Hot Tub Time Machine

Yesterday was one kick ass day, woke up from my extended nap and drove out to Valencia to meet up with everyone at Carlos's house. After everyone was there and loaded up, we set out for Big Bear, after making one very important pit stop for the guys.

Snow Summit in their infinite wisdom closed it's lifts so downhill bikes some 8 years ago after a couple of deaths and some lawsuits from broken necks etc... Nevermind that those were in part due to their own horrible trail work and unsafe jumps. Regardless, we lost use of the mountain and subsequently the town of Big Bear was hit hard. It was pretty amazing to get up there after so many years and see how many business were gone or for sale. They still haven't opened the lifts up for big bikes which worried us some on way up. They limit the bikes to having under 2.5 inch tires, 2 chain rings, and under 35 lbs. Needless to say our "all mountain" bikes were pushing a few of those restrictions. We all hoped that we didn't make the long drive just to be turned away.

Anyhow, we got there after an exciting drive up the mountain in which race pace Pablo showed us all his F-1 skills while making multiple car passes over the double yellow before putting his 15 passenger lunch box sideways into corners. We were happy to be in the other truck needless to say. We put on our gear and made our way to the lift line. Now, I've never seen or even heard of this Hot Tub time machine until yesterday, and believe me I got heckled for it, but, being back in that parking lot and looking at the trails as we flew past them in our "high speed"quad, it felt like last summer we were up here for the Am Cup and other such races. Shit, I must be getting old if so many years feels like it was yesterday... I digress. The trails at Big Bear were silty and soft as usual. It was great! Except if you were behind someone, or let alone the last one in our group of 8, the chalk like powdery dust would kick up so quick that you literally had no choice but to watch the next person's shoulders and helmet, follow their moves and hope no head sized boulders were in the way. All in all we had a dirty, fast day with only minor flesh wounds and 3 flats. Gotta say, despite Snow Summit blowing it big time, we had a great time and there is no reason a 5-7 inch trail bike is insufficient for those trails. I know I'm excited to head up there again soon, and we probably will be in a few weeks. So, come on up, the more the merrier.

FTW