Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, CA.  A good turnout for today’s Path ride.  We headed over to Laguna Wilderness for a little fun.  Today was overcast with temps in the 60s.

 

Tani got our descent down Laguna Ridge aka T&A started off with a nice tire burp off the drop.  The burp was so good that part of his rim strip was sticking outside the tire.

 

 

Our descent down to the lower drop area went well, except for one of Henry’s friends.  He took a tumble in the dip that is after the trail intersection.  He was just fine.

 

Here Tani hits the drop and the Stans holds:

 

Eric aka Skullcrack hits it on his raw Uzzi:

 

 

 

This was Henry’s second ride on his new Ellsworth Dare.

 

Watching it live it looked like Henry’s bike never left the ground:

 

 

 

Bearded Dave out on his new custom 29er:

 

Henry’s new Dare:

 

Video:

 

Laguna Ridge aka T&A (Please right click and select Save Target As…)

Follow Bloodhead on a demo Moment, Steve on his rebuilt 5 Spot and Henry on his new Dare.

Duration = 6:14

File size = 55.1 MB

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Winston,

Of all the videos you've made, this one has the best intro.

Thanks.  I tried to include a little chit chat for once.

 

I like the part where I try to coax Raul into doing the drop.

 

Raul’s previous attempt back in 2004:

 

 

Sweet corn dog action!

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

After that fall, I can see why he's hesistant to take the drop again.  Poor guy, I like him, he's worked on my bike many times.

As a whole, it looks like the bikes get bigger every Path ride. hehe.

The bikes are finally catching up to our taste in trails.

Urbanmtb87:

As a whole, it looks like the bikes get bigger every Path ride. hehe.

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Yeah, I'm currenty in search of the ultimate front tire for that type of trail.

Current Bike setup: '05 Specialized Enduro 130 with 130mm travel in back and 120mm in front. I don't want more travel or a bigger bike because I like how manuverable this thing feels, but I want a meaty/high volume tire for the front (like 2.35-2.5) for better downhill performance and to help absorb the trail. Any recommendations you guys? I've used a Mutanorapter (2.4), Blue Groove (2.35 stick-E), and currently have a Kenda Kinetics (2.35) which I don't like because it feels more like a 2.2" tire. The Blue Groove came closest to what I'm looking for.

I'm a big fan of the Maxxis High Roller 2.35 UST upfront on an trail/all mountain bike.

I believe Tani likes the Kenda Blue Groove 2.5 up front with burping Stans setup. 

Terminaut likes those hard to find Maxxis Mobster 2.5.

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Those Maxxis single-ply 2.5" tires will be even harder to find if everybody knows about them!

mmm... yes I'm hearing good things about maxxis. I'll have to get them a try.

I've been very happy with the Blue Groove 2.5 Stick-E in the front. I've heard good things about the Schwalbe Big Betty 2.4 and may have to give one of those a try when the BG wears out.

Thanks for the photos Winson! Sorry about your extra hiking that day. I'll buy you the beverage of your choice at TBC.

Urbanmtb87:

Yeah, I'm currenty in search of the ultimate front tire for that type of trail.

Current Bike setup: '05 Specialized Enduro 130 with 130mm travel in back and 120mm in front. I don't want more travel or a bigger bike because I like how manuverable this thing feels, but I want a meaty/high volume tire for the front (like 2.35-2.5) for better downhill performance and to help absorb the trail. Any recommendations you guys? I've used a Mutanorapter (2.4), Blue Groove (2.35 stick-E), and currently have a Kenda Kinetics (2.35) which I don't like because it feels more like a 2.2" tire. The Blue Groove came closest to what I'm looking for.

Gotta hit that trail.  Of course my huck may mimis Raul's.  Where does T&A end?  What road is that?  I have only hit LCWP a via El Moro (BVD, Old Em, etc.)  Any chance to link from EM or do you have to enter via LCWP main?  Also how would you best reneter to hook back up with EM

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D@mn I suck

T&A ends on the 133 aka Laguna Canyon Road.  Hang a left at the bottom and go to the main Laguna Wilderness entrance, climb up Willows and you are back on track.

The top of T&A is accessed via Bommer Ridge.

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

Good stuff - thanks.  Keep those videos rolling. Also nice job with look/feel/navigation with new site. 

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D@mn I suck

skullcrack:

I've been very happy with the Blue Groove 2.5 Stick-E in the front. I've heard good things about the Schwalbe Big Betty 2.4 and may have to give one of those a try when the BG wears out.

Thanks for the photos Winson! Sorry about your extra hiking that day. I'll buy you the beverage of your choice at TBC.

Urbanmtb87:

Yeah, I'm currenty in search of the ultimate front tire for that type of trail.

Current Bike setup: '05 Specialized Enduro 130 with 130mm travel in back and 120mm in front. I don't want more travel or a bigger bike because I like how manuverable this thing feels, but I want a meaty/high volume tire for the front (like 2.35-2.5) for better downhill performance and to help absorb the trail. Any recommendations you guys? I've used a Mutanorapter (2.4), Blue Groove (2.35 stick-E), and currently have a Kenda Kinetics (2.35) which I don't like because it feels more like a 2.2" tire. The Blue Groove came closest to what I'm looking for.

Well I ended up getting a 2.5 Blue Groove for when my current front tire wears out. Thanks for  the input guys.

Lordy, Lordy - well i finally hit T&A on Sunday and fair to say I think T&A won this battle.  At best I survived this run.  Just couldn't get in a groove and was riding way too tight. Rolled up on drop at bottom at least 3-4 times before aborting and walking it (can you roll this as well as huck it?).  Not a super tech rider but have hit Lynx, Rock-it, Rattlesnake. etc and take them pretty clean.  Probably had a bad day but also think this is much more challenging.  Anyway, I plan on heading back in very near future to own this b!tch [or at least come to a friendly agreement on mutual respect as the trail had no love for me this wknd]

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D@mn I suck

Cool, the first time down is always the toughest.  Of course I don't think I ever feel comfortable on the first section.

 

The lines, working from right to left from the photographers point of view.

 

Drop line:

 

Roll line:

 

Dead end drop line:

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“…an economy where clients are cutting back and they're sleeping with their wives again. THEIR WIVES!!!” - Eugene “Gemini” Spellman

The Wheel Deal:

Lordy, Lordy - well i finally hit T&A on Sunday and fair to say I think T&A won this battle.  At best I survived this run.  Just couldn't get in a groove and was riding way too tight. Rolled up on drop at bottom at least 3-4 times before aborting and walking it (can you roll this as well as huck it?).  Not a super tech rider but have hit Lynx, Rock-it, Rattlesnake. etc and take them pretty clean.  Probably had a bad day but also think this is much more challenging.  Anyway, I plan on heading back in very near future to own this b!tch [or at least come to a friendly agreement on mutual respect as the trail had no love for me this wknd]

I have only ridden T&A like 5 times, but it seems like the "roll-in" line at the lower section has gotten more eroded then when I first saw it. There the roll out has a pretty deep groove at the bottom.