Burbank-Rose Bowl

[curiouskid55]

I'm riding over to the Rose Bowl tonight. Should be leaving Glen Oaks -Hollywood Way about 5:30. Head up La tuna then down Honlulu through Montrose past Descanso then cut over to The Bowl. Maybe check ourt a few laps of the crit then head back pretty much the same way. Company would be welcome.

[merider1]

I can't this evening, but I'd love to join you on another. I could meet you some evening (if timing works) on your way past Glendale (we could meet up on Verdugo). This is assuming you ride this route on a regular basis (or are going to be doing so).

[curiouskid55]

It may become a Tuesday thing. I am doing it for the first time this year tonight to get some idea of how long it takes and how much work is involved. Looking for a long steady effort for tuesday slot in training routine.

[mkadam68]

RIght now, I'm planning on being at the Rose Bowl for the training race. You should come. Excellent training.

[merider1]

It may become a Tuesday thing. I am doing it for the first time this year tonight to get some idea of how long it takes and how much work is involved. Looking for a long steady effort for tuesday slot in training routine.
I've ridden Glendale to the Rose Bowl via Verdugo (nice steady climb) before and I think you'll like it (similar to the route you are taking). Plus, if you find it is too easy, there are plenty of canyons to climb up around Descanso. Just be careful if you go on Chevy Chase. There is some fast traffic on that road at night. But mostly, the traffic isn't too bad (especially on the way back when rush hour traffic is over).

[spingineer]

I've ridden Glendale to the Rose Bowl via Verdugo (nice steady climb) before and I think you'll like it (similar to the route you are taking). Plus, if you find it is too easy, there are plenty of canyons to climb up around Descanso. Just be careful if you go on Chevy Chase. There is some fast traffic on that road at night. But mostly, the traffic isn't too bad (especially on the way back when rush hour traffic is over).
Can you go up Linda Vista without stopping? Last time I did a ride there (last year some time), they had a barrier there, so that you couldn't drive through, but you could walk your bike through the barrier. There were two barriers there. Once passed there, you could speed down Lida (past the Art College).

[merider1]

Can you go up Linda Vista without stopping? Last time I did a ride there (last year some time), they had a barrier there, so that you couldn't drive through, but you could walk your bike through the barrier. There were two barriers there. Once passed there, you could speed down Lida (past the Art College).


I've never known a barrier to be on Linda Vista. There was one on Inverness, but I believe that is gone now.

[herbm]

Can you go up Linda Vista without stopping? Last time I did a ride there (last year some time), they had a barrier there, so that you couldn't drive through, but you could walk your bike through the barrier. There were two barriers there. Once passed there, you could speed down Lida (past the Art College).

It is open...no barriers

[spingineer]

It is open...no barriers
How about the ride up St. Katherine? I tried going up there, and the road was blocked. Is it free to get up to the top?

[merider1]

How about the ride up St. Katherine? I tried going up there, and the road was blocked. Is it free to get up to the top?
Yup, you can climb it up all different directions - and that was the barrier I was referring to. It was at Inverness and St. Katherine. It's gone. :D

[VelodromePhoeni]

[quote=curiouskid55]. . . then cut over to The Bowl. Maybe check out a few laps of the crit . . . ./QUOTE]

Just be careful if you're going to ride around the Rose Bowl on Tuesday or Thursday evening. The guys in my club use that as a race-training ride, and it can get really ugly. Please be advised that this is NOT an organized crit, by any stretch of the imagination -- disorganized mayhem is more like it. I love the guys in my club with every last breath in my body, but I won't ride in that stupid death ride around the Bowl. One of the guys in my club disparagingly refers to it as the "The Rose Blow."

Just be careful, okay? I know what those guys are like. They're not riding around the Rose Bowl. They're sprinting down the last stretch of the Tour de France, and they left our dimension of reality behind several light years ago.

You're better off coming down to the velodrome for intervals class.

VP

[spingineer]

Yup, you can climb it up all different directions - and that was the barrier I was referring to. It was at Inverness and St. Katherine. It's gone. :D
I guess I was just unlucky enough to try riding there when it did have a barrier. It's good to know it is free. The ride up to St. Katherine was one of my favorites when I was doing the night rides at the Rose Bowl. One lap around the bowl, then up Saliva Canyon, up Inverness to the girl's school, then down the hill.

[worker4youth]

Just be careful if you're going to ride around the Rose Bowl on Tuesday or Thursday evening. The guys in my club use that as a race-training ride, and it can get really ugly. Please be advised that this is NOT an organized crit, by any stretch of the imagination -- disorganized mayhem is more like it. I love the guys in my club with every last breath in my body, but I won't ride in that stupid death ride around the Bowl. One of the guys in my club disparagingly refers to it as the "The Rose Blow."

Just be careful, okay? I know what those guys are like. They're not riding around the Rose Bowl. They're sprinting down the last stretch of the Tour de France, and they left our dimension of reality behind several light years ago.

You're better off coming down to the velodrome for intervals class.

VP

Tell us some war stories, VP.

[curiouskid55]

Veteran of a great number of Rose Bowl crits Thanks

[merider1]

Veteran of a great number of Rose Bowl crits Thanks
Hmmm...and here I am volunteering to ride with you. :rolleyes: You'll smoke me and drop me in under two minutes. :p

[spingineer]

There's a very good reason why they have an ambulance in the parking lot during the rose bowl pack rides on tues/thurs nights.

[merider1]

Well, I've never seen a crash (don't care to either), but the ones that scare me are the guys who jump on the back.

[roadfix]

There's a very good reason why they have an ambulance in the parking lot during the rose bowl pack rides on tues/thurs nights.I sometimes think that ambulance company and the guys playing soccer at turn 3 are working together. :D

[merider1]

I sometimes think that ambulance company and the guys playing soccer at turn 3 are working together. :D
:lol: Never thought about that, but...

[curiouskid55]

Yeah what's up with jumping on the back? Jump on the front if you're going to jump. Just kidding. No worries about getting dropped , wasn't looking for company just to leave it behind. Have been injured all season(ice on mulloholland, not Rose Bowl crit) just starting to rebuild myself. Rode with the Hill Hazers last week great guys great ride great fun. Anyway out for LSE (long steady effort) tonight ,no racing. Which Velodrome? In Carson? When are the sessions? Do you need a fixie?

[merider1]

No worries about getting dropped , wasn't looking for company just to leave it behind.

Good to know. ;) This IT will gladly join you next week. And the hill hazers are fun. I loved that ride but couldn't join last week.

[roadfix]

Well, I've never seen a crash (don't care to either), but the ones that scare me are the guys who jump on the back.

Hey!.... I jump on the back all the time and promptly get dropped within 3 miles, slow down, wait for the pack to come around again, and jump back on the back and promptly get dropped again.....:D

[merider1]

Hey!.... I jump on the back all the time and promptly get dropped within 3 miles, slow down, wait for the pack to come around again, and jump back on the back and promptly get dropped again.....:D
Yes, well, some of those who jump on the back are fine (like you, Road Fixie ;)), but some are squirelly. I've seen them and I've heard one or two of the guys holler at them too. Crashes can happen anywhere, I know, but generally the ones in front are skilled and use to riding together....or so I've been told.

[curiouskid55]

Hey dont pick on the high school graduate.

[merider1]

Hey dont pick on the high school graduate.
:lol: I was just kidding. I don't mind being called an IT. It's kind of liberating. :D

[jpconrad]

I've never known a barrier to be on Linda Vista. There was one on Inverness, but I believe that is gone now.

There was one above Chevy Chase but it's gone now.

[N2GLOCK]

I'm riding over to the Rose Bowl tonight. Should be leaving Glen Oaks -Hollywood Way about 5:30. Head up La tuna then down Honlulu through Montrose past Descanso then cut over to The Bowl. Maybe check ourt a few laps of the crit then head back pretty much the same way. Company would be welcome.

I would totally do this with you as I do this ride all the time. I actually did it 3 days in a row las week. However, I got stung by a bee while riding on Sunday and my right leg is still a bit swollen. PM me and we'll do it next Tues. I live in Burbank and I am literally minutes away from Hollywood Way. Actually, I might be okay by tomorrow. Let me know if you want to do it later this week.

[spingineer]

I would totally do this with you as I do this ride all the time. I actually did it 3 days in a row las week. However, I got stung by a bee while riding on Sunday and my right leg is still a bit swollen. PM me and we'll do it next Tues. I live in Burbank and I am literally minutes away from Hollywood Way. Actually, I might be okay by tomorrow. Let me know if you want to do it later this week.
Ooh, that's gotta hurt. I hate getting stung by a bee.

[merider1]

Okay, honest engine, not being smuttarty, I was stung on my left nipple coming down big GMR last year. :eek: But my breasts are so tiny, if it did swell, I didn't notice. It sure did hurt like the dickens!

[bigdraft]

The guys in my club use that as a race-training ride, and it can get really ugly. Please be advised that this is NOT an organized crit, by any stretch of the imagination -- disorganized mayhem is more like it. I love the guys in my club with every last breath in my body, but I won't ride in that stupid death ride around the Bowl. One of the guys in my club disparagingly refers to it as the "The Rose Blow."

Just be careful, okay? I know what those guys are like. They're not riding around the Rose Bowl. They're sprinting down the last stretch of the Tour de France, and they left our dimension of reality behind several light years ago.VP

Not to blow your buzz or anything, but it's not disorganized mayhem, its a very fast training ride, ridden in race like conditions. Like any big pack ride/race this size there can be crashes, yet this year we have had very few. Why, because more and more riders are become more adept at knowing what to do in a pack that size, going as fast as it does. And how do those crashes occur? Genearlly from not being as experienced as many of the seasoned riders who, like me, have been doing this ride for years and years. I personally have been doing it almost every week for over 13 years and have only crashed once. If you get all nervous in a pack going that fast then it is best you stay away, cause like the guy who crashed me out at 35mph, he was in over his head. Again the majority of riders do know what they're doing, but accidents do occur and you have to be very very vigilant for all the extraneous dangers that do lurk at the Bowl, like walkers, roller bladers, soccer balls zinging out into the pack, cars stopped in the road, stuff like that, but if you're heads up, its not to bad.

Anyway, you're milage may vary depending on who's wheel you're on and how much experience you have, but like John Howard once said "There are two kinds of riders. Those who are going down and those who have been down." and those who ride the Bowl ride need to remember that. Cause poop occurs

[curiouskid55]

Did the ride as planned last night. Left start on time at 5:30 and by six was at the crest on La Tuna (about 2 1/2 minutes slower than my best times from last year). Started up hospital hill at 6:15 and was on the floor of the arroyo by 6:30. Was a little fatigued tooling around waiting for the pack to catch me. They got there after I had done about a lap on my own. So I let the first ten go by and then get up to accelerate up to speed to blend in. So I'm saying to myself.. Okay lets's go...c'mon it's time..gitty-up...hmmm....mabe not today. Lol had no effect whatsoever. I am so far from being race ready it is laughable. So finished out another lap or two paced a guy doing about 22 for awhile and then headed back. Got back to start point about twenty to eight. 37 miles just over two hours at at pitiful 16 mph acverage. So a lot of work to do. But I get to do most of it on a bike so it could be worse I guess.

[zzzwillzzz]

good post bigdraft. i thought the group was riding better because i have been coming out and yelling at all the freds to ride a straight line and not squeeze into non-existent gaps.:) a few weeks ago some kid tried to squeeze his 40cm bars into a 39cm space. i hit him on the hand with my knee and yelled at him and he didn't try it anymore...


curiouskid, keep jumping in. it's a good way to pick up speed even if you get dropped every lap. sit out a lap and jump back in. you won't build the speed you need for the ride tt'ing by yourself or a with few other riders. someone to guide you through a lap or two can really help. part of it is speed but another art is technique and experience. or you could ride the back of my tandem with me...

[breesej]

The Rose Bowl ride last night was nice. I was able to hang for 1 lap on my warm up (got there late) and then 2 more laps when they finally caught up to me after I was dropped. I hope to get up to all 10 laps with the group.

I'm a relatively compact rider, so the downhill is easy as I just sit in the draft. Going uphill is not that bad, I just can't hang on for too long or match the accelerations. That's what I get for climbing hills by myself all the time.

[roadfix]

I don't think I'll ever be able to do all 10 laps with the pack. What amazes me is how some men and women in the pack can carry out normal conversations while riding at that intensity.

I also noticed a lot more time trial bikes at the Rose Bowl in the last couple of years or so.....and some even hang with the pack.

[merider1]

And how do those crashes occur? ...Anyway, you're milage may vary depending on who's wheel you're on and how much experience you have, but like John Howard once said "There are two kinds of riders. Those who are going down and those who have been down." and those who ride the Bowl ride need to remember that. Cause poop occurs

Bigdraft, you are correct that experienced riders do well in that pack, but I agree with Renee. There is some disorganized mayhem out there (especially in the back). Not to mention that the pack rides around pedestrians and other cyclists who do not wish to be in the pack at all. I don't have anything against the pack, but every once in awhile I wonder if the City of Pasadena will shut it down IF there ever is a fatal collision with a pedestrian who is out running around the bowl on Tuesday or Thursday nights. I hope that never happens, of course, and for riders like you, I hope you continue to enjoy the benefits of that training ride.

[bigdraft]

I don't think I'll ever be able to do all 10 laps with the pack. What amazes me is how some men and women in the pack can carry out normal conversations while riding at that intensity.

I also noticed a lot more time trial bikes at the Rose Bowl in the last couple of years or so.....and some even hang with the pack.

As Will noted, there's a lot of technique to riding the Bowl. Knowing where and how to recover, how to drift back thru the pack when you're maxed out and need to recover a bit. Also, one critical element to pack riding like that is to make sure you don't start gapping off the rider in front of you. When that happens expect to be passed by the riders behind you,which can put a huge zinger in your desire to keep pedalling hard. But one of the skills that the Bowl ride or any hard interval type training does for you, is to increase your recovery speed. Because that's what it's all about ya know. It's all about how deep can you suffer before you blow up and then how fast can you recover, in order to do it all over again. The faster the recovery time, the quicker you're back in the mix. But this is not something you develop overnight, it's a muti-year thing that takes years to occur, so don't get bummed if you dont' see that big of results in the first year. But again YMMV (your milage may vary)

*edit* the TT bikes were there last night due to the upcoming ITT championships next weekend. Turlow Rogers was there last night with his and when that happens, pain usually follows

[spingineer]

When I used to live in Pasadena, I would do the Tues/Thur Rose Bowl disorganized mayhem. However, it was not my intention to hang with them for all 10 laps. I would mix it up. Sometimes, I would park myself on the slope of Washington, at the north end of the bowl, then pick up speed and position myself a few hundred feet in front of the lead. Then, just hang on for dear life until I get dropped like a hammer. One time, I was able to hang in for 3/4 of a lap. I was really impressed with that. Other times, I would climb in and out of the bowl. There are so many options when riding around the bowl. That's what I miss about Pasadena ... riding around the bowl.

[bigdraft]

Bigdraft, you are correct that experienced riders do well in that pack, but I agree with Renee. There is some disorganized mayhem out there (especially in the back). Not to mention that the pack rides around pedestrians and other cyclists who do not wish to be in the pack at all. I don't have anything against the pack, but every once in awhile I wonder if the City of Pasadena will shut it down IF there ever is a fatal collision with a pedestrian who is out running around the bowl on Tuesday or Thursday nights. I hope that never happens, of course, and for riders like you, I hope you continue to enjoy the benefits of that training ride.

I understand your concerns and perspective of the ride, and it's true, sometimes out of the normal stuff occurs. But as far as disorganzied mayhem at the back, well that's just part of being at the back. It's where the inexperienced riders intentionally put themselves. That or the pack does it for them. Also, since people at the back are many times just hanging on and they're still at 110%, they don't ride that smart or smooth. It's why you don't want to be at the back, unless like some of us, we do it for training, since the two hardest places to ride the Bowl are at the front or the very back. At the back you can't drift back and recover a bit. You also have to constantly accellerate to pass riders who are gapping off, which of course means more effort you have to put out, and if you're just barely hanging on, that little bit of effort to close a gap can pop you like an overly inflated ballon.

As for the occaisonal rider who goes into the pedestrian lane, the pack lets them know, very verbally btw, to stay out of there. Pasadena PD has threatened to shut the ride down many times, but doesn't. One of the reasons is that a large number of pedestrians are outside their lane. Because you have people goin g both directions, it forces many way out into the roadway. This creates a bad situation for a pack that many times is as wide as the road allows us to be. It sort of depends on the speed we're going and how bunched up the pack is. If it's going fast the group is strung out and single file. The PD acknowledges that and is trying to help.

[merider1]

Oh, trust me, Bigdraft, (and here I'm probably going to piss someone off), but the PEDESTRIANS are the biggest hazard out there. So many idiots outside the designated walking/running lane, some with dogs lunging out at you on those retractable leashes, stray soccer balls, Frisbees, people going the wrong directions, running three abreast with Ipods on so that can't hear you when you yell, "biker on your left!", people rollerblading who then try to draft off your back wheel (a personal pet peeve of mine and I have told a couple of them to get off my *%$(@# wheel - and I don't mince words), etc. This is why I don't usually end up doing more than a few laps and then heading straight up Salvia Canyon to get out of there. But, alas, they have to have a place to exercise too (and I used to run around that bowl myself), so they do have a right to be there. But the IDIOTS, whether on foot or on bikes (in the back of the pack) may someday spoil it for the rest of us if ever the two - pedestrian/cyclist - meet in a truly nasty collision. Again, I hope not...:o

[breesej]

I'm going to mount a 4 foot barbed spike on my handlebars. Any pedestrian who tries to cross me will have major consequences to pay.... or maybe we can mount snow plows to the front of the strong riders and ride right next to the line. That would be funny to see peds being tossed right up over the fence onto the golf course.

[mkadam68]

I don't think I'll ever be able to do all 10 laps with the pack. What amazes me is how some men and women in the pack can carry out normal conversations while riding at that intensity.

I also noticed a lot more time trial bikes at the Rose Bowl in the last couple of years or so.....and some even hang with the pack.
I've done the ride 4 times. Here are my results:
1st Time--Lasted with the pack 4-laps, then fell off.
2nd Time--Lasted 5 laps
3rd Time--3 laps, with one attack off the front. Not feeling well (not enough sleep)
4th Time (last night)--All 10 laps.

This coming from a clydesdale rider. Keep at it. :)

[roadfix]

Good going Adam! :)

[mkadam68]

...But the IDIOTS, whether on foot or on bikes (in the back of the pack) may someday spoil it for the rest of us if ever the two - pedestrian/cyclist - meet in a truly nasty collision. Again, I hope not...:o
+1

[mkadam68]

On a positive note, last night I brought my 11-year old. He was able to see first hand how hard racing really is. He rode the neutral start, then said that he only saw me for like 10 seconds after we started. LOL He rode around and then tried to jump on the back as we passed him. We got home, he said his legs hurt. Great stuff. :lol:

But the positive: he flatted, I was riding and didn't know. He said someone helped him with a CO2 inflate as he didn't have a pump. Many thanks to whomever. :)

[curiouskid55]

Uh.. lets review right of way heirarchy on multi-use paved public thurough fare.

1 pedestrians
2 non-motorized vehicles
3 motorized vehicles
4 aircraft (emergency use only)

[roadfix]

How about pedestrians veering out onto the roadway itself? :)

[curiouskid55]

At all times. You cannot run over a pedestrian because they dont belong out in the street. Same as you cant run down a cyclist with a car because in the general public's mind they dont belong out on the road.

[spingineer]

Rollerbladers can be a hazard, especially when it's a racer, who swings from side to side. Takes up 3 bike widths, so you really have to go out of your way to pass them (end up in the opposite lane). More dangerous than runners or walkers.