Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Anyone down to show this newb Santa Cruz Flow Trail?

Jump to Latest
21 - 40 of 42 Posts
Discussion starter · #21 ·
Forest Rider said:
LOL - A noob rider under the age of 40 looking to ride 3 laps of demo and considering an e-bike.

I'm all for e-bikes. I do not own one or want one right now. And you're clearly in better shape than a lot of us!

I do not remember how dry/dusty it was in July when I was there. The forest is dark so maybe it doesn't get sun baked like it does in more open environments. No doubt it will be dry an dusty, just not sure on how slippy it is. I'll have to review my video footage sometime.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say I'm considering purchasing an E-Bike, was just sharing how appealing they are (at least to me) when they fly by as you're struggling up a climb. Also, not sure I'm in any better shape then the next guy, I may be grossly underestimating the difficulty of the climb. I guess I'll find out when I get there. I'm fairly confident I'll get two runs in, and hoping for three or even four. I'm driving two hours to get there, so I plan on seeing as much as I can while I'm there. Even if it means spending all day Sunday and into Monday enduring the pain of a sore body. I don't plan on setting any records climbing or descending, so if it takes me all day to complete 3 or 4 runs, then I'm ok with that.
 
#22 ·
I use ride to record my rides. Just mtb project to tell me where i am relative to the trails. If the other apps do that, great! Redundant. Don’t forget to get the phone off the mount and into your pocket or bag when pointed downhill ;)
 
#23 ·
Also, e-bike is a no-no at demo. And its a trail system worth respecting unlike some fireroad park trail systems that banned them.

ridge is first. I reccommend going all the way around since you miss most of it if you take hihns mill to the bottom. Ridge and sawpit compete for my favorite trails, I don’t think I could pick. Both way better than flow, but that’s just one guy’s worthless opinion.

the point of lapping demo is to avoid that climb out, you are not likely to ride demo and climb the 3.25 miles out just to eat a sandwich and go do it all again. Or maybe you are. My legs won’t let me do that for SURE!

last advice, check traffic. 17 has been closed twice in the past weeks, your 2 hour drive becomes 3.5. First was a car fire, and just today was a fatal accident that thwarted my plan to ride in santa cruz, had to reroute and ride south san jose. Fatal accident involving a septic pump truck. Horrible way to go.
 
#24 ·
StumpyMic said:
I wouldn't say I'm considering purchasing an E-Bike, was just sharing how appealing they are (at least to me) when they fly by as you're struggling up a climb. Also, not sure I'm in any better shape then the next guy, I may be grossly underestimating the difficulty of the climb. I guess I'll find out when I get there. I'm fairly confident I'll get two runs in, and hoping for three or even four. I'm driving two hours to get there, so I plan on seeing as much as I can while I'm there. Even if it means spending all day Sunday and into Monday enduring the pain of a sore body. I don't plan on setting any records climbing or descending, so if it takes me all day to complete 3 or 4 runs, then I'm ok with that.
Click to expand...
You sound like you're in pretty good shape, so my guess is you'll do fine on the climbs and multiple laps.

What gets a lot of first timers is not expecting the 4 mile/1,000ft climb at the standard start and definitely not the other 4m/1k ft climb out to finish the ride after you've had all the fun on the downhill :). But your preparation and mindset sound right on!

That said, Sulphur Springs is a tough climb even if one is expecting it. ~750ft in ~1.5 miles.

If you can do three laps, my recommendation: Flow, Braille, and Sawpit.
Flow is fun/easy, and Sawpit is a mix of Flow and Braille.
As others have mentioned, unless that trail style is really your thing, just do Flow once, so you can check off that box.
 
#25 ·
You will be fine -soreness won't be a thing, really. Unless you crap really bad.
I've never really been sore from riding a a bike unlike a good solid training run, or race would have me nearly unable to walk stairs.
On a bike, I've been so tired and slow I feel like I will fall over but I was never sore as a result.

I stayed at an air b&b. I was fortunate the owner had no renters the day I left. He didn't care when I checked out -that is why I went the 2nd day for Braille and even did the 2nd loop -no rush!
I was back to the room around check out time, then showered, packed up, load and gone. so a couple hours late at the most.

Enjoy you day out there. Sounds like you're quite prepared for it.

Sawpit was close when I was there in 2018 so I can't speak to that. I did rally enjoy Braille though. If you are fine with higher speed downhill sections and technical, you should ride it. If you're a jumper and/or enjoy drops, by all means ride it. I didn't do any of the drops. For one they sort of sike me out, plus not being familiar with the conditions I didn't know what I'd be in for. But if that's your thing.....then Braille is for you.
From a post above, Sawpit sounds like a good ride.
Depending on your skill level and the desire to do 3 laps (or whatever is possible), you may wish to hit them all. Or if flow trails are your thing, enjoy the circles! Like I said earlier, I really liked sections 4-6.
the good thing about riding up Sulfer is it pretty much brings you to the intersection of Flow/Braille split -you cut out all the other connector trail bit that you start at from the ocean overlook.
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
So… based on all the feedback I think I am going to hit Ridge, Flow and Sawpit (and probably in the order). Braille looks fun based on what I’ve seen on YouTube, but I may have to dedicate a trip only for Braille trail in the near future. I feel like I would need to hit it at least twice to really enjoy it… once to scope it all out and a second run to really enjoy the features once I know what to expect. It seems like a fun and challenging ride. Thank you all for your input. Very valuable insight, and I appreciate it.
 
#27 ·
Rock on. I’d offer to join you but i’m booked that day and I can’t triple anyways for SURE. And I’m not about to ebike it there with so many other ebike ok trails in the area.

the drops on ridge and sawpit, no matter how they look rolling up, are totally doable. Not all rollable, but those that arent are only just so. I advise hitting them all on first shot. Pump yourself up and do it.

I can’t say the same about braille. My feeble skill won’t let me mental my way over how sketchy some look, including 50% (of those I don’t hit) that look totally doable after i ride by. I still havent cleaned those.

just saying to boost your confidence on ridge and sawpit to go full send, first shot.
 
#28 ·
This thread tho is inspiring me to start a side gig ebiking up and down hihns mill offering a tow back to the parking lot + cold beer for 10 bucks. I bet I could make an easy $50-100 in a day and still get a half decent ride in. If I only get ticketed once a month or so I'd still be money ahead?

ooh if I took my wife's class 3 Como we could tow up at 28 mph too and really shortcut the climb.

double ooh I could offer a tow up Suffer + no beer for $20. :D:D
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
dope pedaler said:
Hey Stumpy, I suggest you bring tasty beers for after the ride and share them and then ask about the alternative route to ridge as well as info on the "pork" trails.
Click to expand...
I had planned on bringing a couple of cold Humble Sea brews in the spirit of Santa Cruz… I guess it wouldn't hurt to bring a few extra in case there are those in need. Hopefully there is someone there in the know who is also willing to barter local secrets for a cold beverage. Great suggestion… Thank you!
 
#31 ·
I was at Demo last week. Flow was really cratered out compared to last time I was there. If you go on a weekend, I'd try and get there before 10am to be sure you get a parking spot. I don't recall any detailed signage at the parking lot, but on a weekend there'll be plenty of people to follow up the road to Ridge. Once you're on Ridge and at the top, everything is pretty well marked and there's a map. I'm more into flowy single track rather than sending myself off features so I usually do Saw Pit and Flow.
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
lml1x said:
I was at Demo last week. Flow was really cratered out compared to last time I was there. If you go on a weekend, I'd try and get there before 10am to be sure you get a parking spot. I don't recall any detailed signage at the parking lot, but on a weekend there'll be plenty of people to follow up the road to Ridge. Once you're on Ridge and at the top, everything is pretty well marked and there's a map. I'm more into flowy single track rather than sending myself off features so I usually do Saw Pit and Flow.
Click to expand...
I'll be there Saturday morning 7am(ish)… trying to beat the heat and before it gets too crowded. I was expecting craters but hoping for better, so… thanks for shattering all hope I had for better than expected trail conditions :cool:.
On a positive note - specialized shipped my tire and a few other things this morning so I should have it in plenty of time to make my trip as scheduled.
 
#33 ·
I've been riding a local trail but haven't in a few weeks. It was dusk so I was going more slowly and either the braking bumps turned into craters or I was finally able to see them due to slower speed.
It's a flow type of trail,,,and we don't have as much traffic as Demo will have. I can just imagine the conditions. I think when I visited Flow, the high line in the berms was superior, but I'm not a shredder that rides the top of a berm. If you hammer them, you may be better (stated without actually seeing conditions of course).
Sounds like you've got a plan all sorted out. Enjoy it out there. Have fun.
The weekend heat isn't going to be horrible is it?
 
#34 ·
StumpyMic said:
I wouldn't say I'm considering purchasing an E-Bike, was just sharing how appealing they are (at least to me) when they fly by as you're struggling up a climb. Also, not sure I'm in any better shape then the next guy, I may be grossly underestimating the difficulty of the climb. I guess I'll find out when I get there. I'm fairly confident I'll get two runs in, and hoping for three or even four. I'm driving two hours to get there, so I plan on seeing as much as I can while I'm there. Even if it means spending all day Sunday and into Monday enduring the pain of a sore body. I don't plan on setting any records climbing or descending, so if it takes me all day to complete 3 or 4 runs, then I'm ok with that.
Click to expand...
Buzzard Lagoon - Ridge - Flow - Sulphur - Sawpit is my weekly ride, and it takes about 4hr for me with some snacking breaks in the middle.

You are probably athletic and did some other sports pretty well. When I was 2 month into MTB, I wouldn't think Braille fun to ride based on videos.
 
#35 ·
Hard to believe you are a couple months into MTBing and it’s “no big deal” to do a ~4000ft ride. I guess it’s all relative. I used to be able crank out a 5000ft day when I was in my 30’s. Now, I’m several injuries+surgeries in and 3000ft is kind of my limit.

As far as bike handling skills go, parts of Ridge and Braille will be he most demanding. I’m an experienced rider and while these are no longer “challenging“ trails for me, not sure I would have been riding them 2 months in.

But I guess all this is relative. What other trails have you ridden, for comparison? Like others said, you can always walk sections if you need to and don’t let faster riders suck you into anything you’re not ready for.

I know guy‘s who’s egos will tow a newbie into **** they are not ready for, telling them it’s all super easy dude. I tend to be on the opposite side of the spectrum, and tend to over talk a trail to a newer rider so they focused and over prepared for what they might see.

Have fun out there and I suggest you plan on getting to the trailhead no later than 8am, and even then it will be packed. I rarely ride demo on a weekend and if I do, I try to start no later than 7-7:30... If I start early, I can get in a Ridge + Double Braille before the shitshow starts. I suggest you ride flow as early as possible. It’s where the crowds end up and it’s the least interesting trail, especially this far into the season.
 
#39 ·
Whiterabbitt said:
just saying to boost your confidence on ridge and sawpit to go full send, first shot.
Click to expand...
I think giving people confidence is great, but I'd amend that advice a bit. Don't hesitate to stop or bypass, scope out a feature before you ride it and send it if you feel you can confidently clear it. Obviously mountain biking is way safer than base jumping, but Douggs BASE Survival Talk was an epiphany for me in terms of mindset and approach to pushing the limit as safe as possible. If you're not confident about sending a certain drop or jump, you aren't chickening out, you are just saving it for later and keeping it as something to look forward to. You'll come back when you've built more skill to comfortably do it. How many great trails are there really in the Bay Area? It's not a race against time. There's no harm in building up slowly and without a wreck or injury to that amazing full send run.
 
21 - 40 of 42 Posts
About this Discussion
41 Replies
16 Participants
Last post:
Forest Rider
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion