The Backbone Trail East from Kanan 3rd Tunnel

1 August 2004

On this first day of August we were treated to rather cool weather for this time of year as low clouds hung over the Santa Monica Mountains.  We had a total of 10 people that participated in this morning's ride, but I don't think we ever had all 10 at the same time.  Riders came and went, appeared and disappeared, everyone according to his own schedule.

The ride started with the tough, steep climb up and over 3rd Tunnel.   The trail is getting more and more rutted with time and I think all of us had to get off and walk at some point.

Having spun out in a loose spot, I 'dropped' my bike and grabbed my camera to witness futility

With heads bowed in shame, the long walk up

The trail was in good shape, although the summer heat has turned much of the lush, green vegetation of winter and spring into brown.  As always, though, you couldn't keep smiles off of our faces as we descend a section of the trail crossed with waterbars.

David and James flying down the trail

Andy about to "get air" off the waterbar

Rod drops off the waterbar

Shah about to drop off the waterbar

Crossing Latigo Canyon Road, we continued on to tackle the steep climb that is the big challenge in the 2nd leg of the ride.  At the top of the climb, seven posed for a group shot.

From left: Aaron, Matthew, Warner, Rod, James, DavidR, and Andy

On we continued, picking up a new RCY member DaveK, who works at Kaiser with Rod.  Dave--a rock climber turning mountain biker--left the parking lot about 30 minutes after we did, but my guess is that a combination of his youth and our yenta-ing allowed him to catch up with us quickly.

DaveK checks his cycle computer

Eventually we (minus Warner who turned back early) arrived at the parking lot on Corral Canyon.  A "small" miracle happened here as the sky turned golden, a star appeared in the western sky, and Robco became taller!

The group "crouches down" to make me the BIG man

From left: DaveK, Rod, DaveR, Me, Matthew, Aaron, Shah, James (midget Andy took the photo)

And, of course, no ride would be complete without Matthew the Appleman and his offerings.

Matthew hands me a slice

From the Corral Canyon parking lot we decided to head back by riding up the fireroad to the top of Bulldog.  From there we pedaled back to the middle section of the Backbone Trail, but not before having to trespass on a short section of fireroad that is under dispute between a private land owner and the national park service.  The land owner has constructed 3 large gates, 2 of which had barbed wire, across a very short section of road.  It seemed to us like a rather stupid, juvenile act, but then we don't know all the facts.  But being the nimble riders that we are, we were able to get by the obstacles, handing bikes over at one point, and then scurrying on our way before we woke up any sleeping dogs or armed land owner.

The ride back on the trail was enjoyable as always, having completed almost 13 miles of mostly great singletrack.  Back at the vehicles, a group of us went out for some refueling at the local favorite Chuy's before heading back to family and home.

Have a great week.

LiveStrong, RideDirt

Robco Baggins