RCY Ride
Report
Sycamore Canyon
Saturday
06-03-06
As Steve and
Mitch relayed in their previously posted ROAD ride reports,
the 3 themes for Saturday were HOT, HOT, and HOT. And that was also the
case for the 10 riders who showed up at the Wendy/Portrero start point for the
DIRT ride. In spite of Rod's excellent choice of Sycamore Canyon for the
RCY ride, even as we neared the coast, the heat was relentless and only gave us
temporary breaks when a light zephyr brushed by us or we headed down a welcome
downhill section.
With 7:30 morning temps
already in the 80's Ali, Giang, George, Joe, Reuben, GaryS, Rod, Matthew, Dean
and I headed across the open fields towards the downhill of the Black
Bitch. Coasting down the steep asphalt cooled our bodies, but my mind
could not shake the reality that in a few hours we would have to climb back up
this steep asphalt devil in even hotter temperatures.
We decided to head down the
main canyon floor (with a slight detour via the 2 Foxes Trail) so that in the
"cooler" part of the morning we could climb the Overlook Fireroad. And so
it was up we pedaled, sun beating down, sweat dripping from our brows (and arms
and torsos and legs), hoping for an elusive sea breeze, finally regrouping
near the top of Hell Hill and the Wood Canyon View Singletrack.
Seeking shade, Ali
and Giang rest at the top of the Overlook climb
Gary lounges while
waiting for Reuben to bring him his Marguerita order
Matthew distributes
his magical apples and melted caramel at a shady spot
Dean riding at the
top of Overlook
After soaking up all the shade
we could and eating all the available apples, it was down the exciting section
of the BackBone Trail called the Wood Canyon View Trail.
Reuben at a
turn
Rod climbs a short
section
George riding past a
profusion of yellow flowers
The Appleman focuses
on the trail ahead
Joe enjoying the
ride
The bottom of the trail
brought us out to the floor of Sycamore Canyon. We turned left to head
north, back up the canyon eventually coming to the inevitable climb up the Black
Bitch with the temperature hovering somewhere around 212 degrees
Fahrenheit....at least it seemed like the water in my camelback was starting to
boil....
At the top of the asphalt
climb, Ventura County Search and Rescue was conducting some practice drills and
we watched a helicopter flying low overhead.
The helicopter flies
around Boney Mountain while a volunteer waits his turn
Back at the cars, Matthew,
Rod, Dean and I motored over to the Side Street Cafe for some epicurean delights
before bidding a fond farewell.
Have a great
week!
Robco Baggins
______________________________________________________________
RCYMountainBiking.com
