Hi Bikeforumites!

Since the OCW Fall Metric has been moved to Nov. 3rd, Maria has decided to do a GMR ride this Sat. Oct. 27th (the original OCW Fall Metric date), and you're all invited :).

You can read all the details here: http://www.ocrebels.com/special.htm

Or . . . just show up a Boulder Springs for 8:00 AM departure to The Village and back over Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road. There will be an "Extra Credit" climb to the Ski Lifts for anyone who feels so inspired :D. Or maybe it should be "motivated?"

Rick / OCRR

How's the air expected to be there?

By Sat. the air should be good! At least, I expect it will be . . .

Rick / OCRR

There were ashes floating around in the air her yesterday afternoon. I'm looking out this morning and see nothing but a bee and two flies. The sunlight beams thru the window were orange yesterday. But seem to be somewhat clear today. The sunlight on a white surface yesterday seemed to give the surface a red glow. Today the surface looks white agin. So I think it's better even now.

We live about 5 miles form Baldy Rd. I haven't seen this section f fthe mtns look polluted at all, even during the height of it all. Besides while climbing GMR, you look back down to see the layer of pollution below. I would bet you'll be climbing above the smoke layer if any! :D

There were ashes floating around in the air her yesterday afternoon. I'm looking out this morning and see nothing but a bee and two flies. The sunlight beams thru the window were orange yesterday. But seem to be somewhat clear today. The sunlight on a white surface yesterday seemed to give the surface a red glow. Today the surface looks white agin. So I think it's better even now.

We live about 5 miles form Baldy Rd. I haven't seen this section f fthe mtns look polluted at all, even during the height of it all. Besides while climbing GMR, you look back down to see the layer of pollution below. I would bet you'll be climbing above the smoke layer if any! :D

Come on Mr B......you can tow us both up!

Come on Mr B......you can tow us both up!

Are you going Herb? ...I'm not so sure I can tow myself up right now!:D

Are you going Herb? ...I'm not so sure I can tow myself up right now!:D

I am seriously considering it....I need to ride Sat..and think everything over here will be too smokey...
Since its from the base of GMR, I have a better chance to reach the village...but of course I will be slower than most...

Since its from the base of GMR, I have a better chance to reach the village...but of course I will be slower than most...


Have you never made it to the village Herb? You've seemed to have gotten stronger since I've known you. I know you can do it. It's easier than riding up 39/Lil GMR first. You're a much better climber than Gina and she's done 16 of the 21 on a very hot day. If we had rested a bit I think she would have made it but I got stung on the neck by a bee so we headed back. I think she was happy though!:D

But at the 16 mile mark is where it gets tough again for about 2 miles. It's about the same grade as the lower 8 except that you're already tired. Relax to get you through that section, then it almost seems dh and flat to the village. You can do it no problem!;)

I am seriously considering it....I need to ride Sat..and think everything over here will be too smokey...
Since its from the base of GMR, I have a better chance to reach the village...but of course I will be slower than most...
Come on Herb. If the air looks decent, I'll keep you company. Beans can shout encouragement from the side of the road while he waits for us.:D

Have you never made it to the village Herb? You've seemed to have gotten stronger since I've known you. I know you can do it. It's easier than riding up 39/Lil GMR first. You're a much better climber than Gina and she's done 16 of the 21 on a very hot day. If we had rested a bit I think she would have made it but I got stung on the neck by a bee so we headed back. I think she was happy though!:D

But at the 16 mile mark is where it gets tough again for about 2 miles. It's about the same grade as the lower 8 except that you're already tired. Relax to get you through that section, then it almost seems dh and flat to the village. You can do it no problem!;)

I have made it once, starting from this same location...and that was on an OCRR ride last year with Jackie...
Didn't make it from Encanto...and no way when I go up 39...

come on out and ride!!

Come on Herb. If the air looks decent, I'll keep you company. Beans can shout encouragement from the side of the road while he waits for us.:D

If the air is decent..I am in...

Didn't make it from Encanto...and no way when I go up 39...
come on out and ride!!

From Encanto up 39 I can see cause it's tough. But if you mean 'from Encanto' via Sierra Madre? You must have had a bad day. I think that only makes it easier after a warm up.

Starting from Boulder, I suffer the first 4 miles cause I'm a slow starter.:D

Just got an email from Maria and we'll have a look at the air quality as the week progresses, but from what we're seeing on the Internet, plus what Mr. Beanz has observed, we should be good to go by Sat. Morn.

Herb, if you're going up GMR I'll have a better chance of getting Jackie to ride it! Pls. advise!

Rick / OCRR

I am seriously considering it....I need to ride Sat..and think everything over here will be too smokey...
Since its from the base of GMR, I have a better chance to reach the village...but of course I will be slower than most...


Hey Herb,

From riding with you at the Lighthouse, you can definitly make it...even up 39...East Fork..GRR. I think this way is more difficult and prefer the GMR...GRR direction (of course I have not been to GMR since it opened to cars so my feeling may change on it).

Wish I could go.......going to a weddinig in Redondo Beach instead:rolleyes: Friend of my wifes from work:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Hey Dave....hows the knee??
Thanks....
Its more I really dont like going up 39..and especially lil GMR...

Rick..If the air is good I am in for GMR...I am going with the plan to make it to the village...

Hey Dave....hows the knee??
Thanks....
Its more I really dont like going up 39..and especially lil GMR...

Rick..If the air is good I am in for GMR...I am going with the plan to make it to the village...

The bone is still tender, but no pain when riding. I smacked it really hard on that bed frame for it to still be hurting. Must just be a deep bone bruise.

Good news is the IT Band issue I've had since May seems to be gone too. Rode 58 miles last Friday without a hint of pain...even rerouted myself to the hilly direction(s) as a test.

Agree on 39 and little GMR(is little GMR East Fork?). Seems a lot harder from that direction.

Rick..If the air is good I am in for GMR...I am going with the plan to make it to the village...

Hi Herb,

The air should be "good" even if its not great, and I agree with Beanz that the smoke probably won't be an issue at altitude.

Rick / OCRR

The bone is still tender, but no pain when riding. I smacked it really hard on that bed frame for it to still be hurting. Must just be a deep bone bruise.

Good news is the IT Band issue I've had since May seems to be gone too. Rode 58 miles last Friday without a hint of pain...even rerouted myself to the hilly direction(s) as a test.

Agree on 39 and little GMR(is little GMR East Fork?). Seems a lot harder from that direction.

Wow...that was some smack for it to still be sore....

Well maybe you should come and ride GMR with us!!!

Hi Herb,

The air should be "good" even if its not great, and I agree with Beanz that the smoke probably won't be an issue at altitude.

Rick / OCRR

I agree.... I am IN

I'm sure Maria will be pleased to hear that Herb!

And I'll be sure to mention it to Jackie!

Rick / OCRR

Wow...that was some smack for it to still be sore....

Well maybe you should come and ride GMR with us!!!

I wish, but the better half insists on me attending that wedding.

Although we have been married 14 years, she still want's my company. I thought after 10 years or so, married couples move into that mode of "have fun, see you when you return" mode. Must be the wedding!

Next time.

I wish, but the better half insists on me attending that wedding.

Although we have been married 14 years, she still want's my company. I thought after 10 years or so, married couples move into that mode of "have fun, see you when you return" mode. Must be the wedding!

Next time.

I totally understand!!!:rolleyes:

I just rode up Euclid avenue. It's near the base of Baldy Rd. Mountains looked clear, no smoke, no ashes. I looked back down when I was up there, didn't look too bad. I couldn't smell any smoke in the air either. Felt a bit dry but maybe cause it was HOT!:D

I wish, but the better half insists on me attending that wedding.

Although we have been married 14 years, she still want's my company. I thought after 10 years or so, married couples move into that mode of "have fun, see you when you return" mode. Must be the wedding!

Next time.

Raiderdave,

This is totally off topic but were you on the 57 freeway Northbound between the 60 and the 10 a few weeks ago at about 4:00 PM? The car had a license plate that read R8RDAVE. I saw it and thought of this forum.

I went for a short ride here in the east valley tonight and the air wasn't bad. I felt O.K. and might want to do this ride Saturday because I'll be wanting to take it easy. Gonna try and speak to the doc tomorrow, so we'll see.

I went for a short ride here in the east valley tonight and the air wasn't bad. I felt O.K. and might want to do this ride Saturday because I'll be wanting to take it easy. Gonna try and speak to the doc tomorrow, so we'll see.

Gosh, John, you're tough. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. I'm not able to do this ride Saturday, but I hope a lot of people turn out (if air is good). Maria is a sweetheart and GMR is....well...GMR. And fortunately yet sadly, it's one of the last few places that we can ride that wasn't effected by the fires.

Just got an email from Linda Adams, so she'll be there too (she's not a member of the forum, yet . . . )

Rick / OCRR

I agree.... I am IN
Herb, are you planning on starting at Encanto, or going over to the base of GMR??

Herb, are you planning on starting at Encanto, or going over to the base of GMR??

Base of GMR...

and Markaj said he is in now...

Should be an excellent group. I'll try to remember to bring my camera!

Rick / OCRR

I MAY show up, test the new bike on the longer downhills errrrrr climbs hehehe

I should know on Friday night whether I'll be doing this ride or not.

I would do this if the air quality is ok. here is a link to the aqmd. If you can figure this chart and map out you are a better man than me:D They do say that smoke may not show up in their readings. Since the ANF is closed I hesitate on going up a closed road like hwy 39 like some of us talked about doing this Saturday, but GMR and GRR are I'm sure legal to ride on. http://www.aqmd.gov/telemweb/AreaStatus.aspx?sub=1&a=16&aVar=owcnpt&aName=32

That's seems low if it's the same scale used in SD (http://www.sdapcd.org/air/forecasts/otoday.html). SD's in the 150-180 range vs 30-50.

That's right VB, I wonder if the organizers even checked to see if GMR was open. A while back one of the rangers said that it may soon be closed to vehicle traffic once fire season started.

I hope it's closed to traffic, but might also be closed to everyone!:rolleyes:

Hi Mr. Beanz,

Last time I checked it was open (before the fires though). Pls. have a look if you happen to be in that vicinity. Or I could ask Kriss since she lives in Upland too.

Rick / OCRR

Hi Mr. Beanz,

Last time I checked it was open (before the fires though). Pls. have a look if you happen to be in that vicinity. Or I could ask Kriss since she lives in Upland too.

Rick / OCRR


If I get a chance tomorrow, I'll do a drive bye!....Don't worry, no need to duck!:D

Angeles Nat'l Forest road closures (http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/conditions/conditions-road.shtml)

This addendum shows that GMR is closed due to wildfire (http://www.ladpw.org/mpm/roadclosure/pdf/TG_540.pdf)from GRR to East Fork only.

I just drove up to GMR (Glendora Lone Hill start area). BIG BOLD letters on the lighted sign saying 'FOREST CLOSED/EXTREME FIRE DANGER'!!!!!!!.

I drove up to the big steel gate. Another sign (billboard type) right behind the gate saying 'No Tresspassing Private property/Keep Out!!!!!!!!! Extreme Fire Danger!

When I was backing up to turn around a ranger pulled on us with a spotlight. He said the road was closed to all, didn't know how long but nobody was allowed up the road. I didn't ask as the sign said 'forest closed' but I assumed it was the entire road.

Guy was all up on me before I knew what was happening. More than likely watching out for arson punks!

Oh yeah, count me OUT!:D

Thanks for checking Beanz! Okay, well, due to GMR closure, this ride is officially called off!

Sorry everyone . . . we'll just have to ride it some other time!

Rick / OCRR

Thanx for checking that out Fred. I guess it's plan B, . . . . or maybe C.

Thanx for checking that out Fred. I guess it's plan B, . . . . or maybe C.

Yikes...now what...I wonder if it will be better Sat in oxnard / ventura....thinking of part of the cool breeze route

Thanx for checking that out Fred. I guess it's plan B, . . . . or maybe C.


I noticed the section on the site you posted was lil GMR. East Fork to GRR. The section I checked was the Big GMR side. I'm pretty sure it is all closed by now,only makes sense. Especially after the idiot that dragged the outhouse type shack thru GRR a few months ago!:eek:


Thanx for the info Gene. We got this found out together!:p

Hi Guys;
What a bummer but thanks Mr. Beanz for checking the road for all of us.

BTW Herb, if I can go up GMR you can fly up that little bump.

The air quality has been really bad in Irvine all this week and it seems like it is getting even worse. The air quality geeks (read chemical engineers) at my company are telling us to stay indoors this weekend. I don't think I can do it though.
So is there any plan B or C for tomorrow? How about riding in the desert, let's say in Joshua Tree? Has anybody biked in Joshua Tree? I know that mountain biking is supposed to be super cool in JT but what about roadies?

Joshua Tree might be great, and this is certainly the right time of year for that area, but after seeing this post by MTBMaven (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5525292&postcount=23) on another thread, I don't know if anything south or east of LA or SD county is a good prospect. Coastal areas to the north of Ventura look like they be the best prospects at present.

Hi Guys;
What a bummer but thanks Mr. Beanz for checking the road for all of us.

BTW Herb, if I can go up GMR you can fly up that little bump.

The air quality has been really bad in Irvine all this week and it seems like it is getting even worse. The air quality geeks (read chemical engineers) at my company are telling us to stay indoors this weekend. I don't think I can do it though.
So is there any plan B or C for tomorrow? How about riding in the desert, let's say in Joshua Tree? Has anybody biked in Joshua Tree? I know that mountain biking is supposed to be super cool in JT but what about roadies?

Maria...you can sprint up there....I will be crawling!!!:rolleyes:
Hope fully we can get this going soon!

Looks like we are heading to Ventura tomorrow...everyone is welcome

Looks good Herb. I'm putting this link in to the other thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=357004) for anyone interested.

Looks good Herb. I'm putting this link in to the other thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=357004) for anyone interested.

cool

Super, I will check the new link and maybe I will join you for the Ventura ride on Saturday.