Southern California - Tourmalet July 4th

I'm gonna do a short ride this Wednesday from the Lakeview Terrace rec center 11075 Foothill , Lakeview Terrace. 7:30 am. I'll climb up Little Tujunga to Bear Divide then on up to Camp 9. A fire camp looking over the SF Valley where there is clean water and shade. It's about 30 miles r.t. with 4000ft. A guy I met up there once compared it the the famous "Tourmalet" in the Alps. Of course they do 5 Tourmalets in one stage of the TDF, I do 1.:eek: Happy 4th of July. V.B.

Bob, I'll probably be up to it!

Bob, I'll probably be up to it! Cool, I want to talk to you about the ALS ride too.

Here is a link to the Tourmalet profile. http://ciclismo.sitiasp.it/altimetria.aspx?sid=65dc74e9e069464f9e3508ac7671fa43&id=364

You are right about the amount of climb but I think the round trip distance on the Tourmalet is less making it steeper. I rode the Tourmalet in 05. What a great climb! Have fun

Here is a link to the Tourmalet profile. http://ciclismo.sitiasp.it/altimetria.aspx?sid=65dc74e9e069464f9e3508ac7671fa43&id=364

You are right about the amount of climb but I think the round trip distance on the Tourmalet is less making it steeper. I rode the Tourmalet in 05. What a great climb! Have fun Thanks,there is a 1 1/2 mile decent in the middle of Little T so the elevation gain is repeated somewhat but it's no way as steep as the graph you sent me. Probably 7%-8%. I would love to do the real one some day.

Bob,

Here is a link from a web site that has thousands of rated climbs. Lots of fun to look at.
http://ciclismo.sitiasp.it/motore.aspx?sid=dc1427c2fdea487684d16d0b0dad5fe9&lingua=eng&da=az

When I was there I had planned to do the other side of the Tourmalet but it was snowed in at the time!
The riding in France and particularly the Pyrenees is out of this world.

Happy Fourth of July, BUMP.

I crossed the Pyrennes coast to coast in 04. As I got to the summit of Tourmalet via the western slope, on the other side came up a lady (looked around in her 40s). She had fully loaded MTB front and back, w/ normal fat MTB tires, and front suspension. I also rode part of the way together w/ a couple of Austrian fellows who were on road bikes (no low gears), no panniers but with a fully loaded camping back-packs on their backs. Talk about doing things the hard way. Those are some STRONG riders right there.

I'll see you in the morning, Bob.

Bob, I'm going to the Commons with the club. There was a brush fire at the top of Kagel Canyon tonight. I think it's out, the helicopters and trucks have left. Maybe you can see the remnants of it from somewhere up there tomorrow.

Laura, JP, and I had a nice little ride this morning up Little T. 36 miles and 4800 ft. We went up to Fire Camp 9 for water and shade, it was nice. M.E. would have loved it. There were about 20 buffed out firemen playing volleyball. Reminded me of Manhattan Beach, but in much different way. On the way back I took them part way up Santa Clara Civide road, awesome. It was hot in there today but we agreed that if you are really fit and hydrated it's not a problem. I can say that the heat does not bother me nearly as much as it used to. Sorry to hear about the crash on the SFVBC club ride. Big groups make me nervous.:o
Happy 4th everyone.

I got 4874 ft on the Garmin, too!

Thanks again, Bob, what's the next ride you're planning? By any chance are you going to do one someplace where it isn't so hot?

Bob, Cathy had an idea about starting at Newcomb's and going to Wrightwood. What do you think about that?

I got 4874 ft on the Garmin, too!

Thanks again, Bob, what's the next ride you're planning? By any chance are you going to do one someplace where it isn't so hot? How about something in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia maybe.

Bob, Cathy had an idea about starting at Newcomb's and going to Wrightwood. What do you think about that? The question is water. If we can't get it at Grassy Hollow then it's about 40 miles between water stops. That's a lot especially on the way back. There is a 6 mile climb leaving Wrightwood I think. Maybe a couple of BF'rs will see this and advise. A couple have offered some local knowledge in the past. I would be interested though. Guess you are talking about this Saturday?

If we start at Newcomb's it's about 34 miles to Wrightwood, I think. This Saturday is a possibility. Some are doing the Barry Wolf ride, but I'm not.

If we start at Newcomb's it's about 34 miles to Wrightwood, I think. This Saturday is a possibility. Some are doing the Barry Wolf ride, but I'm not.I don't ever remember seeing Barry in the San Gabriels so I don't figure that ride will go up there. I'll blaze the trail with you if you guys want to try for Wrightwood but lets start early. I see the same couple of guys that live in Wrightwood and ride to Newcombs every week so it can be done.