South Mountain Hot Summer Night Rides Begin

Andy and I took our first of soon to be many night rides out at South Mountain last night. Started at the warpaint parking area, headed out on DC to Telegraph, turned around and did the goat hike up the backside of the helipad. We stopped and took a break, took some photos and continued our shred down that sweet ridgeline trail. It’s so much fun, especially by headlamp. We headed back to DC and found our way up to secret, ripped that one at 20+mph, continued the loop back to warpaint. 13 miles, 85 degress, no other bikers and only one scorpion seen. Great night out on the hills. Heres some pics and vid.

Not Bad for a couple of Downhillers…the helipad TT

We took a whack at the challenge that mtbikeaz put up for us via twitter “Helipad TT” during our weekly pedal this morning. Started at the San Gabriel lot and pedaled Desert Classic all the way out there.  We each took our turn on the attempt. Andy started 1st ( hoofed it on the start) Stuart got off to a great start only to stall 50 feet up the trail, “this stuff is rough” he huffed.  I raised the seat, clipped in and took off, made it 75 feet to pull out of the pedals and hike that first steep loose section. But bound and determined to make it on one shot I pushed on, pedaled what I could and passed both guys on the way up.  About half way up, we were passed by this hammerer on a specialized hardtail showing us how to do it. Pedaled all the way to dissapear down the opposite side.  We reached the summit and had a little coffee, snapped a group pic and started the shred down.  About half way, stu got all gnar in front of me, and flew off trail after sending this little drop almost putting me into a barrel cactus on the right. Just a little scratch for me and a couple for stu.  We continued to shred via secret and the flats out.  Loaded the cars and headed to Los Taquitos next to Cactus bike for celabratory burritos.

Helipad TT Times:
Latedropbob: 10:30
Andy: 11:10
Stu: 12 flat (no pun intended)

Good Times!!!

Gallery of Pics Here!