Trail: Rosewood/LosRobles/Los Padres/Oak Creek
Distance: 11.7 Miles
Temp: 75 degrees
Rating: B+
So yesterday Ron, Hector, Scott and Tim conspired to do the usual Thursday afternoon ride. Based on the weather being rather cool, we opted for a version of the 'Rosewood Loop' in thousand oaks. The ride started off brutal as usual - straight up with no warmup and Tim immediately began to suffer. Note to Tim - pick an easier climb when you've been off the bike for 6 weeks. Then Scott started suffering...so Tim and Scott plodded along while Hector and Ron took off. Toward the end of the climb Tim started feeling much better but that all changed when a skinny girl on a hard tail blew by him as though he was standing still.
So we made it to the top, took a break and worked our way along the ridge. The property owner has now set up some sort of 'no trespass gate' which all riders promptly ignored. After a wicked short climb, the traverse continues until the top of Los Robles trail is reached. There we took another short break and then gunned the singletrack downhill. The downhill was great except for the woman on a mountain bike that apparently became petrified of our downhill speed...so she stood in the middle of the trail to ensure the possibility of a collision. Her male friends pretty much did the same. Apparently no one has suggested they pick a side of the trail when encountering others?
We then reached the bottom and climbed up Los Robles trail east. It's a fairly easy climb except for those folks who have not ridden in 6 weeks. Tim happily brought up the rear on this climb. Once on top Tim suggested the Los Padres singletrack down which was fun except for the liberal trail clearing recently conducted. At this point the 'good times' finally commenced...
Tim had this great idea to show the crew a favorite 'jump'. Said jump is really great because there's a 30 foot hill to go down and thereby generate great speed w/o having to pedal...its followed by 20 foot runout and a 2 foot jump. Everyone was slightly unsure of the jump so Tim demostrated proper technique. Hector followed and demonstrated accumulated wisdom (eg: he pretty much avoided the jump). Then Ron went and performed a textbook endo at 15-20 mph. When Tim got to him he noticed a) Ron's helmet visor had been ripped off; b) Ron was sporting a strange wicked smile; c) blood was coming rather steadily from Ron's elbow. Tim slightly panicked at the sight of blood and quickly applied a bandage fashioned from his headband.
After we decided Ron was OK...we continued down Oak Creek singletrack and took Lynn Road back to our cars. At this point Scott was apparently too slow crossing Lynn road causing a motorist to behave aggressively and speed up/honk thereby causing us all some concern. Ron and Tim showed appropriate aggressive behavior back by flashing 'bird sign'. Well, apparent bird sign was not appreciated as motorist came back looking for an altercation. Motorist had apparently singled out Tim as provocateur and was somewhat desperate to engage in some sort of rumble. Tim had prime chance to jump off bike and pin motorist within door whilst pummeling him but a) saw female driver; b) considered car being used as a weapon; c) saw no positive outcome; d) thought about police involvement/his security clearance...and then chance was gone. Tim wants to add that Hector missed all this because he's in such good shape and was already at the car. GOOD TIMES.
- Tim V.
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