New Trail Creation

[AZTtripper]

JRA makes a valid point. We MTBers can be our own worst enemy at times. And there are many out there against us. The Sierra Club saw fit to have us banned from the PCT even before there really were MBTs out there.

There is a road above Kernville called the Great Western Divide. The Western Divide Mountain Bike Route would be one option.

It's unfortunate that the attempt at getting non Wilderness open to bikes fell thru. Not surprised tho. Plenty of dumb asses out there making us all look bad.

[PCMBT]

All,

I'm not set in the name, and to be honest, the name is not of great importance to me personally and will likely change many times before we settle on one that works for us. I chose the name because we all know what the PCT is, and so is easier to explain.

JRA & AZtripper I appreciate the suggestion and I'll give the name some serious thought this weekend and bounce some ideas off of you all. (maybe a poll of sorts)

Thanks for all the support!

[AZTtripper]

Great, your right on the easy to explain part. Looking at it like a rock climb the name only comes after someone pulls the whole thing off. First one to pull off a full run, or in climbing terms first ascent, gets to name it. Usually a climbing route name comes from some inspiration at the time.

I have been working on a new central AZ route, a less HAB option for AZ, several names have been thrown about but I don't think any will stick until the first full run.

My .02
 

[evdog]

I love the idea of a Mexico to Canada MTB specific route.  But don't underestimate how difficult it would be.  It took 60-70 years to get the PCT built, and that was with the support of the government and without the restrictions we would face from Wilderness and National Park prohibitions.  And because we cannot go in those areas, we will be forced down off the high country in many places where we will then have to deal more with private property. 

That said, there are a few trails either in place or partially in place to build off of.  There is the California Hiking and Riding Trail.  It was meant to be another long distance trail but it never got that much support and many sections are gone or overgrown.  Some sections are excellent and others are located along roads.  This may be a good bet to get you through a lot of SoCal.  Also check out the Stagecoach 400 route, which will get you up to Idyllwild.  It is hard to find info or maps of CHRT.

I recently heard of the California Coastal Trail.  http://www.californiacoastaltrail.info/cms/pages/main/index.html.  I suspect its a lot of road, but is something else to look at. 

I suspect any route you would come up with would be mostly dirt road (or hopefully minimal pavement) to start.  Then, once a basic route is developed through as much public land as possible you can start targeting areas for singletrack connectors.  You can get in contact with local advocacy groups too, who could make suggestions where the best routes might be or where it may be possible to build new trail. 

I'd agree with not having Pacific Crest in the name.  But you could always call it the Perfect Cycling Trail, and a lot of MTBers would get your drift. 

[evdog]

Oh, and I don't think the MTB on PCT issue is done with.  That said, I don't mind the status quo.  It adds some excitement and keeps the crowds away!

[ec_duz_it]

I am currently working on a route through the Los Padres NF between the I-5 and 101 freeways.  I have been riding parts of it lately trying to find the "perfect" routing.  My route could potentially hook up with yours somewhere around Frazier Park/ Gorman area.  I plan to have my route 100% ridden with GPX files and cues by this fall. 

Good luck on making this route work.  I would be interested to see what you come up with.  I would strongly suggest riding the route in 300 to 400 mile segments.  Angeles National Forest, Southern Sierras, Northern Sierras, Cascades, etc.  You would need to ride it all to find the best possible routing. 

I have discovered trails that are not on the map, etc. with the route I am working on.  The best route does not always come to you by looking at maps; you need to actually ride it. 

-Erin

[Buttermilk]

some eye candy for a route near Bishop...
more to come once I figure out how to downsize them.

[evdog]

Put em up in photobucket, it always re-sizes my unnecessarily large photos down to ideal size.  Would love to see more pics from Bishop area...

[JRA]

some eye candy for a route near Bishop...
more to come once I figure out how to downsize them.

I've been poking around Long Valley a couple of times so far this spring, probably heading up there again next week. 

Where was that shot taken?  And I'd be interested in knowing more about the trail too, if you're willing to divulge.

[Buttermilk]

Got them to be a bit smaller. Hopefully they're not too small...
More eastern sierra eyecandy. JRA let me know when you're in the area an maybe we could meet up.
These photos are from these routes.
http://app.strava.com/activities/59127662   &    http://app.strava.com/activities/58045980




 

[evdog]

Awesome pics!  There are a few rides up in the E Sierras I've been wanting to check out.  These look pretty awesome too...

[Buttermilk]

evdog- drop me a line if you're coming to town. I'll share some beta or get out and ride with ya.

Riding out of the Buttermilks.

[JRA]

Got them to be a bit smaller. Hopefully they're not too small...
More eastern sierra eyecandy. JRA let me know when you're in the area an maybe we could meet up.
These photos are from these routes.
http://app.strava.com/activities/59127662   &    http://app.strava.com/activities/58045980




As your Strava links clearly show - no shortage of climbing available in the Eastern Sierra!

I'm probably 10 (or 20) years past any hope of your KOM times on those climbs.  I'd be an anchor for you.




 

[ec_duz_it]

slhappy,  I routed out this eastern sierra loop last fall, but I could not get any of my friends to go, so I went backpacking near lake sabrina instead.  I am curious if you have done any parts of this ride?

http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=451186

http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=451176

Thanks for the strava links. Those rides look very interesting.  I love the east side of the sierras. You don't have the stupid rules of the national parks and its more scenic than the westside anyways. 

[Buttermilk]

erin- yeah, I've ridden those routes before (except for from the turn off the main road up to rocky bottom lake). Did a solid ride from Bishop, up over Coyote (that's what the area your routes are in is called), and down to Big Pine. Excellent and strenuous riding. There are plenty of overnight opportunities up there. The strava route i posted with activity #50845980 has the initial climb and some of the road on it. The only problem with that first climb is the landowner (whose property we cross about 100' of, decided to put a locked gate/ no trespassing sign up. Sucks, and a sign of more LA mentality making its way up here). There is a bypass but it's also on private property. We'll see what happens. Give me a hollar next time you might be in the area, if schedule permits I'd join you for some riding.

[ec_duz_it]

damn private property owners blocking public land! 

cool, i will hit you up if I ever get around to riding in your area.  same for you if you ever come to santa barbara.  the altitudes are low and the air is thick over here!

-Erin