Last weekend I traveled to the Santa Clarita area to visit family and baptise my nephew. I'm now a godfather! While planning the trip, my wife made me an offer I couldn't refuse. She recommended I bring my bike.
A week after boxing it and sending it UPS, I'm sitting out by the family's pool re-assembling and tuning. I had butterflies in my stomach because I was so excited.
The next morning, I pull into the parking lot at the Castaic Sports Complex and meet-up with Chris, Ronnie, and Cliff. A few brief introductions and we are spinning up the fire road. As a flat lander, the grind to the top was a challenge for me. I don't think Ronnie even broke a sweat. Cliff, thanx for hangin' back with me. Nearly at the top and we come across a little rattle snake catching some rays on the fire road. We nudged him back into the brush so he won't get run over. Then over the top and down a ribbon of sweet, flowing single track. In the blink of an eye we were back on the fire road. Man that was fun!
The next morning I caught up with Ivan from
http://www.cole-products.com and we made our way to Tick Canyon. During the grind to the top we chatted about everything from bike & accessory manufacturers to other trails in the area and family. At the top, the view was amazing! Then down we go! From the top of each hill, Ivan would release the binders and be gone until we meet at the top of the next hill. Before I knew it we were near the end and it was getting steeper. I had to unclip and hoof down a few of the last few sections and would have considered the last drop impossible if I didn't see Ivan ride it. Again that was fun!
You guys have some incredible riding opportunities. I want to ride there again! Everyone welcomed me with kind hospitality. Thank You for sharing your trails. I was sorry to see building permits posted at the trailheads of both Tapia and Tick Canyon.
Thank you again to Chris, Ronnie, Cliff, and Ivan for riding with me. A special thank you to Scott for helping me get connected and to Dan for sharing your GPS files.
Ron
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