I went with Tiffanie, Herb, Verticalbob, Eddy? Stan? up the front side of GMR. Weather wise, it was a bit overcast, so at least we didn't have to contend with sun too much.
I plan was to ride as much as I can for 1.5 hours, as I had to get back, in time to shower up, and pick up my brother's friend, and get on the road for the drive back to the Bay Area by 1 PM. So by the time we got to the GMR climbing, it was around 8:45, so I had about 45 minutes of climbing to do. Stan, Verticalbob, and Eddy went to the front. Eventually, they went out of reach, so enough of the uphill chasing.
Luwin volunteered to do sag duties, which is great, especially with no water stop on the front side of GMR. If there is one thing I will say that distinguishes these GMR rides from any other rides is the volunteers of SAG'ing for the group. I almost think we should donate a dollar for this ride ...
1.5 hours later, it was time for me to turn around. Unfortunately, I didn't get to the intersection of little GMR and big GMR. I think if I climbed for about 10 or 15 minutes more, I would have reached it ... oh well.
Sorry for having to bail early everyone ... hope y'all had a great ride. See you next time ... hopefully Lighthouse, if I'm lucky.
spingineer
08-26-07, 01:12 PM
Some pics:
Lara pumping up
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250068.jpg
Efficiency and DaveSanyy
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250069.jpg
Rick@OCRR and Shprung
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250071.jpg
Rolling ...
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250072.jpg
Sag Wagon ... great added benefit of this ride
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250073.jpg
Herb and VerticalBob
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250076.jpg
Start of GMR
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250077.jpg
spingineer
08-26-07, 01:25 PM
Luwin ... Super SAG
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/spingineer/Back%20to%20Baldy%20070826/P8250090.jpg
herbm
08-26-07, 01:42 PM
Just got home....
I wimped on going to the village....actually my back was really tight after the GMR climb and I wasn't sure it could tolerate another 12 mile climb...
So I headed back with Maria from OCRR...very nice girl...we had a nice ride downhill and then across Sierra Madre.....
Great riding weather...when the sun popped out it was a bit warm, but not too bad...
Tremendous thanks to Luwin and Asia's friends for the SAG support....that was awesome!
Great to see everyone as always...met some people I hadnt met before...Mo'Phat...finally....
and some of Asia's crew....
I am determined to get to the village...maybe next time...
BTW...Ron...you need to change your signature....you climb just fine!!!
Blastinbob
08-26-07, 03:42 PM
Thanks for organizing this Asia. I was on the fence about riding only because of the possibility of really hot weather. It ended up being an ideal 76 for most of the ride, what's with that, it is still August? As usual it was nice to see familiar faces and new ones. Time for a nap.
Happytime
08-26-07, 05:04 PM
Fun ride, nice weather, great people!
I started off with the early crew (thomson, ME, Ronjon, Markg and Jschen) and although we planned to start rolling at 6am, the dufus who suggested the time (me, not ME) didn't take into account that it was still too dark at the time. So we didn't get rolling until about 6:30 or so and made a leisurely, yawn-filled trek to GMR. The climbing was terrific, the weather was perfect and we saw this fast girl up ahead that left us all in the dust and made the rest of us look really bad. B1tch. Oops, it was Brandy ;):D
When we got to the intersection of GMR/GRR, we came across an aerial acrobat who was flying his small place with incredible precision, much to the delight to us and some motorcyclists who had stopped there. Well aware he had an audience, the pilot passed by close to us time and time again, upside down, twisting and spinning, diving, actually waving to us as he flew past us, cockpit side down. We were sad to leave this rare and exciting treat, but on to Baldy Village and the lifts!
The road up to the lifts was gravel-ly and loose (and the descent was horrible) but everyone made it to the top. Except sadly, me. :( I had never attempted anything at altitude and after we got through the switchbacks (about a mile short of the top) my head started spinning in odd, hallucinogenic ways. My HR was fine and my legs felt great, but my head did not, so Jim and I descended about 200 feet and I felt much better. He had already been to the top once so we decided to head back to the lodge to wait for the others.
Descending back to Baldy Village, we came across the breakaway leader of the BF main group - White Carbon Dude! Jon looked great going up and we soon passed Extort, and then found the rest of the crew coming into the Village. It was wonderful to see everyone and meet some BFers in person for the first time. (Hi Mo!)
After a l-o-o-o-o-n-g lunch break (and a massage from Jschen) we decided to descend down Baldy Road instead of GMR for a fast, fun finish. Shai (Shprung), Tasso (Javaman), Mark (Efficiency) and a few others joined us on the downhill, but got separated on Baseline and met up later at Encanto. Once on the flatlands Jason and I took turns pulling at first (ME later) and we finished up at a frisky 22-24mph clip. All in all, a very enjoyable ride! So happy to see everyone out there and kudos to Asia for putting it all together. Sorry we missed you, Luwin!
Me and Jon (White Carbon Dude)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/1244906362_f4f381e065.jpg
Phil (Extort) and ME at lunch
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1171/1244906310_bdf569ce87.jpg
Ronjon sporting the new Assos
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1319/1244906344_a24b9db76a.jpg
ME. How does that girl end up taking a pic of herself on my camera? (I must have been in the bathroom)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1234/1244906372_2a9b1b0aec.jpg
Chimivee. For me it's a tossup whether he's better behind a camera... or in front of it.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1304/1244906298_b1e1079c14.jpg
Markg taking a break
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1147/1245012958_f9fa543a49.jpg
Tasso (Javaman, I think) showing us his new Efficiency Action Figure
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1304/1245012942_3c3cd4e457.jpg
markg
08-26-07, 07:24 PM
M.E. and I lost our (Baldy) virginity :-D Undoubtedly there were others who lost it as well up there today...
I got to watch Jason's magic hands in action.
Joy poked my quad (again) at lunch.
Lost a contact on the way down the hill :-(
Lots of climbing for someone that doesn't do much climbing.
Wishing I had a lower gear on the climb to the lifts, until I realized that that climb would hurt no matter what gear I had. A yachtsman would be proud of all the tacking I did on that hill...
Weather was perfect, at least until we got to the bottom of Baldy and had to ride in the heat and mugginess back to Encanto.
Otherwise Joy pretty much said it all, except that it was a great ride with great people. I unfortunately missed talking to many people at the Lodge.
merider1
08-26-07, 08:09 PM
My report is basically Joy's report except I'd like to name us six early bird riders as the slackers. We definitely took our time up GMR and GRR. We also took a very long lunch. I saw Brandy from behind as she was just starting on GMR. She flew up that thing so fast; I didn't see her again until the village. She looked great and was riding much stronger than someone who "le sucks!"
Weather was beautiful and, yes, I was deflowered on the Baldy lifts today. I actually loved that climb. Since I took it pretty easy getting to the lifts, I had a lot of leg left and climbed fairly steady with little "tacking" although I did stop a few times for a minute or two to get my heart rate down. I found it lovely climbing up there, and other than the cars, very serene. I'd like to get up there again, actually. Perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment? Great to see the group - and the Vegas Girls. Those ladies are gorgeous and so damn cool! Met Cyn and saw Short Stuff (Lara), as well as Karen? and her husband, name alludes me, and some fine looking men that were with Asia's crowd. What is it about Vegas and the beautiful people? Speaking of...Tiff was there and Mo, Chuckles (trying to hide from me as usual), Dave, Chimivee, Tak, Efficiency and, of course, Extorty who flew up to the lifts like it was nuthin'. Oh, and two new hotties, Javaman (OMG, those amazing eyes) and NDG (one mighty fine Canadian). And, of course, the men in the slackers group were mouthwatering and incredibly supportive (Jason carried extra water for Joy and me and basically got me up the lifts!). Sigh...so many good lookin' and great folks out there today. And those are just the ones I saw – many I missed. And I hope you guys had a great ride!
One last thing, Joy did wonderful on those lifts. She was almost there and doing great until the altitude hit her. Seems we still have a virgin to deflower up there one of these days. :D Pics to come in a moment...
Jason waiting for me on one of the many switchbacks up to the lifts. He rode Angeles Crest yesterday and STILL rode up to the lifts as if it was nuthin'.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/40.jpg
Joy about ready to take my camera away and Jim ready to watch her do it.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/39.jpg
Finally, at that top!!!! Yippee!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/38.jpg
The mighty, manly men: Ron, Jason and Mark at the top
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/37.jpg
Me - although a little blurry - I made it!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/36.jpg
This is how slackers really lunch:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/35.jpg
The non-slackers, beautiful people:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/34.jpg
More of them:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/33.jpg
And yet, even more...
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/32.jpg
Oh, look at that, I caught Chuckles (sort of) cracking a smile...
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/31.jpg
merider1
08-26-07, 08:15 PM
Javaman (nice to meet this gentleman!):
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/50.jpg
Shai saying, "Eh, lifts not so bad. I feel good, you know. I could go back up but then I miss taking more pictures of all the people."
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/49.jpg
Mark taking picture of Shai and laughing to self about the going back up part.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/48.jpg
Rick OCRR taking off from the parking lot:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/46.jpg
The hungry riders post meal:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/47.jpg
Here is the airplane that was doing loop-de-loops for our viewing pleasure!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/airplane.jpg
jsigone
08-26-07, 08:35 PM
Mine was rather painful....
I got to the parking lot about 10:30, saw spingineer and talked for a second then found parking. While getting ready, he pulled up and chatted some more. I took my time to get ready, left about 5 minutes til 11 and knew I had a long day ahead of me. I wore my camelbak for the first time on the roadie and I don't like it (my lower back is killing me right now). When I got outa the saddle to power through turns, the weight on the back sucked and didn't work well, I just spun the entire day which killed my thighs since they never really got a break. I felt slow on route 39, legs finally felt good when i got on the east fork. I pushed it a lil too hard on lower Lil GMR, and bonked really bad. Plus all the liquior (Company summer party) I drank yesturday left me cramping most ride (40ish mile) I saw some people on GRR going the other way, I just waved, and marched on in pain. I got to the 6 mile mark on GRR adn bonked bad again, I didn't think I was going to see the main group, I finally saw Phil and Pual about the 8-9 mile mark, Jason and James were a lil behind them. I spun around and talked to Chuckles and my mindset was getting food, I needed food, and baldy had it so I marched on. I didn't even think of asking anyone in the group though. I was hoping ME and Jason was still at the lodge, but nada when i finally made it there. Ate and quick lunch and back on the bike for the return leg. I was struggling really bad on the climbs, granny gear every hill, I didn't even pedal on the DH like I normally did. Big GMR had some rain drops, so my plan to take it easy going down changed, as I was scared it was going to open up on me on the decent. Made it to the bottom and it poured for a few seconds then went away. Met everyone at the Mex spot just as they were finishing up. Was good to see everyone, too bad I didnt get to ride with you all, I should have turned when I saw Chuckles.
My total elapsed time with lunch was 5.5 hrs, 11am start, back at 4:30
efficiency
08-26-07, 08:38 PM
CROSS-POST!
I just got home. Will add pics and stuff later. I'd just like to thank:
1) Asia the Organizer
2) SAG People
3) Shai riding and giving encouragement up to the Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts (even though he said there was no joy in riding up that route)
4) Everyone else just for being there!
bitingduck
08-26-07, 08:46 PM
Me - although a little blurry - I made it!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldyagain/36.jpg
Are you attached or something now? You're all blurry...
merider1
08-26-07, 08:56 PM
Are you attached or something now? You're all blurry...
:p I think I broke my own camera!
spingineer
08-26-07, 08:59 PM
BTW...Ron...you need to change your signature....you climb just fine!!!
Nope, signature still tells the truth. Did you see VerticalBob just blow up ahead of me in the distance? Anyways, since I knew I wasn't going to make it all the way, I didn't have to keep anything in reserve, so I just went for it. Actually, I do cheat ... I have a triple granny gear. :D
spingineer
08-26-07, 09:01 PM
My report is basically Joy's report except I'd like to name us six early bird riders as the slackers. We definitely took our time up GMR and GRR. We also took a very long lunch. I saw Brandy from behind as she was just starting on GMR. She flew up that thing so fast; I didn't see her again until the village. She looked great and was riding much stronger than someone who "le sucks!"
Weather was beautiful and, yes, I was deflowered on the Baldy lifts today. I actually loved that climb. Since I took it pretty easy getting to the lifts, I had a lot of leg left and climbed fairly steady with little "tacking" although I did stop a few times for a minute or two to get my heart rate down. I found it lovely climbing up there, and other than the cars, very serene. I'd like to get up there again, actually. Perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment? Great to see the group - and the Vegas Girls. Those ladies are gorgeous and so damn cool! Met Cyn and saw Short Stuff (Lara), as well as Karen? and her husband, name alludes me, and some fine looking men that were with Asia's crowd. What is it about Vegas and the beautiful people? Speaking of...Tiff was there and Mo, Chuckles (trying to hide from me as usual), Dave, Chimivee, Tak, Efficiency and, of course, Extorty who flew up to the lifts like it was nuthin'. Oh, and two new hotties, Javaman (OMG, those amazing eyes) and NDG (one mighty fine Canadian). And, of course, the men in the slackers group were mouthwatering and incredibly supportive (Jason carried extra water for Joy and me and basically got me up the lifts!). Sigh...so many good lookin' and great folks out there today. And those are just the ones I saw – many I missed. And I hope you guys had a great ride!
One last thing, Joy did wonderful on those lifts. She was almost there and doing great until the altitude hit her. Seems we still have a virgin to deflower up there one of these days. :D Pics to come in a moment...
For a very split moment, I was thinking of joining you guys at 6:30 am ... but seeing that I got up at 6:25 am, that was not going to happen. I should have started with you guys ... then, I could have at least made it up to the GMR/Little GMR junction ... oh well. Sorry I couldn't go on the whole ride, and socialize with everyone ... I was on an extremely tight schedule. We'll have to do this again soon.
jschen
08-26-07, 09:02 PM
I had a blast out there today. What could be better than a gorgeous ride with some great guys and some cutie roadies to chase? I rode with the early group, and Joy, Mark (markg), and M.E. have already posted, so I'll just add some personal observations and highlights.
We started up GMR and M.E. and I noticed that ronjon was talking for a really long time next to some female roadie a bit up the road (and riding away from us while doing so). We thought the girl might be Brandy, so I decided to check to see if that was the case and gave chase. Yup, it was Brandy. Said hi through some highly interrupted sentences (had to catch my breath between words while recovering from the chase), then had a nice chat before we gradually cranked up the speed going up GMR. Brandy rode great, and she evidently set a personal best up GMR. (I didn't go up the whole way with her. I decided halfway up to rejoin M.E. since I had left her to ride alone even though I had promised to domestique for her up to Baldy ski lift.)
thomson is a really good rider. He was either being a gentleman domestique and shadowing Joy or flying on up the mountain all day. He even did a repeat of the switchbacks, flying on up to the ski lift solo, then coming back to join us for a second climb through the switchbacks. Mark and ronjon rode strong all day, too, and I was happy to be able to congratulate them on their first Baldy ski lift climb when I got up there.
M.E. rode surprisingly strong all day long. In the early going, she kept surprising me with the pace she chose to keep as we were supposedly taking it easy up to Baldy village. And she stayed strong all the way up, doing an impressive job of hammering through the steep sections and doing a bare minimum of tacking. Including the final nasty steep pitch, which she took on head on, powering up out of the saddle for most of it.
Unfortunately, Joy had to turn around, but I'm sure she'll have her first Baldy ski lift climb soon enough. She was riding very strong still on the way back. It never ceases to amaze me how fast she is on flat ground.
Oh, and descending Baldy Rd into Claremont was fun, too. I was going to play sweeper, but Shai told me I should lead the way, and Joy told me I should make sure no one accidentally turned off toward Upland. So I bombed my way down to that intersection (being conservative on the blind corners, of course) and hit 50 MPH on the first big descent out of the village and 48 MPH in a few other spots. It was great fun and a wonderful complement to all the climbing.
And lastly, yes, the aerial show was very nice. The pilot clearly was playing to his audience, and I loved it.
herbm
08-26-07, 09:06 PM
Nope, signature still tells the truth. Did you see VerticalBob just blow up ahead of me in the distance? Anyways, since I knew I wasn't going to make it all the way, I didn't have to keep anything in reserve, so I just went for it. Actually, I do cheat ... I have a triple granny gear. :D
I didnt see anything...you guys were too far ahead....i have a triple also...only way I could even think about getting up there
ronjon10
08-26-07, 09:09 PM
Here's my report:
35 miles of this... head hanging, pain, agony, fun in a masochistic sort of way
This was followed by 15 or so miles of basically terror on the descent from the ski lifts to the base of Mt Baldy. This was my first time back to that mountain since I wiped out, and coming down from the ski lifts on the loose gravel road wasn't any fun. I was jamming my brakes to keep it under 20 mph and stopped several times in those 4 miles to let the brakes cool down. The descent from baldy village was better, though I hit 40+ a few times. I didn't like that much, but whatever.
From foothill, Shprung, Javaman, Efficiency and I hammered out the miles back to Encanto Park. I led out in the beginning (just long enough so they'd remember me taking a pull :) ),then pulled off the lead and let those guys drag me home at 25mph, that was fun!
I had a blast today, I'm glad I opted for the early start. I managed my effort (read, I went slow) on GMR/GRR which left me some gas for the lifts. The hammer session home worked out the lactic acid and instead of feeling like I've been hit by a brick wall, I feel pretty good right now. I wound up with around 7000 feet which is my climbiest climbin ride ever.
Thanks to the early crew for providing great company! Also great meeting several people I hadn't met yet (Markg, MoPhat, Javaman, WhiteCarbonDude)
spingineer
08-26-07, 09:18 PM
Scenery shots ... one thing about knowing you have to go back early ... lots of opps to take scenery shots. These are on GMR
The hammer session home worked out the lactic acid and instead of feeling like I've been hit by a brick wall, I feel pretty good right now.
Isn't that great when it happens? After I came home and posted, I went for a nice 2-mile run on the park track. My legs might be feeling it tomorrow but as for right now I'm on a serious endorphin high. :D
merider1
08-26-07, 09:25 PM
Isn't that great when it happens? After I came home and posted, I went for a nice 2-mile run on the park track. My legs might be feeling it tomorrow but as for right now I'm on a serious endorphin high. :D
:eek: You ain't right. :p
merider1
08-26-07, 09:36 PM
ME. How does that girl end up taking a pic of herself on my camera? (I must have been in the bathroom)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1234/1244906372_2a9b1b0aec.jpg
Okay...last time I do that. I look like a warped cabbage patch doll. :eek:
Shprung
08-26-07, 09:43 PM
No one mention it yet, but I thought it was actually cold in some part of the ride. Maybe 65-70? and with the 'full body sweat' I found it cold, but it much better than hot in a day you doing the ski lift...
and here are the photos:
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/1.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/2.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/3.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/4.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/5.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/6.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/7.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/8.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/9.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/10.jpg
Shprung
08-26-07, 09:44 PM
more photos:
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/11.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/12.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/13.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/14.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/15.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/16.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/17.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/18.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/19.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/20.jpg
Shprung
08-26-07, 09:44 PM
And even more photos:
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/21.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/22.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/23.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/25.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/26.jpg
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/27.jpg
Rick@OCRR
08-26-07, 09:54 PM
My ride was fun, but varied. Started out riding with Maria, so at the back of the pack (Travis riding sweep kept us company for awhile!), but then at the GRR/GMR junction Maria decided she'd had enough climbing, i.e. didn't want to go to the village, and Herb kindly volunteered to escort her back down to the start.
At that point I took off towards the village, caught up to Melissa and Matt, talked with them for awhile, . . . then caught someone else (couldn't really understand his name; sorry!) and finally made it to The Village.
Tried to talk Jimmy into coming up to The Lifts (not successful!), tried to talk Shy into it, and he said "No" but eventually did do it! I took off for The Lifts with Phil, but he was quickly up the road and out of sight! He stopped once, to see if I was going to continue on the "Loose Gravel" (not that loose in my opinion), but when he saw me continue, he once again passed me as if I were standing still . . . which I wasn't, really, but it felt like it!
Saw M.E. and (early starter) friends heading down as we were on our way up, so that was fun! Finally made it to the top, as did Phil (of course!), Melissa, James and someone else I've forgotten (sorry!). We felt some rain drops, but not too many, and it was a mite chilley up on top.
Heading back down, Melissa told me she was going to stop and wait for her husband (who I figured was Matt), and she said to tell him she'd be waiting at the top. So . . . when I got down to where Matt and friends standing about, I stopped and relayed the message. I later found out (via James) that they thought I was kidding! Nope, I wasn't; just delivering a message.
I think, eventually, if I remember the story right, someone else finally went up and retreived Melissa, whereas Matt never did make it to the top (someone correct me if I got that wrong!).
Back at the Village, several riders still hanging about, but Tiffany was the only one I recognized. So I headed back, over GRR and GMR, to Sierra Madre and back to the Park (didn't even get lost!).
Put my bike on the rack, put the top down, and driving out of the parking lot I saw M.E. and friends (finally got to meet Joy-Happytime) just getting in. How did I get back before they did? Oh, they stopped for lunch! Okay, no problem! Then M.E. took a photo of me driving out of the parking lot, and that was that.
Fine cool day on the mountain, 72.3 miles total, and not sure how much climbing, but quite a bit. My 4th time for the Ski Lifts this year (how sick is that?), and yes, they do get easier. Some easier, anyway.
Thanks to Asia and the SAG drivers for making this such a fun and well organized event (and thanks again to M.E. for providing a route sheet!).
Rick / OCRR
Mo'Phat
08-26-07, 09:59 PM
http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldy/5.jpg
Dang, Shai! Give a guy some warning so he can suck in the ole gut!
ps. Great ride...I'm not happy that I was cramping prior to the Village. I really would have liked to attempt a ski lift run. Great weather, it was cold in the Village.
Wonderful to finally meet and/or chat and/or ride with:
Joy
Shai
Ron
Asia
Travis
Rick
Tak
Herb
Suffered through the climbs with:
Javaman
Cleave
Jimmy
Louie
And it was, once again, a great priviledge to ride with:
Jason (Chucklehead)
Phil
James
Dave
Tiffanie
Mel
Matt
And I wish I could have spent more time with:
ME
Jason (Jschen)
The Vegas Crue
...and everybody else that absolutely killed it today. I had a great time...but wasn't anticipating 3 hours of rest stops, and had to bounce early to relieve my wife of child duties.
Jeff: Jsigone....you should have turned around with us
Mo'Phat
08-26-07, 10:03 PM
ps...A huge thank you to Pam the SAG driver...I had a 'foldable thanks' all ready for her, but she was gone by the time I was situated. Did a great job sagging, and dealing with the psychos on the 39.
Tiffanie
08-26-07, 10:09 PM
Good time, great company and a fantastic descent down GMR, as always!
Thanks to Asia for organizing, including the SAG support, and thanks to Luwin and his adorable Addison (sp?) who roved GMR for the riders who opted for that route.
Luwin1026
08-26-07, 10:44 PM
SAG report -
Daughter woke up early enough, so headed out to the start to see everyone off. Great turnout, great temps, no signs of rainclouds, and off they went.
I was going to take care of the small group of GMR riders as the two other support vehicles were doing 39 (man, Asia knows how to organize a ride!), so I figured it'd be awhile as they had to head over Sierra Madre, etc.
So off to Coco's in Glendora my daughter and I went. After a hearty breakfast, it was off to GMR. Didn't do much (actually, didn't do anything at all, but that's a good sign for a SAG vehicle, right?), so I stopped to take a few pics of the riders along the way. Even though a third support vehicle wasn't really needed, it was nice to be out there to see some of the action as I wasn't able to partake in the ride firsthand.
On to the pics -
spingineer to Dave: "C'mon, man - smell my pits!!"
Mark: "Thank God I'm standing OVER HERE."
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188374677-M.jpg
What a friendly smile!
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188374524-M.jpg
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188374669-M.jpg
As anticipated, what a 20-month old strapped to a car seat for a few hours feels about SAGging . . .
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375425-M.jpg
The Tiffster -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375060-L.jpg
You see the smile get closer . . .
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375148-M.jpg
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375492-M.jpg
Herb, ever so kind as to play sweeper to make sure no one gets left behind -
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375303-M.jpg
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375525-M.jpg
And the lovebirds . . .
A few moments prior to this shot, I saw Travis give Asia an easy push on the back (or trying to cop a mid-ride feel, who knows) . . . she probably saw the camera and was like, "Travis, get your hand off my back!! I gotta look like I'm doing ok and having fun!!"
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375870-M.jpg
Luwin1026
08-26-07, 10:45 PM
From the looks of it, it was a lovely ride. Thanks Asia for putting this one together, and here's a pic of my postride dinner, in honor of you! 14oz. teriyaki ribeye - that's what I'm talking about. :D
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/188375824-M.jpg
N2GLOCK
08-26-07, 10:55 PM
This was my first time riding in the area. Decided to ride with Herb up GMR. Nice little group which included Stan and V/Bob, Spingineer and Tiffanie. As soon as the climbs started Stan and I jumped to the front of the pack and stayed there. We had a pretty good pace going up GMR (10-12 mph avg.) before long we both looked back and saw nobody and at that point we realized that we were on our own. Pulled over to the side for a break and VB eventually caught up and we rode down with him to where some east fork riders were hanging out. Got to meet Extort there (super nice guy!). Took off for Baldy village with a group that consisted of Tiffanie, Javaman, Shprung, Brandy and VB. There were a few other quick riders in that group, but unfortunately I don't know there names. I knew from the beginning that I wasn't going to make it to Baldy Village or the lifts, not because I'm not capable of doing so, but because I had to be back home by a certain time. Once I reached the 25 mile mark on my odometer I decided to turn around. Ride back was scary at times because I was alone and I had no cell phone signal for several miles. For a while I was convinced that I was lost, but East fork came around I knew that I was going to be okay. Met up with a lost rider (Billy from La Habra?) on the corner of GMR and Sierra Madre. He followed me all the way to Encanto where a friend was waiting for him.
NDG
08-26-07, 11:10 PM
Okay...last time I do that. I look like a warped cabbage patch doll. :eek:
Oh, so that's how they look?
Where can I buy one?
Cute picture according to me!
markg
08-26-07, 11:12 PM
No one mention it yet, but I thought it was actually cold in some part of the ride. Maybe 65-70? and with the 'full body sweat' I found it cold, but it much better than hot in a day you doing the ski lift...
When I got to the top of the lifts, the lady inside the shop said the temperature was 63 deg! I was definitely feeling cold while sitting at the outside table for lunch.
NDG
08-26-07, 11:41 PM
So here is my ride report.
I have to say that this ride gave me the opportunity to test the urban legend about SoCal BF members being so friendly and helpful.
First, DaveSanYYZ was nice enough to come and pick me up in Irvine to give me a ride to Baldy. Thanks Dave!
Then it got interesting.
About a third of the way up to the village, I hear a loud "BANG" coming from my rear wheel. Puctured tube.
So I stop on the side of the road, remove my rear wheel (getting my hands quite dirty, obviously) and install a new tube. Pump it up using my CO2 inflator and install it back on the bike. Then as I get ready to leave..."BANG"! It blows up again! Taking a close look, I notice that the tire is slashed at the level of the bead. Unrepairable. Thank you Continental Gatorskins! (second time I get one of these tires prematurely slashed). Then Efficiency comes up to help out. He suggests using a piece of cardboard to cover the slash. He also provides me a new tube and lends me his pump (I only had a single CO2 cartridge... stupid me). As I finish pumping up the tire..."CRACK", the pump breaks. Sorry Efficiency! I'll send you a check to replace the pump and the tube... In the meantime, MEL44 comes back down the hill with a replacement tire that was in the front SAG vehicle. Thanks MEL44! Very generous of you to do the extra climbing to get me the tire. The tire had been put in the car by Javaman. Thanks Javaman! Good idea you thought of bringing this tire. And the man even refused that I pay him for the tire! You saved my day!
So, finally after removing my rear wheel for the second time (thus getting my hands even more dirty!), I installed the tire, pumped it up with the pump provided by SAG vehicle #2 (one more person to thank) and everything is finally OK. I can then proceed to the village together with Efficiency.
As we arrived to the village, a bunch of people had already left for the lifts. Without taking a rest (I rested enough changing my tire...) I then proceeded to the lifts with Javaman. I have to admit I suffered a little. It was nonetheless better than last year. My legs were better this time.
But wait! The fun was not finished!
On the way back, maybe 2 thirds of the way down, I hear a loud "PING" noise from my...front wheel. A popped spoke. Broken. I could not refrain from using a French equivalent to the F word: "tabarnak!" I could still ride with the wheel after opening my front brakes a bit wider, but the wheel was now obviously wobbly and a bit dangerous to ride at 40 miles an hour... In the end, I made it fine to the parking and I can still say that I had a great day.
I can summarize my day with 3 words: BANG, CRAK and PING (and perhaps "tabarnak!")...
I can also summarize it in one short sentence: "Thanks all of you for your help". You made my day.
NDG
08-26-07, 11:45 PM
So here are some of my pictures:
efficiency
08-27-07, 12:06 AM
My photos:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/9895405@N06/Z28EDW
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/1246744666_9d6817b237_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/1246744666_9d6817b237_o.jpg
Early birds left a note.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/1245889117_0c7001cab0_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/1245889117_0c7001cab0_o.jpg
mateo on his new Look. It doesn't have a compact.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1150/1246744054_46855413a0_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1150/1246744054_46855413a0_o.jpg
Louis, from Montreal.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/1246743668_227a2ccef8_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/1246743668_227a2ccef8_o.jpg
And we're rollin'!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/1246743468_2c8fb312be_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1166/1246743468_2c8fb312be_o.jpg
Maybe I can catch them . . .
Photos from all BF Events:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/9895405@N06/7X7Q62
merider1
08-27-07, 07:36 AM
=I can summarize my day with 3 words: BANG, CRAK and PING (and perhaps "tabarnak!")...
I can also summarize it in one short sentence: "Thanks all of you for your help". You made my day.
That made me laugh. I'm going to start using tabarnak as I say the F word too much. Regardless, glad you got through the broken spoke. Great pics - the one with you holding a bike above your head says it all...and is very nice. :)
merider1
08-27-07, 07:37 AM
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/1246744666_9d6817b237_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1066/1246744666_9d6817b237_o.jpg
Early birds left a note.
Nice pics, Mark, thanks for capturing this one. Joy put a lot of work into this. She is such a hoot. :D
merider1
08-27-07, 07:39 AM
Shai, Luwin and Ron - great pics. I'm thanking you guys since I wasn't in the main group, it's nice to see pics of the others. I can't wait for the next Baldy ride. :)
efficiency
08-27-07, 07:51 AM
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/1245887549_d7a98ce294_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/1245887549_d7a98ce294_o.jpg
Martin and Haeran on a tandem.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1290/1245887169_4f9e2e1f1c_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1290/1245887169_4f9e2e1f1c_o.jpg
Rollin' with the Nevada crew.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1246740826_51477f25e1_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1114/1246740826_51477f25e1_o.jpg
I'm slow. I had a cadence of 30-40 rpm in a 30x26.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/1245886147_7816d05e13_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1335/1245886147_7816d05e13_o.jpg
These guys told me I wasn't done.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/1246740424_ccab40439e_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1397/1246740424_ccab40439e_o.jpg
He didn't want to go here, but he did.