RR: Point Mugu State Park

June 1st, 2003, Feeling pretty good, so I decided that I would go further than I usually do, on a
weekend, also, I couldn't get out yesterday.

The weather was socked in, morning fog, in our coastal area. I thought it would burn off by
mid-morning. It was cool, but not cold. I grabbed my sweatshirt, and a sleeveless shell.

I parked in the lot, & dragged out the bike, and took off. I decided to go all the way to the beach,
straight down Sycamore Canyon.

I kept the sweatshirt on, as I knew there would be a fast hill coming up, which would be cool,
(not kewl).

I took off from the parking lot, and hit the axis road that runs through the National Park, on the
way to the State Park, (Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa to Point Mugu). That time of the morning, and
also because of the overcast, there weren't too many people on the road, so I had an easy time
getting to the top of the canyon.

I started down the hill, putting my bandana around my mouth, (this is to keep the bugs out of the
mouth). I always take it easy, and slow, going down the hill, (I've crashed on this hill, and am
always leery).

I buzz through the bridge, as there is a wild bee hive under the bridge, which get upset every time
someone goes over the bridge. (I don't know if they're africanized, but I don't want to find out the
hard way).

From here on down, it's an easy coast, through a lush canopy of sycamore, and oak, trees, past
a former horse ranch. Since the road is paved all the way to Danielson Ranch, it doesn't take
much time.

Once past the ranch house, I hit the dirt part of the fire road down. It crosses the creek an number
of times, but there isn't any water, anywhere. The road is hard packed, in most places, and rutted
in a few others, but easily passible.

I keep going straight, down to the rest area, just two, or so, miles up from the beach, and
stop to use the facilities, and to try to decide if I should press on to the beach or wimp out
& turn around.

On the off chance there may be dolphins playing in the surf, I decide to continue down to the beach,
just to see what's going on. Nope, I didn't see any dolphins.

After hanging out at the beach, for just ten minutes or so, long enough to take off the sweatshirt,
and put on a sleeveless shell, I head back up Sycamore Canyon.

I take it easy, husbanding my energy for the climb at the end. I stop at the multi-use area, just
north of the ranch house, to remove my sleeveless shell, to cool off a little, and scarf down my Fig
Newton, to re-fuel for the tortuous climb back up to the parking lot.

After cooling off, and re-hydrated, I moved on up the canyon. One of the greatest things about late
spring in this canyon is the aroma of all the flowers, and lush vegetation. I've been known to stop,
and just smell the manzanita, (watch out for the poison ivy!).

I rest, briefly, just shy of the bridge, to catch my breath, and to drink as much water as I can,
before the more serious climb.

I'd like to brag that I cleaned this hill, but that wouldn't be quite true. In fact, I had to jump
off just when it was getting steep, as I couldn't keep my speed up. I'll also blame my back, which,
due to fatigue, was tightening up, and walking takes the tension out of it. (what a wimp!)

After ten minutes of walking, I felt silly with all the bikers passing me by, and decided to hop
back on the bike. (of course, the steepest part of the hill was behind me).

I topped the hill, and whiffed in relief, I knew it was an easy coast back to the car.

By this time my legs were like rubber, thank goodness it was close to lunchtime, and I had nothing
on the schedule for the afternoon, so I could take a nap. (It's kinda funny that when you reach a
certain age, it's desirable to take afternoon naps again.)

Another ride on the books!

 

"Steve Petree" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> June 1st, 2003, Feeling pretty good, so I decided that I would go further than I usually do, on a
> weekend, also, I couldn't get out yesterday.
>
> The weather was socked in, morning fog, in our coastal area. I thought it would burn off by
> mid-morning. It was cool, but not cold. I grabbed my sweatshirt, and a sleeveless shell.
>
> I parked in the lot, & dragged out the bike, and took off. I decided to go all the way to the
> beach, straight down Sycamore Canyon.
>
> I kept the sweatshirt on, as I knew there would be a fast hill coming up, which would be cool,
> (not kewl).
>
> I took off from the parking lot, and hit the axis road that runs through the National Park, on the
> way to the State Park, (Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa to Point Mugu). That time of the morning, and
> also because of the overcast, there weren't too many people on the road, so I had an easy time
> getting to the top of the canyon.
>
> I started down the hill, putting my bandana around my mouth, (this is to keep the bugs out of the
> mouth). I always take it easy, and slow, going down the hill, (I've crashed on this hill, and am
> always leery).
>
> I buzz through the bridge, as there is a wild bee hive under the bridge, which get upset every
> time someone goes over the bridge. (I don't know if they're africanized, but I don't want to find
> out the hard way).
>
> From here on down, it's an easy coast, through a lush canopy of sycamore, and oak, trees, past
> a former horse ranch. Since the road is paved all the way to Danielson Ranch, it doesn't take
> much time.
>
> Once past the ranch house, I hit the dirt part of the fire road down. It crosses the creek an
> number of times, but there isn't any water, anywhere. The road is hard packed, in most places, and
> rutted in a few others, but easily passible.
>
> I keep going straight, down to the rest area, just two, or so, miles up from the beach, and
> stop to use the facilities, and to try to decide if I should press on to the beach or wimp out
> & turn around.
>
> On the off chance there may be dolphins playing in the surf, I decide to continue down to the
> beach, just to see what's going on. Nope, I didn't see any dolphins.
>
> After hanging out at the beach, for just ten minutes or so, long enough to take off the
> sweatshirt, and put on a sleeveless shell, I head back up Sycamore Canyon.
>
> I take it easy, husbanding my energy for the climb at the end. I stop at the multi-use area, just
> north of the ranch house, to remove my sleeveless shell, to cool off a little, and scarf down my
> Fig Newton, to re-fuel for the tortuous climb back up to the parking lot.
>
> After cooling off, and re-hydrated, I moved on up the canyon. One of the greatest things about
> late spring in this canyon is the aroma of all the flowers, and lush vegetation. I've been known
> to stop, and just smell the manzanita, (watch out for the poison ivy!).
>
> I rest, briefly, just shy of the bridge, to catch my breath, and to drink as much water as I can,
> before the more serious climb.
>
> I'd like to brag that I cleaned this hill, but that wouldn't be quite true. In fact, I had to jump
> off just when it was getting steep, as I couldn't keep my speed up. I'll also blame my back,
> which, due to fatigue, was tightening up, and walking takes the tension out of it. (what a wimp!)
>
> After ten minutes of walking, I felt silly with all the bikers passing me by, and decided to hop
> back on the bike. (of course, the steepest part of the hill was behind me).
>
> I topped the hill, and whiffed in relief, I knew it was an easy coast back to the car.
>
> By this time my legs were like rubber, thank goodness it was close to lunchtime, and I had nothing
> on the schedule for the afternoon, so I could take a nap. (It's kinda funny that when you reach a
> certain age, it's desirable to take afternoon naps again.)
>
> Another ride on the books!
>
Sounds like a great area. Soon that ride will be easy and you will look to expand again.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado (remove .nospam. if replying)

 

Random thought: can you go stateboarding in a state park?

--
a.m-b FAQ: http://www.t-online.de/~jharris/ambfaq.htm

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Stephen Baker <[email protected]> wrote in message

just put us back where you found us when you're finished.
> ;-)
>
> Steve

Why would you want that?

Shaun aRe

 

Stephen Baker <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Shaun R says:
>
> >Why would you want that?
>
> So when I cross one of the bridges to get off this [email protected]#$%^ed island, I'll
know
> where the fsck I am.

Where TF is your sense of adventure owd geezer?

> Simple ;-)

Sounds like a confession, heheheheh.......

> Steve

Shaun aRe reminded of The Faraway Tree.