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Group Ride Report - A Perfect Day in Marin for an Epic Ride

Ryan Christbaum just wanted to ride Scouts. But Michael Kelley, invited by the Vizier to join the New Year's ride, and Mike McCormack, who never likes to ride anything twice until he has ridden it ALL, ganged up on the wavering Viz and made the plan for SOUTH! With a 77% of normal rainfall for the season to date going for us, (dry trails), a sixty five degree California day in winter, we set out from Deer Park in what could only be described as an excellent mood.

Nobody had "get home" pressure and we planned to go epic one way or another. Ironically, considering the overall weather pattern, the ground was frozen solid at Deer Park as we began. The Viz' choice of wearing his new rain parka for chill protection was quickly vindicated. Heading up and around Lake Lagunitas and making the turn onto Eldridge, who should ride up but Coast Range Rider , Steve DeAlba, who hadn't been seen by this crew since the last trip to Boggs Mountain in November. Steve decided that going slow wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen to him so he brought down his pace, turned down the rock and roll in his headphones, and joined in for what turned out to be the remainder of the big ride.

Picking a standard route, we dropped down Indian Fire Trail, Hoo Koo E Koo, and rode up the Railroad Grade on what all agreed appeared to be a "mountain bike freeway." Hundreds of users of every description, and the majority vote determined that the largest group of these users were mountain bikes. After snacking at West Point Inn, Ryan promptly flatted on nothing we could ever find, but slammed a big hole in his tire and tube. This was no slow leak. Once fixed, we cruised down Stage Coach through Pan Toll and down onto the Coastal Trail where we made a short detour for some rider's ambiance adjustments at the grove.

The ensuing ramble down Coastal to Muir Beach was highlighted by women stripped to their underwear, enjoying the awesome sunny weather. We were traveling through amazing inversion layers of air temperature with 8 degree variation hotter and colder. Once down to the coast, Steve showed Michael K. a new route down to the beach. So even the old pro got to ride a new stretch. After watering up at the beach we went up Middle Green Gulch which was a first for the Vizier as well as Ryan and Mike M. for whom most of the ride was all new territory. This trail gave powerful proof that horses riding narrow trails in slightly muddy conditions do absolutely no damage to the trail at all. (NOT)

Once up to Coyote Ridge the amount of Coyote shit on the trail demonstrated the appropriateness of this name. We lunched on top of the ridge on the rock at 1931' and had a pretty glorious view of the sparkling ocean, San Francisco, the Headlands, and a clear view 26 miles out to the Farralones. Everybody was convinced that their sandwich was the best - even Steve, who didn't have one, and made do with Clif Bars.

Starting back we did Mi Wok, Diaz Ridge and stopped again for the view of Muir Woods and Tamalpais from the Poison Oak Rock from which some lunk has removed the entertaining (because of its absolute lack of necessity) "poison oak" sign. Pipeline to Mountain Home, and a final water stop behind us, we rode Gravity Car to RR Grade, Hoo Koo E Koo down, and finally up to Indian Fire Trail which only the Viz cleared over the slippery rock which unseated the other four. Steve bailed down the remainder of Eldridge because he had started in Ross and the four epic guys went down around Lake Lagunitas and back to Deer Park.

While sounding like an average day of riding, the potent combination of warmth, views, new year spirit, lack of time constraints, and for many, the excitement of new territory, combined to create the very best ride of 1999 to date! All agreed that epic is the way to go, if you want to squeeze the day for everything it has to offer. Great company, great ride!

STATS: 37.5 miles 5760 feet elevation gain 6 1/2 hours overall ride time 4 1/2 hours bike riding time 8.2 MPH average speed One flat tire No other mechanicals Great weather Great fun Great omen for 1999!

Oh yeah; yes, my "Mom" did take away my bike. But she gave it back with a new nine-speed XTR cassette (34-12), new rapid fire shifters, a new rapid rise rear XTR derailleur, a new narrow chain, and three new Race Face rings, (44, 34, 22). Actually these were a gift from my wife, who, with the proper coaching, has incredible mountain bike taste! She also got me the Performance Gore-Tex rain parka. mentioned in the previous ride report. Aren't I the lucky boy!??!

Eric Muhler The Grand Vizier

ericmuhler@btceastbay.org

http://www.btceastbay.org