All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Been away for a few weeks but wanted to comment on PP:

Do it! It's an awesome ride. The only similarity to Whole Enchilada is that it drops from a high elevation environment through a number of zones down to the desert. It is definitely a harder ride than TWE which gets most of the climbing out of the way going up Burro, then flows really well with just a few short climbs back to town. PP is more of a long XC point to point ride than a downhill shuttle. It has short punchy climbs throughout the "plunge" that will wear you down especially if you try and ride them all. On top of that there is a lot of embedded rock in the tread that you get hammered by including on said punchy climbs. Between that, the short climbs and constant switchbacks it's hard to carry momentum a lot of the time, which makes it a very pedally ride. It really feels like you're climbing most of the way, even though you only gain around 1200ft throughout the ride. I didn't think it was overly technical and didn't think the exposure was extreme except for a few spots. But it's definitely a lot of work. Add in lack of shade and the heat, and it's no surprise people get in trouble. Cooler weather would help some but is no magic bullet, it is a hard ride no matter what.

For me to recommend this to someone would come down to their fitness and their acclimation to harder rides. If you ride a lot in a hot desert environment or do a lot of big backcountry rides this one won't be a big deal as long as you are prepared. If your typical riding is 12-15 miles a couple times a week on front country trails you will probably have a hard time on PP. Once you cross Lands End Rd the second time at mile 15 and then cross the final creek a mile later you are just getting to the hardest part of the ride with no more water available, no bail outs, and rising temps with no shade.

I did the ride last August on a low 90s day in Palisade. It definitely got hot at the end but I didn't think it was that bad. If I did it again I'd do the opposite. Start later, like early afternoon. Bring lights and finish at sunset or just after dark. That's the only way to beat the heat on this ride. A lot of people say to start early. You can't start early enough to beat the heat on this one unless you ride half of it in the dark, which defeats the point as the upper meadows section is very nice too. Any later than that and you're descending on the hardest part of the trail during the hottest time of day. Start later and you'll hit that area as things are cooling off a bit, or at least not when the sun's glare is most intense.

You don't need to carry 2.5 gallons or whatever they're recommending from the start of the ride, that would be brutal. Just bring a water filter or iodine tabs/purification and fill up along the way. There is at least one stream between the two crossings of Lands End Rd that should flow year round and another, Whitewater Creek, just over a mile past the last road crossing. You'd definitely want to confirm with the shuttle company if those are still running of course. If you can't make it to those on a 3L hydration bladder I'd reconsider finishing the ride as it only gets harder and hotter from there down. And there are zero water sources past that last stream crossing. I'd carry as much as you can from the last stream crossing. If you're a camel like me 3L plus a bottle. If you drink a lot of water, bring a second bladder and fill that too. You won't regret it. And you won't be carrying that extra weight for long....

 

Always a fun time in pacifica

 

Taco crew assemble

 

Great riding today. Went to Oaks in OC.

 

Jeebus dude, how long does the ride take?!
I typically do enchilada with 1-2 bottles (depending on temps) if I prehydrate.

More tacos than bikes!

Great day for higher elevation riding. 95 at the house, 70 up top.

 

It took me 6 hours, and I'm not fast. I don't recall having to refill water at that last stream crossing, but I'm a camel. Others could easily go through a lot of water by the time they get to that point.

FWIW Enchilada usually takes me around 4.5 hrs.

 

Anyone with a rockshox 35 silver know what bottomless tokens fit? Trying to help a buddy, rockshox says it can take 2 but the P# they give only seems to exist over seas.

wondering if lyrik one's fit

 

Maybe ? I believe they should. Give it a try. RockShox has one token type. Unlike fox, which has specific ones for each stanchion diameter. Worth a try. Your local shop might have a few extras just sitting around they might be happy to get rid of.

 

I got a bunch for my boxxer i was thinking of trying. Just wasn’t sure if it was worth trying.

 

Easy enough to try.

 

https://www.sram.com/en/service/models/fs-35s-r-a1

Double checked it. You need the black 32mm diameter one. Not the grey one that you might have.

 

I think he needs orange. He had a silver not a gold I believe.

 

Okey so anyone with a Rockshox 35 silver TK soloair needs P# 11.4018.114.000 for the bottomless token. Apparently this fork got its own special token

 

ah good find. Trying to find this info on phones is annoying.

side note: for some reason, whenever I read "Rockshox 35 silver TK"...I always want to follow it up with "-421"

 

I told my boy the easiest way to fix his problem is buy a lyrik, but he is cheap lol

 

Spending the weekend in East Burke, VT and camping in the middle of Kingdom Trails. But spent some time on Burke Mtn too.

 

Lol. Or a pike. Depending on travel numbers. Easy fix!

 

If you are looking for lightweight knee pads you can pedal in, all day long, check out the Rapha Trail Knee pads. They passed the Georgia hot and humid comfort test. I have not crashed on them yet but the Rheon pads seem legit. A bonus is Rapha's warranty. However, it is a Rapha so expect Rapha pricing.

 

I just got some Rapha bibs and road jersey…some of their stuff is cheaper than pearl izumi which is wild to me

 

Sunday a day before the 4th with few on the trail in the morning, I was pleasantly surprised, The days temps were headed to the 90° mark, I managed to beat the heat and was on dirt by 8am. My ride started at 65° and ended at 74°. Couldn’t ask for better conditions.