Biking - Alamere Falls

Although it was a cold morning we rode from shreds to the 5 brooks trailhead in style. We had Dimes panzer w/ heated seats and stereo cranked way up to take us there. The temp was in the upper 30's at the Shredatorium but as we got closer to the coast it warmed up considerably while the wind picked up dramatically. The forecast was for high winds today with gusts over 40 mph. We would be riding the Stewart Trail down to Wildcat beach and from there hiking/biking down to Alamere falls. We got an early morning start hoping to get a jump on any equestrians leaving from the local ranches. We climbed up steadily keeping a wary ear on the noise of crashing tree limbs above us. Debris would fall in prodigious amounts whenever a gust of wind swiped across the tops of the old growth. It was a bit extreme weather conditions with sometimes a raging wind and then turn a corner and it was a sunny cozy 65 degrees with no wind.

The lack of tell tale evidence told us that we were ahead of any equestrians, that being the case we decided to ride out of bounds and chose the Alameia trail. What a beauty, a soft narrow track skittering back and forth thru the tight underbrush. We had a great time but at the same time stopping and listening, keeping our eyes and ears open for party spoilers. After our break we could have quickly gotten back into legal territory but we decided that we were having way too much fun so we did the coastal trail down to Wildcat beach. BTW, Dime had his highlight of the day clearing a rocky steep uphill section on coastal and we got it on tape...nice job.

At the beach we turned south toward the falls. The Dime, trusting soul that he is, (not wanting anyone to steal the blue bomber) lugged and rode it down the beach almost to the falls. Shred, the trusting soul that he is, tucked his in a crevice near the beach and walked without it. The air was clean and clear along the beach but it was a real howler. The high winds picked up the sand and moved it like squirming rivers, only by walking near the wet sand line could you avoid it, it was at our backs and only a nuisance on the way to the falls but on the way back it was full blown in our faces giving our skin a sandblasting. The strong wind was also blowing chunks of rocks down from the cliffs so we dare not walk near them. We did luck out and had a chance to enjoy a nice low tide , nothing like the last time we were here when the waves were crashing over the rocks and we could have easily been washed out to sea if not for split second timing, only leaving us soaked to the bone with salt water logged clothes and gear and still a long way back to the cars, I'll always remember that one, I really suffered that day

We weren't alone at the falls , some church group who had camped at wildcat camp had hiked out in front of us. Shred was irked when one of them didn't follow his friends and leave. Instead he sat right in front of the falls blocking the best picture angle and try as he might Shred couldnt get it right. Dime begged Shred to have patience instead of asking the guy to move and eventually patience won out and Shred had his angle. We explored the area a little bit but eventually had to face the wind driven sand head on on the way back. It was reminiscient of the old Sahara desert blowing sands movies and we put our heads down and slowly plowed north back to wildcat. We did make the mistake of trying to get out of the wind to eat a couple of hamburgers but they soon became gritty and dry and hard to swallow. Wildcat camp is a real stunner this time of year with the mustard plants growing in profusion against the ocean backdrop.

The walking against the wind on the soft sand had done a number on our legs and although Dime did a great job on the climb up from the beach, he joined Shred "hike a biking" up the last 1/2 mile below Fir top. It was at this point that the Dime started putting together a fat boy song using the melody of Paul McCartneys "Blackbird".
When the lyrics say 'blackbirds fly' insert 'fat boys ride'. It's to much to put in the ride report but he came up with a couple of good verses/ choruses having to do with fat boys riding and maybe he'll do something with it. Think of it our own fat boys anthem, I like it.

Soon it was back to the heated seats of Dime's mercedes.....are we yuppies or what?

mtn biking sux.....dont do it

shred
4/14/09

Time 8:15 - 1:30......miles 16.5...........mechanicals none.............injuries none

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Alamere
• Falls
• Mountainbike
• High
• Winds
• Wildcat
• Coast
• mountain
• ride
• bicycle
• biking
• cycling
• riding