Wow, I'm the first one back!

I decided to ride to Encanto, from Monterey Park. Magicant and Scootcore also rode to Encanto, but they had a bit more to ride than I did. They had 25 miles, and I had 15 miles.

Was a good turnout. My friends Mary and Joe joined us on the ride. We tried to go through Sierra Madre, but it just was not passable at all. So don't even think about riding through Sierra Madre to get to GMR.

Now I only had about 50 miles of riding the entire month, so I had both excitement, and fear of this ride. I felt I would suffer, and sure enough, I did. I was near the back, and Cole comes by and says "you didn't have to wait for me" ... I retorted "I wasn't waiting for you " :p

Coincidentally, after Cole passed me, the wind really started to kick in. I was struggling, but I really wanted to make it to at least the junction of GMR and GRR. Mary and Joe was coming back, and I told them I wanted to make it to the junction, so they rode back up there along with me. We passed the ranger's station, and just after that, we saw ME, Roadfix, and a few others come back the other way. ME yelled "run away, run away ... ". I immediately felted a really stiff kick of wind into me ... and that made my decision to turn back. So what if I didn't make it to the junction.

We headed down. ME was riding along with me, but then she saw a couple others riding up, and she decided to ride up along with them.

At the bottom, I saw Mary, Jo, Magicant, Scootcore, Roadfix, and Cole at the bottom. We were waiting for ME, but she was doing more climbing, so we returned back to Encanto.

I rolled back home ... that's the best way to describe it. Can't really say I was riding back home.

It's too bad, sun was shining, but the fierce wind really limited the enjoyment of riding up Baldy.

My mileage:
67.15 miles
11.6 mph avg speed
4262 feet climbing

Turned out to be a short ride but that was cool with me. I wanted to do GMR only to gauge myself only to see how far out of shape I am, AND YES I AM!:D.. Thanks to Gina for driving support. I might been the first to pass my jacket over. S'posed to be cold but was actually warm once we hit the climb. I waited till all the riders were accounted for then headed up. Had a good time riding up withHerb most the way. We were just about to hit the GRR when we see a big group heading down. We decided to head down too once we sat in the wind for a bit. Good thing for the lead group cause I was just about to make my move!:p

Got a chance tomeet Weekend Warrior and Sally, great people. Sally did the climb up to the shack with a smile on her face. I'm impressed as most newbs aren't able to complete the 9 mile climb. She did it with a smile. Then Gary (WW) comes flying up to us while doing his daily TT intervals. Both good riders and sure they'll both be on more BF rides. Not only good riders but nice people. Gary bought us lunch after the ride. You can tell the guy is a loyal friend. The chick at the food joint made a mistake on Gina's order so Gary went up to the counter and quickly set them straight. So we ate out on the patio with JustMe, ME, Fixer, Sally, Gary and I. We had some good laughs then the conversation was redirected to big voluptuous butts. Well I thought it was fun! Good to see everyone again!



JustME heading down the switchbacks
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/AA.jpg
Herb unable to stay within the whitelines. Obviously his head was on organizing his next BF ride!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/A.jpg
Newest Forum Stud and Studette (Gary and Sally)...and Fixer with the famous 'Best Forum Funny Face' demonstration!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/BB.jpg
ME,Fixer, Sally and Gary hitting the YUMMIES!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/B.jpg

I didn't formaly meet Gina today but I'd love to thank her again for the Gatorade and water in Baldy village. This was my first time doing this ride and I enjoyed it. Bit windy in spots but the climbing and more importantly the descent were great. I did it on a 53/39 with a 12-25 which sort of was the suck. Besides some slightly sore knees though I feel great! Thanks Herb for putting this on.

Rob

Great stories and pictures starting to come in. Looks like a great time was had by all.

copied from the CAM thread:

Rode with Scootcore from my place in Glendale to meet everyone at Encanto. I knew it was a bad sign when my front derailleur cable snapped about 1/2 a mile into the ride. Because of the cable issue, I had to ride home and switch bikes (with no mount for the Garmin, hence the lack of data).

Got on the road for real about 6am, which worked out better than planned. The heavy ass touring bike with lights and all (and not maintained for a ride for the last 6 months) - made the ride a bit more of a challenge than I needed, considering my lack of recent conditioning. Got to Encanto, met with the group and started toward GMR. After riding up GMR, I turned around at the junction with GRR - I'd say it was because of the wind, but I was just struggling with the touring bike up those hills.

Rode back to Encanto with a group who also cut things short. Rode with Scoot back to my place, then I went to the LA River path to tack on another 18 miles to get over 100: 9 on the river path, 7 in a loop around up Trash Truck hill plus the distance to and from my place.

Not a pretty way to get to a century, but I finished it.

^^ I thought you were going to say you rode the whole day in the little ring. Good thing you were close to home.

Thanks to everyone who came out for this ride....
Special thanks to Gina for driving sag and Mr B for riding so slow and hanging with me....
I owe you both!!

Wow...I have never seen it so clear up...incredible views...
I was slow but my legs felt good...wish I could say thesame for my back...I stopped 3 or 4 time just to unclip and stand a minute...then I was able to ride...I think I could have made the village...so I was disappointed...next time fer sure....
When we got back , I decided to ride some more...so I went out on the SGRT and managed to get a total of 52 miles for the day...
Overall a great day and a great ride...
The major dissapointment was seeing what is happening on Sierra Madre...wow...no riding thru there for awhile...unless you have an mtb or cross bike...but Foothill wasnt to bad...
Saw the Baldy Challenge riders heading up GMR as we flew down...
Thanks again Gina and Mr B! You was both awesome!!!!

BTW..I heard robncircus was smoking everyone with his standard double...way to go...

It was a great ride. The winds were a little bit strong, but like the others said they died out near the top. Great food at the lodge and a nice trip down, though a little scary because of the wind, definitely a little scary coming down at 50 and having the wind blow you over a few feet. Coming back though we had a nice little paceline going. Then we got to the part of the road that was pretty bad and that broke it up a little. It was like a miny paris-roubaix over the cobbles. But all in all a good day.

Oh and mary told me to PM her but i forgot her username, so mary, if you see this PM me.

Some of us went to the village and we were surprised that so many turned back. It was windy in a few spots, and after the junction we almost got blown to a stop a couple times, but soon we were protected by the hills and I started telling stories with Travis and Eric and Pete and before we knew it, we were at the top.
Had sandwiches and fries in front of the fireplace, then split up as some wanted to go down Baldy road and the rest of us did GRR. Fun descent, a bit chilly, but I was prepared for it, and the wind was never a factor. I did get freaked by a car that was coming up in the wrong lane!
A great day and I'm really glad I decided to go.

Some of us went to the village and we were surprised that so many turned back.

Well, for me personally, I was just having a really tough time. Some days you have it, some days you don't. When you are struggling to begin with, strong headwinds really demoralize you.

I can edit this post later and add names, but because I don't know all the name I start with just the photos.

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2588.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2589.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2591.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2593.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2594.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2595.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2596.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2597.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2598.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2599.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2600.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2601.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2602.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2603.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2604.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2605.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2606.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2608.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2609.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2610.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2611.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2612.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2613.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2614.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2615.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2618.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2619.jpg

I understand, Ron. I just meant with that large of a group, and that many good riders, we thought more would come to the village.

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2620.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2621.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2622.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2623.jpg

http://shai.impcash.com/07/baldyNov/DSCF2625.jpg

Okay, so what if some of us decided this would be the Baldy Bail Ride. Huh? :p Look it, with the wind gusts up there, my bike was rocking back and forth and not in a pleasurable way, so I hightailed it out of there. I still go 40 miles and close to 4K of climbing. Here are my personal highlights from the day:

1. Another great turnout of BF folks and great company. I really like you people :).
2. Strong legs today and a great climb up GMR. Without the wind, my climb up to Baldy would have been great too, but...sigh...I chose to turn around.
3. In turning around, I met up with Weekend Warrior (Gary) and his sweetheart wife (Sally) and got to ride back up with her on her very first climb up GMR. She did so well and smiled through it!!! That was a treat as I remember my first time up and that couple is so nice.
4. Beautiful views out there...including those of some hottie hot men. Damn, you boys are fine and we had some new/newer ones out there today. Speaking of :D, I ran into Extort on the way down (and took two yummy shots), and shortly following was Mel and Matt and Grumpy. I didn't see Voltaire. :(
5. Great SAG support by the lovely Gina. Always great to see her! Fred, thank her again, please!
6. Seeing the Brutos!!!! That's the group I first rode up Baldy with - Francis (whom I've mentioned many times on here), Alan, David and Vince (and a lovely woman, Rosalyn) - at the Green Onion. I told them to get on this forum and mess with all of us. I miss those boys....fun, fun group!!
7. Getting to see the smile on Vertical Bob's face when he finished his vertical double metric (see other thread I'll start in two minutes).

Overall, great day. :)

Pics coming....

Well ,that was fun. Actually the wind lessened greatly once past the intersection. I was determined to finish my Vertical double and did on the way back from Baldy. Whew, 660,000 ft. I rode through Sierra Madre both ways. There is about 100 yds of dirt but other than that it's all new road on the new Sierra Madre that goes through the housing tract. I think it was worth it especially on the way back. Lesson learned today, don't quit before the miracle.:) Next week the Tour de Francis

Is that Pete in bike clothes?

Pics:

Shprung, Scootcore, Magicant, Markaj
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/10.jpg

The massive group of riders at Encanto:
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/9.jpg

Taking off
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/8.jpg

Spingineer in front
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/7.jpg

Markaj
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/6.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/5.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/4.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/3.jpg

Our little detour off of Sierra Madre
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/2.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/1.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/20.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/19.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/18.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/17.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/16.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/15.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/14.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/13.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/12.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/11.jpg

Hi,

Well, a few of us braved the ferocious winds on GRR. ;) Actually, past the intersection of GRR and East Fork there was one very windy spot and that was it.

I got to the lodge after the young man (didn't get his name) who was riding the yellow Seven. Shortly after, Pete (non BF'er), Big John, Vertical Bob, Laura, Travis, Eric, Lee, and others started trickling in. The lovely Gina drove up performing her SAG duties admirably and told us that most of the others had decided to turn around at the GRR and East Fork intersection. :(

It turns out that Shai was waiting at Cow Saddle to take pictures of the others as they arrived but alas, poor Shai waited in vain. :o

We had lunch at the lodge and my fellow cyclists rid me of those dangerous french fries that I didn't want, but the waitress made me get since my sandwich came with them.

Travis, Pete, Eric, and Shai decided to go straight down Baldy Road while Big John, Vertical Bob, Laura, Lee, and I decided to brave the wind and rocks on GRR. Lee flatted when he hit one of those rocks but that was our only casualty. The winds -- what winds? BTW, we stopped at the top of the hill just west of the GRR and East Fork intersection and we could see Catalina and the ships off the coast near my beloved Long Beach -- very cool. :)

On the way back, Bob figured out a way around the torn up road on Sierra Madre that "only" required a short off road section and one bike carry. ;)

Ended up with about 60 miles and 6,000 ft of fun with my BF compatriots.

Oh, I almost forgot. At one point ME told me she was hot, but since I'm married I couldn't quite figure out what to say in response. :D

Great ride!! I had a great time! We had lots of strong riders today.
Like I promised, I kicked butt, but only up to the junction at which point I wussed out due to the wind gusts and turned back. :beer:

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/30.jpg


http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/29.jpg

Roadfix, giving me the finger
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/28.jpg

Jsigone, Nacy and PaulB
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/27.jpg

Mary
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/26.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/25.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/24.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/23.jpg

Me with Gina, Lady of the day!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/22.jpg

Cole505
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/21.jpg

Weekend Warrior
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/37.jpg

Sally and Gary, coming up to the top
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/36.jpg

Almost there!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/35.jpg

She did it!!!! She did it!!!!
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/34.jpg

Me, hugging on her
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/33.jpg

Extort, behaving
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/32.jpg

Extort, giving into my pleading and showing a little chest....yum
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/31.jpg

Grumpy Pig...so, not grumpy
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/50.jpg

Lovely Melissa (I love that smile and helmet color!)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/49.jpg

The brutos! The boys I used to ride with all the time, Vince, David, Francis and Alan. So, great to hang with them at the Green Onion.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/48.jpg

A couple of out of order shots :o
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/40.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p27/merider/Baldy%20Lite/39.jpg

I understand, Ron. I just meant with that large of a group, and that many good riders, we thought more would come to the village.


Well I've been up there so many times that I knew the wind would end a mile up the road, and prolly kick up again a mile before the saddle.:D...So pretty much I just plain wussed out!:p..It was a wussy day!:D

Well I've been up there so many times that I knew the wind would end a mile up the road, and prolly kick up again a mile before the saddle.:D...So pretty much I just plain wussed out!:p..It was a wussy day!:D

If you had told me that..I would have made you go up there with me!:mad:

Hi,

Well, a few of us braved the ferocious winds on GRR. ;) Actually, past the intersection of GRR and East Fork there was one very windy spot and that was it.

I got to the lodge after the young man (didn't get his name) who was riding the yellow Seven. Shortly after, Pete (non BF'er), Big John, Vertical Bob, Laura, Travis, Eric, Lee, and others started trickling in. The lovely Gina drove up performing her SAG duties admirably and told us that most of the others had decided to turn around at the GRR and East Fork intersection. :(



I was the guy on the yellow seven. Names joseph. Hope to do some more rides with you guys.

I was the guy on the yellow seven. Names joseph. Hope to do some more rides with you guys.

You're hot. ;) :D Seriously, I'm harmless. The rest are too, and it was nice to have you along. I'll PM you info for Tour de Francis. I think, if you can join, You'll really enjoy. :)

You're hot. ;) :D Seriously, I'm harmless. The rest are too, and it was nice to have you along. I'll PM you info for Tour de Francis. I think, if you can join, You'll really enjoy. :)

Hi ME,

Even though I didn't get his name on the mountain, I did ask Joseph his age -- he's 18. :eek:

He was very pleasant, unlike some other 18 year-old with whom I've had contact. :)

Oh, I almost forgot. At one point ME told me she was hot, but since I'm married I couldn't quite figure out what to say in response. :D

You should have asked me if I was having hot flashes...


...:p ;) :D It was great, as usual, to see you, Cleave. You are such a nice gentlemen, and I've heard many mention how nice it is to have you along. Too bad you are so fast and I can't keep up!

Hi ME,

Even though I didn't get his name on the mountain, I did ask Joseph his age -- he's 18. :eek:

He was very pleasant, unlike some other 18 year-old with whom I've had contact. :)

:eek::eek::eek: 18!??? :eek:

That OLD?!





...:p Dude, that ain't right. I was flirting with an 18 year old. Oi vey...:o

Most important I want to thank Mr. Beanz and Gina for the support on this ride. I was blown away when Gina showed up at Mt. Baldy with water and Gatorade for anyone who wanted some knowing Mr. Beanz was not going to Baldy. Then she appears with fig Newton bars and something else if I wanted it. You two were raised right. Be sure to tell your parents. Thank you both.

I had a plan from the start, ride to Mt. Baldy. I just plugged away at it. GMR went well for me although I rode it mostly alone. I dressed warm which was close to being uncomfortable at first but I never peeled out of anything. I was also carrying more clothes which I never needed. I traveled heavy with the clothes and my own food; PBJ, Ensure w/protein, banana and shot blocks. I made GMR and stopped for my banana where I picked my buds, Rob and Eddie. I ate my banana, dropped two shot blocks and off we all went. This is where the wind was but I never had any intention of not riding through it. My buds dropped me and the wind shortly ended anyway, but I will admit I hit some gust that whipped up some dust and me. I had to drop my decent speed to SLOW! (There was some decent on GRR.) I am moving along now on GRR when I round a corner to see Shprung standing-by to take pictures. He is truly good at this. He gets two pictures of me as I pass. Later I see a RV coming up the road towards me. I start to think what a fool doing this in the wind. It is a fifth-wheel RV and we pass one another with out incident. Later Eddie picks me up because he waited at a turn-out and we decent into Mt. Baldy village to find Rob lying about in the sun outside the lodge.

Eddie and Rob go into the lodge to eat but I refuse to go because I like the sun on me and I have all this food to eat. Rob has to refuse the advances of a young cutie at the lodge as it was told to me. Something to do with her wanting to apply mustard on his *****. I eat they eat and later we gather again for the start back. In between this is where Gina makes sure every rider had water, food, etc. and informs us most have turned around.

Rob proceeds to drop Eddie and me again on the return trip. We are going back the same way we came. At some point Eddie informs me that his front brake is not usable and he wants to stop at the GRR & GMR intersection. We do as he plays with his front wheel and brake. He does not report any problem so two shot blocks apiece and we are off again. I inform Eddie this is the last climb of the day right here, it is all down hill now. We just crest the climb to find Rob, Big John and some setting by. I assumed they were waiting for Vertical Bob who I was told fatted. I keep rolling. Soon Rob zooms by and Eddie is right on my tail. To sum it up, there is nothing like the ride down GMR. We managed to find our way back to the park where Herb was comfortably lounging on the greens. A great ride, no break downs and no one got hurt. It does not get any better.

Well I've been up there so many times that I knew the wind would end a mile up the road, and prolly kick up again a mile before the saddle.:D...So pretty much I just plain wussed out!:p..It was a wussy day!:D

Yea, I wussed out today too. I guess there are days when you just have to, but I'm not happy I didn't even make it to the junction, at least. And after hearing the wind sputtered out a little after GRR, it makes me even more upset at myself. I gotta start kicking my training into high gear.

Nice pics guys! Always fun to read about the adventures up there.... it's one of my favorite rides. Thanks for sharing. :)

Nice pics guys! Always fun to read about the adventures up there.... it's one of my favorite rides. Thanks for sharing. :)

we missed you.

really.

truly.


:(

Missed you too! :love: There's always an opportunity for Baldy though... next time. ;)

Nice pics guys! Always fun to read about the adventures up there.... it's one of my favorite rides. Thanks for sharing. :)

Hi Tiffanie,

I saw Paul a few times and we chatted a little. I admire his "courage" for trying to ride up to the ski lifts. Fortunately he and Jeff survived. ;) :)

I am really impressed with how well he is riding after just barely a year of getting into this wacky sport.

:eek::eek::eek: 18!??? :eek:

That OLD?!





...:p Dude, that ain't right. I was flirting with an 18 year old. Oi vey...:o

Well at least you're only 11 years older than him. :D

Hi Tiffanie,

I saw Paul a few times and we chatted a little. I admire his "courage" for trying to ride up to the ski lifts. Fortunately he and Jeff survived. ;) :)

I am really impressed with how well he is riding after just barely a year of getting into this wacky sport.

Hi Cleave,

Yes, I believe today would've been his 2nd trip to the lifts. :)
Wacky sport, indeed. Gotta love it, huh? :D

:...:p Dude, that ain't right. I was flirting with an 18 year old. Oi vey...:o


No objections here.
Well at least you're only 11 years older than him. :D
You dont look it

damn i always wanted to ride with extort.

who are all those poseurs, why wasn't I there to pose :(

Pete, Big J J!! and Vertical bob I recognize.

Dope pics !!!

dude im 18 and i'm pleasant wtf charles

Well at least you're only 11 years older than him. :D

:D You are my new favorite, Cleave.:)

dude im 18 and i'm pleasant wtf charles

:rolleyes: Look it, Ovo. You COULD have been there today! Hmpf!

. I assumed they were waiting for Vertical Bob who I was told fatted.

Yeah that's why everyone waits on me. I wish I could lose that extra few lbs.:D

Good seeing some of you today.

damn i always wanted to ride with extort.

Someday.... but you cannot sign up for the Lite rides... cause that is not where I am at. I was doing the real Baldy Challenge...

Great to see everyone, even if it was for a split second as you were descending!

rumors had it that it was cold up there so I threw every layered item into my bike bag before leaving San Diego. No winds down here til I hit Lake Elsinore, after that the gusts where pushing my my car around so I was thinking "GREAT" that and the temp readout said 40* BURRRR. Got to the parking lot with few minutes to spare after getting suited up. I layered EVERYTHING, thinking it was gonna be cold on the mt. By the time I got to the base of GMR, I had stripped off the jacket, skull cap, gloves. I had my knee warmers rolled in my pocket in case it was super cold I can put them over the leg warmers. I was pissed I was carrying that much clothes on the ride. Got word Gina was sagging and Paul had his jacket in there yeppie, weight shed time. I waited at the bottom gate, Beans rolled up and asked about Gina, she was a few minutes behind. In the meantime most of the BF riders were ahead of me. I was gonna wait for Beans to climb up with but he said he was gonna wait for Herb so I didn't want my legs to get cold and took off. Feeling 10 lbs lighter w/o a bulk on my back I was feeling really really good going up GMR. Today was the first time up GMR and such with standard doubles w/ the 25 on the back for my low gear. I didn't know exactly how it would pan out for me, didn't matter cuz the legs said go and I said OK:D
I caught up w/ Big John about 3/4 way up and rode with him til the gate, Greg caught us just as we got to the gate w/ Paul and ME not to far behind.

The wind was CRAZY at the top gate!!!! I pushed ME to go on GRR with us. Going down the first DH, I starting laughin hard, the wind was making whistling noises as it passed though the frame and spokes. Paul started laughin too. Next thing I know, NO ME:( About 50 yards later the winds stopped!!!! Not much more wind til we go near the Saddleback sign. Paul was a gerat riding buddy, lots of talk as we pedaled our way to the village. My lil trio group attemped to climb to the lifts but it was BAD, damn winds were headon at about 15mph steady. I pushing my 25ring at 4.4mph and it HURT. less then 2 miles of it, the trio turned into a solo mission as Paul and I went back to the lodge for a burger:p Ate with Ed and Greg as well as we waited for the brave soloist to come back from the lifts.

The return on GRR was uneventful, slow with some head winds. Not cold wth all the layers I had on. Paul passed me on GMR as he flew down the mountain. Proud to say there are only a hand ful of guys that can pass me on the DH and he's one of them:D Made it back to the parking lot about 3:15, loaded up and on the road, got home at 5even. Lots of people on the road, but no traffic:D Was on time to our church function so the wife is happy:D

whats the real baldy challenge? lol