More Mammoth

Took another Mammoth trip this past weekend. This was the first time I've done the downhill stuff 2 days in a row. I feel like I can't get enough now. For the first time in awhile I feel like I'm getting better at some things. There's still a few sections I walk down, but I give most of it a try now.

Twilight Zone is the newest trail at Mammoth. It's listed as a double black diamond, but it wasn't as tough as the other double blacks, it was just pure fun. Huge banked wall, plus lots of jumps and bridges.

We really didn't waste too much time taking pictures or video. Really it was just 1 run down where we got some stuff, then I got a few quick pics on a couple trails by myself.

Another Mammoth Video

Mammoth July 26-27, 2008.



We went on 3 rides, but nearly all the video is from ride #3.
1) Lower Rock Creek - 11 miles
2) Mammoth Mountain Night Ride - 13.5 miles
3) Mammoth Mountain - 7 hours of downhill

FOR SALE - Specialized Stumpjumper

It turns out the Stumpjumper I bought was too small for me. It's a medium size and I really need a large. I now have it for sale on ebay. The auction ends next Thursday evening.

Ebay Auction - Specialized Stumpjumper

RELISTED - CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT AUCTION

Mammoth 1987 and Now

When we were at Mammoth this weekend we were riding "Bridge the Gap" after coming down "Skid Marks" and I suddenly felt like I was in a very familiar place. I quickly realized that I was going down a trail (a fireroad actually) that I had ridden up in my very first race. It was 1987 and I was 12 years old and I believe it was the Raleigh World Mountain Bike Championships. I think it was the 2nd one they had there. There weren't even age divisions, just classes, so I was in the beginner division. The picture was taken just at the start of the steepest climb of the course. I remember seeing the photographer and making sure I rode far enough up the hill to get my picture taken on the bike before I had to get off and walk up. You'll notice one guy behind me didn't even attempt the hill.

I was riding a $350 Univega Rover Sport. I also have to point out that the red watch on my wrist is actually a Swatch.

Anyways....here's me in 1987 and then again in 2008 at the same spot.....

Mammoth

I'm heading to Mammoth this weekend. Here's a video of my last 2 trips there.



The first trip was an end of the summer last chance kind of trip 2 years ago. We had one good run. On the others we had flat tires, a brake cable pulled right out when I squeezed the brake, and Mike had his rear derailluer fall off. These were on the cheap Giant rental bikes. Luckily we stopped at Lower Rock Creek on the way home and had a great ride on our own bikes.

The 2nd trip was much better. We had a day of riding at Mammoth on the way to Tahoe. Then on the way back from Tahoe we stopped at Lower Rock Creek again, this time we had a driver to shuttle us and didn't have to ride all the way back up to the car.

The Stumpjumper

I got my new bike yesterday. It's an '06 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro.

Whiting Ranch

Finally some good news about Whiting. It's expected to reopen by the end of July.

http://ocparks.com/newsroom/default.asp?Show=1001851&subshow=A