Epic. This was my first "gravel" ride, back in 2010, took my road bike on 23f25r mm tires, from Irvine Spectrum to Maple Springs, up to both peaks, down the same way, with a stop at Cook's Corner, and back to Irvine Spectrum via Whiting Ranch. Going up was fine - just grind at my own pace, but coming back down I was on the brakes so hard that I couldn't move or feel my hands and wrists for a few hours afterwards. The time I went, Maple Springs was gated to cars so I had the mountain to myself. Thanks for posting your experience with this video - really helps me re-live the adventure/misery 😄
Since the video, I've gone from 45s to 55s with a suspension seat post. I am curious how I would have handled Maple Springs now, but I do wish I had it closed to cars like you did.
Gutted, seeing this area burn. I rode all these routes, many, many times. And when--in the late '90s--I rode them on my Salsa CX bike, shod with 34mm Tufo Tubulars...it blew the minds of all the MTB riders. Great to see this route featured; it will come back from the fire...it always does.
Gravelstoke dude here. It's great to see this one finally go up! I often think about how lucky we were to ride this before it all dried out and before all the fires hit. I grinded this one out on the mountain bike. This climb humbled me! It does just keep going up and up. Crazy views though! The descent was rough. The canyon was beautiful. This ride really made me work for it! Not everyone was thrilled with the route, but I say it brings a sense of adventure. It's definitely a ride that I will remember positively! Great content as always. You're always giving me rides to add to my to-do list here!
Great video and great ride. Thank you for all you do. Modjeska Grade and Harding are tough on a MTB with the easier gearing, I wouldn't be able to make it up either on my gravel bike...yet... I did go up Maple Springs on my gravel bike Once and had the same thought--even though I think of Maple as just a fireroad, the fact is that it's chunkier than it seems and I found myself definitely feeling underbiked / wishing I had my MTB when coming down Maple, whereas my gravel bike is perfect on Blackstar. I had to stop to take breaks and shake out my hands like the guy in the video did coming down Maple... I use my MTB on Maple, but avoid that trail now (even when open) due to all the motos--seems like that's increased in recent years, maybe due to social media or population growth, or both. Descending Harding probably would have been funner, but you would have missed the Silverado road descent. An alternative would have been to go from 4 Corners to Silverado Motorway via Main Divide, but that would have added some more climbing (~ 6 miles ~ 1,000 feet), but you would wind up at the bottom of Maple Springs (near the gate) after descending Motorway and could descend Silverado road like you did. I've never descended Motorway on a gravel bike, but I've seen riders post rides down Motorway on a gravel bike and post videos and from memory, it's not as chunky as Maple; however, tire choice would be VERY important as Motorway is covered in "baby head" rocks. Others may be able to weigh-in on Motorway as a realistic option to Maple. I plan on riding Motorway again when it opens on my MTB to see what I think. Most riders do Blackstar Motorway as a loop, but Harding-Motorway is about the same elevation, maybe ~ 500 feet or so more.
I guess it's that stigma to do a loop, rather than an out and back, although it would be a new perspective on Harding. I imagine I'll do more of those roads when they reopen.
Good, to the point narration will a positive tone, considering some of that looked more mt bike than gravel;). Look those little canyon villages, I lived in Majeska for a couple months in the 80's, they've seen their share of fires and floods lately.
Great video , love to see sunny rides , especially from a snow covered north east here in england
@@anthonykelly3231 we do get some white stuff in SoCal from time to time
Great video. We used to do harding, black star, old camp and whiting on our cross bikes in the early 90's.
To think I used to do climbs like these with cross gearing...
Epic. This was my first "gravel" ride, back in 2010, took my road bike on 23f25r mm tires, from Irvine Spectrum to Maple Springs, up to both peaks, down the same way, with a stop at Cook's Corner, and back to Irvine Spectrum via Whiting Ranch. Going up was fine - just grind at my own pace, but coming back down I was on the brakes so hard that I couldn't move or feel my hands and wrists for a few hours afterwards. The time I went, Maple Springs was gated to cars so I had the mountain to myself. Thanks for posting your experience with this video - really helps me re-live the adventure/misery 😄
Since the video, I've gone from 45s to 55s with a suspension seat post. I am curious how I would have handled Maple Springs now, but I do wish I had it closed to cars like you did.
Gutted, seeing this area burn. I rode all these routes, many, many times. And when--in the late '90s--I rode them on my Salsa CX bike, shod with 34mm Tufo Tubulars...it blew the minds of all the MTB riders. Great to see this route featured; it will come back from the fire...it always does.
@@riclamoureux sadly, it's not a matter of if, but when these fires come..
@@GravelBikeCalifornia True, and they're getting worse
@riclamoureux yeah. I understand that it's part of the natural process, but the frequency...
Gravelstoke dude here. It's great to see this one finally go up! I often think about how lucky we were to ride this before it all dried out and before all the fires hit. I grinded this one out on the mountain bike. This climb humbled me! It does just keep going up and up. Crazy views though! The descent was rough. The canyon was beautiful. This ride really made me work for it! Not everyone was thrilled with the route, but I say it brings a sense of adventure. It's definitely a ride that I will remember positively! Great content as always. You're always giving me rides to add to my to-do list here!
In most other states, this one would really stick out. It just shows what great options we have at our disposal.
Great day of adventure learning that I can never have enough water!
We were near the breaking point.
Awesome video as always. I'd love to join next time you're up in the Bay Area!
@@dancelman if you can really, we've got a road ride (thanks to the rain) this morning in Rockridge...
@@GravelBikeCalifornia Didn't check this until now! Hopefully, I'll catch ya on the next one!
Great overlay map showing the burn zone and route, very helpful to see what was impacted.
I'm trying to get Danny to hire me...
Awesome! I’ve done parts of this ride but not this specific route… for sure on my next visit to OC.
Make sure to check the Cleveland National Forest webpage for closures, as it still isn't open as of press time...
Great video and great ride. Thank you for all you do. Modjeska Grade and Harding are tough on a MTB with the easier gearing, I wouldn't be able to make it up either on my gravel bike...yet... I did go up Maple Springs on my gravel bike Once and had the same thought--even though I think of Maple as just a fireroad, the fact is that it's chunkier than it seems and I found myself definitely feeling underbiked / wishing I had my MTB when coming down Maple, whereas my gravel bike is perfect on Blackstar. I had to stop to take breaks and shake out my hands like the guy in the video did coming down Maple... I use my MTB on Maple, but avoid that trail now (even when open) due to all the motos--seems like that's increased in recent years, maybe due to social media or population growth, or both. Descending Harding probably would have been funner, but you would have missed the Silverado road descent. An alternative would have been to go from 4 Corners to Silverado Motorway via Main Divide, but that would have added some more climbing (~ 6 miles ~ 1,000 feet), but you would wind up at the bottom of Maple Springs (near the gate) after descending Motorway and could descend Silverado road like you did. I've never descended Motorway on a gravel bike, but I've seen riders post rides down Motorway on a gravel bike and post videos and from memory, it's not as chunky as Maple; however, tire choice would be VERY important as Motorway is covered in "baby head" rocks. Others may be able to weigh-in on Motorway as a realistic option to Maple. I plan on riding Motorway again when it opens on my MTB to see what I think. Most riders do Blackstar Motorway as a loop, but Harding-Motorway is about the same elevation, maybe ~ 500 feet or so more.
I guess it's that stigma to do a loop, rather than an out and back, although it would be a new perspective on Harding. I imagine I'll do more of those roads when they reopen.
Let’s roll
It's the only dance move I've got.
Good, to the point narration will a positive tone, considering some of that looked more mt bike than gravel;). Look those little canyon villages, I lived in Majeska for a couple months in the 80's, they've seen their share of fires and floods lately.
@@jerryscott9598 I love how you can find a number of enclaves like Modjeska in SoCal, but definitely they all are in danger
Bummed i missed it
Looks like the area is closed at least until next October...