SoCal Bikepacking

Enduro Update, 10/7- RSVP Info, Mary’s Presentation

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Brendan | 4 comments

The cue sheets are verified & we’re just about ready to go!

The route has closer to 11k in climbing, NOT 16k. Again, that’s 11,000 ft in climbing, not 16,000… sorry for the confusion. We have local superstud, Todd Carpenter to thank for verifying the route & cue sheets with his supergadget.

RSVP info– drop an email to sanjacintoenduro@gmail.com if you plan to attend. You will receive a digital copy 0f the map, cue sheets, and other relevant ride & camping information. All attendees must RSVP!

Ride start time is 6am.

We will have two Tour Divide veterans in attendance, though only one is racing… the other is pregnant and will likely be seen around camp eating for two.

On that note, mark your calendars for Mary Metcalf-Collier’s Tour Divide presentation at the Rainbow Inn, Idyllwild on October 21st. There will be a wine & cheese reception at 5:30pm, followed by a slide show & lecture from 6-7pm. It’s free! Dinner to follow at the Gastrognome.

enduroflyer

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Posted in enduro info

Tagged Idyllwild mountain bike, Idyllwild mountain biking, Idyllwild mtb, San Jacinto Enduro, Sanjacinto enduro, SJ Enduro

Tentative Route Mapped

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Brendan | Leave a comment

We have the course broken down into two loops

… which total about 70 miles, 11,000 ft of climbing.

The first loop leaves from the Lake Hemet Campground at O-Dark Thirty on race day… probably with a neutral rollout to first dirt, about a mile away. From there, you’ll climb a good portion of Thomas Mountain and start your sufferfest. The loop features jaw-dropping views & fast descending on Rouse Ridge, and a long, satisfying climb up to Idyllwild.

Loop one works out to about 48 miles.

Loop 1 ends with some of our best singletrack, in May Valley. Most of the area’s mtb visitors miss this good stuff when they ride the 24 hour course… Ride the local good stuff.

(the stash trails you see on locals’ blogs)

TOPO! San Diego and Surrounding Recreational Areas - LOOP2.TPO

Loop 2

Upon return from loop 1, you will have the option to proceed on the full route, which tours ranch land and climbs through chaparral up to the pines of Thomas Mountain. At the high point of your climb you’ll turn on to Ramona Trail for a perma-grin descent on technical singletrack.

TOPO! San Diego and Surrounding Recreational Areas - LOOP2.TPO

More to come:

We are finalizing a highly detailed set of cue sheets, which will be available soon. Also, we’ll be hosting a large digital file of both map segments to print at home.

RSVP: we’re going to ask all participants/attendees to RSVP for the ride. Details to follow.

SJ Enduro Scouting Pics

Posted on September 14, 2009 by Brendan | 1 comment

Some shots from the route

Thomas Mountain/ Ramona Trail

thomas

view of Cahuilla Mountain, across Anza Valley

chuillamtn

thomasnight

Rouse Ridge/ 5S06/ Idyllwild

May Valley

Garner Valley

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Posted in Reading Material

Tagged get yer suffer on, idyllwild mountain bike trails, Idyllwild mountain biking, San Jacinto Enduro, SJ Enduro

It’s On!!!!!!!!

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Brendan | 7 comments

So we are on it this year.

Date: October 24
Startime: Prepare for Early……like real Early
Place: Idyllwild, CA and the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains
Route: It’s going to be BIG

In the process of solidifying camping for friday and saturday night…….Route will be up shortly.

So for now mark it down on your calendars and check back often for updates.

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Posted in enduro info

San Jacinto Eye Candy

Posted on July 28, 2008 by Brendan | 2 comments

The SJE will likely ride through some of this goodness:

While we don’t have routes hammered out, we’ll likely string together some of these areas in one fashion or another.

May Valley- Some of the ride’s most satisfying singletrack will be on one of our local trail systems here. May Valley leads to Hurkey Creek (site of the 24 hour race) and out to Thomas Mountain. Pine Forest to Chaparral here.

The Lake Hemet Market- The first and last chance for water and calories (or beer & bait) before heading up Thomas Mountain en route to the Ramona Trail on the way out. Same situation applies for the climb out of May Valley back to Idyllwild, if we go that way. The market sits at about 4200ft, for reference. If you’re a city girl and you see this truck- be careful. 😉

Garner Valley- Stunning views of the mountain will surround you here. We’ll probably hit a little asphalt in this area.

Ramona Trail- After we’ve climbed Thomas Mountain, we’ll descend the Ramona Trail, a tight, rugged singletrack. Once again, you’ll descend from Pine forest down to Chaparral.

Pinyon- This shot was taken from the Pinyon Flats campground, a potential bail-out or aid station. Pinyon is the upper trailhead of the Palm Canyon Trail. Santa Rosa Mountain looms in the background. You’ll start seeing desert plants & wildlife here.

Santa Rosa Mountain- a big, stout climb up a fire road leading to the Sawmill Trail. Snow will be possible at the top. You will enjoy views of all of Mt. San Jacinto, as well as far reaching vistas into Joshua Tree NP and beyond. Desert Steve Ragsdale’s mark can still be seen up here…

Palm Canyon- from the Sawmill Trail on Santa Rosa, we’ll descend to Pinyon, and can proceed down into Palm Canyon. This singletrack takes you from Chaparral down to desert.

This will be good!

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Posted in enduro info

Ideas a-flowin’

Posted on July 20, 2008 by Brendan | 3 comments

So we’ve had some emails & trailside discussion.

The timing for November is getting a thumbs-up, as is a takin’ it easy, grill & chill philosophy.

The thought at the moment is we can start in Idyllwild, sans autos, and head out on some guided rides through our most delicious singletrack in May Valley. From there we can make our way across the mountain, perhaps with permission on some private property that parallels the highway (dirt > than asphalt) and find ourselves in Pinyon, where we’ll have a mid-day feast waiting & a possible bail-out point.

From there… we can point downhill toward Palm Canyon. Yes, there’s a palm oasis down there!

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Posted in enduro info

Tagged San Jacinto Enduro

Get t’ gettin’

Posted on July 6, 2008 by Brendan | 5 comments

So let’s do this.

The time is nigh to get the word out, hammer out a date, and do some riding. Got any ideas?

Here’s some more thoughts to consider:

– we have a short winter up here, relatively speaking. We can host this as late as November- or as early as March- and enjoy comfortable temps & good trail conditions.

– we have a County Park within walking distance of town center, and plenty of B & B’s and hotels. You can drive up the mountain, park, get out, lock the car & throw away the keys. You won’t need ’em until you’re done. Everything in town is accessible by foot or bicycle traffic.

– Our route can go off the mountain, and into the desert. With climate zones in the pines, the chaparral, high desert, and low desert. Elevation high point in the 6K range (possibly as high as 8.5K) and as low as 1K in the desert. Expect some climbing.

– Also expect some tasty singletrack. Much more technical than you may expect in So Cal. Trail surfaces can include decomposed granite, boulders, rocks, sand, and washboard.