SLO's Wednesday Trail
Great Even on a Tuesday
On California’s beautiful central coast sits the sustainability-committed city of San Luis Obispo (SLO). It’s surrounded by green spaces (hills and mountains) and the ocean. In that circle, so to speak, of natural wonder are trails that are open to mountain biking. On a Tuesday morning, I rode the Irish Hills Natural Reserve, this being my route:
Up Mariposa > Mine Trail > Mariposa back to Poppy > Froom Creek up to Ocean View > Wednesday Trail > Chutes and Ladders (local name) > Connector/Froom Creek > Up King > Back down Mariposa
It was a humdinger of a ride, with Wednesday/Chutes and Ladders being the highlight. If you like flow and tech wrapped up in one as a downhill (mostly), this is your jam, as they say.
Ocean View didn’t afford much of a view of the ocean, but the xc riding was a blast. At the “other” end of it, I met two local riders, one on a single speed hardtail. We bonded, brothers of the one gear, though I was riding gears and lots of squish.
I asked about Wednesday trail and they said they didn’t really know the trail names. Their suggestion was something like “at the power line tower turn left … it might be the second tower … yeah, i think it is … and then at the 2nd tower, look for a right … but don’t take this or that trail … “ and my brain was fading away and thinking: maybe the locals are having a good time with the visitor, playing around a little.
All good, if so, and I get it. They were easy-going, friendly, and offered insight on West Cuesta Ridge.
They set off down the trail and I hung back. A few minutes later, I set off and eventually came to the turn for the clearly-marked Wednesday Trail. I stayed on what was called Wednesday on the signs and had one of the best downhill experiences of my life.
Rad, might be a good word for it. Fun, for sure. It rolled and flowed and had rocks, which made me happy. I like rocks.
Then it switchbacked down the hill. I haven’t a clue on mileage or the time it took me to ride all of it. I was living in the present tense, no doubt.
The switchbacks, though, did get me off the bike at the section that is Chutes and Ladders. Ramps covered in chicken wire and a deck/platform for the right hand turns, for I don’t remember how many times, is what it was all about on a trail that left me speechless.
Bottom line: if you’re in the SLO area, go ride the Irish Hills and find Wednesday/Chutes and Ladders trail.
Post ride beer: there are numerous breweries in SLO. Sandy’s Deli-Liquor store has a nice selection of the local offerings. I bought this one on the label alone, the juicy haze satisfying my thirst (in SLO and at home).
