Big training ride this week to Mt. Wilson

Took the morning off today for a big training ride. An incredible ride with a ton of single track. Here's the detail.

. Chaney Trail connecting with Mt. Lowe Rd
. We detoured a bit up to Inspiration Point
. Thru the tunnel to Mt. Wilson Red Box Road
. We backtracked and hit single track all the way down
. Connected with Sunset Trail down to Millard Canyon
. Poison Oak was everywhere
. Finally looped up to ride El Prieto
. 4.5 hours

PAA makes the Dana Point Times cover!

MTB training rides in the OC

Are there better MTB rides in the OC? Any suggestions?  Here's what i have so far...

Aliso Canyon Park: not a lot of steep climbs, but some good single track. Hidden above Laguna Beach and connecting with Top-of-the-World. Ride has multiple trails dropping down into the park. 5000 acres with the main loop of about 15 miles.
El Moro: Off PCH in Crystal Cove State Park. This is a good mixed 10-mile loop. Most of the climbing is gradual though some steep uphills on West Loop Trail. Links to other trails off the backside.

Needless to say, the majority of my training will be on the road.

Weekend training with fast friends...

...from Altadena to Mt. Wilson to cold beer (in 3.5 hrs)

My new 29er fixed gear single speed

Vert's new ride......the other was my old bike

2007 Specialized Marathon Epic carbon

Mike Vert's... new ride

2007 Specilized Marathon Epic carbon

16 Days in BC

Stoked!
Booked our first 3 nights at the Pine Inn slopeside, in Panorama Mountain Village, at the base of the Mile One Quad, "in the thick of all the action and the après opportunities in the village." A budget hotel, but in the village.

Booked 2 round-trip reservations on United to Calgary with Mileage Rewards! No cash needed! More money to spend at Bicycle John's!

Mascott's ride

Here's some stats on the bike i'll be riding in Transrockies.

weight: 24.5 lbs
frame: 2003 Santa Cruz Superlight
components: shimano xtr 9
brakes: avid disc
wheels: MAVIC Crossmax
tires: Kenda small block 8

Sold for $11.5M

K2 Ranch is the end of stage one. The crew will set up the tent village on this 9,200 ranch. After doing some digging we found out that this property was sold for $11.5M in 2000. The real estate property summary on 'Unique Properties' lists it as "perhaps one of British Columbia's most exclusive private retreats and offers additional potential for ranching, forestry, and tourism." Gear list should include a fishing pole.

Stage 2 ends here at the Nipika Lodge. As an eco lodge, Nipika generates all its electricity via solar and micro-hydro.

Transrockies 2008 briefing

Total distance will range from 550–600 kilometres with elevation gain between 10,000 and 12,000 vertical metres. The longest stages will be as long as 110–125 km with the shortest as brief as 40 km, usually on the first or last day. To get a better idea of routing from prior years, check out our race reports.