What have the temps been like up top?

55 but the sun is out. I started in a long sleeve and took it off in 2 miles. Come prepared though.

How would you rate this ride, advanced, intermediate or beginner? Geoladders has this ride as advanced, I'm not sure if I have the stamina for this ride.

Definately not beginner. There is a lot of the ride that is intermediate with a few sections that are fairly short that require some skills. You can easily walk those sections as they are short. Main thing is the distance. First time is harder because your brain doensn't know what to expect. After Chris G and my first ride we said maybe once a year. By Tuesday that week we planned it again for the following weekend and have done it now 5 times in 5 weeks. It really is that good.

The main issure is the distance. The actual ride time is around 3-4 hours but you will be out there 6. Eating and drinking often is a must so we take short breaks fairly often so the people at the back don't feel pressed to push to keep up. I seem to be the only one with a chafing issue. Thomas how long are your longest rides?

I ride about 5-15mi a day around 3 times a week. 

I've ridden the goat trails on a heavy 29er hard tail & the climb from Von's kicked my butt. I had to walk up most of that 12% grade. I've since upgraded to a 26" full suspension & things have improved. But I've not been on that trail since to test my abilities with the 26. 

If you want a better idea of what I ride weekly you can view my geoladders routes. Below are some links that I ride during the week. 

http://www.geoladders.com/gps_route_r

http://www.geoladders.com/gps_route_racer.php?route_id=54...

http://www.geoladders.com/gps_route_racer.php?route_id=54...

Hey Thomas, I rode this for the first time 2 weeks ago and it's a spectacular ride. You need to be able to be on your bike most of the day, but the climbs aren't bad at all. There are a lot of very short climbs and one 1000 ft climb that's not terribly steep. We may opt to add another climb, but you could easily opt out and meet us where the trails meet. Your bike needs to be dependable and you'll need a spare tube (lots of cactus). Hope you can make it.

I don't think I'll have any issues with being in the saddle most of the day, my biggest concern are the lengthy climbs & I hate being the one holding back other riders. 

My bike is less then a month old & I'm running tubeless. I also always carry an extra tube, patches, pump, etc. 

Is 100oz of water enough for this ride or should I bring more, if more, how much?

There's only one extended climb and it's around 1000 ft, but doesn't really feel like a long climb because of the rolling nature of it. We don't mind breaks for the slower riders to catch up. It's a day long ride and there's no hurry for any of us. I'll be bringing a heavy bike (40+ lbs) so I may be on the slow side as well.

I brought 100oz of water last time and I still had a few oz left at the end of the ride. Every one's requirements are different though.

Thomas you should be fine given you ride often. As Joe said there are no big climbs that are steep. There is a lot of up and down across sand washes. If we opt to go over the Hann BV trail there is a steady 3 mile climb but it isn't steep. There is a steeper single track up to the top of Hann BV which I walk part of. It isn't long and has a great reward. We may skip it if the weather is warm and the sand wash has dried out which is highly likely.

I've only been taking 72 oz of water and because of the cool temps have over 20 oz left. That would change if it get hotter. Depending on the weather forecast this weekend I may bring my water filter with me and refill at the river crossing. I don't think that is necessary yet. Others in the group have been drinking a lot more but a bladder plus an extra bottle should be more that enough water. We will be coming down the furthest goat trail to the west.

Ok, I'm going to try & make this ride. I can't RSVP until I clear it with "the boss" first. I have a Tahoe that can carry 4 bikes total with an adventure pass that we can use to shuttle us up the hill.

What time are we all meeting up at in the Von's parking lot?

try to get there by 8.10 or 8.15 so we can leave at 8.30

I am headed up from north San Diego. Will leave a little before 6 which should get me there around 8. Thomas, let me know if you want to meet on the way up and car pool. My number is 858-603-4187

Thanks for the offer but I'm currently in Yucca Valley which is about 30-40 minutes north of Von's.

Can someone send me a contact # so I can let someone know if I have any issues on the way up?

My mobile is 713 501 9535.

mine is 626 485-5163. Did the complete ride today and it is awesome as usual. Warmer than it has been but tomorrow is supposed to be a bit cooler.

here's the stats from this ride. i use garmins elevation correction. hope everyone enjoyed the ride!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/153152708

Chris, can I get the GPX file?

hey thomas, if you go to that link, there should be an option to export the file.

I tried that but it requires me to create an account but I don't own a Garmin GPS. I use my iPhone for a bike computer but I had my phone in "Airplane mode" so I lost the first hour and first 2-3 miles of the ride which is why I was hoping to score your GPX file.

send me your email address and i can email it to you. no where here to upload it.

tkiner[at]gmail[dot]com or thomas[dot]kiner[at]usmc[dot]mil

Chris, I received the file, thanks!