Southern California - Post Holiday Bloat Ride on 12/30 - Last ride of 2006

Hey Cali, have you noticed how much I'm sandbagging??? I'm trying to get it all out before next Tuesday! So, I'm going to be slow, slow, slow....oh, so slow...S-L-O-W...up that mountain tomorrow. Don't anyone even think of tapping me on the elbow to see if I'm breathing...that will just knock me clear over on my side. :p :D

Where you from? "ya'll ride. I'm a mite bit slow" ????Sherman Oaks. But I like westerns.

Sherman Oaks. But I like westerns.
:roflmao: I like you already. Climb with me. :D

There will be some people (such as myself) who will be climbing at a slower speed. You would, of course, be welcomed and we're a friendly bunch. But the one thing I ask of you, is that you read Post #1 to be sure this is a ride you can complete (or somewhat complete - you don't have to go to the Village or ski hut if you don't want to!). If you are rolling your eyes at me right this minute - than you would do fine on the climbs. :D

There will be some of us (such as myself) who will be riding slower than this sand bagger. Sadly, I won't even be staying close enough to enjoy the scenery.

There will be some of us (such as myself) who will be riding slower than this sand bagger. Sadly, I won't even be staying close enough to enjoy the scenery.
:eek: You calling me a sandbagger??? :lol: Like I said, I'm getting out my system since Cali can't stand it. You and I will be climbing together tomorrow, that I can guarantee (unless you pass me). :D

:eek: You calling me a sandbagger??? :lol: Like I said, I'm getting out my system since Cali can't stand it. You and I will be climbing together tomorrow, that I can guarantee (unless you pass me). :D


Ok..dont get me started.....:)

:eek: You calling me a sandbagger??? :lol: Like I said, I'm getting out my system since Cali can't stand it. You and I will be climbing together tomorrow, that I can guarantee (unless you pass me). :D

I'll be in the back, as well! :)

So... Is skibaldy.com a good place to figure out the temperature at the lifts will be?

Good thing is that you once you make it to the fork, you can turn and go down GMR to Sierra Madre if you feel like you can't continue the climbs. Save altleast 1.25 hours of climbing.

I've never done a group ride but I hope to try one!
coughbullcrapcough

My friend wants to come and he has a good mountain bike, is this acceptable??

Does anyone know of possibly a McDonalds near the start site? I'll driving up from SD and would like to find some decent bathroom facilities to change in.

See you all there tomorrow...

Ian in SD

So... Is skibaldy.com a good place to figure out the temperature at the lifts will be?
Hmmm...not sure, but I can't imagine it is much worse than in the village (don't anyone rail me for that). However, Vertical Bob, ever the sweetie, has warned me about ice up there, especially on that stretch of the road which would make it extremely treacherous. If there is ice, I for one, am NOT going up it!

Does anyone know of possibly a McDonalds near the start site? I'll driving up from SD and would like to find some decent bathroom facilities to change in.

See you all there tomorrow...

Ian in SD
Hi Ian, the Encanto Park where we are meeting has a bathroom that you can change in. Every once in a while, it's locked, but if that happens, there is a Shell Station very near by. Usually, on a Sat. morning around 8:00am, they unlock it, so I bet it will be open. Hope this helps! :)

My friend wants to come and he has a good mountain bike, is this acceptable??
Acceptable to whom? Acceptable to what? You are driving me crazy! :rolleyes:

Hmmm...not sure, but I can't imagine it is much worse than in the village (don't anyone rail me for that). However, Vertical Bob, ever the sweetie, has warned me about ice up there, especially on that stretch of the road which would make if extremely treacherous. If there is ice, I for one, am NOT going up it!

The ski baldy looks like its at the ski area, I don't know how it relates to the lifts everyone is talking about. It looks like its about 20-30 colder than the village is.

I'm gonna wear a parka. :D

Does anyone know of possibly a McDonalds near the start site? I'll driving up from SD and would like to find some decent bathroom facilities to change in.

See you all there tomorrow...

Ian in SD

There's a McDonald's at the corner of Foothill and Irwindale, just 1/2 mile southeast of Encanto Park.

There's a McDonald's at the corner of Foothill and Irwindale, just 1/2 mile southeast of Encanto Park.
Thanks, George. You're the best. :)

You and I will be climbing together tomorrow, that I can guarantee (unless you pass me).

That is the most sand bagginist statement I've ever come across.

I'm gonna wear a parka. :D
Yeah, and I may have to rip it off your cold dead body! Just kidding....:D I'm wearing a base layer and fleece tights. They are NOT flattering. :mad: But I thought, cold? or cute? Cold? Cute? Cold is winning out! But the chamois makes my butt look so formidable. The pad is at least 6 inches thick! :eek: But I know at least one part of my body that will be very warm. :p

That is the most sand bagginist statement I've ever come across.
Sand bagginist?? Now, that's a new one...:p :D

cold? or cute? Cold? Cute? Cold is winning out!
And that right there makes you less feminine. But that's good, as I never understood women who would wear short skirts or sleveless dresses in the cold just to look good. God bless them, but they ARE crazy.

Count me in. I haven't posted on BF much but was directed from the RBR forums (I'm FTM over there) by roadfix's post. I haven't done the Baldy ride before and I'll be riding fixed so any suggestions on gearing? I'm thinking 49:20 for going up and maybe a 17/16t cog for the return.

Yeah, and I may have to rip it off your cold dead body! Just kidding....:D I'm wearing a base layer and fleece tights. They are NOT flattering. :mad: But I thought, cold? or cute? Cold? Cute? Cold is winning out! But the chamois makes my butt look so formidable. The pad is at least 6 inches thick! :eek: But I know at least one part of my body that will be very warm. :p

I'm leaning towards tights, too, especially if I'm to go to the lifts, although I don't think I'm going to this time.

My wife wants be to go to the lifts, though, cause she knows if I do I won't try Mt Wilson on the 1st.

Count me in. I haven't posted on BF much but was directed from the RBR forums (I'm FTM over there) by roadfix's post. I haven't done the Baldy ride before and I'll be riding fixed so any suggestions on gearing? I'm thinking 49:20 for going up and maybe a 17/16t cog for the return.

Sweet, this ride is multiplying.

I expect to be in my 30-28 gear for most of the climbing, you have any of those? :)

And that right there makes you less feminine. But that's good, as I never understood women who would wear short skirts or sleveless dresses in the cold just to look good. God bless them, but they ARE crazy.
Um...you're talking to a woman who will be bundled, wearing a grease-stained yellow windbreaker, no makeup, tons of greasy zinc paste all over my face and an attitude (I might even come with bad coffee breath just for effect!). Feminine??? :rolleyes: I can wear a nightie if I want to be feminine. On a bike, the only feminine part of me is resting on the saddle. :p But thanks, UK. I took that as a compliment! :)

I'm leaning towards tights, too, especially if I'm to go to the lifts, although I don't think I'm going to this time.

My wife wants be to go to the lifts, though, cause she knows if I do I won't try Mt Wilson on the 1st.
Well, John. If you (and/or I) don't go to the lifts tomorrow, there will be ample opportunity in 2007 to do it. And you are always welcomed to join! Now, tell your wife I expect her out there as well! ;) :)

Count me in. I haven't posted on BF much but was directed from the RBR forums (I'm FTM over there) by roadfix's post. I haven't done the Baldy ride before and I'll be riding fixed so any suggestions on gearing? I'm thinking 49:20 for going up and maybe a 17/16t cog for the return.
Great, I'll add you to the list. :D

Count me in. I haven't posted on BF much but was directed from the RBR forums (I'm FTM over there) by roadfix's post. I haven't done the Baldy ride before and I'll be riding fixed so any suggestions on gearing? I'm thinking 49:20 for going up and maybe a 17/16t cog for the return.

You should be fine with your 66" climbing ratio. It gets a bit steep on little GMR but it's a short climb.
I rode up GMR to Baldy Village over the summer on 46x18 (about 69") and the gearing for me felt just right for the climb. For the descent I flipped the wheel and rode a 16 cog. See you tomorrow! :)

oh gosh no! it's colder HERE than THERE this time of year! remember... we're at a higher elevation! i haven't been into the Park since december... when i climbed to jumbo rocks one day and practically FROZE! i swear i almost turned around about 100 times cuz i was freezing and soooooooooooo sluggish cuz of the cold!

OH! no wonder i was cold... here's the stats from my ride today:


Temperature (°F) 58.4°F avg. 59°F high
Wind Speed ( mph) WSW 17.2 avg. WSW 17.2 max.

SEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! TOO cold!


Cali, this is the perfect reason why you should come to our ride!!! It is WARMER here than it is out there! You will not be as COLD on your ride!
:D :D

caligurl you are bad...a little cold never killed anyone

so who wants to carpool? I'm kinda lazy about driving :(

so who wants to carpool? I'm kinda lazy about driving :(Drive over to my house and we can carpool.....or you can ask several others that are coming from the valley...

But thanks, UK. I took that as a compliment! :)
As I meant it to be. I can't stand girls who spend too much time looking purty. I married my wife because she's well rounded. She can clean up nice, but she can also hike 10 miles and camp in the woods for a week without a second thought.

Ok. I'm off to bed (yes, I know, so early, but I'm still, oddly enough, jet lagged). I'll see all you bloated and happy people in the morning. It will be fun, fun, fun....:D My cell number is on the route slip if you need me.

Have a great ride tomorrow everyone! Take lots of pictures k? :p

so who wants to carpool? I'm kinda lazy about driving :(

You're coming??? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

You're coming??? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Yeah, he'll show up with me.

Bon voyage!

Ran into Tiffanie and Herbm at the park parking lot when I arrived for an afternoon visit with the wife and kid in tow (literally speaking for the kid) - sounded like it was a good ride for them, and the weather was sweet.

I actually went to The Green Onion after our hour-long ride, just to taste-test everything and scope out the place to make sure it was good enough for my fellow BFers . . . ;)

Can't wait for the reports/pics.

Ran into Tiffanie and Herbm at the park parking lot when I arrived for an afternoon visit with the wife and kid in tow (literally speaking for the kid) - sounded like it was a good ride for them, and the weather was sweet.

I actually went to The Green Onion after our hour-long ride, just to taste-test everything and scope out the place to make sure it was good enough for my fellow BFers . . . ;)

Can't wait for the reports/pics.
Ah curses! I rode in with Herb, I was the haggard looking one in yellow :) Sorry I missed you, that's what I get for being tired and anti-social! It was a great ride, I'll be back on that mountain for sure. I don't think I have any people photos, just a few scenery photos, I'll post em if they turned out ok.

Ran into Tiffanie and Herbm at the park parking lot when I arrived for an afternoon visit with the wife and kid in tow (literally speaking for the kid) - sounded like it was a good ride for them, and the weather was sweet.

I actually went to The Green Onion after our hour-long ride, just to taste-test everything and scope out the place to make sure it was good enough for my fellow BFers . . . ;)

Can't wait for the reports/pics.

Hey luwin....it was great to see you, meet your wife and see that cutie pie daughter!

It was pretty nice then...much better than when we started this am! cold and windy!

So where is everyone? Still driving back?

So where is everyone? Still driving back?

Yeah..I only made it as far GRR/GMR...I was not having a good day....
Tiff, Ronjon10 and I went back from there...everyone else continued on....a few turned around short of the village also...
They were probably a bit late getting up there since a bunch were waiting for me....I was way behind...:o

Yeah..I only made it as far GRR/GMR...I was not having a good day....
Tiff, Ronjon10 and I went back from there...everyone else continued on....a few turned around short of the village also...
They were probably a bit late getting up there since a bunch were waiting for me....I was way behind...:o

Your day was better than mine. At least you got to ride. And didn't watch Arsenal lose to Sheffield United. :mad:

ME...thanks for organizing a great ride...as always it was great see everyone, and meet some new people...now I can attach a face to the handle!

Sorry I held everyone up waiting for me...
Since i have a day left...I can safely say:
Today I proved I am the slowest climber in SoCal BF...absolutely positively...I can live with it because I do know I am getting better!

I actually think East Fork is tougher than Big GMR....that last little GMR about killed me...

Ronjon10 and headed back over GMR about a minute or 2 behind Tiff...but we were unable to catch up...damn your fast girl!
We had a beautiful downhill on GMR...could see way out over LA....
We did have a bit of trouble finding the bike path entrance...but Ron found it...
All in all a really great day!
thanks

Your day was better than mine. At least you got to ride. And didn't watch Arsenal lose to Sheffield United. :mad:


How are you feeling? We missed you out there!

Does that mean you get to riot now?? Isnt that what happens when one of these teams lose?

I went to the village and had a lovely chicken sandwich with fries. Melissa, Matt, Jeff,(fixed gear guy), and Ian and I went back down together and we got to the cars at 3:45, or so. Brandy went up to the ski lift with George (fast guy), I'm wondering if they made it to the top. On the way down we saw M.E. and a small group still going up. I hope everyone gets back before dark. Great ride, great time, and thanks to everyone, especially Mel and Matt, for making me feel like an old friend.

How are you feeling? We missed you out there!

Does that mean you get to riot now?? Isnt that what happens when one of these teams lose?

That's only during the World Cup. Or in Italy. I did frown and have my arms crossed in front of my body for a little though.

That's only during the World Cup. Or in Italy. I did frown and have my arms crossed in front of my body for a little though.


Gotcha!