Two amazing high country rides in two weeks:
This past Sunday my brother and I explored the Grouse ridge area
Here is my play by play...
Grouse Ridge To Spaulding Lake Trail DH
Started the ride at 7500' on the saddle of grouse ridge below the peak of 7700' . What a rim of the world view of the Sierras!We headed south down the Grouse Ridge Trail. The next 1.5 to 2 miles was an A-line of breathtaking views and about 1100' feet of vertical drop until the intersection of blue lake trail. Although the trail was technical, the rock gardens were punctuated with smooth sections that I could see the line through and make it to the next turn. We only had a few dismounts and slide outs from the very loose gravel turns.From the intersection with Blue lake trail the trail followed a contour through granite slabs, creek fords and finally the crossing of granite creek. the views were still breathtaking , but the going was slower and more methodical.We made a right turn down to the connector trail that would take us to the Spaulding lake trail. At first it it seemed a little technical with longer rocky sections and gravelly courses through drainages...but we were digging the challenge. At that point the trail turned to a switchbacked boulder course and it was literally like riding through a streambed....extremely technical and on the verge of undrideable...we pushed on through many impossible sections and many close calls. This section really took the energy out of me and i was tiring quickly. After about a mile the trail finally let up and turned to more of a granite slabbed and sand pit turns. Some sections were fast and others a bit slower but all really fun after the boulder course we had just somehow survived.
We reached Fordyce falls and took a dip in the cold creek.
The next sections were forested and cool and perfect XC fare....but we were tired and on 40lb freeride rigs so we plodded and coasted until spaulding lake wher we promptly dipped again. The final climb to Fuller lake was easy but slow rounding out a grueling but action packed 10 mile ride through many different types of terrain. We reached the lake about 3.5 hours and 2000 vertical feet later!
If I were to do it again I might take the first right onto blue Lake trail and see how that one is.

Then we went to The Peak on Highway 108

Wow the weather has been 100+ degrees and the only solution appears to be rolling under a rock for the duration of the day! Or getting up to the high country.
I have hooked up with a great group CCC and we did my first night ride in the area. How weird is snaking single track in the night with the air temperature still above 90 deg? it was a blast! Bombing down the mountain was definitley Jedi training!

Greeting From Beatiful Cool California!

Well I have a Jamis 17" XLTframe for sale it is a good solid frame but a hair small. If you are interested drop me a line or check it out on Craigslist.

So I have been riding the culvert trail in Auburn State Recreation area and it has finally dried out a bit making the top swamp a little faster. Hey at least it doesn't look like this anymore.

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This is what it looked like for the annual cool MTB race.....sheesh wheres the hot chocolate and wool blankets at the finish line. The wait for spring has been worth it since many of the trails are in purrrrrfect condition and fast. I guess it is worth it living in the foothills even if I have to commute to the Valley.

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Winter tyme.....and the living is easy.
Well I have been in transition for the last few weeks while my new job and hopefully new house goes through escrow. so what have i been doing? building bikes of course! here is one that recently just got built up




Of course I have this other XC frame that needs some attention ...but geez the weather is so fickle I might as well just go sledding, or boarding or maybe just hit the bag in the garage for a bit.



Actually though my brother-in-law and I hit up Sugar Bowl On 1/19 and it was such a great experience....Powder, blue skies and just the swish of board edges to make you smile.

Nothing like a good ENDO off of a Rock to make you stand up!
Well here is the brother with his slow reentry off of the Rock Drop at the Chicken Coop. He nailed it the next time with a little speed and flow. Seems like what everybody needs is a little flow. It works for biking to! here is another flow Pic where he made it off the rock with a little speed

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Moving to da Hills!
Well the housing economy is a piece of work for young families trying to get into the market. We are a Single income unit and we just can't compete with the double wage earner family. So how did it get this way? Does everbody really want to live in CA? Do they really live here...I mean jeez you can got to a Starbucks and a strip mall anywhere in the USand still make it home for you favorite cable TV show. If you don't enjoy and care for the land why not move somewhere else?
Well rants aside I think we are moving back to the foothills to get out of the crazed yea barea. At least I will be able to keep my poverty level engineering job!
And I will be able to shred in the mountains around the foothills!

Getting young while old

Gosh It used to be so easy to just get on your bike when you where a kid and go for broke! Now look what happens... my poor friend just had to rest for a bit after a long uphill haul.
Seriously though what changes have I made to my riding and resting since getting older?
Well for one I try to stretch whenever I have a minute or just a breath even throughout the workday and during and after any ride.
I were more protective gear and try to stay as hydrated as possible.

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