Ride 3 - Snow Valley Summit Peak 9,216' & Flume Trail
Ride Numero Tres
After LOADMASTER CRASH supervised the handling of cargo arrangement in the truck, the Toejam rolled out of Sac while still pretty early in the AM and the temps above 105 degrees. Heading out on 50 to Tahoe (81) where it was a bit overcast with scattered showers - yes it FINALLY rained in Cali !!! - CRASH was blown away by this. We unloaded, checked things out and then began the ride at Spooner Lake.
Things started off peacefully enough till dB attacked early on the soft & sandy fireroad. He writes: "I was feeling some angst from the previous day's adventure. I hadn't planned on riding the next 4 days with a broken wrist, I really wanted to lay the hammer down and see how I was going to hold up. Plus I was feeling anxious about Floyd's collapse on the slopes of Stage 16 in the TdF. I wanted to ride hard and will him back into contention... guess it worked!"
The views were amazing, distracting and inspiring.
Upon reaching the summit the wallet was returned to dB.
As we consumed the view at 9212' cell phone calls to the significant others were made, beef jerkey and gummy bears passed about and the Toejam prepared for an AVALANCHE ride off the summit. CRASH led the way into the snow and promptly wiped out taking the rest of the crew with him. A fierce snowball fight ensued before each Toejammer took a shot at bike skiing off of the rather steep and slippery packed snowfield.
Chenger fired snowballs as Crash descended, then earholed dB with one as he ski-biked down, this crashed dB out and he slid the final 75' down on his back with the snow pouring in under his collar before finally coming to rest in an icey heap at the bottom of the bank in a slimey, melting, mud puddle.
After regrouping, the Toejam attacked the fireroad descent, rolling back over our tracks at ridiculously highspeeds with CRASH showing off his motoskills, jumping the waterbars, skimming tabletops and floating crossups. Upon arrival at the Flume Trail intersection the climbing resumed to Marlette Lake.
The trail led through the lake, where water was given to a pleasant ultra runner and the Flume Trail descent commenced.
More AMAZING views, plenty of pictures, little traffic and ultra-high speeds.
As one group of hikers were passed - they exuberantly hooted and applauded their approval as CRASH lit up the trail with dB hot in his wake - a veritable rooster trail of dust pluming high into the dry air, CRASH gave them room trimming the bushes on the far side of the fireroad and dB followed - actually having to duck flying foliage thrown up from his wake.
The descent continued all the way into Lake Tahoe where dB lived his dream with a splash into the lake from a boat dock. The water was crisp and crystal clear - refreshing! Everyone rode there rigs down the boat ramp and into the lake.
The crew now refreshed, then turned it up the paved road (Hwy 28) along the lake to return the 13 miles to Spooner Lake Campground where we were parked. This was a bit of a slog and seemed to be 85% up hill. When you are running 30 psi in your tires, and have digested 2,800 feet of elevation gain for the day - at elevation, it becomes a bit of a slogfest - especially when dealing with auto traffic and little shoulder. Feeling a bit done, CRASH and dB pulled Jeffro in the draft and just maintained a steady pace till the ground was finally covered.
Back at the truck, V8 and choklit milk beverages were slammed, chairs set out and recovery began. Sierra Nevada brewage was also enjoyed in quantity. The man was at the window. After refreshing ourselves we headed to Monica's (CRASHETTE's Mom) for a swim in her pool, a shower and a SUPER fine grilled pork tenderloin dinner.
After LOADMASTER CRASH supervised the handling of cargo arrangement in the truck, the Toejam rolled out of Sac while still pretty early in the AM and the temps above 105 degrees. Heading out on 50 to Tahoe (81) where it was a bit overcast with scattered showers - yes it FINALLY rained in Cali !!! - CRASH was blown away by this. We unloaded, checked things out and then began the ride at Spooner Lake.
Things started off peacefully enough till dB attacked early on the soft & sandy fireroad. He writes: "I was feeling some angst from the previous day's adventure. I hadn't planned on riding the next 4 days with a broken wrist, I really wanted to lay the hammer down and see how I was going to hold up. Plus I was feeling anxious about Floyd's collapse on the slopes of Stage 16 in the TdF. I wanted to ride hard and will him back into contention... guess it worked!"
The gentle climb steadily increased in severity and dB gapped the Toejam before stopping at the Snow Peak trail intersection to wait for the regroup. The last pitch was steep and just a taste of the climb to the summit to come. dB then continued his dominating climbing performance all the way to the 9,216' summit. We climbed over 1,100' in less than a mile of steep, sandy and rocky jeep track.
The views were amazing, distracting and inspiring.
Upon reaching the summit the wallet was returned to dB.
As we consumed the view at 9212' cell phone calls to the significant others were made, beef jerkey and gummy bears passed about and the Toejam prepared for an AVALANCHE ride off the summit. CRASH led the way into the snow and promptly wiped out taking the rest of the crew with him. A fierce snowball fight ensued before each Toejammer took a shot at bike skiing off of the rather steep and slippery packed snowfield.
Chenger fired snowballs as Crash descended, then earholed dB with one as he ski-biked down, this crashed dB out and he slid the final 75' down on his back with the snow pouring in under his collar before finally coming to rest in an icey heap at the bottom of the bank in a slimey, melting, mud puddle.
After regrouping, the Toejam attacked the fireroad descent, rolling back over our tracks at ridiculously highspeeds with CRASH showing off his motoskills, jumping the waterbars, skimming tabletops and floating crossups. Upon arrival at the Flume Trail intersection the climbing resumed to Marlette Lake.
The trail led through the lake, where water was given to a pleasant ultra runner and the Flume Trail descent commenced.
More AMAZING views, plenty of pictures, little traffic and ultra-high speeds.
As one group of hikers were passed - they exuberantly hooted and applauded their approval as CRASH lit up the trail with dB hot in his wake - a veritable rooster trail of dust pluming high into the dry air, CRASH gave them room trimming the bushes on the far side of the fireroad and dB followed - actually having to duck flying foliage thrown up from his wake.The descent continued all the way into Lake Tahoe where dB lived his dream with a splash into the lake from a boat dock. The water was crisp and crystal clear - refreshing! Everyone rode there rigs down the boat ramp and into the lake.
The crew now refreshed, then turned it up the paved road (Hwy 28) along the lake to return the 13 miles to Spooner Lake Campground where we were parked. This was a bit of a slog and seemed to be 85% up hill. When you are running 30 psi in your tires, and have digested 2,800 feet of elevation gain for the day - at elevation, it becomes a bit of a slogfest - especially when dealing with auto traffic and little shoulder. Feeling a bit done, CRASH and dB pulled Jeffro in the draft and just maintained a steady pace till the ground was finally covered.
Back at the truck, V8 and choklit milk beverages were slammed, chairs set out and recovery began. Sierra Nevada brewage was also enjoyed in quantity. The man was at the window. After refreshing ourselves we headed to Monica's (CRASHETTE's Mom) for a swim in her pool, a shower and a SUPER fine grilled pork tenderloin dinner.
posted by doubleB at 11:35 AM
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