It is currently Tue Feb 09, 2010 2:48 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: The Land of Unsanitized Trails – Part II
PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:41 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed

Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:09 pm
Posts: 570
Location: Ramona
Given: 124 thanks
Received: 585 thanks
Bike(s): 9RIP, Nomad
Favorite Trails: Singletrack
Last we left James, he was gurgling in a pool of blood, struggling to maintain consciousness after attack of Mr. Big ring. We bandaged him up, helped him get on his bike, and pointed him in the down direction hoping he wouldn’t go into shock before he reached the bottom. The problem was the last 300’ only gets Barney Rubble worse. 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.

Image

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 and 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.

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.

Image

It reminded us of lower Cobbles: open, fast, swoopy, just perfect for night riding.

Image

During the day, probably more just ho hum.

Image

Then it was time for the usual dinner rib feast.

Sunday was the graduation ride consisting of Goat Camp loop.

Image

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.

Image

Starting off on Ford Canyon.

Image

Waddell Trail

Image

Then it was time to climb Mesquite Canyon.

Image

Image

Or hike.

Image

Switchbacks.

Image

Looking down the canyon.

Image

But still more to go.

Image

Last part of Mesquite Canyon before we split off.

Image

Climbing Willow Canyon trail.

Image

Lots of flowers in bloom.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

End of Willow Canyon and back on to Ford canyon

Image

Why yes, that would be the trail up the ridgeline below the towers.

Image

Image

Trail paved with wild flowers on both sides.

Image

This ride is demoralizing with the amount of climbing.

Image

At least the scenery makes up for it.

Image

Brief bit of descent, before climbing the trail below the towers.

Image

Where’s Waldo?

Image

We encountering two other riders the entire day.

Image

And then the descent begins.

Image

Pucker factor.

Image

There’s a reason why this is double black diamond.

Image

Image

And it’s not because of the climbs.



Next would be Mark’s turn for some first aid.

Image

James cleaned it this time, but the sounds emanating from Mark didn’t sound much different than 40 year old Virgin Andy Stitzer when having chest hair removed.

Hiker coming up, “Do you know what you’re getting yourself into??? It gets much worse.” The rest of the trail just keeps throwing chunk at you. Ever wanted to be off a trail because it’s so hard? Sorry, there’s no way out of this one. Hiker at the bottom, “I don’t know how you guys do it?” I’m not sure either ma’am.

5 hours later we finished this 16 mile ride having climbed some 3,000’. But don’t let numbers fool you.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 6 users would like to thank GP_pilot for his or her post:
Brian, dirtmonger, kreechan, OffRoadie, Red Hot Sloth, Supple1
 Post subject: Re: The Land of Unsanitized Trails – Part II
PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:47 pm 
Offline
Ambassador
Ambassador
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:01 pm
Posts: 2958
Location: Oceanside
Given: 4062 thanks
Received: 1871 thanks
Bike(s): Heckler and Trek HT
Favorite Trails: Dirty Dirty Trails
Thanks for the great pics and wonderful write-up! :thumbsup:

_________________
Pain Is Temporary


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The Land of Unsanitized Trails – Part II
PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:48 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:19 pm
Posts: 1099
Location: AWESOMEbrook
Given: 679 thanks
Received: 777 thanks
Bike(s): Turner Spot-SC Nomad-Niner EMD
Favorite Trails: The AWESOME ones.
Nice trail rash. I was thinking from the first set of pictures that a tank top jersey and arm armor looked a little out of place. :D

Nice TR as well. :cheers:

_________________
Your Kung-Fu is weak.

http://statmtb.blog.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The Land of Unsanitized Trails – Part II
PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:49 pm 
Offline
Active Participant
Active Participant

Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:02 pm
Posts: 372
Given: 85 thanks
Received: 197 thanks
PacMan wrote:
Nice trail rash. I was thinking from the first set of pictures that a tank top jersey and arm armor looked a little out of place. :D

Nice TR as well. :cheers:


Ha. Wouldn't have mattered on this trail. My ring finger was missing a chunk of skin at the end of the ride, but my glove doesn't have a hole in it.

Might be a few more min on the vid...


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The Land of Unsanitized Trails – Part II
PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:11 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:35 pm
Posts: 689
Location: Carlsbad
Given: 412 thanks
Received: 616 thanks
Bike(s): Turner 5 Spot; Look 555
Favorite Trails: the one closest to me now
Nice TR and pictures!

_________________
Mauka wikiwiki


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The Land of Unsanitized Trails – Part II
PostPosted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:47 pm 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:00 pm
Posts: 511
Location: Carlsbad
Given: 363 thanks
Received: 304 thanks
Bike(s): Stumpy FSR/Mary SS
Favorite Trails: Undecided
Absolutely Awesome!

I used to ride some of the lower trails at South Mtn. on my BMX as a kid and strangely enough have never ridden it on an MTB. :?

_________________
The one formerly known as Solo.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: The Land of Unsanitized Trails – Part II
PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:08 am 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:54 pm
Posts: 1987
Given: 178 thanks
Received: 536 thanks
Bike(s): SS, what else is there?
Favorite Trails: Jabantiks mom*
Pic #11 is where I broke my wrist no kidding, I was coming down that crap. That HAB up that is brutal. I can't wait to go back next fall.

BTW nice TR, I am really jealous.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Blue Moon by Trent © 2007
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Translated by phpBB.fr © 2007, 2008 phpBB.fr