Viper

Rode out in Santa Clarita today w/ Miles and his friend Alex. The loop started with a 7+ mile fireroad climb from 1,400 ft to 3,700 ft, then a downhill single-track, a big road climb back up and finally... Viper. Click on the map for info on MB.



Total elevation gain for the ride was a pretty big 4,500+. Miles was on his game and off the front on each of the big climbs. Here's a graph...



View from the Camp 9 fire station...



The entrance to Viper...



Miles and Alex all smiles as they're about to drop in on their home-court single-track...



Overall, the trail was incredibly flowy and fast with a number of steep sections. The infamous Viper section was quite scary though, at least to me. Alex and Miles both cleaned it nicely. I made it about 1/5 of the way down and then (weakly) stepped off.

Here's a pic of the section taken from the other side. Trust me, it's steep...

Memorial Day Weekend Rides

After eight days off the bike, got in three rides over the long weekend. Weather was on the cool side with wind, clouds and even some drizzle on Saturday AM.

Found out yesterday that PCH is being re-paved between Sunset Blvd. and Surfrider Beach, a project that will be completed in Fall 2009. This effectively makes road rides in the canyons north of Topanga pretty unappealing d/t what would be a rough return trip.



A mellow ride through the Palisades via Sunset, into the Highlands, up to the Paseo Miramar trailhead and back via PCH.



Topanga Canyon/Old Topanga Loop.



Westridge to Rusty Car to Backbone Trail loop.

This Weekend's Rides

On Sunday, headed out early for a pre-Mother's Day ride. It was kinda chilly as there was a lot of moisture in the air and in the dirt. After I finished, the front of the Bianchi was covered in a thick layer of fine grit...

Last Weekend's Rides

On Saturday, headed up Westridge Fireroad up and down the single-track w/ Mike and Miles. The waterbars bisecting the trail can seriously launch you if you're not paying attention. Actually, kind of sketchy.



Did a solo road loop on Sunday. The wind was blowing which made things interesting going up and down the canyons.