Charles and a whole crew went out for a ride at the Demo on Presidents Day. He has a new camera, so took a bunch of pictures and a few videos (plus one non-blurry pic courtesy of Caroline). Here is his write up:
A Three Hour Tour…
Well, that’s what I had planned. Ok, maybe a four hour, and at best a four and a half hour adventure in the woods, but I’ve swum with these fishes before, so I came prepared for an all day adventure as past experience has taught me. We used the occasion of Presidents Day to get together with friends and customers and take advantage of the warm Spring like day by taking a tour of the Soquel Demonstration State Forest. Of the fifteen or so riders that started last Monday’s ride, about half of us ended up spending over 6 hours riding just about every trail we could find.
(Updated Jan 13)
There were reports that one of the bridges on Chaparral Trail in Waterdog was losing its footing due to the rain. It was the one on Chaparral just uphill from the intersection with Ohlone.
Here is something to tide you over until the rains stop and the trails dry… Below are a pair of short video clips from the Winter Solstice ride a few weeks back.
First video is us going down the Ohlone Trail (what used to be called French Trail):
Next is us going down the switchbacks on Finch Trail:
...Rain and wind expected Thursday through Sunday across the San
Francisco and Monterey Bay areas…
A major change in the weather pattern is expected to take place in
the eastern Pacific starting Thursday. Strong zonal flow is expected
to bring a series of Pacific storms into the region…with the
potential for an extended period of significant rainfall and
strong winds.
The first in a series of weather systems will bring moderate to
locally heavy rainfall to the San Francisco and Monterey Bay
areas Thursday afternoon and evening. A second and very powerful
storm system is expected to bring heavy rain and strong gusty
winds to much of northern and central California Friday into
Friday night. Damaging winds gusting to as high as 60 mph are
possible…especially along the coast and in the mountains. Due
to the strong south to southwest low level flow with this second
system…there will likely be significant orographic enhancement
of rainfall across south and southwest facing mountain and
foothill locations. The potential for very high rainfall rates in
the mountains and hills will bring the possibility of flooding or
flash flooding.
A third weather system is expected to bring another threat of
rain or showers Saturday night into Sunday. At this time…it
appears that this system will be colder with less moisture. Snow
levels could lower to 2000 to 3000 feet…with snow possible on
the Bay area hills.
Preliminary rainfall totals look to be quite impressive for the entire
event from Thursday through the weekend. At this time…coastal
and valley locations can expect as much as 2 to 4 inches of
rain…with mountains receiving between 4 to 8 inches of rain.
Local spots in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Lucia
mountains could receive in excess of 10 inches of rain by the end
of the weekend. Again…all these are preliminary numbers and can
be expected to change as new information becomes available.
These strong Pacific storms are also expected to bring a large
westerly swell into the coastal waters Friday through
Sunday…bringing the potential for high surf conditions across
all west facing beaches.
Please stay tuned to the latest National Weather Service forecasts
and statements as this weather situation develops.
High Wind Advisory
208 PM PST Wed Jan 2 2008
...High wind watch in effect from Thursday afternoon through
Friday afternoon…
The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a high
wind watch…which is in effect from Thursday afternoon through
Friday afternoon.
South to southeast winds will increase Thursday afternoon to 20
to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph…and will continue through Thursday
night. The second…more powerful system will bring even stronger
winds to northern and central California. Winds along the coast
and valleys will increase early Friday morning to 30 to 45 mph
with gusts to 60 mph possible. Winds in the hills above 1000 feet
could possibly gust to hurricane force…75 mph on Friday. Winds
will decrease Friday evening.
A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous
high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph…or gusts of
58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest
forecasts.
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is preparing a master plan for La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.
This public land includes both the La Honda Creek section as well as the recently acquired Driscoll Ranch Addition, and covers NINE square miles of breathtaking terrain south of Sky Londa and Alices’ Restaurant at the intersection of Hwys 84 and 35. This is more than TWICE the size of El Corte de Madera Creek OSP (Skeggs).
Our espresso machine guru, Jim Sullivan, is an active member of ROMP’s board of directors and has been attending meetings regarding this plan for several years. He recently wrote us, asking mountain bikers to attend an upcoming meeting about the DRAFT MASTER PLAN:
“Please attend an upcoming open house public meeting for La Honda Creek
open space preserve scheduled for Dec 4th, 4-7pm @ The Mountain
Terrace. Located across Skyline blvd from Alice’s Resturaunt at 17285 Skyline blvd, 94062
Presently the “plan” has ZERO access for bicycles on this 5,759 acre
preserve, with a very open ended “once a safe through trail connection
is secured” statment suggesting bike access on the Ridge Trail alignment might someday be allowed. No acess within Driscoll Ranch, even though this has been an historically shared use area popular with the pedaling residents of La
Honda.
Midpen is promoting this acreage as “the Gateway to the San Mateo Coastal area.” Looks like the gate’s closed as far as cyclists are concerned.”
Jim S.
We will certainly be attending, and encourage YOU to go too. We need cyclists to speak up about getting shut out of this important open space area. Here is MROSD’s website about the plan, and a link to some maps http://openspace.org/plans_projects/la_honda_creek.asp
Extend your summer in the Sierras! Passion Trail Bikes has reserved a handful of rooms in the Riverside Inn
, and a bunch of seats on the Yuba Expeditions shuttle for a three-day weekend in Downieville.
We have spots available and would like to invite our customers and friends to jump in and join us. This is a “non-profit” weekend and all participants will pay actual costs with no markup added, so it doesn’t hurt your wallet any more to join us than to do it on your own.
The Vibe: The weekend is going to be fun, casual, and supported with logistics and meals. Given that most of the dining establishments are iffy these days in terms of actually being open, I will be doing a bunch of cooking, and serving meals on the deck overlooking the Downie River.
The Menu: B’fast Sun/Mon: French Toast breakfast on Sunday, Eggs and Bacon, or Cereal and Fruit on Monday. Lunch Sun/Mon: Sandwich buffet (I set out bread, ingredients and ziplocks; you make it). Dinner Sat/Sun: The evening meal will include some variety of pasta or other carb, a yummy salad, grilled meats and vegies, a dessert, wine and beer, and maybe some sort of icy tequila and lime juice concoction. Also EANABS for true hydration needs. Monday night we usually hit a restaurant in Auburn on the way home.
We had a great Wednesday night ride tonight. For a change, we had a singlespeed variation of the regular ride. 5 true single speeds showed up, along with one guy with a singlespeed chastity belt (a zip tie placed such that he couldn’t shift) and 2 shifty guys.
The ride did make me think of trail etiquette. I am sure most people have seen the share the trail signs (such as the one to the right). It basically says that we are expected to yield to horses and hikers. But what does this really mean?
Downieville in September We’re organizing another Passion Trail Bikes Downieville Trip September 15-16-17, Sat through Monday. The time shift eases commute issues, to keep the grin factor high. The noon shuttle on Saturday makes it possible to get up at a reasonable hour and still make the 4.5 hour drive to D-Ville in time; returning Monday means we’re traveling against the commute, for the most part. Usually some of us stop in Auburn for dinner to avoid traffic in Sacto and it makes for a relaxing drive home.
We’ve booked rooms at the Riverside Inn again & made shuttle reservations with Yuba. If you want to be part of the fun, All you need to do is mail or bring in a cash or check deposit of $50 to hold your place on the fun wagon. Total costs will vary, but will be around $60 per night for the room & $20 per day for the shuttle. So for now all we need is the deposit to hold you space, which is limited to about a dozen fun hogs. You are also welcome to bring your non-riding partner; D’ville is great for hiking, hanging out, swimming, fishing etc. There will likely be a FBG shuttle ride on either Saturday or Sunday. More details to those who join up. Deposits are due here no later than Aug 21, that’s when we have to give back any unused space…. who wants that? Check out our blog entry for some pics and videos from our last trip.
We are back, and well refreshed from a few days in Downieville. Had a great time, both on and off the trail. Here are some highlights – just a quick posting, as many more photos will come later.
Address: 415 Old County Rd, Belmont Phone: 650-620-9798
Our name says it – we are passionate about bikes and trails. We are all dedicated mountain bikers, and our knowledge of local trails can't be beat. Our mechanics are the best in the business, and we take customer service very seriously. We are committed to making your bike run perfectly. We guarantee great rides.
A Three Hour Tour…
“
The ride did make me think of trail etiquette. I am sure most people have seen the share the trail signs (such as the one to the right). It basically says that we are expected to yield to horses and hikers. But what does this really mean?
We’re organizing another Passion Trail Bikes Downieville Trip September 15-16-17, Sat through Monday. The time shift eases commute issues, to keep the grin factor high. The noon shuttle on Saturday makes it possible to get up at a reasonable hour and still make the 4.5 hour drive to D-Ville in time; returning Monday means we’re traveling against the commute, for the most part. Usually some of us stop in Auburn for dinner to avoid traffic in Sacto and it makes for a relaxing drive home.
