Training Notes: OC Sheriff

Tonight was a three hour jaunt up black star canyon to the doppler radar at Beak's Place and back down again. Nino and I were the only ones out here tonight. Nino's laid off the bike for the past two months and I've been trying hard to get him back in the saddle. So tonight was a pretty slow but deliberate pace. We basically talked the whole time, catching up on things, but more so enjoying the remote scenery at dusk. The full moon most was the best of all and it was eery being miles and miles away from any other humans, but enjoyable. When we peaked up at the radar station, we could see Corona city lights to the east, Anaheim Hills to the north while all of south Orange County was covered in a fog-like haze to the west about 1000 feet below us. The difference about tonight's ride was that we weren't preparing for some race. We talked about how great it was not having the pressure to try to perform and improve in a short amount of time.

The descent was very fast because of the dry conditions. A bit rutted because of the recent rains, but it was full throttle letting the hands go and laying off the brakes. At the end of our ride we spoke to an OC Sheriff who was patrolling the canyon area for people doing drugs, rednecks shooting guns - basically weird stuff you'd find in San Bernardino county, but only this was in Orange County. I guess whenever you're in a remote area, you run the risk of weirdos, wackos whatever. I've never had good experiences with OC Sheriffs because I'm usually getting a speeding ticket from one, but this officer was way cool. He basically told us what he was up to as far as patrolling the area, that we were sorta parked illegally because of the private land, and to watch out for on local named "Tuttle" who liked to harass bikers and hikers because he thinks he owns the area. (it's actually owned by Irvine Co. ) The sheriff mentioned that "Tuttle" liked to point guns at people, threaten them and run people out of the canyon. He had been arrested and put in jail several times. I've read about the run-ins on mtbr.com, but had never run into this freak.

Anyways, the sheriff was way cool, told us to be on alert, where we could park legally and let us on our way. Friendly guy. I wish Motorcycle Cops giving tickets were this cool.

All in all, it was a beautiful night.