BellCanyon/Ahmanson/Chesebro--September 9, 2004

For the first time in a month or so, we eked out a double digit turnout for this morning's ride with 10 manly men.  But by the end of the ride, we were down to single digits while the temperature was close to triple digits.  So I guess it all balanced out.

We left the parking area just off Bell Canyon, heading towards the Vanowen entrance to Ahmanson Ranch.  We took a variety of fireroads, detouring just once for an exploratory singletrack that proved fruitless and which also got tons of foxtails in my socks.  We also lost a rider for awhile but eventually we all got back together again.

from the left: Pete, Reuben, Rod, DaveR, Matt, Joe, SteveK, and DaveW

(Robco is behind the camera and Jamshyd is in the bushes taking care of business)

Eventually we reached the fireroad that goes to Las Virgenes Road.   At this point we had our first RCY tête-a-tête of the day to decide which way to go as the heat of the day was building.  The decision was made to head towards Chesebro via the Gas Pipe/Broken Spoke Trail.  I think that it was at about this point that we lost 2 of our original 10 riders as Matt and Pete decided to do more riding than yenta-ing.

English Dave (green jersey) prepares to ride the first major climb on Gas Pipe.

He makes it!!

Most walk the steep,loose section

Climbing continued on the Gas Pipe Singletrack.  Upon arriving at Shepherd's Flat the group had its second major decision making round.  Jamshyd and Joe left us at this point.  I think Joe just needed to pull a Joe, while Jamshyd was riding his old PINK Klein (his Lightspeed is awaiting a crucial part coming from Taiwan--i.e. it's on a slow boat from China) without rear suspension and almost no front suspension and apparently lost his mind.

Warning: Riding a pink bike without suspension can cause insanity

So while Joe and Jamshyd headed back down the Sulphur Springs Trail, the remaining half dozen headed out to the Palo Comado Overlook before turning around to retrace our path, which included descending the always thrilling and challenging Gas Pipe Singletrack.  Some photos of the descent....

Rod is the first to descend this rugged section

Rod....up close

Reuben

Dave R

Dave W

Steve K

At the bottom of Gas Pipe we turned left on the Las Virgenes Fireroad, climbing up to the short singletrack that leads to the top of Bell Canyon.

Steve K on the singletrack connector to Bell Canyon

Arriving at the street we turned left again to take the steep and loose horse trail that drops further down onto Bell Canyon.

The group walks a steep, loose section....Bell Canyon pavement can be seen on the right

A quick ride down the pavement brought us to our last split up of the day.   2 riders continued on down the street, while 4 took the singletrack trail that parallels the road.  All arrived safely back at the cars with almost 18 miles of riding.  Four of us grabbed some food at Baja Fresh before heading for home.

Remember tomorrow is Labor Day and so we have a bonus weekend ride at Rod's Back Door up to Sage Ranch.  I understand that Rod has some excitement planned for us involving cliffs and ropes :-)  Hope to see you there!

Robco Baggins