Visiting Skeggs from Auburn and Maryland

***francois*** · 10-09-2005

Steve aka Bigboulder is here from Auburn. Ricky aka Drevil is on vacation from Maryland. Skeggs they say. I can live with that.

Singlespeed... my lost long friend. I can guess I can take it out. My SS cruiser hasn't seen a lot of action since it's fully rigid and I'm obsessed with the Turner. My fellow SS defector Kyezle is talking some smack though so I can't show up with gears now.

Some Skeggs notes: Skeggs is one of the finest trails in the Norcal Peninsula area. It is very difficult to navigate but is rewarding once mastered. Fall here is absolutely brilliant. Temps are in the 70s, no fog, no oak, no skeeters. Dust is miminal as the trails are constanly maintained by the redwood trees.

It is also one of the most difficult places to photograph. Under the trees, the action is fast and the light is minimal. I was committed though to take some pics for our out-of-towners.

Someone had fun on the drive up here. I wanted to pick up one of these cars used as a 'mountain' car but guess what... they don't depreciate.

Here's my chosen weapon for the day. The tree behind it is called the Methuselah. It is truly massive.

Drevil hasn't ridden gears in about 3 years. Today, his buddy Rene brought him the Bionicon. Adjustable travel and head and seat angles change from 70 degrees to 65 degrees. Old school meets new school.

Kyezle warning folks about the size of his...

Bigboulder, Drevil, Kyezle, Rene on the rocks of Resolution

Riding in the deep forest

continued...

***francois*** · 10-09-2005

This is the bridge near the bottom of North Leaf trail. Not bad with a powerful flash

Here it is with no flash, just panning and getting lucky. You owe me Drevil. I have a 7 megapixel file of this!!

The bottom of the trail (camera shake)

Here's nice little jump before the climb back up.

Bombing down the Manzanita trail

Climbing the technical section of Manzanita. Bigboulder had visions of glory on an SS but he slipped during a power stroke and slammed his arm on a rock. Drevil cleared it easily when most locals don't even come close. Must be the Bionicon.

Railing a turn on the bottom of Manzanita

Finally, here's a log jump on Steam Donkey. Kyezle launched it twice but the camera is too slow to reveal his greatness.

Here's a video sample of the day's adventures. Truly great conditions in a great forest.
http://mtbr.com/author/photos/skeggsricky/pics 109.avi

It was ok...

francois

smudge · 10-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

Climbing the technical section of Manzanita. Bigboulder had visions of glory on an SS but he slipped during a power stroke and slammed his arm on a rock. Drevil cleared it easily when most locals don't even come close. Must be the Bionicon.

It might have something to do with being from the right coast...that, and RickyD has mad skeeels. Show 'em Ricky. You coming up this way on your vacashun?

Nice pics Francois.

S

Roger___ · 10-10-2005

when you going to drag your butt to Auburn for some dirt and road?

***francois*** · 10-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger___

when you going to drag your butt to Auburn for some dirt and road?

Most of the ride, Steve was talking about the Auburn and Sierra trails. He's got me convinced. He's going to organize something this fall and we are going there for sure. Hopefully stay overnight.

Roger___ · 10-10-2005

make sure you bring that pavement roller to, there's some riding up here even in late fall that would put a big big smile on your face.

usafschue · 10-10-2005

Posts like this are what makes this forum so awesome. A little desciption and a lot of pictures that one can use to gauge the area if they ever wanted to go there! The pictures are great for triple L photography (low light level). I would love to come out with some pros (since im average) and shoot while learning from them sometime, I just have to befriend more people near me! Great stuff

Tony

merlin · 10-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois

Most of the ride, Steve was talking about the Auburn and Sierra trails. He's got me convinced. He's going to organize something this fall and we are going there for sure. Hopefully stay overnight.

Nice post Francis! Keep me in the loop for a ride up here. Be careful about letting Roger_ plan a ride, all his "loops" are epic. BTW, we have an extra room at the Merlin home.

Gregg K · 10-10-2005

But thanks for the memories, anyways. It's always good to see the old playground.

If you can do it without getting caught, there's a place to park on Kings Mountain road, and a trail that goes up to Skyline. I kind of liked to take that to Skeggs. But the horsey people don't like it if they catch you.

***francois*** · 10-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by usafschue

Posts like this are what makes this forum so awesome. A little desciption and a lot of pictures that one can use to gauge the area if they ever wanted to go there! The pictures are great for triple L photography (low light level). I would love to come out with some pros (since im average) and shoot while learning from them sometime, I just have to befriend more people near me! Great stuff

Tony

You said it Tony. 99% of my rides have no photos. But I risk folks getting tired of my off-topic posts here. So once in a while, the camera comes out. Having a big, external flash is important. Also, the panning technique is the key (following the rider). I ride with the great Photo-John too who always gives good advice and who always comes out with great shots using simple little cameras.

Another trick aside from practice, take a ton of shots. Throw out a bunch of the shots and don't be afraid to photoshop the good ones. It's all about the 'dodge' tool. The pros do this a lot!!

francois

K-max · 10-10-2005

So many things were right on the mark to contribute to such a quality ride. The weather was perfect. Nice, bright day, not a cloud in the sky, but enough offshore breeze to cool you down. A tight group of experienced riders. No lag in the rest stops. Just a quick breather and right back into it. NEW SINGLETRACK! The new trails in Skeggs are oh so sweet. I love new dirt. And on singlespeed, those trails are rollercoaster fast. Nothing like the agility and precision of a singlespeed. Healthy lung-busting climbs. This is a Skeggs Guarantee. Felt like we did 4000'. I'm sure it was less, but I was a limp noodle for the remainder of the day. Post-ride grub session. Salty snacks and beers after a ride. I think it's half the reason why I ride. Life is full of simple pleasures. This has to be one of my favorites (consumed responsibly, of course).

Thanks for the ride all! Steve, hope your lumps disappear soon! And Ricky, good to ride with you again! Hopefully you can get in another ride or two before heading back home. And Francis, dude that shot of Ricky is perfect! Really captures the essence of the ride. Glad you had the camera.

Until next time,
Kyle

LCdaveH · 10-10-2005

want want want want

Quote:

Originally Posted by francois

Here's my chosen weapon for the day. The tree behind it is called the Methuselah. It is truly massive.

.d.

sashax · 10-10-2005

Yeah, Skeggs (actually called El Corte de Madera Creek) is my fave here in Norcal. One of my favorite parts is that there are a bunch of different routes you can take. But yeah, Manzanita is pretty much the most badass. Did you do the crosscut bit at the bottom as well? I've actually cleared that section of Manzanita once or twice, but I get flats about as often when I try.

My lame friends claim it's too much climbing, though, and since they're my ride we usually end up somewhere less interesting.

Great report! I may have to start carrying a camera when I ride.

***francois*** · 10-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by sashax

Yeah, Skeggs (actually called El Corte de Madera Creek) is my fave here in Norcal. One of my favorite parts is that there are a bunch of different routes you can take. But yeah, Manzanita is pretty much the most badass. Did you do the crosscut bit at the bottom as well? I've actually cleared that section of Manzanita once or twice, but I get flats about as often when I try.

My lame friends claim it's too much climbing, though, and since they're my ride we usually end up somewhere less interesting.

Great report! I may have to start carrying a camera when I ride.

Yeah we did that crosscut trail... now called crossover trail. The video I took on the link above is actually on that trail.

fc

Drevil · 10-10-2005

Francis, Kyle, and Steve,

Thanks again for showing Rene and me around. The two times I've done Skeggs have been a blast. Warp speeds and high hills always equals much fun. Whenever any of you or your crew come out to DC, page us and we'll definitely take you out. Cheers,

rickyd

***francois*** · 10-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drevil

Francis, Kyle, and Steve,

Thanks again for showing Rene and me around. The two times I've done Skeggs have been a blast. Warp speeds and high hills always equals much fun. Whenever any of you or your crew come out to DC, page us and we'll definitely take you out. Cheers,

rickyd

Heyyy, did you get any pictures?? Post em up!

Drevil · 10-10-2005

Definitely too short a ride. I probably won't see any more trail time on this visit, but I'll be visiting the area a lot more. My nephew's simply too cool!

Next time I'll bring my own bike though. I wasn't diggin' the squish...

AteMrYeats · 10-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drevil

Definitely too short a ride. I probably won't see any more trail time on this visit, but I'll be visiting the area a lot more. My nephew's simply too cool!

Next time I'll bring my own bike though. I wasn't diggin' the squish...

Must have been the Bionicon...

Represent, Rick. That photo of you when Francis was panning is just amazing. Too bad you're not on the Monkey (or the Chester). Judging by the looks of those trails, I don't think I'd be coming back. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

jh_on_the_cape · 10-11-2005

imposter!
that's not drevil! the real drevil has a goatee and wears colorful clothing. and he is smiling in EVERY picture.

looks like fun! i have family out there (capitola) and have only ridden in nisene marks, never skeggs. looks fun.