CiclaValley Rides & Slides in Topanga State Park

Maybe I’m going through a phase, but I’m really craving the dirt right now.

I don’t know whether it’s a brand new discovery or that I’ve done so many of the local roads or if it’s just that awesome, but I’m always thinking about my next off road experience.

Topanga02

 

Parker Mesa Overlook

 

There is one thing I know: I’m ill equipped to do it.

I’m still stuck on an aluminum bike with bad gearing and bald tires, but it’s still a lot of fun.

This weekend I went for a ride around Topanga State Park with my friend Hamish who is still in his honeymoon phase of riding his new Santa Cruz Stigmata.
 


 
We started near the Nike Base, headed along Mulholland to Temescal, then took the East Topanga Fire Road to the Parker Mesa Overlook

I could easily tell with his set up that he’s better prepared than me. On steep hills, he’s spinning. I’m grinding.

Going down, he’s grinding through corners and I’m going down!

The smart thing to do is to bop him over the head while he isn’t looking and take his bike, but I pretty much handicapped myself by saying that out loud.

I’ll be a little more discreet while I think of a Plan B.

Still, I can’t complain. Okay. I can complain, but I had a great time.