Angeles Crest Century - Worth it?

[LT Intolerant]

I'm registered to do Planet Ultra's Angeles Crest Century (Angeles Crest Hwy, Angles Forest Hwy, Big Tujunga, Wt Wilson) in early October but after reading on the BF how dangerous the route is I'm having second thoughts.

Anybody have an opinion as to the risk/reward factor regarding this route/event? It looks great but if its a nightmare I'll take a pass.

thx in advance

gene r

[Rick@OCRR]

I rode that area with Vertical Bob last weekend (not the exact route, only 81 miles), and it wasn't the least bit dangerous. I haven't read the other threads on how dangerous it is, and for sure everyone has their own opinion, . . . but to me it seemed quite safe.

Rick / OCRR

[big john]

Where did you hear that it is dangerous? One of the reasons I like it up there so much is I feel more safe than in the city. Risk from what? Motorcycles?

[WhiteCarbonDude]

after reading on the BF how dangerous the route is I'm having second thoughts.

Anybody have an opinion as to the risk/reward factor regarding this route/event? It looks great but if its a nightmare I'll take a pass.
gene r

I just rode most of the route on Saturday and I didn't feel that it was dangerous at all. The road up AC has been repaved and it is nice. Not too steep. Easy climbing. Great workd out. You don't have to use your brakes at all on the descents. Nothing technical at all. Angeles Forest Hwy to Big T, I think I saw 5 moto's out there, very dead. I think you are going to hear from many AC regulars that it is a nice ride. I love AC and I will ride it every time I get the chance. p.s. I am working that ride so I hope to see you out there.
Jon

[jpconrad]

Where did you read that it's dangerous?

I was up there Saturday and Monday and it was fine.

[LT Intolerant]

Thanks all for the feedback. I did a search on Angeles Crest and came up with roughly 20 threads, with a number of riders writing about how dangerous the route is.

Reading through the threads there were constant warnings about the narrow roads, crazy motorcyclists, and cars tailgating. Given all that it sounded pretty hairy. Here are some of the comments I found...

"Pretty much any warm sunday ride on the crest can get hairy. When I had my CBR I stopped riding up there on weekends. To many close calls with the young and stupid."

"the Crest is a dangerous place for bicyclists. There are numerous crashes involving speeding motorcycles and cars up there every year. Lots of blind turns and high speed sweepers. Coming downhill, there are a lot of cars and motorcycles flying at dangerous speeds."

These are just a couple of the comments but there were many more with the same tone.

thx again.

gene r

[LT Intolerant]

p.s. I am working that ride so I hope to see you out there.
Jon

In my last post I should have said thanks in advance for supporting the event Jon. My experience w Planet Ultra and the volunteers who support their events has been first class.

Thanks again for the insight on the route and for volunteering.

warm regards,

gene r

[curiouskid55]

Hmm.. Angeles Crest? Ride up there all the time , usually see some motorcycles, a few cars. pretty much on my own the vast majority of the time. Have never felt that I was in a dangerous situation. Big T? Think I've seen maybe 5 cars in ten rides.

[AquaTerror]

Where did you hear that it is dangerous? One of the reasons I like it up there so much is I feel more safe than in the city. Risk from what? Motorcycles?


I agree -- I don't think it's dangerous. I love riding up there. Much safer than riding LA roads!

[WhiteCarbonDude]

I was up there Saturday and Monday and it was fine.

Dude, you went up there Monday as well?!?! ::jealous:: Man, no wonder why you climb so well. You are gonna do great at EC.

[merider1]

Riding anywhere is dangerous, I suppose. But I agree with the gentlemen's views so far, AC (especially up past Red Box) is very nice. Like any road, you have to be cognizant of motorists (motorcycles and cars). Overall, the comments I've heard about this ride have been positive, and I think Vertical Bob will give it a "two thumbs up." :)

[jpconrad]

Dude, you went up there Monday as well?!?! ::jealous:: Man, no wonder why you climb so well. You are gonna do great at EC.


Yeah, I was going to go up there this morning but I decided to sleep, instead. :D

I'll be up there tomorrow morning, though...

[big john]

I have done the actual AC Century, too, and had a very fun time. Planet Ultra does get some great volunteers, some of the truly nice people in the bike world.

[WhiteCarbonDude]

I have done the actual AC Century, too, and had a very fun time. Planet Ultra does get some great volunteers, some of the truly nice people in the bike world.

Thanks John, I resemble that remark as this will be my 5th time volunteering for Planet Ultra and I enjoy it very much. Brian and Debbie have been great ambassadors for the sport of cycling. I've meet a lot of great people out there and some strange one's too;)

Thanks again for the insight on the route and for volunteering.
warm regards,
gene r

Gene, I forgot to tell you that we ran into a woman out on AC who was training alone for the AC Century. I don't recommend anyone going out to the mountains alone but she felt safe enough to do it solo.

[merider1]

Gene, I forgot to tell you that we ran into a woman out on AC who was training alone for the AC Century. I don't recommend anyone going out to the mountains alone but she felt safe enough to do it solo.

I've seen chicks going up to Baldy solo, too. I would never do that or recommend that other women or MEN do it either. It may seem safe up there, but you just never know when in a fairly remote area (and certainly AC past Newcombs can be considered more than "fairly" remote). If you end up in an emergency situation, you're SOL if riding solo.

[LCI_Brian]

I've seen chicks going up to Baldy solo, too. I would never do that or recommend that other women or MEN do it either. It may seem safe up there, but you just never know when in a fairly remote area (and certainly AC past Newcombs can be considered more than "fairly" remote). If you end up in an emergency situation, you're SOL if riding solo.

Well, by that logic, I should have never ridden across the US solo and unsupported six summers ago! To this day I still do most of my road riding solo (and that includes parts of AC and similar roads with no cell phone access), not out of any dislike of riding with others, but because that's the way my schedule works out, and it's better to ride solo than not at all.

Is it safer to ride with a buddy? Sure. But does that make a solo remote ride unsafe? Maybe less safe, but not unsafe. When I leave the house, I let my wife know where I'm heading - I'm sure she'd come out looking for me if I didn't return in a timely manner.

[Sewellymon]

yea what Brian says.... i do a lot of mt biking, and it's 90% solo..

I would admit on AC et al, there is some safety in numbers in that- if the crotch rocketeer sees a handful of cyclists strung out along an ascent (or descent), they are more apt to have cyclist on their mind. versus a solo cyclist whom they may startle upon

and a woman riding solo in the mtns is at risk because some men are predators. I believe a titanium .357 fits nice and light in a woman’s jersey pocket.

Unfortunately, on AC and GMR, if your number is up, your number is up. And the likelihood is it will be at the hands of a young motorcyclist. Like the guy on the AC 2 weeks ago who blew his curve and went head-on into the Sheriff’s vehicle.

[merider1]

Well, by that logic, I should have never ridden across the US solo and unsupported six summers ago!

Is it safer to ride with a buddy? Sure. But does that make a solo remote ride unsafe? Maybe less safe, but not unsafe. When I leave the house, I let my wife know where I'm heading - I'm sure she'd come out looking for me if I didn't return in a timely manner.

And hopefully if you kill over from a sudden heart attack, bee sting, fall from your bike, etc., she finds you in time to save you. :rolleyes: Riding solo up there or anywhere remote (especially in an area where there is little to no cell phone reception) isn't the safest practice, and for women, it IS outright dangerous. That's just a reality. Folks should do as they wish but my logic and your riding solo across country aren't the least bit connected. Safe travels and ride away Lone Ranger, ride away... :D

[vertical bob]

I probably ride up there as much as most and feel riding in the San Gabriels is safer than riding down with the cars. Having said that there are certain risks involved in riding up there but most of them can be countered by some caution and skill on your part. First NEVER ride two abreast. I've seen people ,who are good riders, riding on A.C. as if they were riding out to CSUN on Nordoff.:mad:. A good idea would be for cyclist to drive up A.C. sometime and see what a obstacle some fool on a bicycle is when he's in the middle of the road going 9mph on a corner. Second, practice descending skills so that you can safely maintain a good speed and not block cars trying to do the speed limit. Listen for traffic coming up from behind. The folks that I feel comfortable with ,never disturb the Zen with "Car Back", it's just not necessary.
The roads in the San Gabriels are wonderful and challenging but not for the inexperienced cyclist. Get some base miles and some bike handling skills, and the right equipment, before coming up because when things do happen, help is usually far off. The payoff for all of this effort is to be able to ride in a wonderful alpine environment and go to places that you didn't know were there. It's the best feeling on a bike. :)

[merider1]

It's the best feeling on a bike. :)

Perfectly stated, Bob. It's obvious you have a real love for the mountains.

[vertical bob]

I have done the actual AC Century, too, and had a very fun time. Planet Ultra does get some great volunteers, some of the truly nice people in the bike world.The AC100 and the Wheelmen's 5 Counties are both on Oct. 6 this year, bummer.Can't do both. That is if there is no fire that would cancel either of the rides.:D

[DScott]

I'm intrigued by this ride, but still lack my climbing legs. What's are equivalent rides in the Santa Monica mountains (close to the West Side) to train on for climbing?

I've got my eye on Planet Ultra's KOM this year, but it's a really, really squinty eye, and I'm looking out the side of it...

[big john]

I'm intrigued by this ride, but still lack my climbing legs. What's are equivalent rides in the Santa Monica mountains (close to the West Side) to train on for climbing?

I've got my eye on Planet Ultra's KOM this year, but it's a really, really squinty eye, and I'm looking out the side of it...
This ride sells out very early, and the KOM ride Breathless Agony sells out early, too.
Riding in the Santa Monicas is different than AC. For one thing, there is no real altitude in the SMs, this is why we like AC so much in the summer.
If you can handle some altitude, (BA tops out at 8400 feet), and can climb all day, you can do these rides. Most people think Mulholland Challenge is the hardest because of some steep grades.
Just go into the SMs and climb everything you see. Or, start in Calabasas and follow Mulholland from end to end and back, that will get you 7000 feet in 70 miles.

[big john]

The AC100 and the Wheelmen's 5 Counties are both on Oct. 6 this year, bummer.Can't do both. That is if there is no fire that would cancel either of the rides.:D

The Grizzly Century is the same day. Which are you doing, if there is no fire?

[pailrider]

The Grizzly Century is the same day. Which are you doing, if there is no fire?

Hi John,
I really enjoyed the Heartbreak miserable as it was last year so I'm going with the 5 County ride. It's a "small" ride which I feel is a plus- as long as there are a couple or three rest stops it's gotta be good- maybe some ipod for the solo intervals between passing or being passed. It's gotta be cooler than yesterday at the top of Sullivan....Hope you choose the same!!:)

[vertical bob]

The Grizzly Century is the same day. Which are you doing, if there is no fire?Probably the 4 counties.

[merider1]

Probably the 4 counties.

I've been wanting to try that. Isn't that basically the route we rode on Sea to Summit, only without the summit?

[jschen]

I've been on Angeles Crest rides with big john's group on two occasions. Loved them both times, and never felt any concern about my safety beyond the normal concerns about big mountain rides (gotta always be careful on descents). It's gorgeous out there.

[vertical bob]

I've been wanting to try that. Isn't that basically the route we rode on Sea to Summit, only without the summit?The 5 counties ride is the same route as Heartbreak 100. The Wheelmen start the ride in Lake of the Woods and head out on an anti-clockwise loop past the Mt. Pinos turnoff , out to Hwy 33 and back through Lockwood Valley, going up Heartbreak Hill in the process. That's a 80 mile 7k loop going through 4 counties. They then descend down , past your car, to the 5 fwy, turn around in L.A. County, the 5th county, and climb back to the start. They charge $15 and have a nice lunch in Ozuna at the Fire Station. It's a good ride and brings out friends I don't see too much once the GT trainers are finished. www.lawheelmen.org

[big john]

Hi John,
I really enjoyed the Heartbreak miserable as it was last year so I'm going with the 5 County ride. It's a "small" ride which I feel is a plus- as long as there are a couple or three rest stops it's gotta be good- maybe some ipod for the solo intervals between passing or being passed. It's gotta be cooler than yesterday at the top of Sullivan....Hope you choose the same!!:)
You were with us on Sullivan? Who are you? If you told me , I forgot.
Yes, the LAW do a good job with the 5 counties and it's cheap. I think the most that have been there when I have done it is about 80 riders. I love that loop, first did it in 1989, I think. Have done it solo, too.

[big john]

I've been wanting to try that. Isn't that basically the route we rode on Sea to Summit, only without the summit?So you're in, right? It starts in Lake of the Woods, near Lockwood Valley road, goes through Pine Mountain Club, down a 23 mile downhill, on hwy 33 back to Lockwood Valley. If you do the 86 mile option, it's 7K feet or 8K for the 100.

[merider1]

So you're in, right? It starts in Lake of the Woods, near Lockwood Valley road, goes through Pine Mountain Club, down a 23 mile downhill, on hwy 33 back to Lockwood Valley. If you do the 86 mile option, it's 7K feet or 8K for the 100.

I may join you on this one, only I'd consider the 100. IF I do the Solvang Fall double, this would be a great training ride. :D Are you doing this one, John? I thought you'd be doing the AC 100 for sure.

[thomson]

I may join you on this one, only I'd consider the 100. IF I do the Solvang Fall double, this would be a great training ride. :D Are you doing this one, John? I thought you'd be doing the AC 100 for sure.

I would highly recommend it Mary. The 23 mile downhill of which John refers is perhaps my favorite stretch in SoCal. I have been on it about 2 dozen times and maybe have seen 15 motor vehicles,,,total (not counting the sag vehicles on Heartbreak and 5 Counties)

What a lot of people do these days is start at Interstate 5 (park at the truck stop/motel) and ride to the starting point of the church. This then mimics the Heartbreak route (with different rest stops). The big advantage is you finish on a downhill rather than an uphill against the wind.

[merider1]

I'll start a thread as I now am pretty much convinced to do it. You men are so damn persuasive! Stop that! :p:D

[big john]

The way the LAW run it, you start 7 miles up from the fwy, thus the 86 mile option, and if you want the 100, you go down to the fwy and back at the end, which is totally pointless to me. The 86 is such a great, satisfying ride, there is no way I'd go to the fwy and back.

[vertical bob]

It looks like another Red Box start for Saturday 8am. Laura, M.E. and I are in so far.

[merider1]

It looks like another Red Box start for Saturday 8am. Laura and I are in so far.

Um...hello? I said I was in this morning, did I not? Or am I chopped liver? :p