Back to Backbone, Howlers and All - 29 Nov - Santa Monica Mtns

  

• Place: Point Mugu State Park
• Trailhead: Sycamore Canyon
• Riders: Hector, Ron, OMMB
• Miles: 13
• Weather: clear, dark
• Temp: 50's
• Trail Conditions: dry, smooth, fast 
• Technical Level: 3 miles of very slight to 3 miles of steep incline up to 1200 ft...then the coolest downhill ride in the canyon! 
• GPS Track (entered manually, DingleBerry was dying)...

Notes: Back in Cali for OMMB! Surprisingly, Hector wanted to ride on my first full day in town...cool...I'll go get the 29er at Ventura Bikeshop (versus eating a real lunch).  Night falls pretty early this time of year so it was already getting dark when we left the trailhead. For only the second time in history, I was able to climb Backbone without a stop (other than the normal break where Backbone meets Overlook before heading to Guadalasca).  View from the top was awesome, city lights in the valley all around, with coyotes howling from down on the trail we were about to descend (yeah...okay).   The downhill was the usual rush, with headlight beams on the very fast single track for an added bonus.  Great ride!  Hector's batteries managed to hold out for "most" of the downhill, then lights out!  But he's Hector, he don't need no stinkin lights.  It was quite dusty chasing Ron and Hector down Guadalasca, next time I need to bring a bandanna for the face.  After the ride, I was treated to my favorite Fat Tire Amber Ale and Tortilla Chips...good times!

Tidbits: Remember to charge your lights when planning a night ride (you would THINK that goes unsaid, right Hector? hahaha)

Happy Trails,

OMMB