Southern California - Breathless Agony Preview March 25th

I know it is a little ways out but let's get the buzz going on this one.

Sunday March 25, 2007 we will preview the Breathless Agony Century (http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyx.htm)course. It is 112 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing. The tough part is you climb 11,000 feet in the first 75 miles. Yes there is 1,000 feet of gain in the last 40 miles. Once you hit Onyx Summit at 8443 feet "it's all downhill from there". The first pass is on a dirt road, Jack Rabbit Trail, then the second pass is Oak Glen. There is a descent after the first two climbs. But then next two passes, Angelus Oaks and Onyx Summit really hurt because they go up and up-- no downhill in between the climbs. The climb up to Onyx Summit from Rest Stop #2 is almost 30 miles of continous climbing.

2006 Results (http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0604.htm)

Ok so who wants to do some serious climbing? Want to see the elevation graph? (http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0604.htm)

SAGgers

Mandy

Riders

Vireo
Brandy
jschen
Tak962
Pico
Blue nose
Madmike

Maybers

Grumpy Pig

i'm going to have to start prepping for a short season with a goal of a top ten or so at san luis rey, so i'll probably be up for some good climbing in the next couple of months. once my cold times out, i'll get on the bike and hopefully eventually start doing the group ride thing with you guys again.

I'm in!

I wanted to mention that we will have SAG support for this ride too! Thanks to Mandy for volunteering (or maybe being bribed...lol) to SAG this one. :beer:

Strong maybe. Has the start time been set or discussed?

I'd be up for the challenge, but not 6 days before the Solvang Double.

No start time yet...sunrise/sunset on that day is 0546 1804. I want a head start though! :D

I'd be up for the challenge, but not 6 days before the Solvang Double.

Oh come on Joel, if I can do it you can too. :D <~~~not entirely sure she can do it at all...but willing to give it a shot.

Count me in.

Oh come on Joel, if I can do it you can too. :D <~~~not entirely sure she can do it at all...but willing to give it a shot.You're doing this AND the Solvang Double? I was thinking I'd need a light week before the double. I'll think about it. You know how easily my arm is twisted.

In!

You're doing this AND the Solvang Double? I was thinking I'd need a light week before the double. I'll think about it. You know how easily my arm is twisted.

Just roll over Joel...you know you want to. :p Solvang is a definite possibility for me, I haven't finalized my decision on which doubles I'm doing.

Oh...and it's Mandy's birthday a few days later, so post-ride meal must include birthday cake!! :D :D

No start time yet...sunrise/sunset on that day is 0546 1804. I want a head start though! :D

That's not enough daylight. You are all crackers! :D

That's not enough daylight. You are all crackers! :D

Maybe we can take the train home. :p

Maybe we can take the train home. :p

I believe the train is called "Two Pass Option"

I believe the train is called "Two Pass Option"

Nope...I'm going for the "Four Pass Option"!!

Will there be a requirement to bring along lights just in case or are we going to turn around before it get's dark? If we need lights, what kinda lights do we need?

Ian in SD

I know it is a little ways out but let's get the buzz going on this one.

Sunday March 25, 2007 we will preview the Breathless Agony Century (http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyx.htm)course. It is 112 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing. The tough part is you climb 11,000 feet in the first 75 miles. Yes there is 1,000 feet of gain in the last 40 miles. Once you hit Onyx Summit at 8443 feet "it's all downhill from there". The first pass is on a dirt road, Jack Rabbit Trail, then the second pass is Oak Glen. There is a descent after the first two climbs. But then next two passes, Angelus Oaks and Onyx Summit really hurt because they go up and up-- no downhill in between the climbs. The climb up to Onyx Summit from Rest Stop #2 is almost 30 miles of continous climbing.

Last year I finished 34th (http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0604.htm)with a time just under 6 hours. By the way, the clock stops at the top of Onyx Summit. I really want top 30 on this one. So I will try to ride this course twice before the scheduled event day of May 5, 2007.

Ok so who wants to do some serious climbing? Want to see the elevation graph? (http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0604.htm)

SAG

Mandy

Riders

Vireo
Brandy

That's not enough daylight. You are all crackers! :D
At Breathless Agony, one can start around 6 AM if one chooses. (My start time last year was 5:50 AM. About as early as anyone.) One must reach the summit by 3:30 PM. It doesn't take 2 hours to descend 42 miles with minimal flat ground and climbing thrown in along the way. So if one doesn't hang out at the top, one should get back no later than 5:30 if one's to do the ride at a pace that would qualify one for being an official finisher. There's more than enough daylight.

If sunrise is at 0546, then civil twilight is even earlier (damn you Jason, you have me obsessed with looking that up on every ride...lol) and you could technically start then without the need for lights.

Last year I finished 34th (http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0604.htm)with a time just under 6 hours. By the way, the clock stops at the top of Onyx Summit. I really want top 30 on this one. So I will try to ride this course twice before the scheduled event day of May 5, 2007.
[

I finished 33rd last year so you'll have to get past me first.:D This year I want to finish in under 5:45.

I finished 33rd last year so you'll have to get past me first.:D This year I want to finish in under 5:45.

:beer:

Is there a gauntlet smiley somewhere?

So if one doesn't hang out at the top, one should get back no later than 5:30 if one's to do the ride at a pace that would qualify one for being an official finisher.

So who said anything about qualifying as an official finisher? :D :D

Put me down as a "strong maybe". I was upset that I was going to have to miss BA this year, it would be fun to do this with you guys. What kind of pace are you planning (riding against the clock, or chatting it up on the climbs?), and how about rest stops. I'd like to be able to go hard, and not have a bunch of 30 minutes stops.

What kind of pace are you planning (riding against the clock, or chatting it up on the climbs?), and how about rest stops. .

I'm planning to kick all of your asses. Plan to be chasing me down all day. :eek: :p ;) :D

Ok so who wants to do some serious climbing? Want to see the elevation graph? (http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0604.htm)



Who is this Scott McAfee fellow? Does he breath helium?

I'm planning to kick all of your asses. Plan to be chasing me down all day. :eek: :p ;) :D
Nice, that's what I like to hear :beer: :D

Nice, that's what I like to hear :beer: :D
:roflmao: :roflmao:

I'm a strong maybe. If I do the Solvang Double, I will not ride this. Also, due to date issues, I may be scheduling the SB century on either 3/24 or 3/31, but that remains to be seen. I have to change my signature again...back to "So many rides, so little time!" :(

I'm a strong maybe. If I do the Solvang Double, I will not ride this. Also, due to date issues, I may be scheduling the SB century on either 3/24 or 3/31, but that remains to be seen. I have to change my signature again...back to "So many rides, so little time!" :(

I'm kind of rethinking Solvang myself...I'm going to get crap for all of these out of town rides, so I may put Hemet back on my list and then do Grand Tour.

Oh...and if I do an out of town double...I'm thinking Eastern Sierra.

I'm kind of rethinking Solvang myself...I'm going to get crap for all of these out of town rides, so I may put Hemet back on my list and then do Grand Tour.

Oh...and if I do an out of town double...I'm thinking Eastern Sierra.

I'm thinking of Hemet too, Brandy. But first, I have to complete Butterfield! :o

Put me down as a "strong maybe". I was upset that I was going to have to miss BA this year, it would be fun to do this with you guys. What kind of pace are you planning (riding against the clock, or chatting it up on the climbs?), and how about rest stops. I'd like to be able to go hard, and not have a bunch of 30 minutes stops.

OC this is a training ride for me. I want the company on the climbs. You and I can do some work that day. I plan on going back for the stragglers.

OC this is a training ride for me. I want the company on the climbs. You and I can do some work that day. I plan on going back for the stragglers.
Sounds good, hopefully I can make it.

I will probably make this ride.

If you're doing the exact route, figure on about 8 hours to the summit for rec riders like me. Add 2 for the descent, to be on the safe side. There is some climbing and traffic lights on the way back.

If you're doing the exact route, figure on about 8 hours to the summit for rec riders like me. Add 2 for the descent, to be on the safe side. There is some climbing and traffic lights on the way back.

Thanks big john...I was wondering as a "mere mortal" what I should expect timing-wise for this ride. :)

put me down as a definite maybe.

As this will be a couple weeks before Mulholland I can say that I will definately be there. (I need that climbing practice!)
Oh, and I am considering it a training ride as well. I will try to keep up with Vireo, OC, and Pico and I will stick around at the finish line to meet anyone that is taking this more casually.

Since this is nearly 3 months away, I'll say HELL YEAH, I'll be there.*


*this information subject to change without notice.

Just thought that I'd add, I love rides where Mandy drives SAG :D

Hmm..my curiosity is piqued.

I think I'd like to try this also. I'm not yet in shape to do that amount of climbing, but I should be able to get ready with the amount of time left.

I'm not sure I could finish, but I like the idea of trying.

I'm not sure I could finish, but I like the idea of trying.

You cannot succeed until you try... see you out there!

You cannot succeed until you try... see you out there!
Plus, once you start up to Onyx, it's all downhill (mostly) to your car, if you decide you've had enough.

I'll be there. Did anyone make it up last year in about 7:30? I'm hoping to improve last years time and looking for someone to get me started on about that pace.
Thanks. Bone

I still don't have my 07' race schedule from teambigbear. They are lagging!!!!!
If I don't have a race, I'm game.

aiming to do the solvang double the next weekend...this may be a bit much for me that close.....but ya never know...

I'll be there. Did anyone make it up last year in about 7:30? I'm hoping to improve last years time and looking for someone to get me started on about that pace.
Thanks. Bone


Since this is my ride I propose a staggered start this will make it easier for SAG and interesting for all riders.

I propose that riders leave in waves first wave 615, second wave 645 and anyone maybe 7am. Those riders that believe they need more time (daylight) leave at 615 and those needing less time can leave at 7am. With a wave start SAG can come up from behind and support everyone. And all riders are either chasing or being chased.

Since this is my ride I propose a staggered start this will make it easier for SAG and interesting for all riders.

I propose that riders leave in waves first wave 615, second wave 645 and anyone maybe 7am. Those riders that believe they need more time (daylight) leave at 615 and those needing less time can leave at 7am. With a wave start SAG can come up from behind and support everyone. And all riders are either chasing or being chased.


Will you be providing us with any training tips? :)

I think I'd like to try this also. I'm not yet in shape to do that amount of climbing, but I should be able to get ready with the amount of time left.

I'm not sure I could finish, but I like the idea of trying.


better sign up quick if you want to do the actual ride!

Will you be providing us with any training tips? :)
Yeah...I'm wondering that too...:rolleyes: George, you're not going to follow me up that 30 mile climb barking "Keep that knee in!" are you? ARE YOU? :p ;) :D