I love Nobel and am glad to read your report and photos. Thanks!

dirtmonger · **Posted:** Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:26 pm

sdmoondogg wrote:

I think DM and others were interested.

Yes, yes, yes! I went down NASCAR today and I'll take the Glory to Elfin tomorrow or this week. I'll be ready. Growing cohones rapidly (thanks luna - might be easier if you had more resemblance to your avatar and came out riding with us).

DM

luna · **Posted:** Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:36 pm

Nice TR. What a killer boss you have. Looked like a blast out there. :bang:

406 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:41 pm

nice stuff.

TR: Tour de Noble Lite

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