A rather disjointed ride on Sunday. We immediately broke up into 2 groups. I think we had about 11 people show, and about half that number actually left on time at 7:45. Meanwhile, the rest of us waited for the stragglers and left from the 'crowded' intersection of Mulholland and Las Virgenes at 8:00. The morning was quite cold, popsicle fingers and toes.

With the spires of Malibu Creek State Park in the distance, Dean, Rod, Matthew, and Ali prepare to descend into the park

The ride towards the base of the Bulldog climb took us through the usual Rock Garden. It seemed to me that the "garden" was especially challenging this day, filled with a plentiful assortment of rocks and roots to overcome. Of course, perhaps it was just my advancing years that were bouncing up against and over those obstacles.

But then after being battered by the Rock Garden comes the Bulldog Climb! Up and up we pedaled in a seemingly endless 3 1/2 miles of torture. Finally at the top the 2 groups reunited for at least a few minutes.

Waiting at the top: DavidR, Ali, Aaron, Joe, Matthew, Brian, & Reuben (SteveL had already headed back down Bulldog)

At this juncture, the group again split. Joe, Brian, Ali and Aaron headed down the fireroad towards Corral Canyon and were not to be seen again by the rest of us. Thus it was David, Matthew, Reuben, Dean, Rod and I who took up the rear guard. Down to the Corral Canyon dirt parking lot we headed, then to The Elevator for the Fast ride down! Although Reuben took the road back, the rest of us took the inviting Tapia Spur Trail back into Malibu Creek State Park. As we headed out of the state park, near the main entrance, we spied a small herd of mule deer.

Back at our cars a decision was made to eat at the Santa Fe Cafe on Las Virgenes Road where we were also met by Jamshyd and his lovely wife Naz who joined us for lunch. And as we left the cafe we were also met by English (visualize whirled peas) Dayve who, having slept late, had just finished a solo ride in Chesebro.