Having just returned from the Julian Fat Tire Festival, I thought I'd share my thoughts for the TSD group and for those who may consider this ride next year. IN SHORT, DON'T DO IT!!!  It's been over 15 years since I went to the JFTF and what a difference 15 years makes.  Last time I went there were 200-300 riders, lost of events, vendors.  It was a fun filled day, especially for mountain bikers and their families.  Today about 40 riders showed up, no vendors, no events, and no "Festival".  What you got for $50 bucks was the chance to ride the new trail promoted by the R and B Bicycle Club.  No T shirt, no goodie bag, no lunch - buy yes you did get a piece of pie if you finished. 

I was more interested in the ride then anything else since they promoted this as a chance to ride their new single track trail.  The total ride was 22 miles with the first 7 all on Hwy 79 to Cuyamaca.  No problem, a chance to warm up the legs in prep. for the awesome single track that was sure to await.  We did venture off from here on some flat single track that quickly ended into  a very long fire road that went down to Banner (prob. 8-10 miles worth).  Downhill is good, but it was basically just a long fireroad that cut through Chariot Valley.  Once we got to Banner the fun was suppose to begin.  Supposed this was the clubs new trail that was all single track.  It was all uphill for 4 miles and a total of 3000' of climbing but they seemed to think it was great.  I set off with 4 other riders and it wasn't 100 yards before we were in hike a bike mode.  I would imagine some could climb it in the beginning but you're tired and the rocks and lose dirt were relentless.  The other 3 riders were pretty strong and even they seemed to be not into riding most of it.  This continued for 3 more miles.  Walk then ride then walk then ride.  It didn't seem you could go more then a few hundred yards with out having to get off again.  Many I talked with later said they seriously considered turning around and doing it as a downhill and take the recovery truck back.  They knew there would be many bikers coming up though and chose to just keep going.  Once at the top, and totally exhausted, it was a half mile ride back to start/finish for that glorious pie.  Most I saw come in just jumped in their cars and left.  I assume like me they felt they had spent a lot of money for a pretty mediocre trail.  Some even felt the club had set this up to get some traffic on the trail in order to get it packed down.  Not sure about this, but definitely they need to do this ride in reverse next time.  The uphill from Banner would make one of the best single track downhills in San Diego, then you could ride back up the road or take the fireroad up the valley we came down.

The worst part of the whole thing is I saw the TSD's at Sweetwater as I was going to Julian.  I thought about stopping and going with them.  My wallet and my legs would have thanked me.  Next time it's TSD for me.