Santiago Peak Training Ride- Crash-Oh-Rama

One of the alternate routes we had planned for today training.

What a good time to get in some Brevet training miles up to Santiago Peak. Although March 25th Brevet was a long way off, the closure of Maple Springs Road required an alternate route up Harding Truck Trail, Santiago Peak, Wilderness Trail and the back way thru DeLuz over to the finish in Oceanside. Six or seven riders were amped up for this one. The only Saturday downside was the first Metro Train leaving Oceanside was at 8:15 AM.

I was early for a good purpose. The Metro ticket machines were on the blink. I wandered around and finally saw Dan Phillips waiting in the ticket kiosk line. Good thing the Metro guy helped us thru. We loaded onto the Bike Only Car with a few minutes to spare. Didn't see Sam, Troy or Tim Knowles anywhere.(Troy would later meet us at the trail-head, Tim drove to Ortega Hwy. and rode up the other side, hoping to meet us somewhere. Sam was on the Metro, another car!)

We followed "Ms. Thinbody" up Harding Truck Trail

Time to check out Dan's new carbon Marin Niner and added a few pics to my archives. Plenty of time to chat and discuss the route today... new route that started in Irvine and took a few bike paths and side-roads before starting the dirt climb to the Peak. From there it's mostly all dirt downhill over to Ortega Hwy. Option there to continue the route to Oceanside OR bail and ride down to San Juan Capistrano and jump the Metro back to Oceanside. My lights were packed into my seat bag and I was up for the solo night ride to Oceanside. Hundreds of passenger boarded the Metro at Irvine. We finally spotted Sam wandering around on the platform.

A short ride eastward from the Irvine Station, this trio hooked us up to the Aliso Creek Bike Path northward. Popular route that sneaks up on you with gentle climbing. Several MTB'ers blasted by as we spotted Santiago Peak in the far distance. Sam, Dan & I climbed our way past Cooks Corner, where several hard-bodied gals on MTB's passed us. Dan was soon off is fast pursuit!

Interested buddy I met on Main Divide Road

First steep roadie climb met us as we left Santiago Canyon Road and ventured inland. Modjeska Grade Road was mid double-digit climbing before the pleasant fast downhill into the narrowing Harding Canyon. Troy Buss met us at the local trail regroup spot near the wildlife sanctuary for some water and bathroom relief. After numerous photo-ops and lots of chit-chat, we were off around the gate climbing Harding Truck Trail. As we started up, a MTB racer guy passed us as we caught our rhythm following the bright pink tank-top of Ms. "Thinbody" jogger (razor thin & way top heavy).

It's all climbing now as Dan & I paced up the double digit abandon fire road. Plenty of opportunity for photos here as we were soon looking straight back down to where we just started. Sam's red Chinese cloned SAXO BANK jersey was clearly seen but Troy's yellow/white NCCC club jersey not so much in the distance. "Ms. Thinbody" was jogging well, keeping us working hard to catch up. I did manage a pic or two when we finally passed.

Harding Truck Trail tapers off to a high single digit effort after a mile or two and this offered us a chance to stop for a blow now and then. Several rockslides sections were the only technical effort on the climb. Dan wasn't feeling it today on his new carbon ride, so I was soon alone and viewing Four Corners in the far distance. Once up to the gate, I rode around and snapped a few pics of the closed gate at Maple Springs Road. Next I rode up Main Divide Road and caught another rider there who was going to the peak. Older guy who liked the idea of long dirt rides. I passed him over a rando card before we parted ways. He rode upward and I rode downhill, looking for the guys.

Sam, Troy & Dan blast down Harding Truck Trail

After a few more pics, I rode around the Harding Gate and headed downhill. I finally met Dan and soon we were all riding together back up to 4-Corners and then up to the Main Divide gate. After a brief discussion & failing time, the gruppo decided to return down Harding TTr. After a few photos, we were soon blasting downhill.

I never ride without a helmet mirror and soon noticed Sam had disappeared off the back. A few shouts brought us to a stopping regroup. We were about to launch a search mission up the trail, when Sam appeared. Looks like he took a slip slide fall, his arms now matching his red jersey. After a few handi-wipes, we noticed his helmet was cracked too! "Come-on guys, let's slow it down!" We were soon off on more downhill adventures.

Half-way down, Dan forgot to un-clip at a rockslide and fell over into the rubble. More blood for the cause. "No hurry to get down guys!" Enough said as we soon picked up downhill speed. Near the bottom, I decided to slow for a picture of Dan just ahead. Then everything went to crap. I slip-slid over the bars for a right side landing on the trail. OUCH!

The guys were soon there as I wiped the blood flow. Dan called 911 and after a bit, the Modjesta Cyn. Fire Department 4x4 was close in and the paramedics called in the Air Ambulance. (Due to broken helmet). I was off for a quick flight to the OC Global Trama Center in Santa Ana. I had a bunch of broken stuff and hung around there for 5 days. Then a rough trip down to Palomar Acute Rehab in Escondido for another week before I was back home to mend.

After loading me up, the helo heads to OC Trama Center

Big kudoz to the guys... Dan, Troy & Sam for the trail side help, rounding up my bike stuff and taking care of the details. Our rando buddy Tim Knowles, who rode up to meet us from the east side, finally turned around back to Ortega Hwy. when we never showed up near the peak!

Beautiful sunny day on the trails

Route video

- randorides