As was the case on Saturday, Red Flag Warnings were posted Sunday at most State and Federal Land areas because of the high fire danger. So Ranger Rod made an executive decision with the aid of his henchmen and changed the planned Sycamore Canyon ride (the area was officially closed according to reports) to an exploratory ride of the new Millenium Trail in Calabasas. [Rod made a valiant effort to notify by either email or phone call--hopefully no one showed up at Sycamore.]

Seven riders showed up at the Calabasas Commons parking lot near the Corner Bakery. Roger, Joe, DavidR, Matthew, Mitch, Rod and I arrived ready to explore the Millenium Trail.

We pedaled up the pavement of Parkway Calabasas to a point just outside the gate into what I think is called The Oaks. A look up the side of the hill reveals the switchbacks that we were soon to climb. Unfortunately, the construction of this trail must have been done without cyclist input as the turns were too tight to ride and if you tried and failed.....well.....

At the crest we began a descent down the opposite side, eventually coming to a bridge crossing.

From here we began a climb that brought us back into The Oaks development. We did some exploring of streets, expensive homes and vacant lots (see Rod's topo map which has several "yellow dead end lines" where we turned back). At one of these points we were able to view another group of switchbacks with which we finished last Sunday's ride and which we would soon descend today.

It was at about this time that our group decreased in size to 5. First Joe and then Mitch had to head for home, our exploration, methinks, having taken too much time. And so it was that five of us walked/rode down this second steep switchback section.

We rode and explored and eventually came out of the dirt at the end of Calabasas Road. But not until we spied this enormous staircase which descended from the homes above down to the creek below.

When we reached Calabasas Road we viewed an outdoor exhibit of early Native American history in the area. I thought one particular item in the exhibit would be of particular interest to us.

We had covered about 19 miles of tough riding by the time we arrived back at the cars. I, for one, was exhausted and couldn't wait to eat and relax with the others at the Corner Bakery.