Henry Coe - Anza to Serpentine/Middle Steer

This was the first in a series of ‘whip Tom back in shape’ Coe rides (just kidding Tom, or am I?).

I knew Charlie/Skyline35 and aficionados were planning to do a HH to HQ ride today, but this sounded a little too laborious for the occasion and due to our procrastinating ways we were missing the meeting time anyway. We did not miss Roy/Plymmer, whom we managed to intercept just as he was leaving the parking lot. We were glad to hear that he would wait and ride with us. Just for a bit probably, as doing a 40 miler to the wilderness and back was not an idea that would contain any appeal to my riding and carpool partner.

I had a reasonably fine time on Anza/Jackson, mitigating the giant rain ruts that had probably formed after the early big storm from a while back. Jackson is probably up for a bit of TLC. Staying out of the rut on the steep bits made the challenge interesting this time around – usually it’s the looseness.

On the summit, Roy and I were greeted by a few riders coming up from Elderberry that I had coincidentally also met last week. It was another great fall day, and it seems all the usual Coe suspects were out.

It was time for the familiar rollercoaster Elderberry » Rock Tower » Domino Pond » Cattle Duster » Coit Springs » Cross Canyon » Coit Road. Some cheater lines seemed to have been developed, for instance around the narrow tree/rut passage on Elderberry and the sharp right turn and initial wall on Cross Canyon. Too bad: the latter was always a formidable challenge in former days, but now it’s pretty easy to pull off. A down tree on Elderberry trail right before Rock Tower prompted us to do some improvised trail work. Roy was carrying his handsaw and even the fact that his blade broke off didn’t stop him from grinding through the biggest bits, so we could shove everything out of the way.

At the Coit intersection Tom and I parted ways with Roy – we set course for Serpentine and Middle Steer Ridge. I was able to convince Tom not to turn right on Grizzly Gulch and soon we started the grind up Serpentine. I managed to clean it, as the lone coyote observing me near the top can attest to. High speed Middle Steer fun ensued and wrapped up the ride.