Los Robles Trail   

05.01.05

Part I

We had a strong turnout today.  Some snickered that it was in anticipation of a rumor that 2 women were to join our group on today's traverse of the Los Robles Trail.  Who am I to deny it.  But, nevertheless, 15 people showed up, including our delightful female riders Sheryl and Audrey.  Also in a rare appearance was the long-lost Mario (about 7 months of non-riding finally allowed someone to pass him); nice to have you back, Mario!  Also it was good to see DavidN back with us as well as The Appleman Matthew, back from a business trip to China.

We took the usual route, leaving the parking lot of East Coast Bagel under cool and cloudy skies.  We climbed the fireroad that would lead us to the Los Robles Trail, stopping for a group photo at a fireroad gate.

Some quick photo-editing allowed me to get the whole group (including me) into the picture (see if you can find some "wierd" flaws)

From the left: Sheryl, Mario, Audrey, Joe, Matthew, moi, Rod, DavidN, Ali, Jamshyd, Matt, Mitch, Brian, Andy, Pete

From here we continued on the fireroad, taking the right fork to the beautiful, if short, Los Padres Trail.  From here it was a quick ride over to the base of the Los Robles ST.  Sheryl and Audrey departed at this point to return, while the remaining 13 males commenced up the switchbacks.  At the top, I believe that Joe and Mario returned while our number now dwindled to 11.  Some closeup shots of a few of the riders at a tough up-hill turn.....

Andy focused on the turn

David concentrating

Rod pedaling thru

End of Part I

Los Robles Trail   

05.01.05

Part II

Continuing with the tough singletrack turn....

Jamshyd lovin' it

Matthew giving it his all

Our number dwindled to 9 by the time I reached The Picnic Table near the top of Rosewood Trail as Matt and Pete headed back early.  After some eating and yentaing the rest of us continued on down the Rosewood singletrack for a fast descent.   I led the group at this point and as I swooshed down the narrow trail, the body of a pretty big rattlesnake suddenly appeared across the narrow track.  I did the best I could to jump the rattler, getting my front wheel over him, but not sure if my rear wheel hit.  Brian, who was right behind me, thinks I missed him and saw him scurry off into the underbrush.  So without further ado, we continued on down the trail for a thrilling downhill ride. 

We then took Lynn Road to the street that brings us back into the dirt.   It was at this point that the group disintegrated further.  Matthew broke his chain and so a few of us who knew it stayed back to help him.

Jamshyd helping Matthew with his chain

The chain repaired, we continued on.  Then Matthew broke his chain and so a few of us who knew it stayed back to help him.  No this is not a reprint....he broke it a second time.  In fact, Matthew seems to have a knack for breaking bike chains.  Perhaps he has gained some immense strength from eating all that Chinese food on his trips to China ;o)

Matthew repairing Break #2

Fortunately, Matthew reeled in his power and we made it to the Whoop-de-Doos, then the street, and eventually the cars.  Unfortunately, because of the delay, we missed the presence of that famous occasional MTBer, now road rider par excellence, Uncle Louie, Lance Armstrong's protege, who left a note on my vehicle indicating that we were not important enough to wait for more than 20 minutes.  Just goes to show you how important a roadie lawyer's time is.

Have a good week.

Robco Baggins