Soooooo...the honorable Vertical Bob talked me into a little ride up in them there San Gabriels today, a ride he's been talking about since I've known him. We drove up to Red Box on Angeles Crest (right by the road to Mt. Wilson) and rode up to Cloudburst and beyond. It was mouthwateringly beautiful up there! When we arrived we worried that the winds would get us, but as Bob mentioned, Angeles Crest is somewhat sheltered from the winds and other than a few hearty gusts from time to time, we made out okay. The ride is very simple - climb and then climb, past Newcombs Ranch Inn to Cloudburst summit and then to where Hwy 39 meets AC. I took lots of photos and Bob said he'd organized a BF ride up Hwy 39 to Crystal Lake and back down AC. Also, there is that Grassy Hollow ride that hopefully I will get to join on soon. It is truly gorgeous up in those mountains and it's shocking that this is our backyard practically! We would have climbed to Dawson Saddle, but I was hungry, so we headed back to NR for lunch (good Lord, that place was packed with motorcyclists!) Only downer about the ride was the stupid motorcycles flying by (and one buzzing us!). Otherwise, perfect day. 52 miles with close to 6K ft of climbing. I'm probably going to DNF Sea to Summit, but the ride today at least made me want to attempt it. We shall see...:D
Here are some pics:
At Redbox ready to take off:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/cloudburst/1.jpg
The Mojave in the background:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/cloudburst/9.jpg
Where 39 meets AC:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/cloudburst/24.jpg
Bob with Big Tujunga in the background - the road he climbed yesterday. The man is the ultimate billy goat!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/cloudburst/25.jpg
BigSean
05-06-07, 06:55 PM
Sounds and looks like a great ride.:)
tprevost
05-06-07, 06:57 PM
Wow! What a great ride! ... thanks for the pics ME, its always great to see your adventures!!!
roadfix
05-06-07, 06:58 PM
It's beautiful up there isn't it? We were up there last summer with a bunch of BF'ers...:)
VanceMac
05-06-07, 07:06 PM
I just did that exact ride with Keith last week, and you described it very well. It is gorgeous up there. I think I actually prefer it to the Santa Monicas, though it's a close call. And those are excellent photos of both you and VB.
Too bad about the motorcycles. The harley guys are usually very good about sharing the road. And even most of the crotch rocket crowd will ease off the throttle when they see cyclists... but a certain percentage of them are just flat out irresponsible.
merider1
05-06-07, 07:07 PM
I just did that exact ride with Keith last week, and you described it very well. It is gorgeous up there. I think I actually prefer it to the Santa Monicas, though it's a close call. And those are excellent photos of both you and VB.
.
Thanks, Vance (and you other guys for your sweet comments). You know, I can't help but share as I truly hope that anyone who hasn't been up there will go. I DO prefer it over the Santa Monicas (although not by that much, since it is gorgeous there as well!) :D
Allez Oops
05-06-07, 07:09 PM
Wow! Looks like you had excellent visibility up there. Great pics.
I'm not anti-motorcycle by any stretch, but those Angeles Crest motos give me the jitters.
merider1
05-06-07, 07:11 PM
Wow! Looks like you had excellent visibility up there. Great pics.
I'm not anti-motorcycle by any stretch, but those Angeles Crest motos give me the jitters.
:roflmao: I love your Sig, woman. ;) I've gotten back to business (but don't let that fool ya). Come out and play - next time we go, perhaps you'll want to join?
big john
05-06-07, 07:12 PM
Thanks for the pics, makes me wish I went with you. Far less MC traffic on Saturdays.
jschen
05-06-07, 07:16 PM
Cool ride. :)
Me, looking so hot and yummy with my zinc paste on!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/cloudburst/me.jpg
That girl sure looks good in blue!
merider1
05-06-07, 07:18 PM
Cool ride. :)
That girl sure looks good in blue!
You want to hit that don't ya? ;) :p Oh, come on, I CAN TO talk about myself as nothing more than a sex object...a sweaty, stinky, zinc paste gooed sex object. I think I scared the sheep away today. :D
Grumpy Pig
05-06-07, 07:24 PM
Great pictures. The sky looks like you can see forever. Was it windy?
merider1
05-06-07, 07:26 PM
Great pictures. The sky looks like you can see forever. Was it windy?
Yes, there was some wind which affected my asthma pretty badly today (not sure why). But it would die down for long periods of time, so it really didn't bother us. I told Bob, it sure wasn't hard to take great photos today - I just had to point and shoot. ;)
jschen
05-06-07, 07:36 PM
You want to hit that don't ya? ;) :p
I don't hit people. It's not very nice. :p
And you say you are not a climber??? I'll be lucky if I can see you on the climbs when you come up north. Here's ME, and there she goesssssssss .....
vertical bob
05-06-07, 08:42 PM
How's that for a "Recovery Ride". I guess that protein drink works. That was really fun with you today Mary. A very uplifting day in every way. The road only gets better past where we turned around. The view from Dawson Saddle is pretty cool. I was amazed how little effect the wind had on us even though it was blowing pretty good up there. They have re-paved all of the turnouts up there but no sign of the actual re-paving of the road yet. Vance, have you guys been past Islip? Are they doing any paving on the way to Dawson? Like John said the MC's arent as bad on Saturday. That holds true for the Santa Monica's too.I can only dream about what it is like on a Wednesday morning. Another great weekend in the the San Gabriels.
tprevost
05-06-07, 08:49 PM
That's one hot chick. You are so photogenic.
And you say you are not a climber??? I'll be lucky if I can see you on the climbs when you come up north. Here's ME, and there she goesssssssss .....
you won't have to worry about that... she doesn't know where she's goin' so she'll have to stick w/us! :p
... and ME, I don't know WHAT you are talking about... do you ever look in the mirror???? You look Gorgeous!!!
merider1
05-06-07, 08:50 PM
That's one hot chick. You are so photogenic.
And you say you are not a climber??? I'll be lucky if I can see you on the climbs when you come up north. Here's ME, and there she goesssssssss .....
:roflmao: - on all accounts. Ron, stop the drinking. ;) As for climbing, ask Bob, I was SLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. :D
merider1
05-06-07, 08:52 PM
How's that for a "Recovery Ride". I guess that protein drink works. That was really fun with you today Mary. A very uplifting day in every way.
Ditto, Bob! ;) Yeah, for someone who climbed 17,000 feet this week, today must have been uplifting - kind of like an out of body experience as this point, wouldn't you say. :p :D
tprevost
05-06-07, 08:52 PM
:roflmao: - on all accounts. Ron, stop the drinking. ;) As for climbing, ask Bob, I was SLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. :D
You are also a GOOOOOOOOOBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRR... and an excellent rider!!! :p
merider1
05-06-07, 08:54 PM
you won't have to worry about that... she doesn't know where she's goin' so she'll have to stick w/us! :p
... and ME, I don't know WHAT you are talking about... do you ever look in the mirror???? You look Gorgeous!!!
I'm not only going to stick with you, but I'm going to tell you all about my life, my mom, dad, cousin Jim Bob, giggle about "boys," hug you repeatedly and call you my BFF! Actually, my V-BFF. :D And seriously, do none of you get my making fun of my ZINC PASTE?! :lol: My teeth look yellow since my face is so white (like a clown's) in that photo. I think I look downright hysterical. :p
VanceMac
05-06-07, 08:56 PM
Vance, have you guys been past Islip? Are they doing any paving on the way to Dawson?
I'm not sure what an Islip is :) , but we went to Dawson's, and then I went down a little bit on the other side... while Keith went all the way down to where the road is washed out. There wasn't much new pavement, except for on some of the shoulders/turnouts (prep work for the real deal, I guess). As an aside, the road was fairly rocky in spots -- not unmanageable (especially since it is closed to cars), but it gave me my first flat in months while descending.
tprevost
05-06-07, 08:57 PM
I'm not only going to stick with you, but I'm going to tell you all about my life, my mom, dad, cousin Jim Bob, giggle about "boys," hug you repeatedly and call you my BFF! Actually, my V-BFF. :D And seriously, do none of you get my making fun of my ZINC PASTE?! :lol: My teeth look yellow since my face is so white (like a clown's) in that photo. I think I look downright hysterical. :p
good, the more you talk, the better chance of you staying with me ;) Ya know, you can't really tell you have the Zinc Paste on in that pic... you know it, so its obvious to you, I just think its a really great picture!
spingineer
05-06-07, 09:01 PM
:roflmao: - on all accounts. Ron, stop the drinking. ;) As for climbing, ask Bob, I was SLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. :D
Mary, you are funny .... I was so slow ...
How slow were you ????
I was so slow, ants were passing me on the hill ... :roflmao:
merider1
05-06-07, 09:03 PM
Mary, you are funny .... I was so slow ...
How slow were you ????
I was so slow, ants were passing me on the hill ... :roflmao:
I didn't even see the ants I was so slow - they went by in an ant-propelled blur. :p
spingineer
05-06-07, 09:04 PM
you won't have to worry about that... she doesn't know where she's goin' so she'll have to stick w/us! :p
... and ME, I don't know WHAT you are talking about... do you ever look in the mirror???? You look Gorgeous!!!
hmmm ... you drinking the same thing I am?
Go_Fast
05-06-07, 09:08 PM
m.e. - you gotta get rid of that VISOR. :lol:
merider1
05-06-07, 09:10 PM
m.e. - you gotta get rid of that VISOR. :lol:
What...a little visor-envy, Mr.? My visor bigger than your visor? :rolleyes: :p :D
Go_Fast
05-06-07, 09:19 PM
What...a little visor-envy, Mr.? My visor bigger than your visor? :rolleyes: :p :D
um...heh...it obscures your pretty face.
or you look like a dork.
take your pick.
i keed, i keed! ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Indolent58
05-06-07, 09:22 PM
What...a little visor-envy, Mr.? My visor bigger than your visor? :rolleyes: :p :D
Apparently M.E. doesn't realize that helmets with visors are <gasp> Mountain Bike Helmets! A serious roadie fashion faux pas. MTB helmets are unacceptable for road use because they are, because - well they're not road helmets at all are they?
merider1
05-06-07, 09:28 PM
:mad: That is NOT a mtb helmet. However, it is a CHILD's helmet (hence the visor, I'm sure). I have a very tiny, delicate skull and therefore, the only helmets that fit are children's. Happy? :cry:
But with that said, I embrace my dorkness and gladly wear a helmet that protects my "pretty" face from the sun. :D
spingineer
05-06-07, 09:34 PM
Who cares if it's a mtn bike helmet or a road bike helmet. As long as it does the job. Hall of famer double riders wear helmets with visors ... I figure if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. But then again, I am a dork.
vertical bob
05-06-07, 09:38 PM
I'm not sure what an Islip is :) , but we went to Dawson's, and then I went down a little bit on the other side... while Keith went all the way down to where the road is washed out. There wasn't much new pavement, except for on some of the shoulders/turnouts (prep work for the real deal, I guess). As an aside, the road was fairly rocky in spots -- not unmanageable (especially since it is closed to cars), but it gave me my first flat in months while descending.Islip Saddle is at the junction of 39 and A.C. One of those mountains around there is Mt. Islip It looks like a saddle from down below. Sounds like they haven't started the real paving of the road anywhere yet. I'm ready for it , was kinda bumpy today up there. Those roads can be hard on tires and wheels. I'm looking forward to our rides to Grassy Hollow[ Big Pines] this summer.
Indolent58
05-06-07, 09:47 PM
:mad: That is NOT a mtb helmet. However, it is a CHILD's helmet (hence the visor, I'm sure). I have a very tiny, delicate skull and therefore, the only helmets that fit are children's. Happy? :cry:
But with that said, I embrace my dorkness and gladly wear a helmet that protects my "pretty" face from the sun. :D
Well if you must buy a hemlet with a visor you could still remove the visor. The fact that it serves a useful function is immaterial.:rolleyes:
merider1
05-06-07, 09:48 PM
Well if you must buy a hemlet with a visor you could still remove the visor. The fact that it serves a useful function is immaterial.:rolleyes:
Okay, Fred, thanks for your advice. :rolleyes: :p
Grumpy Pig
05-06-07, 10:00 PM
"Visors are not tested for snagging, and they can shatter in a fall, cutting your face." - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
merider1
05-06-07, 10:18 PM
"Visors are not tested for snagging, and they can shatter in a fall, cutting your face." - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The pavement can smash my face! Let's hope I don't have that kind of catastrophic spill, please. :rolleyes: In the meantime, I'm not parting with my visor. It blocks a great deal of sun off of my face.
Extort
05-06-07, 10:20 PM
Looks like a great ride from those beautiful pics!
merider1
05-06-07, 10:22 PM
Looks like a great ride from those beautiful pics!
Thanks, Phil. You'll have to join when we do Grassy Hollow! ;)
dauphin
05-06-07, 10:26 PM
tell me Vertical Bob...dips into that Granny gear...
Drew12
05-06-07, 10:29 PM
tell me Vertical Bob...dips into that Granny gear...
I think he might.
use it if you got it!
dauphin
05-06-07, 10:52 PM
I didn't even see the ants I was so slow - they went by in an ant-propelled blur. :p
I had an ant farm once...those guys didn't grow sh*t...
jschen
05-06-07, 11:03 PM
And seriously, do none of you get my making fun of my ZINC PASTE?! :lol:
Zinc paste? I was too busy staring at the cutie in blue to notice. Though she's far cuter in her blue jersey. :drool:
Extort
05-06-07, 11:37 PM
use it if you got it!
Robert Kahler has a motto: "If you don't have a 27, you won't use it!!" (http://www.cyclingpros.com/onyx.htm#FAQ)