One might say there were too many Chiefs and not enough Indians today, but the truth of the matter was that all 4 Ride-Coordinators showed up for today's ride along with one Appleman.  On a delightful, slightly cool Fall morning, 5 of us started out from the corner of Lindero Canyon and Kanan, heading towards the Hidden Meadow Trail.   By the time we reached the top of the pavement, the windbreakers came off and we began the ride on dirt.  The Hidden Meadow Trail was in great condition for the tough climb followed by the thrilling descent.

Matthew leading the pack near the Lang Ranch side of Hidden Meadow Trail

Dean follows close behind

Rod flies down the trail

Jamshyd testing out his "new" disc brakes.

Did you know he has "new" disc brakes?

The group takes a break at the bench near the bottom of Hidden Meadow Trail

Even with only 5 of us, much discussion, proposals, counter-proposals and counter-counter-proposals were made as we made decisions about which direction to take.  The first decision was to "go up the down staircase", bypassing the usual ride up Albertson Fireroad, rather taking the fireroad we usually come down on from the Simi Valley area.  Meeting some hikers at an intersection of a previously untaken road, they convinced us to climb the steep road that ended up taking us to the start of the Long Valley Trail that goes down to Simi.  From there we spied a foreign trail on a distant ridge and decided to explore.  After some yenta-ing, climbing over a gate, and some more yenta-ing, we found ourselves transporting our bikes over our shoulders, climbing over rocky outcroppings trying to find new paths much like that famed duo Lewis and Clark.....or maybe more like Lewis and Martin.

Dean and Matthew look on in amusement as Rod assists Jamshyd's push up the steep rock face

Explore we did, but alas, the trail petered out and we had to return from whence we came.  We then rode over to the top of Mini-Marbles Trail that would eventually take us back to the Albertson Fireroad.

We yenta and munch on energy bars and apples from Matthew at the bottom of Mini-Marbles

Upon reaching Albertson Fireroad, the decision was made to turn right and head back to the street and the Lang Ranch side of the Hidden Meadow Trail.  We then climbed back up the steep trail. 

Matthew at the crest and Jamshyd below on a detour off the main trail

It was about midway thru the trail that, although we were only 5, we managed to break up into 3 groups.  Matthew and Jamshyd took a fireroad that took them over to Kanan Road to ride the pavement home, while Dean, Rod and I continued on the main trail.  But Dean, who had been leading, missed a turn and we lost him for the short remainder of the ride.  But fortunately, we all eventually arrived back at the parking lot where we enjoyed some light food and drink at the local coffee hangout.  Rod will probably post the exact mileage and altitude but I know that, although we probably did only about 15 miles, we did a lot of climbing for a tough day of mountain biking on a beautiful fall California day.

Hope to see you tomorrow at Bell Canyon for Rod's annual RCY Sukkah Ride!

Robco Baggins