FYI - We are planning to stay at West Fork Trail Camp. There are 7 sites and a pit toilet. No potable water. First come first served. Cross your fingers it won't be full. We will have to make due else where if needed.

Since we pass by the ranger station at Red Box and Angeles Crest Hwy, a permit for cooking can be obtained.

Permits are technically required for primitive sites for cook stoves.

Weather is looking pretty nice this weekend. No call for rain. Lows in the 50's overnight.

The webcam is looking SWEET up top!
http://obs.astro.ucla.edu/towercam.htm

That sucks!!

I added a bit of structure last year, after having only a "ride lots of miles" mentality the year prior. I learned that I have weak neck muscles for my riding position (or was my noggin to heavy??) and was switching from front suspension to rigid - I wanted to strengthen my upper body.

So I incorporated 3 days of weight training per week the 10 weeks prior to starting. I threw in a few days of running too. My biking miles were way way down compared to 2011. I think that strategy paid off for me.

So long as "over prepared" doesn't equal fatigue or burn out....

have fatbike, will travel

It is, Eric. Rain or shine.

Again an open invitation to anyone in the area with interest. For those that have shown interest, which weekend would you think you'd join? I'm trying to get an idea of head counts.

Rob

so far no. locals and interest from 2 in OC.

It will be a mix that's probably close to 50/50. Fire roads however, not singletrack.

Had really great service at The Outdoorsman in Butte MT and the Orange Peel in Steamboat Springs CO. Better than average service at Absolute Bikes in Salida CO.

Pinedale WY has a hardware store with an above average selection of quality bike parts (for a hardware store) - but can't comment on service, per se. Just needed a new computer and tubes. They didn't have much for 29er tire selection - and as I eluded to above, I needed some. But this was late in the season, mid August.

The only thing I can think to add, based on the LIMITED number of shops along the route is that the one in Rawlins, WY was closed as of August last year. I found that out when needing a tire....

I sent a note to ACA about the change, so it may get updated on the new maps. However, if you are looking at older ones, this would be a good bit of info.

the plan right now is to climb Chaney Trail and Lowe Mountain just east of JPL. Yeah, the late start is to make this a sub-24 hour overnighter and the group will be comprised of first timers. I'm facilitating an entry point for the many-many people that always ask me tons of questions, say they'd love to go on a trip, but never do.

I've attached the route. I've split it in two to show the distance options clearly.

Let me know if you need any more info.

All Welcome!

I've gotten a tentative group together for two rides in the coming weeks. I'd like to invite anyone else to join in that may be in the area.

Dates: 3/16-3/17 and again on 4/6-4/7 (Tentatively the same route for both weekends)

Time: Depart for the 80-miler about noon. For the 40-miler at about 2:30

Departs from: 80-miler starts and ends in Burbank CA. 40-miler starts and ends in Altadena CA.

Expected duration: 80-miler will likely end around 3PM on Sunday. 40-miler should end around noon

The entire loop will be about 80-miles. There will be a smaller loop of 40-miles as well. To facilitate this I'm leaving my house, riding 20-miles and meeting a group, riding the 40-mile loop as an overnighter, and then after dropping off the group at the conclusion of their 40, I will ride the 20-miles back to my place. A lolly-pop for me and a loop for them.

Fire road, singletrack, and pavement. The longest bit of pavement will come on the return leg out of the forest to the end of the loop - about 15-miles I estimate. Climbing will all be paved or fireroad.

The route will have steep and long climbs. Estimated 7k climbing over the 80 miles.

Rain or shine - lest there be biblical weather events. As of today a good portion of the route is covered in snow. But that will disappear quickly in the next week or so.

I have the route mapped and have already ridden 80% of it on other overnight trips.  This one will introduce a singletrack downhill on the return leg I had not ridden before, but got the chance to hike this past weekend. Should be a blast.

Rob

Ha ha!

It's "climby" isn't it!! I'm trying to get a group together in a few weeks to do a similar route. I may leave Burbank and do Verdugo and then pick up some "virgins" in Pasadena/Altadena. The plan is to meet up with them early to mid-afternoon, ride up, and camp in Red Box Canyon at one of the primitive sites. Then loop out to a trail down Big Santa Anita Canyon the next morning. It's open to bikes!!!!! The trail is popular with hikers too, so getting down the trial early will be best.

Then ride back across the valley the next morning, getting breakfast and coffee on the way back to drop off the Pasadena/Altadena group. I'll continue on over the Verdugo's again to finish off my ride.

I think 80-ish miles for me and 40-ish (sub-24 hour) for the others.

Looking like 3/16 and again on 4/6 as the start dates.

You can get Cordura either with or without a polyurethane coating on the back. The PU coating gives you a high level of water protection. Remember that your stitches aren't waterproof - but you can seam seal to help with that.

The zipper being one of the water resistant style does help. You can also cover a standard zipper with a bit of fabric to do the same job.

500D Cordura will start you off nicely.

I'm a fan of Quest Outfitters. http://www.questoutfitters.com/

I used prescription sports glasses. They are wrap-around style and with the Transition (photo-chromatic) lenses worked amazingly well.

If you are lucky enough to have a good vision care plan through work you can solve this without too much issue. I used my benefits plan the year prior to TD and instead of getting "everyday" frames, applied that to a sports frame. The eye doc I used had a bunch of catalogs I looked through and I found a pair that worked. I paid my co-pay and got the exam and glasses for no other money out of pocket.

I've been going on the same pair for 3-years trouble free and almost never wear contacts anymore on the bike. The dust and need for clean hands on multi-day rides make glasses a right-fit for me. Another lucky turn is that my prescription has not changed much in the last few years.

The one major downside is heavy rain and fog. They do get mucked up, like with all glasses. Being that they are correcting your vision, taking them off like most with better vision or contacts might do, could leave you in a less than ideal situation. I combat that with an antifog spray that helps (doesn't eliminate) the water build up on the lens.

These are what I have:
http://www.glassesetc.com/enlarge2.html?http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-94083471470698_2246_315496199?http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-94083471470698_2244_5800672

Tracker is moving, after a multiple hour break in Warner Springs. I didn't think there was anything in WS to stop for (except maybe bad water at the closed gas station, although even that may no longer work). Or did something open up again?

there has always been a seasonal camp store there for PCT through hikers. food, drink, batteries, etc. not sure if they're open this time of year though.