Southern California - Monday 5/28 GMR Early Morning Ride

Date: Monday, May 28th
Time: 6:00am
Start: Intersection of Mills and Mt. Baldy Road – See post #16 for directions
Meet up #2: Lower GMR Gate (Approx. 6:40am)
Destination: Baldy Village (or the lifts, if anyone wants)
Distance: Approx. 40 miles
Elevation: 4000+

Who's in:
Happytime - Mills Rd.
jschen - Mills Rd.
Gr@sshopper - Mills Rd.
Scootcore - Mills Rd.
Luwin - Meeting at GMR gate

Chimivee (maybe)
bitingduck (maybe)


Everyone in for this ride, please let me know if you're planning on a Mills Rd start, or if you're going to meet up with us at the GMR gate.
I will PM you my cell number, in case you have to cancel and we know not to wait.

ugh. that's early, and I even live closer to it than a lot of you.

If I'm out of bed on time I might show up and do it.

W T E !!! (besides, I'm working the morning anyway)

I'm doing Chantry Flats with Jp at 8am, Joy. Normally, not too early for me. But since I won't be home until midnight on Sunday, no way, no how. You guys have fun. Thomson will do repeats on it, I bet. :p :D

If I'm not working on Monday, I'm tempted. Though there's M.E.'s ride, too. Any chance we can start at the intersection of Baldy Rd and Mills Rd in Claremont, ride out to GMR, do GMR and GRR, and then descend Baldy Rd back to the start? Don't plan around me, but I'm trying to arrange it so that I can roll out of bed and show right up at the start. :lol:

ugh. that's early
Ditto. What's wrong with you people?!

W T E !!! (besides, I'm working the morning anyway)


Way Too Easy?! There's no need to be so condescending, George! :p

Doesn't seem too early for me :rolleyes: but then again, on my way home this morning I saw about a hundred cyclists heading towards the PV hills... and that was after I did 3 hours of hill training. Some of those riders were still yawning! :eek: Early to bed, early to rise... gives the hill-bombing cyclist traffic-free switchbacks!!!

Sorry I can't make it to the Chantry Flats ride, ME, but I have to come home early to get ready for my cousin's wedding. I think a greasy chain mark on my leg will be a nice accessory to a dress and heels.

Jason, if you want to crash at my place the night before instead of driving up from SD, you can always stay on my couch. Currently Sacha is sleeping on it (along with my new Fulcrum wheels) but you can always tell them to take the floor. ;)

Joy, if I'm free (don't know yet... gotta see how work goes today) I'll be at my parents' place. From the den next to my bedroom, I can see Baldy Rd. From my bedroom, I can see Mills Rd. That location is why when I first got a road bike (about two years ago) my first long-term goal was to someday climb Baldy Rd from Claremont to the ski lift. Seemed like "just another hill" since it was simply the hill I lived in the shadow of. Then I started researching it and realized I had picked quite a dream for a couch potato.

Way Too Easy?! There's no need to be so condescending, George! :p


Way Too EARLY!!!

edit.....never mind....I didn't read the rest of your post...:p

Oh joy (Joy?), I have Monday off. :)

I'm probably going to start at Encanto, so just let me know if 6am is the meet-at-base-of-GMR-gate time or rolling-from-whereever-you-guys-roll time. ;)

Any chance I can convince you people to start at the base of Mt Baldy? :D (Still hoping to simply roll out of bed and show up at the start still half asleep.) It's a relaxed cruise to the base of GMR from there, then a climb up GMR and across GRR to Baldy Village. The ride time up GMR is about the same as the ride time across GRR. GRR is longer, but it's not continuous climbing. Finally, the 8 miles of virtually continuous descending back to the start (one short uphill section you can hit at 50 MPH and easily stay in the big ring, one false flat, the rest all downhill) is a fast-pace reward for the earlier effort. There are at least four spots on the descent where under the right conditions, 50+ MPH speeds are quite attainable. And no particularly sharp turns.

If you want to be the tour guide, Jason, sounds good to me. I know Jim would like to experience the no-traffic part of GMR, as this will be his only chance.
As long as it doesn't kill me, I'm up for anything.

GMR/GRR is a BikeForums favorite. The scenery on GRR is gorgeous, and traffic generally is very light. I would happily lead this route, especially since it means I get to sleep in until 5:40, change into cycling clothes, roll out the door at 5:55, and still get to the start early.

Oh, and figure on about 40 miles with a bit over 4000 feet of climbing. A hilly but quite accessible route.

GMR/GRR is a BikeForums favorite. The scenery on GRR is gorgeous, and traffic generally is very light. I would happily lead this route, especially since it means I get to sleep in until 5:40, change into cycling clothes, roll out the door at 5:55, and still get to the start early.

Slacker!
;)

Directions to start from the west:

I-210 to Towne exit a bit east of intersection with CA-57.
North on Towne to Baseline (2nd light; 1st is to get back on freeway)
East on Baseline to Mills (3rd light, I think)
North on Mills to intersection with Mt Baldy Rd (1st stop sign)
Go straight through the stop sign and park in parking lot

Oh, for anyone meeting at the base of GMR, figure on meeting at the gate at about 6:40 (somewhat variable depending on how quickly we ride to the base and how on time we roll).

One last thing... you probably won't drink much water on the way to GMR, so there's little sense in topping off during that time. But then there's no water until you reach Baldy Village. You can top off there, but there's no need seeing as it's virtually all downhill to the start. So figure on doing this ride with no water refills. I've never had issues with making this trip on two 24 oz bottles, but I do tend to drink less water than I should. You may want to carry a third bottle.

I'll carry one extra bottle for the group that I do not anticipate using.

...I have to come home early to get ready for my cousin's wedding. ...a dress and heels.



PIX PIX PIX!!! :D :D :D

Early to bed, early to rise... gives the hill-bombing cyclist traffic-free switchbacks!!![/i]


Just descend fast enough that you don't encounter any traffic.

And that's a nice ploy to lure Jason away from PGS....he was probably planning on staying at his parents and having the ride start from in front of their house.

edit: doh. he told you in the next post that he wants to start the ride at his parents house.

That location is why when I first got a road bike (about two years ago) my first long-term goal was to someday climb Baldy Rd from Claremont to the ski lift. Seemed like "just another hill" since it was simply the hill I lived in the shadow of. Then I started researching it and realized I had picked quite a dream for a couch potato.

I remember reading some of that way back before I met you. You've come a long way!

I remember reading some of that way back before I met you. You've come a long way!
And regressed a long way, too. I had built up to riding 5 times per week, 100+ miles per week, 10,000+ vertical feet per week, trying to get myself into the necessary shape to climb Baldy. Now, I average less than one ride per week. I haven't found enough passion about any of the new goals to make myself ride as much as I used to.

Anyway, I'm off for the weekend...

Joy has my cell phone number and hopefully she'll remember to fill me in on whatever details you all decide so that I can join you guys on Monday. (Hopefully doing my proposed route. But whatever you all want is fine by me.) Have a great weekend everybody.

Just descend fast enough that you don't encounter any traffic..

The problem isn't the cars behind you... the problem is running into the backs of the cars in front of you!
:p

Uh-oh. My coach Dan just called. I told him about this ride and he wants to come along, as least at the start. He probably won't hang with me, as he's likely to get bored and take off for the lifts.

If he does come, you guys have to assure him that I never ever spend any time in my small ring! And you've never seen me eat a donut. Oh, and that I'm a Very Nice Innocent Girl. (He doesn't know about my BF addiction.) :rolleyes:

Anyway, I'm off for the weekend...

Joy has my cell phone number and hopefully she'll remember to fill me in on whatever details you all decide so that I can join you guys on Monday. (Hopefully doing my proposed route. But whatever you all want is fine by me.) Have a great weekend everybody.


OK Jason! Have a good weekend. I'll call you tomorrow with the details. :D

Man!! Seeing the list of folks who are going, I might be in over my head!! :eek: But tis all good . . . I'll just bring my tunes to keep me company as I tread slowly alone in the rear . . .

I'm up for a claremont start! I can't be more than a mile from Jason, so...

Hey you made it back grasshopper..... I also met redal further down. You must have seen him.....he was descending. :)

Man!! Seeing the list of folks who are going, I might be in over my head!! :eek: But tis all good . . . I'll just bring my tunes to keep me company as I tread slowly alone in the rear . . .

Luwin, I know I will be on the slow side. (if I make it, oops). I bet we get different speed groups going. It would be nice to start together, I have a fantastic set of Amway products I would like to introduce. And, if you work for me selling Amway products, not only will you become richer than you have ever imagined, but so will I. Win-Win. (in case it is not obvious, the Amway was a joke)

I wish I could do this....but it is way to butt crack o dawn....

And Luwin...I have seen Jim ride...he be fast!!

I wish I could do this....but it is way to butt crack o dawn....

And Luwin...I have seen Jim ride...he be fast!!

Thanks Herb, I am OK on hills. (there are some real hill screamers on this board). However I am injured so I will be going slower than normal.

I rode solo up GMR this afternoon and came back down. The road is definitely ready to open with freshly painted center and shoulder lines. On my descent about 1/4 way down I ran into gr@sshopper as he was making his climb. We both stopped and chatted for a little while at the turnout. He continued on with the climb as I continued with my descent. About 1/2 way down redal caught up to me from behind, we exchanged greetings and chatted while descending and then he took off as I can only pedal so fast descending. Good climb as always. :)


The last time hopping the gate...:(
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P1010672Medium.jpg

gr@sshopper...
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P1010662Medium.jpg

the familiar sweeping turn on GMR...:)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P1010664Medium.jpg

Hey you made it back grasshopper..... I also met redal further down. You must have seen him.....he was descending. :)


Yeah, my buddy canceled my backpacking trip just now, soo another trip up this weekend! Wheee.


Oh, and I don't think I've met redal?? I did see people coming down though.

The last time hopping the gate...:(


It won't be the last time. In the past 10 years since I've been here, they've repaired and opened GMR a bunch of times, only to have to close it again for one reason or another (mostly rain and fire). A good rainfall or two will find some new weak area to wash out, and it will be closed again.

Even when it's open, they also seem to close it around the 4th of july so that people don't go up and set off fireworks. It can be a nice night or early morning ride then.

The last time hopping the gate...:(
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P1010672Medium.jpg


:roflmao:


Even when it's open, they also seem to close it around the 4th of july so that people don't go up and set off fireworks. It can be a nice night or early morning ride then.

Sounds great, Chris. Are you organizing? :p

Oh, and I don't think I've met redal?? I did see people coming down though.You probably missed him as he was flying down...

Anyway, this is the Baldy/GMR I was talking to you about on June 2.....hope you can make it.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=296809

Even when it's open, they also seem to close it around the 4th of july so that people don't go up and set off fireworks. It can be a nice night or early morning ride then.

Night ride sounds good...:D

Night ride sounds good...:D

I don't have lights. :(

I don't have lights. :(

It's more fun without them, or with just dim ones.

Really.

You can't bomb the descent, but with light you can only see what's in the beam. Without lights your eyes adjust and you can usually see quite a bit, especially if there's some moonlight. Occasionally you go through a totally dark shadow and either have to go from memory or turn on your light.

:roflmao:



Sounds great, Chris. Are you organizing? :p

Have to make sure I'll be around, but maybe.

And more likely night...

im like 90% for monday....

Thanks Herb, I am OK on hills. (there are some real hill screamers on this board). However I am injured so I will be going slower than normal.

ouch...sorry to hear that!!

ouch...sorry to hear that!!

Nothing serious, it will heal soon. Not by Monday though.

I climbed it today with my friend and started at Encanto like last sunday. :D So that WAS gr@sshopper we chatted with at the bottom gate. I also saw Mr. roadfix halfway up GMR while my friend had to stop to get some water from his camelbak. :) It was kinda funny because like 5 minutes before that i was telling my friend that there was this one dude who climbs GMR on his fixie only to have him fly by minutes later. :lol:

I climbed it today with my friend and started at Encanto like last sunday. :D So that WAS gr@sshopper we chatted with at the bottom gate. I also saw Mr. roadfix halfway up GMR while my friend had to stop to get some water from his camelbak. :) It was kinda funny because like 5 minutes before that i was telling my friend that there was this one dude who climbs GMR on his fixie only to have him fly by minutes later. :lol:

I'm so sorry....those were you guys?? I'm sorry I didn't stop as I didn't recognize you...:o

Heh, no problem. :) I saw the SoCalBF jersey in the distance and recognized you from the pictures as you got closer. :D

I climbed it today with my friend and started at Encanto like last sunday. :D So that WAS gr@sshopper we chatted with at the bottom gate. I also saw Mr. roadfix halfway up GMR while my friend had to stop to get some water from his camelbak. :) It was kinda funny because like 5 minutes before that i was telling my friend that there was this one dude who climbs GMR on his fixie only to have him fly by minutes later. :lol:

pleased ta meetcha. Which where you?

pleased ta meetcha. Which where you?
The shorter asian dude. :)

Or, if you're one to recognize people by their bikes, i had the red Giant TCR2 and Xero Lite XR1 wheels. :D

Yeah. I was checking out the bikes!