PV riders report

[offthepace]

Just outta curiosity, how many on here ride in Palos Verdes on a regular basis?
And, Yes, I do.

[Cleave]

Hi,

A few times a year starting in LB.

[Happytime]

::: Raising hand :::

Ooooh ...oooh... oooh... here!

pmc, dial_tone, Go_Fast, MrDick, jslopez, Dunwood are regulars, too.

[Go_Fast]

Just outta curiosity, how many on here ride in Palos Verdes on a regular basis?
And, Yes, I do.


http://bestsmileys.com/waving/7.gifi do.http://bestsmileys.com/waving/7.gif

[thomson]

I ride PV on a regular basis. Once a year or so, just like clockwork.

[SunFlower]

I live in south torrance and ride PV often....when i am in shape (which means not often)

[ronjon10]

I used to ride up there quite a bit. I got tired of the ride along the beach path from Santa Monica though.

[Dunwood]

Ride all the time. (don't really ride anywhere else) Guilty as charged.

[4mirswimr]

Yes, ride & run - as much as I can with work in downtown LA and four kids

[Happytime]

Anyone know the steepest grade of Ganado Drive (off PV East)? I don't have a Garmin, but that hill kicks my butt.

This morning on Ganado a guy was out picking up his morning paper. As I rode by he informed me I was crazy.

[pmc]

<This morning on Ganado a guy was out picking up his morning paper. As I rode by he informed me I was crazy.>

I've been told that too. Wonder if it's the same guy. House on the left at the top corner.

I remember the first time I'd seen the street. At the bottom I just looked up and started to laugh. Like, yea right I'm suppose to ride up that. Needless to say I didn't make it my first time.

I don't regularly ride it either. But maybe this week during the wednesday ride.

[pmc]

I do, too

Almost all my rides that start at home go through some part of it.




pmc

[RobPollard]

I ride it on a regular basis, and went up Ganado today also, about 10:00

[Go_Fast]

Anyone know the steepest grade of Ganado Drive (off PV East)? I don't have a Garmin, but that hill kicks my butt.

This morning on Ganado a guy was out picking up his morning paper. As I rode by he informed me I was crazy.


you are.

[spingineer]

you are.
so what's your point? :D

[Dunwood]

I don't have a Garmin either, but one of my riding buddies does. We haven't attempted Ganado with our doubles. But for a comparison, the straight-up ramp at Torrance Beach is 20 degrees and the top of Silver Spur near the high school is 12 degrees.

[thomson]

I don't have a Garmin either, but one of riding buddies does. We haven't attempted Ganado with our doubles. But for a comparison, the straight-up ramp at Torrance Beach is 20 degrees and the top of Silver Spur near the high school is 12 degrees.

I hope you mean 20%, the tangent of angle*100.

[Dunwood]

Its been awhile since I had trig (in high school). Like 30 years ago.:eek:

[thomson]

Its been awhile since I had trig (in high school). Like 30 years ago.:eek:


It is just the rise/run. Normally hills are classified this way.

[Go_Fast]

so what's your point? :D


i like her that way.

[AkAk2000]

Thanks for the tip on Ganado. I've never done that road, despite going by it countless times while going up the switchbacks on E PV Drive. According to toporoute.com, the middle section of the road, which appears to be the steepest, is about 20-21% grade. If you want to make a more exact measurement, you can print out the elevation profile and do more accurate interpolation of the profile. Toporoute caveats the accuracy of the elevation data, but its as good as any using the google mapping system.

Thomson, I see a Bianchi in your avatar. Is this new? I was digging your old bike. Looked to be one of the few out on the road lower end than mine. :D It kind of added to your mystique -- beater bike, 50 lb Carradice, grinding the crap out of all those trying to hold your wheel. How is the new ride?

Still waiting for you to organize your "blue highways" tour of Ventura County.

[Happytime]

<This morning on Ganado a guy was out picking up his morning paper. As I rode by he informed me I was crazy.>

I've been told that too. Wonder if it's the same guy. House on the left at the top corner.

I remember the first time I'd seen the street. At the bottom I just looked up and started to laugh. Like, yea right I'm suppose to ride up that. Needless to say I didn't make it my first time.

I don't regularly ride it either. But maybe this week during the wednesday ride.


My guy's house was on the right at the top corner. :roflmao:

[thomson]

Thanks for the tip on Ganado. I've never done that road, despite going by it countless times while going up the switchbacks on E PV Drive. According to toporoute.com, the middle section of the road, which appears to be the steepest, is about 20-21% grade. If you want to make a more exact measurement, you can print out the elevation profile and do more accurate interpolation of the profile. Toporoute caveats the accuracy of the elevation data, but its as good as any using the google mapping system.

Thomson, I see a Bianchi in your avatar. Is this new? I was digging your old bike. Looked to be one of the few out on the road lower end than mine. :D It kind of added to your mystique -- beater bike, 50 lb Carradice, grinding the crap out of all those trying to hold your wheel. How is the new ride?

Still waiting for you to organize your "blue highways" tour of Ventura County.


Paul, an amazing transformation occurred. With all the euphoria of people getting new bikes, I started thinking I should get one. (this thought comes up every 6 months or so). I looked at Scott’s and Bianchi’s. I have had Bianchi in the past and know their geometry fits me perfectly. While I am contemplating all of this, up on eBay pops a Bianchi 928 with Chorus. I ended up getting it for $2200 and it was local (Redondo Beach) so I could avoid the shipping. It is a fantastic bike and for all those that have nice bikes, I totally understand the excitement now.

To take the transformation further, I am getting all MarkAJ about it by keeping the bike clean. I am looking at saddles because I don’t want to put a Brooks on it.

What is the Blue Highways Tour? I guess it slipped my mind....

[Fangu]

Every weekend. Usually the PV medley, over the top through Miraleste, either counter or clockwise. Often throw in Crest Road, specially if coming up the east side, so we can continue down the switchbacks- makes a hellava descent when you tack the two together. Did a little side trip on Saturday to Angels Gate Park in San Pedro (Korean Friendship Bell- very cool), down to Point Fermin Lighthouse, back along the bluffs and up a wicked little side street (Anchovy) to rejoin 25th. Recommend.

[offthepace]

I only have a double and my smallest gear is 39x23. I have done ganado zillions of times. I usually feel pretty good and macho doing ganado in my double until one time, I rode with a guy around 60 who is freakishly strong. I've ridden with him many times before and knew he was crazy and it really sunk in how strong he was when I was having serious trouble staying on his wheel goinmg up ganado. He's out of the saddle but not breathing that hard. I look down and he's in his big chain ring (53), not sure about the cog size, though. We get to the top, and he asked me if I wanted to do it again, I whimpered something about the fact I already had 60 miles in when he mentioned he did too. So I did it again with him and this time he dropped me. He was doing about ten to twelve mph all the way up and even faster on the socalled shallow parts of the climb. Now, I realize, I am a lowly piece of trash.

[thomson]

I only have a double and my smallest gear is 39x23. I have done ganado zillions of times. I usually feel pretty good and macho doing ganado in my double until one time, I rode with a guy around 60 who is freakishly strong. I've ridden with him many times before and knew he was crazy and it really sunk in how strong he was when I was having serious trouble staying on his wheel goinmg up ganado. He's out of the saddle but not breathing that hard. I look down and he's in his big chain ring (53), not sure about the cog size, though. We get to the top, and he asked me if I wanted to do it again, I whimpered something about the fact I already had 60 miles in when he mentioned he did too. So I did it again with him and this time he dropped me. He was doing about ten to twelve mph all the way up and even faster on the socalled shallow parts of the climb. Now, I realize, I am a lowly piece of trash.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

[AkAk2000]

Paul, an amazing transformation occurred. With all the euphoria of people getting new bikes, I started thinking I should get one. (this thought comes up every 6 months or so). I looked at Scott’s and Bianchi’s. I have had Bianchi in the past and know their geometry fits me perfectly. While I am contemplating all of this, up on eBay pops a Bianchi 928 with Chorus. I ended up getting it for $2200 and it was local (Redondo Beach) so I could avoid the shipping. It is a fantastic bike and for all those that have nice bikes, I totally understand the excitement now.

To take the transformation further, I am getting all MarkAJ about it by keeping the bike clean. I am looking at saddles because I don’t want to put a Brooks on it.

What is the Blue Highways Tour? I guess it slipped my mind....

Jim, that's great. I had a Bianchi in the mid 80's -- Columbia steel tubing, of course. In those days, aluminum was only the most exotic frame material one could imagine. Now, I look back with fondness on that frame, especially when compared to the very unforgiving ride of my current aluminum frame. I think nostalgia must be smoothing the ride of that old Bianchi a little bit, but not too much.

I'm sure the Bianchi has made you a bit faster. Can you quantify? (0.5-1 mph?) Were you riding 28mm tires on your old bike? That's one change I've been meaning to make on mine -- from 28mm tires to 23mm. Some of the online calculators impute that the gain in speed could be around 0.25 mph from that alone. However, I'm not looking forward to the cushioning I'll lose by going to narrower tires, especially with my really stiff frame.

The Blue Highways Tour I mentioned (borrowed from the 80's bestseller by William Least Heat Moon) is one that you haven't actually volunteered for yet, but that a few of us were pushing you to lead a few months back. Seeing that you know all the interesting forgotten paths and roads less traveled all throughout inland California, I'm hoping you'll lead a long ride sometime that will take us on a few of the more interesting routes. Doesn't have to be a big organized shindig, just make sure I get advance notice. :)

[SunFlower]

I don't have a Garmin either, but one of my riding buddies does. We haven't attempted Ganado with our doubles. But for a comparison, the straight-up ramp at Torrance Beach is 20 degrees and the top of Silver Spur near the high school is 12 degrees.


the beach ramp by alfredos is 20 degrees ? hmmm, i can make it no sweat......i just crap out at the top though, lol. i've ridden silver spur coming up by the tennis courts but i find the drivers there are crazy so i avoid it. via cornell is a good steep route with little traffic.

[Happytime]

Some of my buddies have mentioned a few other short, tough (20%+) climbs as well, but I've never tried these:
• Crownview (off PV East)
• Via la Cuesta (off Campesina)
• Via Victoria (SE of Lunada/PV South)

[thomson]

Jim, that's great. I had a Bianchi in the mid 80's -- Columbia steel tubing, of course. In those days, aluminum was only the most exotic frame material one could imagine. Now, I look back with fondness on that frame, especially when compared to the very unforgiving ride of my current aluminum frame. I think nostalgia must be smoothing the ride of that old Bianchi a little bit, but not too much.

I'm sure the Bianchi has made you a bit faster. Can you quantify? (0.5-1 mph?) Were you riding 28mm tires on your old bike? That's one change I've been meaning to make on mine -- from 28mm tires to 23mm. Some of the online calculators impute that the gain in speed could be around 0.25 mph from that alone. However, I'm not looking forward to the cushioning I'll lose by going to narrower tires, especially with my really stiff frame.

The Blue Highways Tour I mentioned (borrowed from the 80's bestseller by William Least Heat Moon) is one that you haven't actually volunteered for yet, but that a few of us were pushing you to lead a few months back. Seeing that you know all the interesting forgotten paths and roads less traveled all throughout inland California, I'm hoping you'll lead a long ride sometime that will take us on a few of the more interesting routes. Doesn't have to be a big organized shindig, just make sure I get advance notice. :)

Paul, I don't really have a good idea how much faster I may be if at all (I don't measure often). The important thing to me is I feel faster (placebo effect?). It has brought a lot of fun back into cycling. My tire size is the same, 23mm. The ride is a lot more comfortable. I didn't notice how bad my previous frame was until I injured my back. Then I was able to feel every imperfection in the road and it hurt. The new frame does an amazing job of absorbing a lot of this and it definitely isn't a placebo effect.

As for you going from 28's to 23's you will lose cushioning but you will have to see if it is enough for you to notice or care.

[thomson]

Some of my buddies have mentioned a few other short, tough (20%+) climbs as well, but I've never tried these:
• Crownview (off PV East)
• Via la Cuesta (off Campesina)
• Via Victoria (SE of Lunada/PV South)

Perhaps you guys should do them all and then compare?

[Happytime]

I don't know what you've heard, Jim, but I'm a one-climb-at-a-time kinda gal!!!

[thomson]

I don't know what you've heard, Jim, but I'm a one-climb-at-a-time kinda gal!!!
:D

[Dunwood]

Quoted By Happytime:
Some of my buddies have mentioned a few other short, tough (20%+) climbs as well, but I've never tried these:
• Crownview (off PV East)
• Via la Cuesta (off Campesina)
• Via Victoria (SE of Lunada/PV South)

Via Victoria is relatively short, maybe 14 to 20 houses long. Same with La Cuesta, even shorter.
Haven't been up Crownview but I'll be there for a July 4th party.

Try the ride up through Friendship Park, starts at the bottom of Western and Miraleste Drive. Go inside the park and then up the asphalt grade (+ 20%). Drops you off at the top of PVDE.