Hidden Meadow Trail

February 5, 2005

It was a day filled with obstacles for me, my final 24 hour earthly spin as I complete my 57th revolution of the sun.

Arriving early, as I was unloading my bike in the parking lot we always use at the corner of Kanan and Latigo Canyon, the groundskeeper/security guy came storming up to me and told me that I could not park there.  Despite my protestations that we do this all the time, the lot was virtually empty, and that we patronize the local coffee spot after our ride, he threatened to have my car towed.  After he left, most of the other riders showed up and since mine was the only vehicle that he could clearly ID -- RED with BIKE RACKS-- I decided to park my vehicle on the street.  That was obstacle #1.

Six of us--Joe and George, John, SteveK, Reuben and me--started up the street, eventually being joined by Andy at the top of the initial pavement climb (Andy minutes earlier had passed us on the street in his Carrera Porsche along with his 6 year old son who wanted to see the jokesters he rode with).  The day was overcast and cool, pleasant for riding.  Hidden Meadow Trail was mostly in good shape considering the recent heavy rains.

Reuben rides the steep downhill on Hidden Meadow Trail

John masters the steep

Some decide it more prudent to walk the dangerously rutted trail

After a near endo, Steve rides it

After completing the singletrack, we arrived at Lang Ranch and proceeded over to the climb up Albertson Fireroad.  It was here that obstacle #2 happened:   I broke my rear derailleur cable.  (Last week, you might recall, I broke my chain).  Well, I thought about turning around here as I could only use my small cog in the rear.  But after a brief tête-a-tête, we decided we could fix it.  With the help of Andy and John, I was able to shorten (as if I needed shortening...) the cable housing and pull the remaining cable thru to use all but my 2 biggest cogs.  [I had no granny gear, but this old grandpa still beat some o' them yungin' whipper snappers up the hill ;o)]

We continued climbing up to the top of the singletrack that some call "Marbles".....I have a favorite photo spot here that I am going to call the Kodak Kurve.  I stopped to take still photos while John took some video with his new Sony camera and its helmet mounted lens.  I've seen part of the first video he has edited (of the Serrania singletrack) and it is superb with a rockin' soundtrack.   I think he will soon share some more with all of us.

A Closeup of Andy on the Kurve

A Wide Angle View....How many people do you think were in this original shot?

The recent rains have nourished the thirsty hillsides, creating a profusion of green along with an abundance of early wildflowers, including what I think are these Purple Nightshades.....

After climbing to the top of Albertson Fireroad, Steve and I left the main group who were planning on continuing on the fireroad to the shortcut that leads to the backside of the powerpole climb which would then take them into the Shepherds Flat area.  Steve and I went into China Flats, down Palo Comado (with a detour down "The Bones" Trail--in pretty good shape), and out via DoubleTree.  I bid goodbye to Steve and headed on over to Sundance Cycles where they were gracious enough to install a new rear derailleur cable and housing plus do some work I needed on my rear shock bushings and only charged me double when I told them Reuben referred me [obstacle #3 ;-)] . 

Robco Baggins