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PostPosted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 7:49 pm 
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I took the day off today and made my weekend 4 days 8) so I decided to head up to the hills.
Been wanting to ride to Penny pines from the lower Noble TH as a non shuttle ride for some time now. Kinda like one of those bucket list thoughts that rattle around in your mind. Thinking of spinning around the mud pit and head down Noble solo.

On the drive over I kept trying to talk myself out of it but that didn't happen darn it. Thinking of riding Laguna, grab a burger up there and head home but the sensible part of my fat bald head lost that battle.

Parked down low, packed up with plenty of water, a couple of snacks, and started turning the cranks up Pine Valley Road.

The road looks like this most all the way
Image

Got to the "big tree" and took a pic and break
Image

Checked Trailforks and found which way to go at the fork. Take a guess what direction.. :roll:
Image

Miles 3.5-5 totally kicked my ass. So frigging steep and you just have to grind it out.
My achilles started barking at me from this point on

That is Pine Valley way off in the little green patch
Image

Made it up to the Sunrise Hwy and rode over to Penny pines TH. A total of 8.5 miles of climbing.
Went around Laguna Lake CCW, up Chico Ravine, down Los Gatos, and back to Penny pines.
Slipped on the pads and headed westbound up and over to Noble Canyon. In hind sight, I should have skipped the lake action.

During the whole ride down Noble I never saw a sole until extra credit. After that climb up I was pretty beat and just cruised down safely knowing I was by myself.

Stopped to take a quick picture in my shaded rest stop
Image

Oh Hell no, I ain't trying this section (like a couple others :oops: )
Image

I just kept going riding and HAB'ing my way back until I was at the turn off before extra credit. Paused there for a bit to make up my mind if I would cut off and head to the road or do extra credit.
My evil side won that one too :twisted: (one of a couple of bad choices made)
Started grinding up and I met a young lady hiker resting under a tree. We were talking there for a couple of minutes when we saw a younger Mtn Lion come off the hill and into the trail about 30 yards away. It looked at us for one minute and lucky for us turned around back up the hill. First one I've ever seen and very cool moment. (as long as it kept going away :lol: )

I thought I was almost there when I made that last left turn to see that long, sandy grind to the top. Oh well, gotta keep going. Knowing the grinds were done I pitched and walked my way through the last rock gardens back to the car. Grabbed my chair and that cold one I packed and just sat there for a while. I was done in more way than one...

Ended up with a bit over 33 miles with about 3800 ft up and a little less down. After putting in the hours I'm glad I did the solo ride but I might be done with Noble. It takes too much outta me until the leg gets better. If you're thinking of riding it up I would recommend not doing so. It takes time and energy that could be better spent, unless your evil side wins the thought battle 8)

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 8:15 pm 
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Oh my, you are a bonafide animal Mike! Kudos. :thumbsup:

I always consider that a group ride. Gotta get outside my box!

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 8:20 pm 
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The first time I ever rode Noble was by myself, up that goddam road, and I never did it that way again. But I didn’t add on the whole Penny Pines and BLT, and I never saw a mountain lion...

Damn, you had an outstanding and memorable ride! Great TR.

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:07 pm 
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...I bet that hiker was sorry to see you go.

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:00 am 
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OldDogDan wrote:
...I bet that hiker was sorry to see you go.


She heard me coming with the bear bell clanging when I pulled up and she left at the same time as I did. :wink: I have to find me a mountain Lion bell now..
As I was leaving I saw her coming down so I waited and gave her a cold water and chatted. She does that hike a lot and felt very comfortable in the surroundings.

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:32 am 
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avidtest wrote:
Gotta get outside my box!


Kinda like trail closed signs? :ninja:

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2018 11:20 am 
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Dirtrider wrote:
avidtest wrote:
Gotta get outside my box!


Kinda like trail closed signs? :ninja:


Not following. What are those?

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2018 6:59 pm 
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Nice, BIG ride. We do that climb once a year but I have to say, it's not very fun. We actually shuttled it today. Parked at the Sunset TH, climbed up to the top, Down Gatos Ravine, around the meadow & through the campground (tons of open spaces) and down Noble. Great weather and all & all, an almost perfect ride. We also did extra credit but didn't see a mountain lion thankfully.

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PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 3:46 pm 
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Great TR!
Last time we rode Noble we rode up Indian Creek to avoid the road. Not sure which one is easier, Indian Creek might be even harder. But adding the meadow and Los Gatos to that ride is huge! Great job finishing with extra credit, mountain lion and all. Actually we ran into a couple younger ladies hiking up Noble and they told us they saw a mountain lion kill nearby....kitty is out there watching...


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