Every Saturday, I’ve been making it a point to get out on some long mountain bike rides.
Last week’s ride was hampered by stomach issues. I no longer endorse Baked Doritos. Eat at your own risk.
Driven by last week’s disappointment, I knew I had to make up for lost trail time, so Monday morning, I shoot out an email to the gang - Let’s do a Whiting/Old Camp/Luge loop. From the top of Old Camp, you get 6 miles of uninterupted (almost) downhill. Of course, you have to work for it first. I love any trail that involves climbing and singletrack.
Saturday rolls around and I meet two buddies at Cook’s Corner. We decided to start here so that we could set up 2 drop off points just in case we ran into time issues, etc.
So we roll through Whiting Ranch and by the time we circle around to Four Corners, my two buddies don’t look too hot. Oh no. After some discussion, they decide it’s best to just roll down Santiago Canyon back to the cars.
Hmm..and that leaves one. Well, I figure I got a few hours to kill, why not? So I begin the ascent up to Old Camp. Riding alone is actually quite therapeutic.
The initial climb was pretty uneventful until some shirtless rider with a beanie on his head comes bombing down. What happened to courtesy that gives the uphill rider has the right of way? Oh well. I stay my course and he almost loses it trying to get around me. He yells out “F@!k Dude!” Darwinism bro - Darwinism. Let’s hope you’re wearing the same thing the next time you take a spill.
I stop at the flagpole for a short break. At this point, I can just drop down the Luge and be back at the car in minutes. I do a quick check on water and food supplies. Looks like I’m good to go.
So I march onward. The climb was much longer than I remembered. When I got to the tree canopies, I figured I was almost there - but instead it was like the never ending trail. My legs were on the verge of cramping. I had a hard time keeping my heart rate under 180. Man, I was a mess. I couldn’t keep riding for more than a few minutes at a time without taking a break.
With much persistence, I finally make it to the clearing. Wow - am I beat! I suck down some food and drink and begin the descent back down before the bugs start eating me for lunch.
This is the first time I brought my Chumba Evo up to Old Camp. Descending was a blast. The suspension soaked up the rocks so perfectly that I started taking the bad lines on purpose.
Back at the flagpole, I stop and sit for a while to reflect. Nobody else was around. All you hear are some birds and the flag waving in the wind.
After I find inner peace, I’m off heading down the Luge. Trail conditions were awesome. The rain from a few days ago made everything really tacky.
By the time I make it back to the car, I’m content that I got a good ride in today. Here’s the total damage.
Distance - 22.36 Miles
Ascent - 3,748 Feet
Calories - 2530 (Wow, what’s for lunch??)
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