Mr. Beanz
06-02-07, 04:54 PM
Please post reports here! I have pix to post later!
Southern California - Saturday GMR RIDE REPORTS HERE PLEASE! (The Not Doing the Double Ride)
Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.View Full Version : Saturday GMR RIDE REPORTS HERE PLEASE! (The Not Doing the Double Ride)
TCR
06-02-07, 04:59 PM
Tired! Sore, tired, dead legs! But that's a good thing. I had never ridden Hwy 39 or little GMR before so I didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be a nice route. GMR up to Cow Saddle was waaaaay longer than I ever remember it being. I lost count how many times I told myself it's gotta be around the next bend. By the time I finally got to Baldy Lodge restaurant I was wiped out so didn't even attempt the ski lifts. After a quick bite and water my buddies and I headed straight down Baldy Rd and back to the park. It was nice meeting some other forumites and a tough but fun ride. Sorry, no pics here. Now I'm off to take a nap.
Ride Time: 3:50:08
Miles: 57.69
Avg: 15.0mph
Ride Time: 3:50:08
Miles: 57.69
Avg: 15.0mph
Mr. Beanz
06-02-07, 05:07 PM
Lots of climbing!:D...Met old friends and a few more new ones. Just paced myself since I know I'll never keep up with the fast guys. AND there were plenty today. I flet good most of the way. Up until maybe 27 miles of climbing. I just had to stop for a minute and a quick shake of the legs. Fixer was riding his fixie near me when I had to stop. I don't know how that guy does it. Ok, yeah I do, he's a good climber! After the stop, I felt a little better. Weather was nice but felt warm after all the climbing. A stop at the lodge for a drink and rider tales. Good time!
On the way back, I was in a small group of 5. Lee, MarkAdam,Ronjon and his friend, and me. BTW, Ronjon looking good and climbed Lil GMR like a spider. Uh descending like a spider too, on the pavement, Ouch! The 5 of us were pretty much together on the descent. Right before the bottom, I had stopped to take a pic when Ronjon ate it! I'll leave that story for him to tell! Scary moment! Someone asked if I had gotten a picture of the wipe out. No I didn't. I didn't want one and no way was I asking him to pose with his wounds. He took the fall like a Man, but I'm sure it would have just hurt more rubbing in the fact asking him to pose with wounds! He seemed ok on the return, hope he stays that way.
Finished the descent, then headed across SM for the return. Nice tough ride. The way back was a little tough since Markadam and Lee kept lifting the pace up the short climbs. Those Dawgs!:D
Distance-61.94
Ride time-4:39
Average-13.3
Elevation gain- 6200 according to MarkAdams 'puter!:D
On the way back, I was in a small group of 5. Lee, MarkAdam,Ronjon and his friend, and me. BTW, Ronjon looking good and climbed Lil GMR like a spider. Uh descending like a spider too, on the pavement, Ouch! The 5 of us were pretty much together on the descent. Right before the bottom, I had stopped to take a pic when Ronjon ate it! I'll leave that story for him to tell! Scary moment! Someone asked if I had gotten a picture of the wipe out. No I didn't. I didn't want one and no way was I asking him to pose with his wounds. He took the fall like a Man, but I'm sure it would have just hurt more rubbing in the fact asking him to pose with wounds! He seemed ok on the return, hope he stays that way.
Finished the descent, then headed across SM for the return. Nice tough ride. The way back was a little tough since Markadam and Lee kept lifting the pace up the short climbs. Those Dawgs!:D
Distance-61.94
Ride time-4:39
Average-13.3
Elevation gain- 6200 according to MarkAdams 'puter!:D
dangerman
06-02-07, 05:33 PM
Is GMR open to cars now?
mkadam68
06-02-07, 05:35 PM
Wow, Mr. Beanz...you're fast! No pix from me (didn't bring a camera as I knew ME would).
Ride Report
This week started off badly enough: I contracted a small head-cold on Saturday night. Wiped me out Sunday. I managed to race Monday, but was under the weather the rest of the week. This was compounded by the fact that I haven't been getting enough quality sleep. Last night, I went to bed by 10pm, but awoke at 5am :eek:. Felt okay, so slowly got ready for the ride. I arrived at Encanto around 7:30-ish, plenty of time to get ready.
Right away, I could tell I wasn't feeling too well. Not bad enough to abandon, but I thought I would see how far I could get. The climb up 39/East River was fine, but felt harder than last I remember (the now-famous "Bloat Ride" from December). Of course, I had been tailoring my training for faster, shorter criteriums, so maybe that wasn't the greatest training for this :rolleyes:. I also had the intentions of making it to the LIfts, so I was purposefully taking it easy, trying to save some energy for later.
To the top of Little GMR, it was fairly easy, as I remembered. But, my HR was a little higher than I expected it to be. Stopped at the top, re-grouped, and we're off after an all-too-short rest stop (ME must have been doing well as she brought up the rear after only a few moments...good job!). I tried to catch onto the back of Big John's group but found my legs were suddenly very heavy going up that little rise before the descents. One thing I remember...I hate GRR!! :mad:
Well, GRR was like I remember it, several sections that pitch upwards to 10-12% and the rest uneven grades between 5-10%. A couple downhills to give us a rest, and we're upon Baldy Village--no lifts for me this time!!. Nice rest stop that didn't appear to help me out. Legs were stiff, tight and heavy. I ordered a sandwich, but left half of it on the plate as I didn't want to see my lunch again on the way out of the village ;) . According to my Garmin, we covered 33.55 miles and about 5,022 vertical by Baldy Village.
Start climbing out of the village, and about 60-yards up or so, my legs come back. It was remarkable as I've never felt them suddenly "reappear" like this. Cool. So I push the pace a little to the top, and find that my body responds favorably. We wait at the top, Lee, Beanz and I. Ronjon and (never got her name) female friend (significant other? or just friend? I dunno.) appear. Lee, Beanz and I, being heavier, lead the way down the descents (but of course!)--feels like flying--why I like cycling so much!
We race down GRR road, trying not to hit or get hit by cars/motorcyclists/bicyclists. I suppose i didn't help here as I like to dive into corners to maintain/gain speed. But I was always sure that I could see ahead, and if not, to not cross the middle line. Hope I didn't scare ya, Beanz & Lee. :D
We get to GMR, regroup with Ronjon & friend and another friend joins us (Beanz...I hope you got a name to go with these blanks I have. I'm not always a socially adept person :o ). Then its down GMR. Love the descent! Mr. Beanz is leading the charge, I follow a bit back, and then Lee. Beanz slows down ahead, takes out his camera, and tries to get a pic of me shooting past. I was probably going too fast, so he waits for Lee and the rest. I pull over to a stop to wait, take a phone call, and Lee goes by.
Beanz comes down and meets me at a bend in the road, and waits for Ronjon & Company. Ronjon comes by, Beanz snaps a picture and re-aims back uphill. As Ronjon goes past, he drifts to the yellow line where there's some sand :eek: I could hear his wheel sliding out before I saw it. :eek: Slow motion!! His rear wheel goes out and he lands solidly on his left side. Ron is back up quickly, I start going over to him, and our last two riders start coming through. We quickly clear the road and start checking Ron out. He appears to be okay but he's got road rash from calf to underarm! He'll probably be a bit sore tomorrow as well. Ron, get on your bike and spin gently for a couple miles, keep the rash moist, and take some ibuprofen!!
That's about it. We go easy down the rest of the way, slowly navigate the dirt sections on Sierra Madre, and make it back to camp. From Baldy Village to hear, we complete 28 miles and 1,340 more feet of elevation gain This totals 61 miles and 6,363 feet of climbing. On the Bloat Ride last December, I completed the whole route in 4 hours, 54 minutes. This time--4 hours, 34 minutes. So, I guess I was doing okay after all :D And I felt noticeably better on the way down as compared to last time.
Mary..thanks for organizing the ride. Hope you all regrouped after not too long and had an uneventful way home. I'm now counting on the Santa Barbara century coming up!! Hope to see you all soon!!
Ride Report
This week started off badly enough: I contracted a small head-cold on Saturday night. Wiped me out Sunday. I managed to race Monday, but was under the weather the rest of the week. This was compounded by the fact that I haven't been getting enough quality sleep. Last night, I went to bed by 10pm, but awoke at 5am :eek:. Felt okay, so slowly got ready for the ride. I arrived at Encanto around 7:30-ish, plenty of time to get ready.
Right away, I could tell I wasn't feeling too well. Not bad enough to abandon, but I thought I would see how far I could get. The climb up 39/East River was fine, but felt harder than last I remember (the now-famous "Bloat Ride" from December). Of course, I had been tailoring my training for faster, shorter criteriums, so maybe that wasn't the greatest training for this :rolleyes:. I also had the intentions of making it to the LIfts, so I was purposefully taking it easy, trying to save some energy for later.
To the top of Little GMR, it was fairly easy, as I remembered. But, my HR was a little higher than I expected it to be. Stopped at the top, re-grouped, and we're off after an all-too-short rest stop (ME must have been doing well as she brought up the rear after only a few moments...good job!). I tried to catch onto the back of Big John's group but found my legs were suddenly very heavy going up that little rise before the descents. One thing I remember...I hate GRR!! :mad:
Well, GRR was like I remember it, several sections that pitch upwards to 10-12% and the rest uneven grades between 5-10%. A couple downhills to give us a rest, and we're upon Baldy Village--no lifts for me this time!!. Nice rest stop that didn't appear to help me out. Legs were stiff, tight and heavy. I ordered a sandwich, but left half of it on the plate as I didn't want to see my lunch again on the way out of the village ;) . According to my Garmin, we covered 33.55 miles and about 5,022 vertical by Baldy Village.
Start climbing out of the village, and about 60-yards up or so, my legs come back. It was remarkable as I've never felt them suddenly "reappear" like this. Cool. So I push the pace a little to the top, and find that my body responds favorably. We wait at the top, Lee, Beanz and I. Ronjon and (never got her name) female friend (significant other? or just friend? I dunno.) appear. Lee, Beanz and I, being heavier, lead the way down the descents (but of course!)--feels like flying--why I like cycling so much!
We race down GRR road, trying not to hit or get hit by cars/motorcyclists/bicyclists. I suppose i didn't help here as I like to dive into corners to maintain/gain speed. But I was always sure that I could see ahead, and if not, to not cross the middle line. Hope I didn't scare ya, Beanz & Lee. :D
We get to GMR, regroup with Ronjon & friend and another friend joins us (Beanz...I hope you got a name to go with these blanks I have. I'm not always a socially adept person :o ). Then its down GMR. Love the descent! Mr. Beanz is leading the charge, I follow a bit back, and then Lee. Beanz slows down ahead, takes out his camera, and tries to get a pic of me shooting past. I was probably going too fast, so he waits for Lee and the rest. I pull over to a stop to wait, take a phone call, and Lee goes by.
Beanz comes down and meets me at a bend in the road, and waits for Ronjon & Company. Ronjon comes by, Beanz snaps a picture and re-aims back uphill. As Ronjon goes past, he drifts to the yellow line where there's some sand :eek: I could hear his wheel sliding out before I saw it. :eek: Slow motion!! His rear wheel goes out and he lands solidly on his left side. Ron is back up quickly, I start going over to him, and our last two riders start coming through. We quickly clear the road and start checking Ron out. He appears to be okay but he's got road rash from calf to underarm! He'll probably be a bit sore tomorrow as well. Ron, get on your bike and spin gently for a couple miles, keep the rash moist, and take some ibuprofen!!
That's about it. We go easy down the rest of the way, slowly navigate the dirt sections on Sierra Madre, and make it back to camp. From Baldy Village to hear, we complete 28 miles and 1,340 more feet of elevation gain This totals 61 miles and 6,363 feet of climbing. On the Bloat Ride last December, I completed the whole route in 4 hours, 54 minutes. This time--4 hours, 34 minutes. So, I guess I was doing okay after all :D And I felt noticeably better on the way down as compared to last time.
Mary..thanks for organizing the ride. Hope you all regrouped after not too long and had an uneventful way home. I'm now counting on the Santa Barbara century coming up!! Hope to see you all soon!!
Mr. Beanz
06-02-07, 06:10 PM
First 2 pix are seconds before Ronjon goes down! The players in my pix are MarkAdam,Lee, Ronjon, his friend( sorry,don't remember the name, but good rider)!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJCrash.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJCr.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Markclimb.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/M1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/MLee.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/MLee1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJKelly.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJKelly2.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/M6.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJCrash.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJCr.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Markclimb.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/M1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/MLee.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/MLee1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJKelly.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/RJKelly2.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/M6.jpg
Mr. Beanz
06-02-07, 06:14 PM
Is GMR open to cars now?
Nope, gates were still closed. Don't think I saw one car on GRR today. Only about 5 motorsicles!:D
Nope, gates were still closed. Don't think I saw one car on GRR today. Only about 5 motorsicles!:D
jamlo21
06-02-07, 06:35 PM
Is GMR open to cars now?
I rode it thinking it was open, but gates were closed as Mr. Beanz said. Talked with some neighbors who said it was opening June 6.
I rode it thinking it was open, but gates were closed as Mr. Beanz said. Talked with some neighbors who said it was opening June 6.
Go_Fast
06-02-07, 07:49 PM
i feel like my helmet is still on my head.
damn, that was fun. hard but very fun. good to see everybody and meet a few new people.
that was the most climbing i've done by a factor of 10.
and, bombing down the descents is the shibby.
damn, that was fun. hard but very fun. good to see everybody and meet a few new people.
that was the most climbing i've done by a factor of 10.
and, bombing down the descents is the shibby.
Happytime
06-02-07, 07:52 PM
Yeah, the shibby. :rolleyes:
Hope you're feeling ok, Ronjon!
Hope you're feeling ok, Ronjon!
roadfix
06-02-07, 07:52 PM
Man, virtually no traffic today! That was great! :)
Ronjon......sorry to hear about the spill, hope you're feeling fine.
Ronjon......sorry to hear about the spill, hope you're feeling fine.
Mr. Beanz
06-02-07, 07:56 PM
Hope you're feeling ok, Ronjon!
Ronjon? What about me? It hurt me to watch it!:eek:....Man, it's an ugly sight watching someone eat it. His legs were all twisted like pretzels. I thought they were all busted up. Just glad he didn't break the ol collarbone! Man Ronjon, stay off the jellowline!
Ronjon? What about me? It hurt me to watch it!:eek:....Man, it's an ugly sight watching someone eat it. His legs were all twisted like pretzels. I thought they were all busted up. Just glad he didn't break the ol collarbone! Man Ronjon, stay off the jellowline!
Happytime
06-02-07, 07:59 PM
Ronjon? What about me? It hurt me to watch it!
Er... yeah. We all feel your pain, Beanz. :rolleyes:
:p
Er... yeah. We all feel your pain, Beanz. :rolleyes:
:p
ronjon10
06-02-07, 08:02 PM
I just got back. Today's ride had several firsts for me, some good, and as you probably guessed, some bad.
Nothing too unusual on the ride from Encanto to Little GMR. My legs weren't feeling great, I forgot how much climbing there is in that section. Special thanks to Vertical Bob who paced me just about the entire way during this section to the camp store.
Little GMR started well for me, but I started to peter out just a tad about 2/3 of the way to the top. Still though, I didn't put my foot down once and I went up !22 minutes! faster than I did on the bloat ride in December, so I was psyched (but TIRED!) at the top.
This was my first venture to Mt Baldy, that 12 mile section was something. Coming off little GMR, it looked perfectly flat, so I couldn't understand why I was in my granny gears going 5-6 mph for much of that section. It was brutal, and in fact, I did stop once during that section about 8 miles into it. Ah well.
Eventually, I made it to the village and was quite happy to load up with a diet coke, anything to get the blood moving. I was hurting.
On the ride back to GMR, I realized why it was so brutal on the way to the village. Those "flat" sections I was struggling along, became fast descents the other way, wild.
The descent down GMR was a blast til the aforementioned accident. That was simply a result of me being careless, following too close behind Nacy. That caused me to brake harder than I should have when we were stopping. Hit the yellow line, rear tire slipped. I did some sort of contortion thing so I'd land on my side, but not my elbow or shoulder. Whatever though, the rear wheel got knocked out of true, but it rode fine almost to the end. I had so much adrenaline and endorphines flowing through me, I barely noticed the scrapes.
We got to the bike path and my rear tire went flat. @#$@#$@# No WAY I was stopping to change that thing there, so I rode it nice and slow back to the cars.
All in all, I've had much better days on the bike. From not feeling "it" today to the fall, this ride probably won't be remembered amongst my favorite days ever.
However, this is the first day I exceeded 6000 feet (without assistance from the Garmin! anyway). I plowed through the sluggish feelings and really did have a good time today.
Here are a few pictures of the scrapes. They aren't really that gruesome, the scrapes didn't go deep, but still didn't want to display them since I'm sure some people don't care to see that sort of thing. Perhaps this will convince me to shave those things after all! :p
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0022.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0024.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0019.jpg
My friend Kelley had a great time. Won't be too hard to get her back on another forum ride.
Til next time!
RJ
ps. How pissed am I? I'm really perfectly fine, just a tad bit worse for wear for a week or so. My new Assos bibs? Torn up! Got them a month ago, this was their second ride, most comfortable bib/shorts I've ever worn.
@##$#$@##@$@$##@$
Nothing too unusual on the ride from Encanto to Little GMR. My legs weren't feeling great, I forgot how much climbing there is in that section. Special thanks to Vertical Bob who paced me just about the entire way during this section to the camp store.
Little GMR started well for me, but I started to peter out just a tad about 2/3 of the way to the top. Still though, I didn't put my foot down once and I went up !22 minutes! faster than I did on the bloat ride in December, so I was psyched (but TIRED!) at the top.
This was my first venture to Mt Baldy, that 12 mile section was something. Coming off little GMR, it looked perfectly flat, so I couldn't understand why I was in my granny gears going 5-6 mph for much of that section. It was brutal, and in fact, I did stop once during that section about 8 miles into it. Ah well.
Eventually, I made it to the village and was quite happy to load up with a diet coke, anything to get the blood moving. I was hurting.
On the ride back to GMR, I realized why it was so brutal on the way to the village. Those "flat" sections I was struggling along, became fast descents the other way, wild.
The descent down GMR was a blast til the aforementioned accident. That was simply a result of me being careless, following too close behind Nacy. That caused me to brake harder than I should have when we were stopping. Hit the yellow line, rear tire slipped. I did some sort of contortion thing so I'd land on my side, but not my elbow or shoulder. Whatever though, the rear wheel got knocked out of true, but it rode fine almost to the end. I had so much adrenaline and endorphines flowing through me, I barely noticed the scrapes.
We got to the bike path and my rear tire went flat. @#$@#$@# No WAY I was stopping to change that thing there, so I rode it nice and slow back to the cars.
All in all, I've had much better days on the bike. From not feeling "it" today to the fall, this ride probably won't be remembered amongst my favorite days ever.
However, this is the first day I exceeded 6000 feet (without assistance from the Garmin! anyway). I plowed through the sluggish feelings and really did have a good time today.
Here are a few pictures of the scrapes. They aren't really that gruesome, the scrapes didn't go deep, but still didn't want to display them since I'm sure some people don't care to see that sort of thing. Perhaps this will convince me to shave those things after all! :p
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0022.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0024.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0019.jpg
My friend Kelley had a great time. Won't be too hard to get her back on another forum ride.
Til next time!
RJ
ps. How pissed am I? I'm really perfectly fine, just a tad bit worse for wear for a week or so. My new Assos bibs? Torn up! Got them a month ago, this was their second ride, most comfortable bib/shorts I've ever worn.
@##$#$@##@$@$##@$
Happytime
06-02-07, 08:05 PM
Ouch! :(
ronjon10
06-02-07, 08:08 PM
Ronjon? What about me? It hurt me to watch it!:eek:....Man, it's an ugly sight watching someone eat it. His legs were all twisted like pretzels. I thought they were all busted up. Just glad he didn't break the ol collarbone! Man Ronjon, stay off the jellowline!
:roflmao:
Yeah, I do try to stay off that thing. Such is life.
:roflmao:
Yeah, I do try to stay off that thing. Such is life.
TCR
06-02-07, 08:24 PM
I don't think I met you ronjohn but you're obviously one tough cookie. Those are gonna be sore tomorrow.
ronjon10
06-02-07, 08:29 PM
I don't think I met you ronjohn but you're obviously one tough cookie. Those are gonna be sore tomorrow.
I played goalie in high school soccer. As a result, the nerves on my shins and knees are almost completely shot from very similar scrapes. The arm might give me some issues. All will be well though, it's just a flesh wound (and I've got a ready supply of advil!) :p
I played goalie in high school soccer. As a result, the nerves on my shins and knees are almost completely shot from very similar scrapes. The arm might give me some issues. All will be well though, it's just a flesh wound (and I've got a ready supply of advil!) :p
Go_Fast
06-02-07, 08:31 PM
glad you made out reasonably ok, ron.
jsigone
06-02-07, 08:34 PM
today was my third time going to the village, 1st was back in Sept on my MTB w/ knobbie tires (yah it was slow), second time was my attempt at the Baldy Challenge from OC, that rained, cold wet, horrible. So this to me was a redemption ride for me. Me and my triples, but the goal was NOT to touch the triples unless I went to the lifts. Sounds easy huh.
Once my legs were warmed up,I flew up Route 39, felling Great!!! took some pics of the group and just used all the DH momentum to fly me to the east fork. That was easier then I remember then on my MTB. I was feeling really good, got to the cafe there, refilled and was gone before my legs got cold. 39x25 all the way up Lil GMR:beer: , no shifting and only hurt near the bottom, in the middle/top my pace picked up and so did my gears:D Fast, flowing and feeling great about tackling that. GRR was PITA for me, about 7-8 miles into it, that gearing caught up, I stopped, took a Gu and back on the road still in my 39x25. My HR was between 173-180 during most of the climbs. My LT is 185, so I was doing good there but my legs were just hurting a bit. Continued this all the way to the village, all plans for me to go up the lifts was gone after that last section of GRR.
Lunch was great, met a few new people then waited for GrumpyPig to come back down from the lifts then off to the DH:D GRR downhill was FAST and FUN, no traffic, nothing. GMR was even FUNNER. Average speeds down GMR was close to 40 (teary eyes through some corners:eek: ), hit 50ish a few times near the top of the decent and again before that last hairpin right to the gate. No traffic coming up so I was able to use the entire road and hold more speed in the turns and fastest lines which was an blast, I wish I had a helmet cam:D Going of Jason's stats, was 63 miles and I think it was 4hr 6mins ride time, avg was 15mph for the trip. This was also my longest ride since March:o I need to get out there more:o
Once my legs were warmed up,I flew up Route 39, felling Great!!! took some pics of the group and just used all the DH momentum to fly me to the east fork. That was easier then I remember then on my MTB. I was feeling really good, got to the cafe there, refilled and was gone before my legs got cold. 39x25 all the way up Lil GMR:beer: , no shifting and only hurt near the bottom, in the middle/top my pace picked up and so did my gears:D Fast, flowing and feeling great about tackling that. GRR was PITA for me, about 7-8 miles into it, that gearing caught up, I stopped, took a Gu and back on the road still in my 39x25. My HR was between 173-180 during most of the climbs. My LT is 185, so I was doing good there but my legs were just hurting a bit. Continued this all the way to the village, all plans for me to go up the lifts was gone after that last section of GRR.
Lunch was great, met a few new people then waited for GrumpyPig to come back down from the lifts then off to the DH:D GRR downhill was FAST and FUN, no traffic, nothing. GMR was even FUNNER. Average speeds down GMR was close to 40 (teary eyes through some corners:eek: ), hit 50ish a few times near the top of the decent and again before that last hairpin right to the gate. No traffic coming up so I was able to use the entire road and hold more speed in the turns and fastest lines which was an blast, I wish I had a helmet cam:D Going of Jason's stats, was 63 miles and I think it was 4hr 6mins ride time, avg was 15mph for the trip. This was also my longest ride since March:o I need to get out there more:o
roadfix
06-02-07, 08:37 PM
Is Mary still having margaritas? :D
jamlo21
06-02-07, 08:42 PM
hey ronjon. sorry to hear about your crash. where on gmr were you? On my way down today I fish tailed and thought i was going down for sure. not sure how i stayed up. i was about 1/4 way from the bottom. i noticed there was some sand or some other similar substance on the yellow line. makes you appreciate Tom (i think) the sweeper.
spingineer
06-02-07, 08:49 PM
Ride Report:
Just got back from dinner ... yes, we spent a long time at dinner, just yammering away, with the typical cycling discussions.
This was the first time I have ridden GMR, GRR, and Baldy in about 10 years, and I had a blast. It first started out a bit overcast, so just to be on the safe side, I was wearing arm warmers, and stuffed my windbreaker in my saddle bag (I would never need it for today's ride). In fact, after getting to the rest stop on East Fork, took it off.
Anyhow, rode up Hwy 39, and felt frisky, but wanted to control my speed a little bit. My friends Jamal and Sarah were up ahead, and I knew it. But I knew they were not going to go all the way to Baldy, so I just let them go ahead.
By the time we started the climb on GMR, the sun started to come out, and started getting hot. I can tell I did go out too frisky, and my climbing started to suffer. However, the hard part didn't come until we hit GRR. This was due to combination of the elevation grades, and the heat. The sun was shining intensely, and since there was no shade, there was no relief from the heat. I think it seemed to affect everybody, because by the time we got to the village, everyone was talking about how much everyone was suffering. By the time I got to the village, I just did not have the energy to go up to the ski lifts, so I bypassed that, and just had some potato skins at the lodge.
The way back went without any issues, but it was still hot out there. The views were incredible, and pictures alone would not do justice to describe the experience. The best part was riding GMR down without traffic (as it was closed to car traffic). What was amazing was roadfix spinning down on his fixie. Just amazing. By the time we got to Sierra Madre, I got my mojo back, and was sprinting my way to the bike path, and eventually to the parking lot.
I had a great time today ... and yes, ME, I did have fun (she kept asking me, and I kept saying yes). It was great to see Cole, George, ME, Joel, plus a few new riders I didn't meet before, and got to put a face to the avatar ... finally glad to see what you look like, Indolent.
I have pics, but it will have to wait till I get home. I forgot to bring my data cable for my digital cam, so I cannot upload them yet. I'm sure ME will post a bunch soon.
Distance: 65.13 miles
Average Speed: 12.5 mph
Altitude Gain: 6330 feet
Just got back from dinner ... yes, we spent a long time at dinner, just yammering away, with the typical cycling discussions.
This was the first time I have ridden GMR, GRR, and Baldy in about 10 years, and I had a blast. It first started out a bit overcast, so just to be on the safe side, I was wearing arm warmers, and stuffed my windbreaker in my saddle bag (I would never need it for today's ride). In fact, after getting to the rest stop on East Fork, took it off.
Anyhow, rode up Hwy 39, and felt frisky, but wanted to control my speed a little bit. My friends Jamal and Sarah were up ahead, and I knew it. But I knew they were not going to go all the way to Baldy, so I just let them go ahead.
By the time we started the climb on GMR, the sun started to come out, and started getting hot. I can tell I did go out too frisky, and my climbing started to suffer. However, the hard part didn't come until we hit GRR. This was due to combination of the elevation grades, and the heat. The sun was shining intensely, and since there was no shade, there was no relief from the heat. I think it seemed to affect everybody, because by the time we got to the village, everyone was talking about how much everyone was suffering. By the time I got to the village, I just did not have the energy to go up to the ski lifts, so I bypassed that, and just had some potato skins at the lodge.
The way back went without any issues, but it was still hot out there. The views were incredible, and pictures alone would not do justice to describe the experience. The best part was riding GMR down without traffic (as it was closed to car traffic). What was amazing was roadfix spinning down on his fixie. Just amazing. By the time we got to Sierra Madre, I got my mojo back, and was sprinting my way to the bike path, and eventually to the parking lot.
I had a great time today ... and yes, ME, I did have fun (she kept asking me, and I kept saying yes). It was great to see Cole, George, ME, Joel, plus a few new riders I didn't meet before, and got to put a face to the avatar ... finally glad to see what you look like, Indolent.
I have pics, but it will have to wait till I get home. I forgot to bring my data cable for my digital cam, so I cannot upload them yet. I'm sure ME will post a bunch soon.
Distance: 65.13 miles
Average Speed: 12.5 mph
Altitude Gain: 6330 feet
spingineer
06-02-07, 08:51 PM
Is Mary still having margaritas? :D
Mary had a 2nd, and I had one ...
Mary had a 2nd, and I had one ...
Tiffanie
06-02-07, 09:08 PM
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0022.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0024.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0019.jpg
ps. How pissed am I? I'm really perfectly fine, just a tad bit worse for wear for a week or so. My new Assos bibs? Torn up! Got them a month ago, this was their second ride, most comfortable bib/shorts I've ever worn.
@##$#$@##@$@$##@$
Owie! :eek: Glad to hear you weren't injured other than some road rash. Make sure you get all the dirt out of those abrasions though! Total bummer about the shorts ronjon. :(
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0024.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g87/ronjon10/JuneBloatRoute/IMG_0019.jpg
ps. How pissed am I? I'm really perfectly fine, just a tad bit worse for wear for a week or so. My new Assos bibs? Torn up! Got them a month ago, this was their second ride, most comfortable bib/shorts I've ever worn.
@##$#$@##@$@$##@$
Owie! :eek: Glad to hear you weren't injured other than some road rash. Make sure you get all the dirt out of those abrasions though! Total bummer about the shorts ronjon. :(
vertical bob
06-02-07, 09:09 PM
Sorry about your spill Ron, hang in there buddy. You will heal up and learn from it.
big john
06-02-07, 09:14 PM
Ronjon, sorry to hear about the road rash, hope you're feeling O.K.
M.E., thanks for organizing a fun group ride once again. It was good to see everyone and talk to a few riders I didn't know.
A handful of us went all the way up and got 8300 feet of gain, except Cassave, who went part way up, came back down and climbed it again and probably had at least 9300 feet.
We expected to see a lot more riders coming up to the lifts when we were on our way back down, but I don't blame anyone for not wanting to go up there, it just hurts too much.
Before we got to Cow Saddle on the way up, Grumpy and Jsigone were talking about how tired they were, so I went around them to tease them about them being younger than me, so Grumpy yells "Oh great, now I'm getting passed by the AARP members". A fun day.
M.E., thanks for organizing a fun group ride once again. It was good to see everyone and talk to a few riders I didn't know.
A handful of us went all the way up and got 8300 feet of gain, except Cassave, who went part way up, came back down and climbed it again and probably had at least 9300 feet.
We expected to see a lot more riders coming up to the lifts when we were on our way back down, but I don't blame anyone for not wanting to go up there, it just hurts too much.
Before we got to Cow Saddle on the way up, Grumpy and Jsigone were talking about how tired they were, so I went around them to tease them about them being younger than me, so Grumpy yells "Oh great, now I'm getting passed by the AARP members". A fun day.
merider1
06-02-07, 09:30 PM
Hi guys. I'm home (no more margaritas for me, and thanks for ratting me out, Ron. :rolleyes: )
Nice ride. I had zero mojo today (just not a climbing day for me), but great company. Thanks to all of you for coming out. Three lovely women joined: Valleygirl, Kelly and Teri. Sweethearts and amazing riders (Valleygirl is unbelievable on them there hills!). Nice group which spread out and I was mostly in the back, but enjoying the views (of the butts and hills :p).
My friend, Francis, joined and climbed up Little GMR with me which was a real treat since I haven't ridden with him in awhile. Nicest guy and he bailed at the intersection. Of course, he's ridden seven doubles this year including Heartbreak - he deserves a break!
I wussed out and didn't try the ski lifts. I just got too warm on the final leg of GRR before the village and decided that potato skins were more important than the pain of the lifts. One of these days I'll curse my way up them, but not today. I hope you, John, and Bob, Cathy, Laura, Steve, Grumpy and Gregg (and ??) had fun on them (ha ha ha ha...suckers! ;) :p)
As for you, Ronjon, I'm so sorry about your spill :( but grateful you were not injured. Well, your Assos was...:D
Great day, great ride, and, genuinely, I am so fortunate to have such a great group of people to spend the day with. :)
Pics soon. I'm tired and may not post mine until the morning. I didn't take as many as usual, I'm sorry. But I was focusing on climbing!
Nice ride. I had zero mojo today (just not a climbing day for me), but great company. Thanks to all of you for coming out. Three lovely women joined: Valleygirl, Kelly and Teri. Sweethearts and amazing riders (Valleygirl is unbelievable on them there hills!). Nice group which spread out and I was mostly in the back, but enjoying the views (of the butts and hills :p).
My friend, Francis, joined and climbed up Little GMR with me which was a real treat since I haven't ridden with him in awhile. Nicest guy and he bailed at the intersection. Of course, he's ridden seven doubles this year including Heartbreak - he deserves a break!
I wussed out and didn't try the ski lifts. I just got too warm on the final leg of GRR before the village and decided that potato skins were more important than the pain of the lifts. One of these days I'll curse my way up them, but not today. I hope you, John, and Bob, Cathy, Laura, Steve, Grumpy and Gregg (and ??) had fun on them (ha ha ha ha...suckers! ;) :p)
As for you, Ronjon, I'm so sorry about your spill :( but grateful you were not injured. Well, your Assos was...:D
Great day, great ride, and, genuinely, I am so fortunate to have such a great group of people to spend the day with. :)
Pics soon. I'm tired and may not post mine until the morning. I didn't take as many as usual, I'm sorry. But I was focusing on climbing!
spingineer
06-02-07, 09:35 PM
Hi guys. I'm home (no more margaritas for me, and thanks for ratting me out, Ron. :rolleyes: )
But of course ... I figured everyone would expect me to do so ... Sorry Tracy, no table dancing this time!
But of course ... I figured everyone would expect me to do so ... Sorry Tracy, no table dancing this time!
merider1
06-02-07, 09:37 PM
But of course ... I figured everyone would expect me to do so ... Sorry Tracy, no table dancing this time!
But tons of me GROPING (ha ha, Voltman!) the single men! :p
But tons of me GROPING (ha ha, Voltman!) the single men! :p
DaveSANYYZ
06-02-07, 09:49 PM
I'm back and just took a nice hot shower. :D
I really like this ride, if not for the fact that I didn't cause you people to wait for me too much. I think this is a first for me! :lol:
The Goodbye GMR ride helped quite a bit, because I have a visual of how the 39 looks like. For some reason, it felt easier going up 39 than going down it 2 wks ago. The rolling downhills on the way back are very fun. I think I'm starting to forget my Palomar trauma and can ride faster down the hills now. Got a better hang of countersteering in regular cornering, although I'm still too scared on switchbacks and always drop back down to around 20mph. :p
Ronjon, hope you'll recover soon.
I really like this ride, if not for the fact that I didn't cause you people to wait for me too much. I think this is a first for me! :lol:
The Goodbye GMR ride helped quite a bit, because I have a visual of how the 39 looks like. For some reason, it felt easier going up 39 than going down it 2 wks ago. The rolling downhills on the way back are very fun. I think I'm starting to forget my Palomar trauma and can ride faster down the hills now. Got a better hang of countersteering in regular cornering, although I'm still too scared on switchbacks and always drop back down to around 20mph. :p
Ronjon, hope you'll recover soon.
spingineer
06-02-07, 09:53 PM
I'm back and just took a nice hot shower. :D
I really like this ride, if not for the fact that I didn't cause you people to wait for me too much. I think this is a first for me! :lol:
The Goodbye GMR ride helped quite a bit, because I have a visual of how the 39 looks like. For some reason, it felt easier going up 39 than going down it 2 wks ago. The rolling downhills on the way back are very fun. I think I'm starting to forget my Palomar trauma and can ride faster down the hills now. Got a better hang of countersteering in regular cornering, although I'm still too scared on switchbacks and always drop back down to around 20mph. :p
Ronjon, hope you'll recover soon.
Dave, I can't believe people were waiting for you ... you were always ahead of me.
It was great to meet you. Some day, you'll have to come up to NorCal, and we'll do a ride.
I really like this ride, if not for the fact that I didn't cause you people to wait for me too much. I think this is a first for me! :lol:
The Goodbye GMR ride helped quite a bit, because I have a visual of how the 39 looks like. For some reason, it felt easier going up 39 than going down it 2 wks ago. The rolling downhills on the way back are very fun. I think I'm starting to forget my Palomar trauma and can ride faster down the hills now. Got a better hang of countersteering in regular cornering, although I'm still too scared on switchbacks and always drop back down to around 20mph. :p
Ronjon, hope you'll recover soon.
Dave, I can't believe people were waiting for you ... you were always ahead of me.
It was great to meet you. Some day, you'll have to come up to NorCal, and we'll do a ride.
DaveSANYYZ
06-02-07, 09:56 PM
It was great to meet you. Some day, you'll have to come up to NorCal, and we'll do a ride.Yeah, same here! The norcal riding pics from BigSean are nice; I really should go up and try it one of these days. :)
dangerman
06-02-07, 10:16 PM
Nope, gates were still closed. Don't think I saw one car on GRR today. Only about 5 motorsicles!:D
thank you!
thank you!
GP
06-02-07, 10:20 PM
Thanks for organizing the ride, ME. I had fun.
We arrived a few minutes late and missed the mass start by a couple of minutes. It took a lot out of me to catch up to the pack. I only stopped for water refill and a gel at the little cafe; I knew Chucklehead and jsigone were faster and didn't want to make them wait.
Once I got to the fork I was feeling better. I made a quick stop at the post office to refill again and left.
Ride down was nice except for the uphill sections.
Lunch was wonderful. I felt like I had never eaten before. On the ride I had only eaten 4 gels, 1 bar and 2 Sportbeans.
I would have liked to socialize more today but it's hard for me to chat when I'm trying to suck in air.
No pictures. I brought an ipod instead of a camera.
Ronjon: sorry about your Assos and wheel.
We arrived a few minutes late and missed the mass start by a couple of minutes. It took a lot out of me to catch up to the pack. I only stopped for water refill and a gel at the little cafe; I knew Chucklehead and jsigone were faster and didn't want to make them wait.
Once I got to the fork I was feeling better. I made a quick stop at the post office to refill again and left.
Ride down was nice except for the uphill sections.
Lunch was wonderful. I felt like I had never eaten before. On the ride I had only eaten 4 gels, 1 bar and 2 Sportbeans.
I would have liked to socialize more today but it's hard for me to chat when I'm trying to suck in air.
No pictures. I brought an ipod instead of a camera.
Ronjon: sorry about your Assos and wheel.
merider1
06-02-07, 10:23 PM
We arrived a few minutes late and missed the mass start by a couple of minutes. It took a lot out of me to catch up to the pack. I only stopped for water refill and a gel at the little cafe; I knew Chucklehead and jsigone were faster and didn't want to make them wait.
Once I got to the fork I was feeling better. I made a quick stop at the post office to refill again and left.
:eek: You have GOT to be kidding me. *Sigh* Last time, we left you at the end, and this time we left you at the beginning. :o I'm so sorry, Frank. Well, geez, you still blew by me on 39 and I didn't see you again until the end. You are fast fast! :D
Once I got to the fork I was feeling better. I made a quick stop at the post office to refill again and left.
:eek: You have GOT to be kidding me. *Sigh* Last time, we left you at the end, and this time we left you at the beginning. :o I'm so sorry, Frank. Well, geez, you still blew by me on 39 and I didn't see you again until the end. You are fast fast! :D
GP
06-02-07, 10:33 PM
:eek: You have GOT to be kidding me. *Sigh* Last time, we left you at the end, and this time we left you at the beginning. :o I'm so sorry, Frank. Well, geez, you still blew by me on 39 and I didn't see you again until the end. You are fast fast! :DI'm not complaining, we were only a couple of minutes behind. It was my fault. We left Jeff's house on time but I had to stop for a break.
merider1
06-02-07, 10:37 PM
Pics:
Heading out with Spingineer in the front:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/1.jpg
And that would be his behind
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/2.jpg
TCR - this was about all I saw of him all day. He and his friend are so nice.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/3.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/4.jpg
Bitingduck who hung with me most of the day. Thanks, Chris!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/5.jpg
RoadFix on his Fixie:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/6.jpg
Bob, wishing I'd put the camera away
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/7.jpg
Really, he is:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/8.jpg
Oh, sigh, those views!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/9.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/10.jpg
Heading out with Spingineer in the front:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/1.jpg
And that would be his behind
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/2.jpg
TCR - this was about all I saw of him all day. He and his friend are so nice.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/3.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/4.jpg
Bitingduck who hung with me most of the day. Thanks, Chris!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/5.jpg
RoadFix on his Fixie:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/6.jpg
Bob, wishing I'd put the camera away
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/7.jpg
Really, he is:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/8.jpg
Oh, sigh, those views!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/9.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/10.jpg
merider1
06-02-07, 10:39 PM
More:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/17.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/16.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/15.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/14.jpg
Dave and Bitingduck (Chris)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/13.jpg
Cole 505 and Teri in front.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/12.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/11.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/17.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/16.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/15.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/14.jpg
Dave and Bitingduck (Chris)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/13.jpg
Cole 505 and Teri in front.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/12.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy/11.jpg
merider1
06-02-07, 10:43 PM
And some more:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/26.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/25.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/24.jpg
Teri
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/23-2.jpg
Vertical Bob
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/22-1.jpg
Indolent with Ronjon behind him
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/21-1.jpg
Manly Men
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/20-1.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/19-1.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/18-1.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/26.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/25.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/24.jpg
Teri
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/23-2.jpg
Vertical Bob
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/22-1.jpg
Indolent with Ronjon behind him
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/21-1.jpg
Manly Men
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/20-1.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/19-1.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/18-1.jpg
Chucklehead
06-02-07, 10:48 PM
glad you're ok, ronjon! heal up fast.
i had a near miss of my own in a very similar fashion, but for a different reason. after running off the road like a total ****** while adjusting my front brake at the very top, i chased jeff down the mountain only to have my brake lever mysteriously slip from my grasp while negotiating the first switchback. as soon as this happened, i reacted by leaning harder into the turn while i grabbed the lever again. this carried me onto the yellow line where my front wheel started pushing and trying to tuck under and low-side me, making a really loud "RATATATATAT" sound(the sound a wheel makes when it's violently deflecting back and forth in the caliper). when that happened, i yelled "whoashiiiiiiiii!!!" and wrenched the bars back the other way and my rear wheel started sliding, too! at this point, i'm sliding sideways(think nicky hayden. seriously) toward the gravel and dirt embankment and pretty-much resign myself to the fact that i'm going to go over the side. i relaxed and began thinking of a good way to bail and making a mental list of how much this wreck was going to cost me, but as soon as i did relax, the bike composed itself and i was able to slow it down enough to make the turn. stoked:D actually learned something from motorcycle racing/canyon running in the 90's!
the first thing i did when i realized i'd recovered it was look at my HRM. not much change. i thought for sure i was going to see 200+, but it never went over 160.
jeff was about 15' in front of me when this happened, so he heard the whole thing and looked over his shoulder in time to see me going toward the embankment.
the rest of the ride had a lot of climbing. i really enjoyed riding up 39 to the store, and then east fork(in spite of having to make a desperate stop to take a leak near the top). little GMR, not so much. it's beautiful up there, but man is it a long ride across to the village. just a tad monotonous. thank god i had a lot of interesting people to talk to while i slogged it on over. was among the first to reach the lodge, but only because i just needed for that portion of the ride to end:lol: i played my b-card and decided not to go up to the lifts. food just sounded better at the time.
heading back "down" little GMR, i just threw it into sight-seeing mode and sort of meandered on over to the gate with frank. at the gate, we met up with jeff and greg and made the GMR descent. that's when the fun really startedhttp://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/scared/scared0014.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)
...
it was great meeting all of you today! also, i apologize if i didn't take every opportunity to introduce myself and say hi. i was just feeling really good on the ride up and didn't want to slow down!
i had a near miss of my own in a very similar fashion, but for a different reason. after running off the road like a total ****** while adjusting my front brake at the very top, i chased jeff down the mountain only to have my brake lever mysteriously slip from my grasp while negotiating the first switchback. as soon as this happened, i reacted by leaning harder into the turn while i grabbed the lever again. this carried me onto the yellow line where my front wheel started pushing and trying to tuck under and low-side me, making a really loud "RATATATATAT" sound(the sound a wheel makes when it's violently deflecting back and forth in the caliper). when that happened, i yelled "whoashiiiiiiiii!!!" and wrenched the bars back the other way and my rear wheel started sliding, too! at this point, i'm sliding sideways(think nicky hayden. seriously) toward the gravel and dirt embankment and pretty-much resign myself to the fact that i'm going to go over the side. i relaxed and began thinking of a good way to bail and making a mental list of how much this wreck was going to cost me, but as soon as i did relax, the bike composed itself and i was able to slow it down enough to make the turn. stoked:D actually learned something from motorcycle racing/canyon running in the 90's!
the first thing i did when i realized i'd recovered it was look at my HRM. not much change. i thought for sure i was going to see 200+, but it never went over 160.
jeff was about 15' in front of me when this happened, so he heard the whole thing and looked over his shoulder in time to see me going toward the embankment.
the rest of the ride had a lot of climbing. i really enjoyed riding up 39 to the store, and then east fork(in spite of having to make a desperate stop to take a leak near the top). little GMR, not so much. it's beautiful up there, but man is it a long ride across to the village. just a tad monotonous. thank god i had a lot of interesting people to talk to while i slogged it on over. was among the first to reach the lodge, but only because i just needed for that portion of the ride to end:lol: i played my b-card and decided not to go up to the lifts. food just sounded better at the time.
heading back "down" little GMR, i just threw it into sight-seeing mode and sort of meandered on over to the gate with frank. at the gate, we met up with jeff and greg and made the GMR descent. that's when the fun really startedhttp://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/scared/scared0014.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)
...
it was great meeting all of you today! also, i apologize if i didn't take every opportunity to introduce myself and say hi. i was just feeling really good on the ride up and didn't want to slow down!
merider1
06-02-07, 10:48 PM
And the chow down after:
Manly Men:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/27.jpg
Me, groping single man #1 - DaveSany
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/31.jpg
Me, groping single man #2 - Nacy333
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/30.jpg
Me, groping single man #3 Go_Fast (sorry my tummy was all puffy, Lee :p)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/29.jpg
Me, groping single man #4 - Spingineer
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/28.jpg
I had a photo taken with Chucklhead (yum, he is hottie hot, hot, hot. but the photo turned out blurry :cry: Next time!)
Manly Men:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/27.jpg
Me, groping single man #1 - DaveSany
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/31.jpg
Me, groping single man #2 - Nacy333
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/30.jpg
Me, groping single man #3 Go_Fast (sorry my tummy was all puffy, Lee :p)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/29.jpg
Me, groping single man #4 - Spingineer
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/28.jpg
I had a photo taken with Chucklhead (yum, he is hottie hot, hot, hot. but the photo turned out blurry :cry: Next time!)
Chucklehead
06-02-07, 11:01 PM
I had a photo taken with Chucklhead (yum, he is hottie hot, hot, hot. but the photo turned out blurry :cry: Next time!)
stop it! http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/ashamed/ashamed0004.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)
i had to blur it with my telekinetic powers because i had a booger in my nose:(
stop it! http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/ashamed/ashamed0004.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)
i had to blur it with my telekinetic powers because i had a booger in my nose:(
merider1
06-02-07, 11:04 PM
stop it! http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/ashamed/ashamed0004.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)
i had to blur it with my telekinetic powers because i had a booger in my nose:(
What? Stop what? I am merely representing the facts. :D
i had to blur it with my telekinetic powers because i had a booger in my nose:(
What? Stop what? I am merely representing the facts. :D
dauphin
06-02-07, 11:07 PM
wow Mary..you had your hands full...
merider1
06-02-07, 11:13 PM
wow Mary..you had your hands full...
Hi, John. :) Nice things were said about you today. ;)
And I would have liked to have had more than just my hands full, personally. :p :D
Hi, John. :) Nice things were said about you today. ;)
And I would have liked to have had more than just my hands full, personally. :p :D
Scootcore
06-02-07, 11:22 PM
wish id been with you guys today!!! looks like a good time was had by most!!! bummer ron, glad nothing truly terrible happened!
dauphin
06-02-07, 11:31 PM
Hi, John. :) Nice things were said about you today. ;)
And I would have liked to have had more than just my hands full, personally. :p :D
I see that 50 I slipped Ron last weekend has paid off...:p
And I would have liked to have had more than just my hands full, personally. :p :D
I see that 50 I slipped Ron last weekend has paid off...:p
ovoleg
06-02-07, 11:47 PM
damn ron, hope you recover :)
ovoleg
06-02-07, 11:52 PM
cool ride congrats guyz