ATTACK OF THE SINGLETRACK; LINEUP OF AREA'S TOUGHEST ONE-LANE MOUNTAIN-BIKE TRAILS.Byline: MARK LANGTON Cycling Most mountain bikers are content with fire roads and jeep trails. ``Fat tires, wide pathways'' seems to be the rallying cry Noun 1. rallying cry - a slogan used to rally support for a cause; "a cry to arms"; "our watchword will be `democracy'" war cry, watchword, battle cry, cry catchword, motto, shibboleth, slogan - a favorite saying of a sect or political group 2. for the average rider. But there's a type of track that is the ultimate in the sensory cycling experience. It's called ``singletrack'' and only the most experienced need apply. Even then, tackling a one-lane mountain-bike trail is a daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin deed. ``It took me a long time before I understood, or could appreciate, riding singletrack,'' said off-road cyclist David Downey of Venice. ``There's a huge difference between riding even a smooth singletrack and a fire road.'' Typically, a singletrack trail is wide enough only for a sole rider, although there is no set width that delineates a singletrack. It is characterized by a narrow path with only one ``line'' for a bike to traverse. It is the constriction constriction /con·stric·tion/ (kon-strik´shun) 1. a narrowing or compression of a part; a stricture.constric´tive 2. a diminution in range of thinking or feeling, associated with diminished spontaneity. of width - and its access to remote and scenic areas - that gives the singletrack its uniqueness. It is reserved for the adrenaline junky - the rider who laughs at the notion that a thin line of dirt and rock can be dangerous. But the singletrack must also be respected and revered, for no person can totally conquer it. As the saying goes, ``Sometimes you eat the singletrack, sometimes the singletrack eats you.'' It is a weird and wonderful phenomenon that occurs when you're on a singletrack - a combination of exhilaration and terror as you fight gravity and nerves to negotiate the trail. You must be precise and attentive at all times, for one lapse of concentration can send you off the side of a cliff or spread-eagled onto jagged boulders. Without getting too misty, mastering the singletrack trail is like achieving a Zen-like understanding of one's self by one's self; without help or prompting; spontaneously. See also: Of : You face your fears and once tamed - and the mud is wiped from your grinning mug - you reach a certain inner peace. Here's a glimpse at five of the area's toughest singletracks: Rogers Road Trail A section of the Backbone Trail that runs through Topanga State Park Topanga State Park is a California state park located in Los Angeles County. It is located adjacent to the unincorporated community of Topanga, California, within the city of Los Angeles, California. Covering 11,000 acres (45 km²) it is the largest state park within city limits. and is accessed via Will Rogers State Historic Park Will Rogers State Historic Park is the former estate of American humorist Will Rogers. It lies in the Santa Monica mountains in Los Angeles, in the Pacific Palisades area. in Pacific Palisades Palisades, cliffs along the west bank of the Hudson River, NE N.J. and SE N.Y., extending from N of Jersey City, N.J., to the vicinity of Piermont, N.Y., with a general altitude of from 350 ft to 550 ft (107–168 m). . Directions: Take Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a street in the western part of Los Angeles County, California, that stretches from Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Coast Highway at the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Palisades. west from the San Diego Freeway The San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405, and the part of Interstate 5 south of the El Toro Y[1]) is one of the principal north-south highways in Southern California, and the major beltway of I-5 running through Southern California. (405) or east from the Pacific Coast Highway Pacific Coast Highway may refer to:
What to expect: The trail is extremely steep for the 1-1/2 miles, with several eroded sections. The beginning stretch has several water-diversion ``bars'' and loose rocks. Once you arrive at the Gobbler's Knob overlook about 1.8 miles from your vehicle, the trail becomes less severe. Overall, it's 6 miles of rolling trail with several difficult sections with an elevation gain of about 1,600 feet terminating at Trailer Canyon Fire Road in Topanga State Park, about a half-mile southeast of Hub Junction. Chumash Trail Traverses Rocky Peak Rocky Peak is the name of the 3rd highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains, which overlook both Chatsworth and Simi Valley, in Southern California. The peak, which is 2,714 feet above sea level, sits on the Los Angeles County/Ventura County line. Park above Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. . Directions: Take the Simi Valley-San Fernando Valley Freeway (118) to Yosemite Avenue north. Turn right on Flanagan Drive. Drive to the terminus and the Chumash Trailhead. What to expect: This is one of the area's most challenging courses. Although it is less than 3 miles, it's full of tricky rock outcroppings and steep pitches that take even veteran riders to task. Chumash accesses Rocky Peak Trail Fire Road. Caballero cab·al·le·ro n. pl. cab·al·le·ros 1. A Spanish gentleman; a cavalier. 2. A man who is skilled in riding and managing horses; a horseman. Canyon Also known as Dirt Reseda, it meanders up from the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. and can access Topanga State Park. Directions: Take the 101 to Reseda Boulevard south. The trailhead is across Reseda Boulevard from Braemar Country Club and marked by sign with white letters on a brown background. What to expect: The trail starts innocently enough, following along the canyon bottom. However, once the ascent starts, it quickly becomes rutted and exceedingly narrow in places. Although short - 1.4 miles with an elevation gain of 550 feet - it is an excellent test of bike handling. It is a major access trail to the unpaved portion of Mulholland Drive For the motion picture, see . Mulholland Drive is a very well-known road in Los Angeles, California named after engineer William Mulholland. A portion of it is also called Mulholland Highway. known as Dirt Mulholland - a wide, easy, popular fire road. Backbone Trail Covers the Latigo Canyon and Solstice solstice (sŏl`stĭs) [Lat.,=sun stands still], in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic that lie midway between the equinoxes (separated from them by an angular distance of 90°). Canyon sections of the Santa Monica Mountains' ``backbone'' between Malibu and Agoura Hills. Directions: Take the 101 north, exit at Kanan Road and turn left. Park in front and to the right of Tunnel 1, which is actually the third tunnel from the freeway. (The tunnels were numbered for their proximity to Highway 1, at which Kanan terminates.) What to expect: It offers 6.5 miles of some of the most diverse terrain around - from smooth sections that almost feel groomed to extremely technical, rocky sections where the track crosses over several streams. Most ride out to trail's end - Corral corral a small fenced-in enclosure with high, wooden fences, suitable for holding cattle or horses. corral system a management system in which range cattle are put into corrals and fed hay for a period when the environment is most Canyon's upper parking lot - and back for a 13-mile journey. Note: The trail sustained heavy rain damage and is closed to bikes at present, but may re-open by summer. For more information, contact the National Park Service at (805) 370-2300. Hummingbird Trail Carves through Rocky Peak Park above Simi Valley. Directions: From the Valley, take the 118 Freeway west to Rocky Peak Road. Parking is immediately off freeway to the right. Hummingbird Trail is found eight-tenths of a mile up Rocky Peak Trail, veering in from the west. What to expect: A favorite of the knobby-tire crowd yet only 1-1/2 miles long, it is extremely diverse, with several tight switchbacks and some of the most fear-inducing drop-offs found in the region. ONE-LANE HIGHWAY What to consider when riding singletrack trails: Always look where you want to go, not where you don't want to go; don't focus on a bad line in the pathway. When approaching a rough, rocky section, remember that your tires will roll over obstacles much easier with momentum behind them. Don't negotiate jagged territory with little or no speed. Trust your tires; you'd be surprised at what they can navigate. Be gentle with your brakes, especially on loose dirt and gravel. Feather, or pump, your brakes, being cautious not to lock up the wheels for long distances. A skidding tire is one that is out of control. Always apply pressure to both brakes at the same time. Carefully monitor your speed at all times, always remain in control of the bike and be prepared for another trail user around the next corner. - Mark Langton CAPTION(S): Photo, Box, Map PHOTO (Color) A biker heads down a rather nasty section of Rogers Road Trail in Topanga State Park near Pacific Palisades. Mark Langton/Special to the Daily News BOX: ONE-LANE HIGHWAY (see text) MAP: TRAILHEADS |
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