Castaic Lake Ride
by Bryan on June 16th, 2007
Castaic Lake… was definitely a fun ride. We rode the course they use for when the California State Series race makes their stop here - which was in May. It has some serious climbs. Right at the start we were climbing a very steep section which had about 4-5 switch backs. In addition to that the switchbacks were had some really loose dry dirt. The trick is to keep a decent speed and consistent power on the pedals plus keep your weight a bit forward. Even with those tricks in mind if you didn’t have the energy burst to make around the turn and through the loose sections you were toast (like me). Intervals during the week would be good training for this type riding.
Once you make it up the switch back climb there is a moderate climb to the top with an excellent view of the upper and lower Castaic lake. We then jammed along the ridge and dropped down some double track with some switch backs and again it was very loose. I managed to make it down in one piece and had some fun doing it.
Once we got to the bottom we were riding along the very edge of the water. You could see people fishing, boating and having good time at the lake. Then for another climb back up from the lake to the top. moderately steep but not as loose.
Now along the ridge we went and turned inland for some very fun, fast, rolling single track. Once in the bottom of the small valley we had another climb to tend to. This one was not as forgiving. A bit steeper then the last and plenty of “mulch” like dried plant matter all over the trail. Clearly someone (LA County) had been through with a machine and cut down all the dried brush and plants, leaving them behind as a kind of bark like ground cover. This was just to rough of a surface to ride over while climbing so off the bike we went, walking.
At the top we reached probably our highest point in the ride and had a panoramic view looking south towards Los Angeles. Now for another fun and fast single track downhill (my favorite part really).
All in all, it was a good ride.
