Wow, what a great Mem. Weekend. OUT THERE! Bike, hike, bike, bike, bike.....good food, great company!
Our last day out there we headed out on the bike path at 7:30am and headed towards the beach. ALiso Creek bike path , through Laguna Niguel Reg'l Park and lake, cross Crown Valley Pkwy, up Niguel.....thataway..... We got down to Salt Creek in about an hour. We had heavy overcast skies for a bit. But like on cue, 10am rolled in and so did the sun. It was so beautiful! People were out walking, running, riding, kids, pets, everyone heading to the ocean. We rode all the way down to the sand...then rode across the sand at Strands on our skinny tires. We were solo riders on the sand having so much fun. As you can see we had to hike 'em up to the top, then rode back to Salt Creek and back on the bike trail home. Cool breeze kept us smiling as we grunted up a few hills on the return. Whoa, no suspension on these street bikes; gotta watch those bumps on the sidewalk....we NEVER ride in the street, I don't care what they say. Cars are scary! We rewarded our morning trip with a great lunch at Avila's back in Aliso Viejo. I could have ridden all day. But hey, three days in a row, how could I complain? I can't remember last time I rode by a lake and an ocean in the same morning.....

O'Neill Park/Ho CHi Minh Trail

Another beautiful morning ride from RSM into O'Neill Park. Katie joined me and Spain as we headed up Coyote Canyon, down Vista, back up Coyote Canyon, down Live Oak, to Homestead...well, Katie and Spain headed back up CC but my legs said no, not a second time! So I pedaled around the park 'till they came around the bend. It was a very cool morning but sun shone warm. Gorgeous cumulus, piercing blue overhead, fantastic vistas up top. I'm really getting to like this park!
The 3 of us exited into the Arroyo Trabuco Trail, which winds its way through a mostly dry creek bed, some sand, medium boulders, sycamore and oak trees giving us occasional shade. Two spots of NOT DRY creek crossings had us splashing through avoiding slippery boulders. FUN!
Spain's brake pads gave up the ghost midway down the trail..guess you could say his springs sprung! The man is prepared for everything OUT THERE. He had a new brake pad installed in no time. Me and Katie ate and talked. We were no help to the man, but good company!!
We took Katie on down the trail until it became Ho Chi Minh trail, our favorite second half of the trail. Three more stream crossings going and coming.

MOUNTAIN LION YOUNGSTER SIGHTING! I was in the lead and yelled out, "Oh Look! A coyote!" What did I know? Spain was behind and said.."No, Bobcat! NO!! MOUNTAIN LION!! That's a ML youngster!
We all stopped and watched its "longer than a bobcat tail" disappear into the brush in a flash.
OMG. Yes, no coyote, it was a big kitty. WOW, Spain was all excited because he had finally seen a ML up close and personal, sort of, kind of. Well that made all 3 of us experiencing our first sighting of a ML. I was especially happy it was young, and in a hurry to get back to momma wherever SHE was. It was very cool to see the youngin' I must admit. SO glad I wasn't out hiking. Off we road a bit faster and scanning the meadow as we sailed through.
A wonderful morning ride with our special friend Katie.
Saddleback Mountain is always so beautiful. A perfect spring ride.

Hike-A-Bike!

Yes, it's true, there are many spots I CANNOT RIDE! This rock garden heading up Rock-It in Aliso Woods certainly is one spot. But I talked Adam, Al and Russell into riding up Rock-It this past Sunday because it was cool, a bit cloudy and much more comfortable heading up Rock-It before summer's heat. So off we went!

We stopped a few times and Adam Maywhort of Irvine Ranch Conservancy and our good buddy, gave the 3 of us valuable riding tips on approaching rock steps like these and how to ride over them.

We had watched him climb the rocks just minutes before; looking like a mountain goat, climbing with ease. Adam is truly ONE with his bike, a sight to see, so smooth! We all put it to practice on the next grind up. It helped! I had ridden up this spot once before about a year and a half ago. Today I had improved much and felt more confidence. Views were great.

As we climbed this spot, here comes this 8 year old boy, riding down the rock garden next to his Dad. OMG! Put us 3 to shame. He was smiling all the way down...........amazing!