It's been a dream of mine for a few years to tie together several of our local trails in one epic ride to circumnavigate Folsom Lake in northern California. I knew this would be an all day adventure of epic proportions however it needed to be done because it was "there". Ninety percent of the ride was very rolly single track with an estimated distance of 50 miles including about 18 miles of well,, how do you say,, poaching, all some of the best single track to be found in NorCal.
The biggest logistical issue would be how to get across the lake for Doton point to Peninsula Campground, a span of about ½ mile of frigid water. This was solved by a friend at work who offered his boat as shuttle service. Once the lake crossing was solved it was of to the races for planning the ride. Thanks to MTBR it was easy to float the idea and line up victims, uh,, riders for the first annual Folsom Lake Epic Adventure (FLEA). Plans were made, the date was set, and the dream was launched.
March 4 was chosen as the day as long as the weather cooperated. It has been raining buckets here during the past couple of weeks so hope for a break in the weather was fading. Up until Friday night it was not certain if we would be able to ride as planed. When I woke up Saturday AM and looked out the window and saw nothing but blue skies I was stoked!! A quick check of Weather Underground dot com verified that it would remain rain free for at least the next 12 hours. We were on!!
As planned everyone arrived early at Bicycles + in Folsom to gear up for an 8:30AM start. A total of 17 riders showed up for the punishment to come with several members of the Folsom Breakouts in attendance along with a large contingent of MTBR'ers. The spirits were high and everyone was really stoked for the ride. After loading our lunch supplies into the "chuck wagon" graciously offered and driven by Brad (Evel4bc), of Nemesis Project bicycles, we hit the trail promptly at 8:30.
The plan was to keep a moderate pace so as to conserve energy for and all day effort. That lasted about 10 pedal strokes, then testosterone kicked in and hammerfest began! Dang was this going to be a great ride! We kept a brisk pace along the northern shore of Folsom Lake that included the Granite Bay Trails and Beals Point Trails.
Our boat captain, Jeff, was to meet us at Doton Point at 10:00 which was about 17 miles of sweet single track into the ride. We arrived right on schedule and were then shuttled across the lake in three trips. It was definitely the most unique shuttle experience I have ever had. Shuttle?,, in this case you needed a stinkin' shuttle!
Once across the lake we hit the trail for the next and progressively most difficult leg of the trip. We followed the meandering double track around the peninsula for about 4 miles before picking up the Darrington Trail and the ride into the lunch break at Salmon Falls trailhead. It was in this section that our first casualty occurred when Dennis had the crank fall off his Maverick unexpectedly. That sucked big time. Dennis had been looking forward to this ride for some time and after repeated efforts to MacGyver a fix, he finally had to bail. He ended his day by walking the remaining 7 miles to the Salmon Falls trailhead to be picked up by his wife.
Brad met us at the Salmon Falls trailhead as planed and we attacked the lunches we had packed with a vengeance. We were a little over half way into the ride and were beginning to feel the effects of the pace we had been keeping. The burritos, pb&jays, fruit, and various other snacks packed were quickly devoured re-energizing us for the final and most difficult half of the ride. It started with the Sweetwater Trail and led to our first major creek crossing of the day. It's amazing what a few days of rain will do to a normally shallow hop-across-on-rocks crossing. The rocks were completely submerged and it there place was a fast flowing knee deep torrent. Everyone made it across without any mishaps and we were off to Falcon Crest on and overgrown, steep, rocky, muddy trail. Fortunately this section was only a mile or so long and we quickly entered the no named poach from Falcon Crest to **** 8. This is a great section of very rugged single track that has been on again off again to mountain bikers for years. So much so that I have lost track as to it's current status. So when in doubt,, ride.
By now we were definitely feeling the effects of the hours in the saddle. Normally easy climbs were now becoming arduous accents. Technical sections were easily given up on and walked. It was getting tough! The first bonk of the day occurred in this section forcing one rider and one escort to bail and cruise the remainder of the way in on pavement.
The remaining 14 riders plugged on spread out over a mile or so in small groups or solo. Everyone picked their own pace now, the hammerfest was over. The mud, the water, and even the poison oak became more prevalent all contributing to everyone getting just a bit tired,, well maybe exhausted would be a better description. Another knee deep creek crossing and we were on the final leg of the journey, a bunch off rollers over the next 12 miles to **** 8. By now the 200 foot "hills" were beginning to feel like 9000 foot mountains. Some folks rode them, some tried, and some said screw it and pushed the bike up. We were wet, muddy, hungry, tired, and enjoying every minute of it.
Finally we roll by Browns Ravine Marina and the final stretch into town. With about 6 miles remaining we found a second wind, kinda like a horse smelling the oats in the barn. We picked up the pace and hammered as well as we could back to the parking lot where dry cloths, beer, and Chicago Fire Pizza awaited us.
It had been one hell of a day. The toughest ride I had ever done and everyone else had done as well. It was a true epic. We were completely spent but had smiles from ear to ear. And we were all ready to do it again.
Many thanks to all who participated in making this a great adventure and a special thanks to our boat captain Jeff, and our chuck wagon driver Brad.
A few pix follow for your enjoyment. See you next year for FLEA 2.
Gearing up
Damn temperamental single speeds!
Let's roll!
Shuttle service
Sailing sailing...
Waiting paitiently for the next shuttle
Yeehaa!!
Re-grouping on the Peninsuala
Real cross counrty
No horses, no beach cruisers, mountain bikes OK.
Darrington single track
Ditto
The dreaded "Mud spot disease"
A pictures worth a thousand words,, I just don't know what to say about this one.
Advanced form of "Mud spot disease"
Sweet poach
The carnage
Better than Stan's!!
Making pavement angels in joy of completion
Only a little mud
One tired but happy zon
The biggest logistical issue would be how to get across the lake for Doton point to Peninsula Campground, a span of about ½ mile of frigid water. This was solved by a friend at work who offered his boat as shuttle service. Once the lake crossing was solved it was of to the races for planning the ride. Thanks to MTBR it was easy to float the idea and line up victims, uh,, riders for the first annual Folsom Lake Epic Adventure (FLEA). Plans were made, the date was set, and the dream was launched.
March 4 was chosen as the day as long as the weather cooperated. It has been raining buckets here during the past couple of weeks so hope for a break in the weather was fading. Up until Friday night it was not certain if we would be able to ride as planed. When I woke up Saturday AM and looked out the window and saw nothing but blue skies I was stoked!! A quick check of Weather Underground dot com verified that it would remain rain free for at least the next 12 hours. We were on!!
As planned everyone arrived early at Bicycles + in Folsom to gear up for an 8:30AM start. A total of 17 riders showed up for the punishment to come with several members of the Folsom Breakouts in attendance along with a large contingent of MTBR'ers. The spirits were high and everyone was really stoked for the ride. After loading our lunch supplies into the "chuck wagon" graciously offered and driven by Brad (Evel4bc), of Nemesis Project bicycles, we hit the trail promptly at 8:30.
The plan was to keep a moderate pace so as to conserve energy for and all day effort. That lasted about 10 pedal strokes, then testosterone kicked in and hammerfest began! Dang was this going to be a great ride! We kept a brisk pace along the northern shore of Folsom Lake that included the Granite Bay Trails and Beals Point Trails.
Our boat captain, Jeff, was to meet us at Doton Point at 10:00 which was about 17 miles of sweet single track into the ride. We arrived right on schedule and were then shuttled across the lake in three trips. It was definitely the most unique shuttle experience I have ever had. Shuttle?,, in this case you needed a stinkin' shuttle!
Once across the lake we hit the trail for the next and progressively most difficult leg of the trip. We followed the meandering double track around the peninsula for about 4 miles before picking up the Darrington Trail and the ride into the lunch break at Salmon Falls trailhead. It was in this section that our first casualty occurred when Dennis had the crank fall off his Maverick unexpectedly. That sucked big time. Dennis had been looking forward to this ride for some time and after repeated efforts to MacGyver a fix, he finally had to bail. He ended his day by walking the remaining 7 miles to the Salmon Falls trailhead to be picked up by his wife.
Brad met us at the Salmon Falls trailhead as planed and we attacked the lunches we had packed with a vengeance. We were a little over half way into the ride and were beginning to feel the effects of the pace we had been keeping. The burritos, pb&jays, fruit, and various other snacks packed were quickly devoured re-energizing us for the final and most difficult half of the ride. It started with the Sweetwater Trail and led to our first major creek crossing of the day. It's amazing what a few days of rain will do to a normally shallow hop-across-on-rocks crossing. The rocks were completely submerged and it there place was a fast flowing knee deep torrent. Everyone made it across without any mishaps and we were off to Falcon Crest on and overgrown, steep, rocky, muddy trail. Fortunately this section was only a mile or so long and we quickly entered the no named poach from Falcon Crest to **** 8. This is a great section of very rugged single track that has been on again off again to mountain bikers for years. So much so that I have lost track as to it's current status. So when in doubt,, ride.
By now we were definitely feeling the effects of the hours in the saddle. Normally easy climbs were now becoming arduous accents. Technical sections were easily given up on and walked. It was getting tough! The first bonk of the day occurred in this section forcing one rider and one escort to bail and cruise the remainder of the way in on pavement.
The remaining 14 riders plugged on spread out over a mile or so in small groups or solo. Everyone picked their own pace now, the hammerfest was over. The mud, the water, and even the poison oak became more prevalent all contributing to everyone getting just a bit tired,, well maybe exhausted would be a better description. Another knee deep creek crossing and we were on the final leg of the journey, a bunch off rollers over the next 12 miles to **** 8. By now the 200 foot "hills" were beginning to feel like 9000 foot mountains. Some folks rode them, some tried, and some said screw it and pushed the bike up. We were wet, muddy, hungry, tired, and enjoying every minute of it.
Finally we roll by Browns Ravine Marina and the final stretch into town. With about 6 miles remaining we found a second wind, kinda like a horse smelling the oats in the barn. We picked up the pace and hammered as well as we could back to the parking lot where dry cloths, beer, and Chicago Fire Pizza awaited us.
It had been one hell of a day. The toughest ride I had ever done and everyone else had done as well. It was a true epic. We were completely spent but had smiles from ear to ear. And we were all ready to do it again.
Many thanks to all who participated in making this a great adventure and a special thanks to our boat captain Jeff, and our chuck wagon driver Brad.
A few pix follow for your enjoyment. See you next year for FLEA 2.
Gearing up
Damn temperamental single speeds!
Let's roll!
Shuttle service
Sailing sailing...
Waiting paitiently for the next shuttle
Yeehaa!!
Re-grouping on the Peninsuala
Real cross counrty
No horses, no beach cruisers, mountain bikes OK.
Darrington single track
Ditto
The dreaded "Mud spot disease"
A pictures worth a thousand words,, I just don't know what to say about this one.
Advanced form of "Mud spot disease"
Sweet poach
The carnage
Better than Stan's!!
Making pavement angels in joy of completion
Only a little mud
One tired but happy zon