Ride around the Bear - Sat June 9th 2007 [Archive]

Kar3368

03-07-07, 02:33 PM

Anyone doing this?
http://www.ocw.org/bear/bearinfo.asp

Registration opened this month...Does it normally sell out?

I was thinking about it, BUT I wanted to see if I could manage the BA
before I sign up for this one as it looks like it follows some of the same
route as Breathless Agony.

Thoughts? Is is as hard as BA is going to be?

K :)

caligurl

03-07-07, 02:42 PM

scvroadie

03-07-07, 03:33 PM

bear is easier... (not easy.... but easier on the scale) climbing the "back side" to onyx is not as long nor as hard!

however the road up to big bear is very narrow and twisty, if that freaks anyone and VERY VERY VERY busy! (large trucks, cars, etc....) there is no shoulder....

the only part that shares BA is the 40 mile descent... you leave a completely different way in the morning to head up to onyx.....

I totally agree with Cali. There are some points on the front side where the white line on the shoulder and the pavement ending are one, very narrow. As we entered Running Springs, just as I went under the bridge, a semi with a long trailer passed me. the back of the trailer missed me by less than a foot. If I hadn't used the port-a-potty at the previous rest stop I would have had a mess.

caligurl

03-07-07, 03:38 PM

here's a pic of the road heading up... (early so before traffic!) note that you ride ON the white line or just to the left of it in the lane.....

http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/wp-content/2006 bear/_bear4.JPG

but that said... it's a fun ride and OCW does a good job with it! really the only negative i ever complain about is the traffic/narrow roads!!!!

HRC-Rascal

03-07-07, 04:56 PM

Everyone I have talked to says that the Bear ride is easier. I hope that is true because I'll be doing it... My local cycling club has a series of training rides designed to prepare you for the ride. Talking to some of the folks on the training rides that have done both all say that BA is tougher.

BCIpam

03-07-07, 05:05 PM

HRC-Rascal - are you BCI or OCW? Every other Sunday BCI has training rides designed to prepare a rider for the Bear. Each ride is progressively harder. Last ride is up Mt. Palomar. Palomar is harder than the Bear. Only problem I see with the Bear ride is (1) traffic and (2) weather - sometimes its bejeesus hot and others too cold.

caligurl

03-07-07, 05:42 PM

yep.... both years i've done it i started out with long sleeves (or arm warmers) and jacket.... strip down to racer back top to climb up to onyx.... then put it all back on for the descent (two years ago there was mist and it was miserable and FREEZING all the way down (but gorgeous at onyx!)

caligurl

03-07-07, 05:52 PM

the different clothing of bear:

2005 after removing the jacket:
http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/wp-content/2005 ride around bear/big%20bear%208.jpg

climbing to onyx
http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/wp-content/2005 ride around bear/big%20bear%2016.jpg

FREEEEEEEEZIN pulling into the ranger station... BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/wp-content/2005 ride around bear/big%20bear%2021.jpg

2006 w/armwarmers... (ok... didn't start with a jacket last year)
http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/wp-content/2006 bear/bear1a.jpg

and at onyx (OMG i look so FAT in this pic!) (thanx jimmy for snapping this one for me!) again stripped down.... it all went back on for the descent....
http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/wp-content/2006 bear/bear22.JPG

merider1

03-07-07, 06:06 PM

Cali, I ban YOU from ever saying you look fat again. :mad: I AM pudgy (oh, shush, anyone with a comeback). But YOU are not. I actually think you look lean and buff in that pic. You got nice arms, woman.

caligurl

03-07-07, 06:12 PM

i'm a pudgy PEAR!!!!!! lean upper body and pudgy lower body!!!!!!!

this one really shows my arms (from 2005) ok.... arm, not plural! lol!

http://caligurl.com/bikergurl/wp-content/2005%20ride%20around%20bear/big%20bear%2017.jpg

but in last year's onyx pic.... i definitely look like i have an extra layer of fat over the muscle! yuck!

merider1

03-07-07, 06:17 PM

i'm a pudgy PEAR!!!!!! lean upper body and pudgy lower body!!!!!!!

this one really shows my arms (from 2005) ok.... arm, not plural! lol!
but in last year's onyx pic.... i definitely look like i have an extra layer of fat over the muscle! yuck!

Keep it up and I'm going to smuttart every thread going forward...:rolleyes: Oh, wait...I already do that. :p

HRC-Rascal

03-07-07, 06:54 PM

HRC-Rascal - are you BCI or OCW?

BCI. This past Sunday they did a ~50 mile ride with about 3400 ft of climbing. It wasn't too bad with the exception of Pacific Ridge (I think that is the name of the road) - that climb hurt.

Mr. Beanz

03-07-07, 07:45 PM

All 3 times I've done it, the cold or the heat wasn't a factor (2003,2004,2005). Not enough to strip or add clothing. I guess it depends on the individual. In 2005, I did get a bit warm on Onyx Summit. Took off the jersey for the 6 mile climb. Fine on the way down.

Some riders think Onyx climb is the toughest part of the ride. It was actually easier for me than the section up to the first rest stop. But I'm a slow starter. And yes, that Bear on the site still scares me!:D

Rick@OCRR

03-08-07, 12:55 PM

Thanks for the Heads-Up on The Bear!

I just went over to the OCW site and signed up. This will be my ninth year for Ride Around the Bear.

I agree with all the posts above (Except for that bit about Cali looking fat, or pudgy! Every time I've seen her she's been downright skinny! Must be about zero % body fat on that girl).

The first seven times I rode as fast as possible to get a good time. Last year I "toured" the Bear and while my time was much slower, I actually had a better time (funny how that works!). Should be fun again this year!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

BCIpam

03-08-07, 01:38 PM

BCI. This past Sunday they did a ~50 mile ride with about 3400 ft of climbing. It wasn't too bad with the exception of Pacific Ridge (I think that is the name of the road) - that climb hurt.

Didn't they do PID this weekend?

I always mean to do Bear training (just because) but somehow always seem to miss it... :rolleyes:

Actually I did it about 4 - 5 years ago (before the injuries and surgeries) and found it to be incredible training, period. Maybe next year! :p

Indolent58

05-24-07, 09:02 AM

So who's in for this?

Rick@OCRR

05-24-07, 07:05 PM

I'm in for The Bear, but it will be the weekend following the Eastern Sierra Double, so don't know if I'll be recovered enough to hammer it, or just tour it like last year. Either way, I'll be there!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

rooftest

05-25-07, 01:14 PM

I saw this thread and signed up - I'll be there!

Kar3368

06-06-07, 05:14 PM

I have decided not to do this ride so I have two spots for sale if anyone is
interested.

Let me know by Friday A.M.
Thanks!
Karen

big john

06-07-07, 07:12 AM

Karen, are you off climbing rides for now? Will we see you at the LAW trainer this weekend or maybe at Baldy next weekend?

Kar3368

06-07-07, 07:32 AM

Karen, are you off climbing rides for now? Will we see you at the LAW trainer this weekend or maybe at Baldy next weekend?

Hey John!
I did a "easier" ride last weekend, and I am planning an "easier" ride this weekend, but most likely
I will be @ Baldy next weekend.
I just needed a couple of weeks off of the climbing rides, after KOM.

Karen

tprevost

06-07-07, 07:40 AM

Hey John!
I did a "easier" ride last weekend, and I am planning an "easier" ride this weekend, but most likely
I will be @ Baldy next weekend.
I just needed a couple of weeks off of the climbing rides, after KOM.

Karen

Karen, I was thinking about you last night and wondering how you were feeling. Are you back to your normal 'animal' self, or still sort of in recovery mode? I know you had a really hard time on that last ride :o

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I was thinkin' about you! Glad to hear you are doing some easier rides and hope to hear you're back to your normal stuff soon!

Tracy

Kar3368

06-07-07, 09:29 AM

Karen, I was thinking about you last night and wondering how you were feeling. Are you back to your normal 'animal' self, or still sort of in recovery mode? I know you had a really hard time on that last ride :o

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I was thinkin' about you! Glad to hear you are doing some easier rides and hope to hear you're back to your normal stuff soon!

Tracy

Hey Trac,
Thanks!!!
Yes, I had a VERY hard time @ Heartbreak.
Sitting in the dirt @ mile 80 crying was not fun!
I am "sorta" in recovery mode...
My ride last weekend was the Ojai Century.
It only had just over 5000 ft of climbing so it was "easy" in terms of centuries!
I was trying to do it in under 6 hours...didn't make it..My time was 6 hours 20 min.
Not bad, considering I was riding solo...
This weekend is another mellow ride, then I should be back to my "normal" self!!!

Karen

big john

06-07-07, 09:34 AM

tprevost

06-07-07, 09:46 AM

Hey Trac,
Thanks!!!
Yes, I had a VERY hard time @ Heartbreak.
Sitting in the dirt @ mile 80 crying was not fun!
I am "sorta" in recovery mode...
My ride last weekend was the Ojai Century.
It only had just over 5000 ft of climbing so it was "easy" in terms of centuries!
I was trying to do it in under 6 hours...didn't make it..My time was 6 hours 20 min.
Not bad, considering I was riding solo...
This weekend is another mellow ride, then I should be back to my "normal" self!!!

Karen

good :rolleyes: I imagine the BA ride really took it out of you.... I was worried about ya :p A little break is probably a good idea ;)

Oh, and that's a great time for Ojai! I would love to do that ride sometime but I had a ride up here this year and then I was gonna do three harbors again just so I could ride in the area but had a childcare issue come up so that's out too :(

I'm looking forward to hearing that you are back to your 'normal' self!!! :p

Rick@OCRR

06-07-07, 12:19 PM

Well,

The Eastern Sierra double did take a lot out of me, so I'll be Touring the Bear on Sat. Plan to get on the road early (5:30?), and hopefully see a lot of bikeforum.net riders out there!

I'll be wearing OCRR kit (jersey, shorts, socks, gloves) and riding a blue/black Calfee Tetra, and white Bell helmet. Say "Hi!" when you go flying past me. I'll say "Hi!" to anyone wearing a bikeforums.net jersey, or if I recognize you (like I will the Beanz-ster in his Cal Trans kit)!

Is Gina bringing any extra Bagels this time, Beanz? I always have to eat rest-stop food while Beanz is enjoying those Bagels!

Other Rebels out there Saturday: Kim (on very small Seven with pink components including pink nipples) wearing leopard jersey and her KOM socks, Maria from Poland (TREK), Jimmy (Orbea), Keith (Calfee), Linda (Calfee), Rodney (Litespeed), Andrew (Fuji) . . . and . . . who did I forget? Anyway, that's who I can remember!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Kar3368

06-07-07, 12:38 PM

Well,

The Eastern Sierra double did take a lot out of me, so I'll be Touring the Bear on Sat. Plan to get on the road early (5:30?), and hopefully see a lot of bikeforum.net riders out there!

I'll be wearing OCRR kit (jersey, shorts, socks, gloves) and riding a blue/black Calfee Tetra, and white Bell helmet. Say "Hi!" when you go flying past me. I'll say "Hi!" to anyone wearing a bikeforums.net jersey, or if I recognize you (like I will the Beanz-ster in his Cal Trans kit)!

Is Gina bringing any extra Bagels this time, Beanz? I always have to eat rest-stop food while Beanz is enjoying those Bagels!

Other Rebels out there tomorrow: Kim (on very small Seven with pink components including pink nipples) wearing leopard jersey and her KOM socks, Maria from Poland (TREK), Jimmy (Orbea), Keith (Calfee), Linda (Calfee), Rodney (Litespeed), Andrew (Fuji) . . . and . . . who did I forget? Anyway, that's who I can remember!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Have a good ride!!! Tell Little Kim that Karen says HI!!! We first met @ Mulholland I think...of course we bonded instantly as we both love PINK and understand the importance of color coordination!!!
She is adorable and her Husband is the best for sagging all those rides!!

Karen

Rick@OCRR

06-07-07, 03:45 PM

Hi Karen,

I passed your message on to Kim via email, since I don't think she reads bikeforums.net.

Yes, she is into the PINK thing. Even the decals on her Seven are PINK!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Kar3368

06-07-07, 03:58 PM

Hi Karen,

I passed your message on to Kim via email, since I don't think she reads bikeforums.net.

Yes, she is into the PINK thing. Even the decals on her Seven are PINK!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Thanks Rick!

Brandy

06-09-07, 06:56 AM

I'm late, but good luck out there today everyone!

Rick@OCRR

06-09-07, 08:32 PM

Thanks Brandy,
And it was a good ride! From the BF I saw caligurl and SirLanceImNot, but no one else I can remember. The route was great, the rest stops were great, all the volunteers were v.friendly and funny (esp. the Pirates at Rest Stop 1), so overall it was wonderful. All the Rebels finished, and only Rodney's flat tire kept it from being a perfect event.
There did seem to be a bit more traffic than usual (some kind of Jeep/Off-Road vehicle event must have been going on near the lake), but no problems with rude drivers or anything that I know of.
Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Rick@OCRR

06-11-07, 08:49 AM

Any other BF riders on The Bear?

Let us know how you did, short ride report, etc.
I didn't see any jersey's with the big red star, but I couldn't have been the only BF rider out there!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

jschen

06-11-07, 08:51 AM

Glad you had a good ride, Rick. Congrats to all the Rebels. :beer: Any other BikeForums ride reports?

JimmyNH

06-11-07, 10:30 AM

Yeap, it was a good ride. I sucked though - 3 minutes slower than last year. With a new pro-team bike :( . My only excuse is that some woman from an official sag car stopped me and made me put my helmet on :mad: (that took about 3 mins). Why do women enjoy inflicting pain to men? She is not my mama-in-law 4FS :D . Anyway, Rick is right - the traffic seemed to be heavier than usual, otherwise no complains. Well - just one. Hope some day OCW will start offering gels and energy bars at the rest stops. I just can't do this ride on cookies and peanut butter sandwiches.
Rick, you were a real gentleman looking after the ladies. I still don't know how you can do the Bear as a recovery ride though. :D

Rick@OCRR

06-11-07, 10:43 AM

Hi Jimmy,

You will see next year if you ride the Eastern Sierra Double on the prev. weekend that The Bear (esp. riding at the speed of Kim, Linda and Maria) is a great recovery ride.

I did the 9:00 AM Rebel ride on Sun. as a recovery ride from The Bear, but Ken, Mike and Glenn were all pushing the pace (esp. up Newport Coast), so not such a "recovery" ride, but at only31 miles, quite short!

You looked good all tucked into that pack on the Bear photos! Very Aero! Next time, just leave your helmet on and no one will bother you about it. Next year the Orbea will be more used to you and those extra minutes will fly away!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

rooftest

06-11-07, 12:51 PM

It was a good ride - a motor home ran me off the road in a corner (they took the corner too tight) and almost killed me. I thought I was going to drop dead on the climb to Onyx summit - the 40 previous miles of climbing + the altitude + that climb is really tough.

Those rolling hills were pretty annoying after Onyx Summit - I was ready to coast all the way home - what's with all this extra work?

A great ride - on Saturday evening, I said "I'll never do that again," but after they posted the results yesterday - I saw I had some room to improve - I'll be there again next year.

Rick@OCRR

06-11-07, 03:27 PM

Hi rooftest,

Except for the incident with the motorhome, dropping dead on the climb to Onyx and the few small climbs on the way back . . . except for those few things, it sounds like you had a great ride! Hopefully the pirates filled your water bottles at the first rest stop!

I will be there next year too. This was my ninth Bear!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

rooftest

06-11-07, 03:47 PM

Yep - the pirates were really helpful, and I did make the climb to Onyx summit without a stop. (which was really tough for me given the state I was in.)

I think it was after the first stop that the rest home almost got me. Weren't there pirates at the second stop also? I'm just glad for the chairs and canopies at Onyx Summit!

Rick@OCRR

06-11-07, 03:57 PM

Yeah, the Pirates moved around!

I saw them at the first stop (which is where they were really supposed to be), but after that stop closed they moved a bit. We practiced some yoga with them at the lunch stop (near the lake), then saw them again at Onyx Summit.

Congratulations on making it to Onyx without a stop. Actually, I've never had to stop on that climb, but I've seen lots of riders stopped on the side of the road. esp. near the 8,000 ft. sign. This year I was near the back, so I passed several riders on the Onyx climb. When I'm closer to the front, lots of riders pass me!

I saw several large motorhomes go by, but no problem for me. Some of the trucks pulling Jeeps (and other similar off-road vehicles) came a lot closer! Overall it was a great ride, and I'm sure I'll be back there next year.

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR