First, I deviated from the Poodle Route and took Marengo Ave. north, which was low traffic with a bike lane. Then, I decided to ride back via Angeles Forest and Big T, but started up Crown Ave. instead of Angeles Crest (AC) from Foothill. Shortly after gaining AC, I decided to explore the service road to the right which now sports a trail sign for the Gabrielino Trail (2N69); I decided to explore, and it took me all the way down to the Brown Mtn trail off the SE border of JPL, so I had made a fairly large loop. This time, I took the Poodle Route to Chevy Chase, and then climbed AC to Angeles Forest. Of interest, here was a warning that the water at Clear Creek is not drinkable; I was told at the AC Fire Station that the water at Red Box should be OK, though. Anyway, the traffic on Angeles Forest is just ridiculous, and a bicycle should stay clear when the commuters are headed home along there. Fortunately, I had my extremely bright taillight on, and while it was dusk, I put it on the most obnoxious daylight setting, I was that concerned about the cars. With my 1 hour adventure loop, I ran out of daylight, but I had my Pretzl headlamp which served me well for the emergency. I stopped at Panda Express to go in Sunland on my way back home. All around, a very satisfying commute back after dropping my car of for a service! :-) The dirt portion of the ride was probably just under 2 miles, and was largely fire road, but that did devolve to some easy single track with 3-4 creek crossings. (Not everyone on a road bike would enjoy this.) Riding it as a loop, going up Crown, is about 8.6 mi RT.