After a week filled with a plethora of emails regarding meeting places and times, the Mt. Pinos trip took place with nary a hitch. Seventeen hardy folk arrived from locations far and wide, gathered up gear and bikes, and started riding only a 1/2 hour late--an excellent record by RCY standards. The weather was sunny but not too hot and the company was grand. Molisa joined us today and brought guest rider Craig from Newport Beach.

At the Parking Lot (You gotta scroll from left to right): Shah, Mitch, AaronY, Sam, Ali, Matthew, Molisa, Jamshyd, George, DavidR, Robco, AaronA, John, Andy, Dean, Craig, and SteveK

After about 2 hours of pedaling, most of us reached the top of Mt. Pinos, an elevation of 8,831 feet (I counted every foot). Because we started out at about 6,000 feet, a quick calculation shows a gain of about 2,831 feet, give or take an inch. It is a pretty steady climb, with very few steep sections, averaging about 333 feet of elevation per mile.

Mt. Pinos

July 3, 2005

Part II

While the ride up to the top of Mt. Pinos took about 2 hours, the ride down went in a flash. This is the E ticket of mountain bike rides. The trail was in great shape--only a couple of downed trees blocked the trail. Although there were some soft, sandy areas, most of the trail was hardpacked and smooth, making for fast downhill speeds. You just had to watch for the numerous hikers that were out on this Fourth of July weekend.

Jamshyd and Steve ride up and over a trail obstacle

Steve, John, and George zooming down the trail

Aaron taking off on a trail whoop-de-doo

Jamshyd getting air

At the bottom we regrouped and 14 of us went out to eat at Big John's in Frasier Park. We had a lot of hungry, thirsty RCYers!

Chowin' down at Big John's

Have a wonderful and thoughtful Independence Day

Robco Baggins