Pre-Birthday Lake Loop

Something new for me

Rad day on Whole Enchilada 🤟

Lil’ shakeout ride

Exploring Menso’s new backyard

After watching the record fall 3-times this month, I knew I needed to get back out for a full race effort.  This weekends cool temps were perfect for a long day in the saddle. I tapered for a week and decided to take the full suspension bike thinking that I could go faster if I was able to stay in the saddle most of the day.

I was on my target pace to Painted Rock Camp, and then the road conditions got a bit worse from cow grazing. A rancher was dragging a tire to smooth it out, but the effect was really marginal. Starting at SB Canyon intersection, the road had been freshly dozed and was really soft up to the spring. At this point I was starting to hurt pretty bad. The traverse from Madulce to Big Pine is mostly improved, but the roadbed was still soft and needs some rain to consolidate it.

I thought I might have sub-7 hours in the bag with a fast descent off Big Pine. The road is REALLY BAD from the saddle to Bluff. Deep and soft with off-camber turns where they pushed the dirt over the side. 

I continued to push and hit a submerged object which sent me rag-dolling down the rock steps slamming my face and hip into the rocks. My gps broke off and a shoved it in my jersey pocket, straightened my bars and got going after a few minutes checking my injuries.

I was rattled for the rest on the way down to Upper Oso, watching blood drip onto my top tube. Fortunately I just grazed my chin and my hip and shoulder got the worst of the impact.

In summary, this ride is crushingly hard. There are very few places to rest or recover. At the current speeds you need to be pushing hard all day.  I left Rock Front with 120oz of water and ate 2,800 calories on the ride.

Next year I'll be back on the hardtail!

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Dylan Jones

Los Padres Traverse: 100% all in⚡️

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Pre-Birthday Lake Loop

Something new for me

Rad day on Whole Enchilada 🤟

Lil’ shakeout ride

Exploring Menso’s new backyard

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