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RR: A Noble Day

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01 / Original postRR: A Noble DayRide-A-Lot · 18 Jul 2005 02 / This pagePosts 1–13Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #13Neil Brooks · 22 Jul 2005

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Mountain Bikes
Published
18 July 2005
Last activity
22 July 2005
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Ride-A-Lot
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Hydration

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  1. Original post
    Ride-A-Lot
    Archived post
    #1

    [Inline version available here: http://tinyurl.com/8lx6p]

    Noble Canyon, California

    I head out from the hotel early in morning for the planned meet with
    Bill Sornson and his crew at the Market in Pine Valley. I was surprised
    how easy and close it was and how the elevation quickly grew to 4000'.
    After some quick introductions, we shuttle up to the Laguna trailhead.
    This saves a seven mile climb on road.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2478.jpg

    We start climbing up the fire road and I'm thinking that (1) this is
    just a JAR ride with the starting climb and (2) this terrain doesn't
    look all that nasty.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2482.jpg

    OK, not bad. I'm doing my usual slow climb routine and trying to decide
    how much energy and water I should ration. I never asked how far we
    were going. We finally reach the singletrack and wow is it beautiful.
    A little ducty, but so fast!

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2485.jpg

    I am having a blast on these trails. They are very similar to trail
    back home with swoopy fast turns between trees and a few babyheads here
    and there.

    We stop to let everyone catch up (wow, I never thought I'd be the one
    saying that) and then head out on more singletrack. It just goes on
    forever and what seems like all downhill. I guess when you start at the
    top of 4000', what other way could it go?

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2486.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2487.jpg

    The landscape here is magnificent. It's so nice to be in wide open land
    without worrying or hearing the roar of cars on the highway next to you.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2491.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2492.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2497.jpg

    We stop and a fork in the trail to decide on the extra credit loop. A
    few of us opt in and at the campground I take the lead, smoling the
    competition (actually Bill wanted me to since somehow he got it in his
    mind that I am better at the technical sections).

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2495.jpg

    Before heading out on the Noble Canyon trail, we stop at the refueling
    station to make sure that the water is topped off. I don't see many of
    these on trails I ride (French Creek is the only one I can think of),
    but pottable water is sure a great thing to have in the middle of a ride.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2498.jpg

    One more thing to do before the Canyon. Bill has to show the
    out-of-towner the vista. So we "walk" up the Pacific Coast Trail and
    view this:

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2499.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2500.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2501.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2502.jpg" border="0"
    alt="" />

    Then it's onto the Noble Canyon trail which starts off smooth and fast:

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2506.jpg

    I am rocking the trail and finding my lines. I think I may have been a
    little over confident. We start heading down into tree cover and then a
    nasty little rock garden presents itself.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2507.jpg

    Sure it looks so rollable from the picture and rom my angle it looks
    like nothing. In reality is was steep and those stones which look flat
    actually point up like tombstones. I pay no attention to the fact that
    the person who has ridden this numerous times has walked his bike
    through. So off I go and I get about 2/3 of the way through this and
    pow! Over the bars and almost down the hill into the stream. I was
    lucky to unclick fast enough to make a standing save of what should have
    been a very painful fall.

    I laugh it off, give a few "oh sh!s" and head on through a few water
    crossings. At this point they feel very good as temperatures are now
    above 100.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2509.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2510.jpg

    We stop to reflect on the death defying experiences the trail has
    brought us so far and Bill notices a white band on my arm where my watch
    used to be, It must have fallen off when I took my second spill
    attempting something way above my ability (gotta learn sometime).
    Although, I really liked the watch, the chances of finding it somewhere
    on that trail are slim and none. I know, I know... You don't need that
    extra junk with you on the trail. Have a I learned my lesson?
    Probably, not. So, now there is Trail Treasure to be found on the Noble
    Canyon Trail. No, it's not a Casio. I don't want to really embarass
    myself too much, so I'll tell you it beigins and ends with a 'T'. Good
    luck finding it and there is no reward. Your conscience can be your
    reward, or not.

    Now we make the LONG technical climb out of the valley. There is some
    exposure, but surprisingly I head right on through. It's a tough rocky
    climb and the temperature is boiling as far as I am concerned. I am
    trying to stay hydrated but ration at the same time. My legs are fine,
    but my head is beginning to spin. So I alternate between drink, ride,
    and walk out of the canyon.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2513.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2514.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2515.jpg

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2516.jpg

    One downhill in all the uphill that we all cleared... on foot.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2517.jpg

    After reaching the top of the saddle, I am pretty much spent. Luckily
    it's a long sandy downhill into town.

    http://www.schnauzers.ws/public/images_upload/IMG_2520.jpg

    It was an incredible ride of about 27 or 28 miles. It kicked my ass
    good and gave me a good wake-up call that I have a long way to go in
    skill building. I can't wait to return and try it again.

    Bill and his buds were great people. I enjoyed the company and the
    Mexican food (I leave off most of the stuff that makes it Mexican,
    though). Lucky people to live in an area with such great nearby riding.

    --
    o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
    www.schnauzers.ws

    Report
  2. BB
    Archived post
    #2
    Ride-A-Lot said:

    [Inline version available here: http://tinyurl.com/8lx6p]

    Thanks for the html version, cutting and pasting a few dozen URLs is a
    pain!

    Kudos for all that riding in 100+ degree heat; that'd freakin' kill me. We
    spent the last week [censored] about WALKING in high-80s (then again, it was
    in Paris & Amsterdam, so not all bad).

    ...but all that climbing for a sandy downhill? :-~

    --
    -BB-
    To e-mail me, unmunge my address

    Report
  3. Bill Sornson
    Archived post
    #3
    BB said:
    Ride-A-Lot said:

    [Inline version available here: http://tinyurl.com/8lx6p]

    Thanks for the html version, cutting and pasting a few dozen URLs is a
    pain!

    Kudos for all that riding in 100+ degree heat; that'd freakin' kill
    me. We spent the last week [censored] about WALKING in high-80s (then
    again, it was in Paris & Amsterdam, so not all bad).

    ..but all that climbing for a sandy downhill? :-~

    No, no, no. It's just that at the end there's no other way out! (Actually,
    there IS a bail-out route, but it doesn't come out where we needed to be at
    the end.)

    Nice write-up and pix, Mitch -- come on back now, y'hear?!?

    Bill "no recovery ride today" S.

    Report
  4. Ride-A-Lot
    Archived post
    #4
    BB said:


    ..but all that climbing for a sandy downhill? :-~

    Just the very end. The whole ride is probably 70% downhill since you
    shuttle 7 miles up.

    --
    o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
    www.schnauzers.ws

    Report
  5. MattB
    Archived post
    #5
    Ride-A-Lot said:

    [Inline version available here: http://tinyurl.com/8lx6p]

    Noble Canyon, California


    <snip nice RR>

    Quoted message said:


    Bill and his buds were great people. I enjoyed the company and the
    Mexican food (I leave off most of the stuff that makes it Mexican,
    though). Lucky people to live in an area with such great nearby riding.

    Excellent. Thanks for the report.

    Matt

    Report
  6. JD
    Archived post
    #6

    I wasn't very far away as the crow flies, but had another agenda in
    SanDog on Saturday. I'll have to get down there onea these days.

    JD

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  7. Slack
    Archived post
    #7
    Ride-A-Lot said:
    BB said:


    ..but all that climbing for a sandy downhill? :-~

    Just the very end. The whole ride is probably 70% downhill since you
    shuttle 7 miles up.

    Shuttle...aint nobody said nothing bout no /s h u t t l e/ _Damn it_ !!!!

    That would've been worth failing a few quizzes :-(
    --
    Shuttle-less Slack, Shoot

    Report
  8. Bill Sornson
    Archived post
    #8
    Slack said:
    Ride-A-Lot said:
    BB said:


    ..but all that climbing for a sandy downhill? :-~

    Just the very end. The whole ride is probably 70% downhill since you
    shuttle 7 miles up.

    Shuttle...aint nobody said nothing bout no /s h u t t l e/ _Damn
    it_ !!!!
    That would've been worth failing a few quizzes :-(

    Still a LOT of tough climbing on the ride, Slackster. It's not the
    plain-Jane "Noble Shuttle" that you've heard about; we did about 12-13 miles
    /before/ heading down the canyon.

    Keep cramming 🙂

    Report
  9. Slack
    Archived post
    #9
    Bill Sornson said:
    Slack said:
    Ride-A-Lot said:

    BB wrote:

    >..but all that climbing for a sandy downhill? :-~
    >

    Just the very end. The whole ride is probably 70% downhill since you
    shuttle 7 miles up.

    Shuttle...aint nobody said nothing bout no /s h u t t l e/ _Damn
    it_ !!!!
    That would've been worth failing a few quizzes :-(

    Still a LOT of tough climbing on the ride, Slackster. It's not the
    plain-Jane "Noble Shuttle" that you've heard about; we did about 12-13 miles
    /before/ heading down the canyon.

    Keep cramming 🙂


    Oh. Well then, in that case, never mind :-P

    --
    Slack

    Report
  10. GeeDubb
    Archived post
    #10
    Ride-A-Lot said:

    [Inline version available here: http://tinyurl.com/8lx6p]


    Thanks for the rr, especially in-line.

    I gather Bill's back wasn't bothering him too much? Mine is still killing
    me. I started to feel better but then the 9 hour drive back to hell
    (referring to Phoenix temperature) fired the damn thing up again. I have to
    get back on the bike or else I'll be a woosy (sp?) boy in Ideeho but somehow
    when the low temp for the day is 93F I just don't seem too motivated.

    Gary (sure, I'll ride after the live le tour tomorrow)

    Report
  11. Bill Sornson
    Archived post
    #11
    GeeDubb said:
    Ride-A-Lot said:

    [Inline version available here: http://tinyurl.com/8lx6p]


    Thanks for the rr, especially in-line.

    I gather Bill's back wasn't bothering him too much?

    It's pretty much back to my NORMAL infirm condition, Gary -- real stiff
    lower left -- but that acute lower RIGHT thing is completely gone. Yoga
    release positions -- give 'em a try! (With caution.)

    Quoted message said:

    Mine is still
    killing me. I started to feel better but then the 9 hour drive back
    to hell (referring to Phoenix temperature) fired the damn thing up
    again. I have to get back on the bike or else I'll be a woosy (sp?)
    boy in Ideeho but somehow when the low temp for the day is 93F I just
    don't seem too motivated.
    Gary (sure, I'll ride after the live le tour tomorrow)

    Yours sounds a lot like mine -- feels pretty decent /on the bike/ but hurts
    to put weight down and stuff. Hope it improves for you soon!

    Bill "also watching Tour and then getting out for SOMETHING bike-ish" S.

    Report
  12. Westie
    Archived post
    #12
    Ride-A-Lot said:

    [Inline version available here: http://tinyurl.com/8lx6p]

    Noble Canyon, California

    Nice stuff. Very nice stuff. I'm not riding nearly enough and I'm
    still ploughing through the mud at this time of the year when I do. I'm
    envious.
    --
    Westie

    Report
  13. Neil Brooks
    Archived post
    #13

    Beautiful coverage--text, vid, and stills. Thanks!

    If ever I had passed you, I might have seen/myself/ in those images,
    too. Cost of being last, huh? ;-)

    Nice job out there on the trail. Not quite the same as the 1200'
    Pennsylvania rise. In retrospect, I'm starting to think your 112F
    temperature reading on the trail might have been spot on! My paint
    was bubbling when we stopped under the tree at the market.

    You also now know about our legendary SoCal fajita portions. Bring
    backup next time!

    See you next time . . . when I get a squishy!

    Neil

    Report

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