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Bill Bikes My bicycling expeditions and jaunts |
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South Burma, May 2018
The Ogre on rocky Annadel trails: A Photographic Log
2 May 2018, 19 miles
The big fires in October closed Annadel State Park, Santa Rosa's primo mountain biking (and hiking and equestrian) venue. Little by little it has been reopening. Last week the South Burma trail reopened, adding an extra loop and link into the burned interior of the park.The Ogre isn't really a mountain bike—no shocks—and it's built for fire roads and gravel and the like, not steep, rocky singletrack. South Burma is very rugged and rocky. Rocky in the sense that big, half-buried, immovable rocks practically block the trail and make it impossible to pick a smooth line. Hit one of those big, deeply rooted rocks at high speed on the Ogre and you fly off. Hit one on the Ogre at low speed and you topple over. Real mountain bikes with full suspension can handle that kind of terrain much better than the Ogre. But I wanted to see what my rigid rig could do.
My ace support crew, who hiked South Burma the other day, warned me. But I had to test it for myself. Shoulda listened to her.
I pedaled from home to Spring Lake Park. From there, the fire road leads to Annadel's Canyon trail, crossing this bridge along the way.
It wasn't really necessary to swing past Lake Ilsanjo, but this is probably my favorite spot in the park.
Planning to have a go at some rough singletrack, I stripped down the Ogre and carried a small hydration pack with just enough room for a few essentials in addition to plenty of water.
Do I look like I know what the heck I'm doing? Don't let my fabulous good looks and highly competent demeanor fool you!
Circling around Lake Ilsanjo, I came across these two geese with a pair of goslings which are hidden in the grass.
Snack break at Lake Ilsanjo. One goose on guard duty. About five others sleeping.
The South Burma trail started out easy enough, climbing gradually without too many boulders blocking the Ogre.
Fire damage all around.
The South Burma trail became rougher and rougher. I kept thinking maybe I should turn back, but I was already pretty far along.
How much worse could it get?
Going uphill was tough enough. When the trail turned downhill, I had difficulty finding a suitable speed where I could navigate, bounce over unavoidable rocks, and not kill myself.
Mostly I couldn't take my eyes off the trail, but I was happy when I saw Buick Meadow in the distance, because I knew that would be the end of the South Burma trail.
I damned near killed myself—or at least broke a few bones—but I finally brought the Ogre in for a safe landing at the bench at Buick Meadow.
No, there is no Buick, Oldsmobile, or Studebaker here.
I sat on the bench for awhile, ate trail mix, drank water, and tried to determine how the hell I was going to get myself out of here without calling for a helicopter.
I started toward Two Quarry on Marsh trail, but quickly decided to turn back and take Marsh trail toward Canyon.
The first part of Marsh trail was a fast, exhilarating rumble on a smooth dirt and duff surface.
Before long, however, Marsh trail turned into an endless minefield of big, half-buried rocks, some sharp and some smooth, just like South Burma.
This photo should give some idea of trail conditions. I swear, thirty years ago when I used to come up here on my old rigid mountain bike, these trails were mostly dirt and duff. Not any more. I think the endless stream of mountain bikes has eroded the soil away, exposing all the protruding rocks.
Toward the end, I was picking my way so slowly through the unforgiving rocks that a runner passed me.
Ah, safely out of the burn zone and back to the junction with Canyon trail, which is actually a fire road, which means the Ogre and I will be fine.
Note the mountain lion warning. I would have been easy pickings for any mountain lion that wanted me today.
Going down Canyon trail, which seems like smooth pavement compared to most of South Burma and Marsh.
I love riding in Annadel, but maybe I'll just stick to the fire roads.
Unless, of course, I decide to buy a real mountain bike....
Summary
Date: 2 May 2018
Time: 12:00 - 4:00
Weather: 60-70° F, sunny
Route: Annadel: Canyon - Ilsanjo - South Burma - Buick Meadow - Marsh - Canyon
Distance: 19 miles
Bike: Surly Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
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