I just did this ride yesterday. I parked at JPL. I hiked my bike up Lower Sam Merrill, rode up the Lowe Railway Trail to the road, and went down Sunset. I took it into the campground, rode the fire road up to El Prieto Trail, and rode that out of the canyon. Lots of fun! I almost crashed into a guy walking a couple of German Shepards, and there were lots of pretty ladies on the way up Lower Sam Merrill. People ask about whether you can ride stuff like this with a hardtail, and since this was my first ride on this loop, I was wondering myself. I didn't have any problems. If I had a choice, I would go with a full suspension, but I did the whole thing on my XC hardtail at about your pace, although I almost ate dirt on some of the switchbacks. El Prieto was a nice change from the madness of Sunset... they compliment nicely. 2014 Trex X Caliber 8, Maxxis Lust Ardent rear (35 psi), Maxxis Minion front (30 psi) - I just got the tires last week and I haven't ditched the tubes just yet, but I'm planning on it, and then maybe I'll drop the pressure some.
It would not be interesting to climb. It is rough with steep switchbacks, steps, etc. It would be a very technical climb with about 10-20 dismounts. It's much better to just climb the Mt Lowe Rd which is right next to the trail. Or, you could also climb Lower Sam Merrill to there.
The switchbacks on the west side of the mountain are the gnarly part. So much fun.
I just did this ride yesterday. I parked at JPL. I hiked my bike up Lower Sam Merrill, rode up the Lowe Railway Trail to the road, and went down Sunset. I took it into the campground, rode the fire road up to El Prieto Trail, and rode that out of the canyon. Lots of fun! I almost crashed into a guy walking a couple of German Shepards, and there were lots of pretty ladies on the way up Lower Sam Merrill. People ask about whether you can ride stuff like this with a hardtail, and since this was my first ride on this loop, I was wondering myself. I didn't have any problems. If I had a choice, I would go with a full suspension, but I did the whole thing on my XC hardtail at about your pace, although I almost ate dirt on some of the switchbacks. El Prieto was a nice change from the madness of Sunset... they compliment nicely.
2014 Trex X Caliber 8, Maxxis Lust Ardent rear (35 psi), Maxxis Minion front (30 psi) - I just got the tires last week and I haven't ditched the tubes just yet, but I'm planning on it, and then maybe I'll drop the pressure some.
That's a great loop! Worth every drop of sweat. Must have been a hot one yesterday
🔥 Great video! 🔥 Thanks for sharing.
Just found this...nice riding, Ben, love the exposure. You going LIVE tomorrow night?
Ah old footage, not 60fps, which doesn't look as real but still good.Yes streaming tomorrow the Rim Nordic XC #2
Seeya tomorrow night...
Thanks bud, will give it a shot via mt lowe"
Wow... Great video and you have a set of balls I'm not sure I'll ever obtain. Great stuff brother.
Do you access this trail via mt lowe rd? And is it a trail you can climb, or is it only a downhill trail" thanks like the vid"
It would not be interesting to climb. It is rough with steep switchbacks, steps, etc. It would be a very technical climb with about 10-20 dismounts. It's much better to just climb the Mt Lowe Rd which is right next to the trail. Or, you could also climb Lower Sam Merrill to there.