Action In Acton

Sunday, January 08, 2023

Originally, this ride was titled “The Frozen Tush Ride” because it gets pretty cold out there in the high desert and we usually rode this one in the winter. But then we would sometimes ride it other times of the year and the name didn’t make as much sense. We actually had another ride which was titled “Action in Acton” which we don’t ride at all any longer because it rode the aqueduct bike path which hasn’t been open in years. So we took that name and gave it to this ride. Following me so far? Well, this year we are doing this ride in early January, so it might be appropriate to bring back that original title. Although the ride starts in Newhall, it heads for Acton which is at about 2700 feet above sea level and the ride actually tops out above 3000 feet. It can get cold at that elevation even it is fairly balmy at the start. All this is to say “Dress warmly today.” Actually, only the long route gets out to Acton. You ride for miles along an almost deserted Soledad Canyon and you pass Shambala – the place where Tippi Hedron has rescued a number of lions and tigers. We usually stop to see if we can catch a glimpse of them through the fence. On the way back there is an optional stop at Vasquez Rocks. Lunch is traditionally in Acton but the last few times we scheduled this ride, several of us continued on to have lunch at the Halfway Café on Sierra Hwy. This turned out to be a nice local community café and I would go back there again. So, you see this ride has a lot to offer. Although the medium route doesn’t make it to Acton, it goes half way and turns off at Agua Dulce It misses Shambala but does pass Vasquez Rocks and the Halfway Cafe. The short stays mostly in the Newhall area. What with global warming Tiger seen at Shambala in 2019 and all, it might not be as cold as it used to be. But come prepared anyway. START: PARK and RIDE LOT on Newhall Ave. near Sierra Hwy in Newhall. From the I-5 north take the 14 Frwy east for 2 miles and exit at Newhall Ave. Park and Ride lo (Long 51 mi and 3700 ft, Medium 35 mi and 3600 ft, Short 17 mi and 1500 ft)

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Club: Los Angeles Wheelmen click for this clubs

Type: Road  Where: Southern CA