WARNING: This report contains R-rated graphic images that may block your arteries from just looking at the attached pictures!!! Vegetarians, health food consumers, and non-swine eaters are highly advised not to continue reading! A non-current EMT (me) was standing by, but in fine Reno911 form, we had no defibrillators if one (or several) of the participants had congestive heart failure. I know at least two of the 7 participants are alive, while the fates of others may be either be at an Emergency Room or have succumbed to the fine cuisine.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ben has been talking of doing a ride from his new digs in San Eljio ever since the Moab trip at the end of April. His backyard just happens to be La Costa. So Saturday was the decided day of pain. Admittance to this ride was a requisite Bacon Bowl. If you don’t know what one is, go Google it. Or just think of it as a crispy tortilla bowl…that just happens to be made from 16 oz of bacon.
Done with the weaving, ready for the oven:
Going into the oven:
Cooking nicely:
Finished product. Culinary excellence:
But more on the Bacon Bowls later.
Seven brave souls showed for this ride, with 6 of us not having ridden all together since the Moab trip. The ride from Ben’s place is a short urban descent through San Eljio MILF park, that has around 4 flights of concrete stair steps, progressively getting longer. I guess our Moab skills quickly eroded, as Mark/Offroadie was the first casualty of the day by going over the bars at the bottom of the 2 dozen + stairs at the corner of San Eljio Rd and Elfin Forest Rd.
I think his excuse was that he hadn’t ridden his hardtail since Moab, but I pointed out that he wasn’t on the Superlight that Sean let him borrow for Porcupine Rim, so it was actually since Grand Junction. Ben further rubbed salt-in-the-wound by mentioning that he doesn’t even do those stairs on his single speed. What a guy, too bad he didn’t mention that earlier!
About the time we finished straightening the bike, the pain receptors subsided to the point where Mark/Offroadie could move and get on with the ride. Once we finished terrorizing the neighborhood by riding around the town center’s fountain and the new trail behind the newly constructed Albertson’s, it was time for the climb up to La Costa. As with most climbs, everyone agreed this one sucks. It’s long and steep, similar to getting up to Elfin Forest sans switchbacks and technical features to take your mind off the climb in front of you.
Once at the top, it was time to descend Vista Del Mar. This one is almost as fun as NASCAR. It’s got some pretty steep switchbacks. What’s really cool, is that the trail builders lined them with chicken wire so that your tires get constant traction and you don’t skid–which would erode the trail away.
On the way down, we stopped to play on one set of features. But it wasn’t cooperating…or us with it. Ben tried the rock feature below and got a nice face plant off trail for his troubles.
Here, Mark SLadnas attempts it. I think these pics were from attempt #3. You see my arms off to the side. I was spotting him and he needed it on that one.
Reaching the bottom it was back up Switchbacks. Next was fun on NASCAR. No one attempted the drop on the first attempt, but Ben would show how it’s done, followed by Evan.
Always wanting to be the center of attention, Mark/Sladnas got the most air but forgot about the consequences of landing at high speed. We didn’t get pics of the carnage, but let’s just say he did some serious off-trail exploring!!
Had it been anyone else, they would have had to be airlifted out on a MediVac. But Mark, aka Gumby, always seems to come out with just a few flesh wounds.
Vista Del Mar was the climb back to the top followed by the brake burner of a descent off the north side we first climbed. Ben managed to link some other MILF trails around San Eljio, some that go right by some wooded areas. Be careful though, the woods aren’t un-inhabited:
Those intersting faces are on several of the trees nearest to the trail. Pretty cool.
From there, we rode through a section of a residential area that led back into the hills on the north side of San Elifo. This trail required yet more climbing and ended with a singletrack trail above the homes with a super tight switchbacks requiring several dismounts. In all it was a decent 13 mile leg burning and back breaking ride.
Once back at Ben’s pad it was time for brews and to partake in someone’s warped idea of a culinary experience. Ben’s mom happened to be in town and as any fine chef would do, asked if she should make soufflé. But being a group of mountain bikers, I guess that was too rich for our tastes. So she whipped up some eggs, hashbrowns, sausage and breakfast potatoes to fill our bacon bowls. The results were these gut busting, artery clogging creations:
I can’t say how everyone faired, but at 630 pm yesterday I was still burping bacon. Needless to say, we all agreed we won’t be trying this again…ever! Well, not until next year anyway.
That night, we went to a Lake Elsinore Storm Minor League Baseball game. Our Taekwondo school has an outing there every year. Last year was super fun, so we knew this year’s would be good too. What was even more cool–was that Dylan got to throw out the first pitch!! We didn’t tell him until it was time to report at the announcer’s booth.
I missed getting a photo of him pitching it because of where they had me stand, so I got a pic of the player catching it instead. Oh well. I’m a little mad at myself that I couldn’t get the shot, but what are you gonna do?? The pink jersey the player is wearing is because it was Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Night/Fundraiser.
On the field, waiting for the big moment (a little nervous–wouldn’t you be!!??):
The catch:
Checking out the players’ signature on the ball:
I’m going to try to get in a ride tomorrow morning at Hodges. I am also giving a small Tour de Fallbrook for a few peeps from STR on Wednesday. A few of them I’ve never met or ridden with before, so I’m looking forward to it a lot.
Thursday is belt testing at Taekwondo WHOOT WHOOT!!!!! Red belt here we come. I’m hoping for a full weekend of riding too, so we’ll see. Until then, seek your bliss.
Ride Lots…
