Toro Park Adventures (Advanced-Intemediate / 17+ miles / 3000+ ft / C+ pace)

You’ve stared at that absurdly steep sunbaked hill on the other side of Fort Ord a hundred times. Your rational brain says to stay out of it, but your terrible decision-making skills say, "How hard can it be?" Great news: you're about to find out! And it might even be worth it!

!!! IMPORTANT !!!

• THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER RIDE.
• Summer Trail Conditions: Despite recent drizzles, expect loose, dry, and blown-out soil. Traction can be tricky. Ride with caution and walk anything you feel uncomfortable.
• Hot and sunny day cancels the ride.

Logistics

• Meet: Quail Meadows parking lot at around 9:20.
• Roll time: 9:30 sharp.
• Cell signal: Okay.
• Restroom: Yes.

Route
We'll build up technical difficulty and elevation as the ride goes on. There is a bail-out after every trail for people with limited time/legs/battery time, legs, or battery.

• Meyers Loop: Mellow warm-up trail near the base with minimal climbing.
• Gilson Gap: A more difficult trail starting mid-mountain. Depending on group preference, we can hit a spicier👺 entrance or cut into the more technical Pipeline trail.
• (Optional) Parking Lot Pit Stop: A well-timed regroup at the cars to refuel and prep for the main peak push.
• Marks' Canyon: The main effort — climbing all the way to Ollason Peak (1800ft!) and dropping all the way back down.
• (bonus) Bessie: If people still have battery. (Riding an analog bike and still wanna go? You must have E-legs! 😝)

Difficulty

• Skills: Advanced-Intermediate. Expect rough, loose, and rutty terrain. Includes a few steep, un-bypasable technical sections.
• Fitness: Advanced. The first two trails are approachable, but the climb to Ollason Peak is brutal with little to no shade. An eMTB is recommended.
• Pace: C+. I'll ride my EMTB with analog-friendly pace. We take it easy on the climbs, regroup at every major intersection, and take time to session the trickier downhill features.

What to bring

• Helmet
• A well-maintained bike. Good-working brakes are must.
• Elbow and knee pads strongly recommended.
• Plenty of water & snacks (plus extra water in your car for the mid-ride pit stop)
• Trailside repair tools.

IMPORTANT RULES

• Attendance: Priority RSVP spot assignment goes to riders with strong group attendance records.
• Members Only: No guest riders allowed due to liability. If you want to bring a friend, please have them officially join WCMB before signing up.

NOW THE NITTY GRITTY...
West Coast Mountain Bikers is a group riding community. We don't encourage individuals to come out to our rides that want to do their own ride five minutes after starting with us. We start together and stick together.

If you are new to our group, please take a moment to read our Ride Rating Guide, available at the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eml9bs3b9aPik-XF9EuazGouBVefExveQXBc58Nkl9o/edit?usp=sharing

All of our rides require a helmet and properly maintained mountain bike.
Riders should be sure to read the description of the ride fully prior to their RSVP. Rides will vary by location and organizer, so be sure to sign up for rides that are appropriate for your skill and fitness level. If unsure if an event is appropriate, contact the event host prior to the event. If you have an existing medical condition please consult your doctor prior to joining an event.

Meetup.com and West Coast Mountain Bikers do not allow minors to attend events. We will occasionally make exceptions, so long as the parent is also in attendance.

The event host and organizers ultimately have the last call on who can and cannot attend a particular event. When a members safety is concerned we will always err on the side of caution.

Release of Liability:By joining this event, you hereby RELEASE and DISCHARGE it's owners, principals, affiliates, presenters, organizer, assistant organizer, hosts and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice or information contained herein. You further agree that if you or someone under your supervision uses the information on this website you assume all risks of injury, damage, and economic loss, without limitation, and release providers from all liability.