Southern California - What A Beautiful Day on GMR! Anybody Else?

First step to my NY resolution, get my butt back into shape. So I figured I'd do a GMR ride. Didn't feel like getting caught out in the middle alone so I went for the double on Big GMR. I didn't think there would be many riders out there since it was a holiday. I was wrong, lots-o-people!

On the first climb I ran into a couple of other riders, Steve and Annette (spelling?). He's a tri-guy and looks it (visiting from Montana). She's a newbie, since August if I recall. Lady has done GMR several times already! We had a nice pleasant conversation on the way up. She smiled all the way up at a good steady pace. I talked with her but she never cursed at me, not once. Man, if I could get Gina to that level!:D

I pushed the forums and bikejournal on them. I'm hoping she joins cause the forum could use more female GMR climbers. He might enjoy the competition and motivation of bikejournal. I might have pushed a lil much so they might think I'm getting paid for recruiting new forum members!:p...Well I'm hoping they show up! I should have snapped a photo but thought they might think I was weird for asking strangers for a pic.

Anyway, the first climb was cool with good company. Second climb was good too. I was worried as the forecast said 30 mph winds. Nothing, a lil breeze at the bottom and at the top on the second trip, but not even enough to mess up the hair. I saw several riders and quite a few uniforms/teams. I'm thinking somebody here had to be up there!


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/gmr1.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/gmr2.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/gmr3.jpg

Hey Beanz,

Next time if you'd like some company just PM or email me. You know I love GMR! I rode the Rebel ride on New Years and got in a fast 50 miles, but GMR would have been better! Sorry I missed it . . .

Rick / OCRR

Hey Beanz,

Next time if you'd like some company just PM or email me. You know I love GMR! I rode the Rebel ride on New Years and got in a fast 50 miles, but GMR would have been better! Sorry I missed it . . .

Rick / OCRR


Hey Rick! I need to get back into some kind of shape before I can keep you in telephone distance!:D....Or you'd be riding alone!:p

Great pics beans!!! I need to get back up there soon!!

Great pics beans!!! I need to get back up there soon!!

Today was nice! No need for the windbreaker on the way down! I rode today cause the forecast says rain from Thurs thru the weekend!:(

Do you have a route link for this? :)

Do you have a route link for this? :)

Ask Mary, she'll take you up there. ;)

Ask Mary, she'll take you up there. ;)

Um. Do you mean me? Or is there another Mary who gives tours up GMR that you're offering the services of?

Beanz,

I enjoyed the conversation and the ride! Thanks for slowing down and chatting with us. I do the mountain every weekend.

Annette

Beanz,

I enjoyed the conversation and the ride! Thanks for slowing down and chatting with us. I do the mountain every weekend.

Annette

Welcome, Annette! :)

Nice pics, Beanz. Didn't want to go to the village? It was nice on Angeles Crest, too.

Beanz,

I enjoyed the conversation and the ride! Thanks for slowing down and chatting with us. I do the mountain every weekend.

Annette

Hey you made it! I'm glad you did. Nope, I didn't slow down, just pacing myself cause I was planning on the second climb. On the second time up, I looked down at my 'puter and was doing the same exact speed you mentioned!:D

It was nice riding with you two. Keep our eye open for any upcoming GMR rides from these people. I think you'd be a great example and motivator for more of these women (GMR newbs) to get themselves up there. We have a few shy ones. Heck maybe a Womens' GMR ride is in order!

Hope Steve had a good time! It was nice riding with you guys, boring you with my stories!:p

Nice pics, Beanz. Didn't want to go to the village? It was nice on Angeles Crest, too.


Hey BigJohn! You know, I thought I'd be the only one out there today. I was wrong. Plenty of vehicular traffic too!

I was up there for a day's end ride. A bit more traffic that normal. Did I say I HATE LOUD HARLEY'S?

But it was all good. Nice climbing temps. And sunset was earth-shatteringly good. I had to pull over to eyeball it (which resulted in me getting down a bit after dark..

GMR rules.

Today was nice! No need for the windbreaker on the way down! I rode today cause the forecast says rain from Thurs thru the weekend!:(

yah I'm not gonna got o work tomorrow so I can climb Palomar and mayeb get some Pie, then let it rain all it wants, well til saturday morning that is so ic an ride with my club:D

I really really wanted to ride yesterday... But i was feeling sick (the beginning of a sore throat and feeling cold despite it being 72 degrees in the house). :( I'm going to wait until tomorrow or friday before riding again (to work hopefully).

Ask Mary, she'll take you up there. ;)


Um. Do you mean me? Or is there another Mary who gives tours up GMR that you're offering the services of?

I'll ask again - does anyone have a link to the route or possible directions they can throw my way?

It's Glendora Mountain Road, east of the Grand exit off Sierra Madre in Glendora.

I'll ask again - does anyone have a link to the route or possible directions they can throw my way?


From the base of GMR to Baldy (http://www.routeslip.com/routes/8329)

Encanto to GMR and Baldy (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Encanto-Park-to-Mt-Baldy-Via-GMR)

Encanto- GMR - down East Fork (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Encanto-to-GMR-to-East-Fork-to-39)

Thank you.

Thank you.

No prob..enjoy...but be careful on the GRR part to Baldy....it can get very cold and icy up there...

Great pics!

Hey speaking of climbing...I don't see you signed up for the Charity Ride in the Santa Monicas...

There's even a tandem, Fred.

Too far away?

I'll be there. I probably won't ride, though. I'm a helper-elvette. ;):D

Um. Do you mean me? Or is there another Mary who gives tours up GMR that you're offering the services of?


Yes you you...merider1.

OK...I just have to ask.

...the avatar...

What's up with it?? :p;)

Just a minor comment, we've been training up Azusa Canyon and East Fork every Sunday for the past 2 months or so and come down GMR. The past few weeks we've had some very scary close calls with idiots speeding up GMR in the wrong lane on the upper half of GMR - I'm not talking about 6" over the line here, I mean almost completely in the wrong lane. That and site seers doing the same thing, though slower, in the lower hairpins. This is not really new, but traffic has been up and there seems to be more of this recently.

It's a great ride and everyone should get up there and try it, just be careful and have a bailout plan in mind on the blind corners.

You're right Doc! All the years that I've been on GMR, I've never seen so much traffic as I have the last couple of times I've gone up.

One dork in a white van decide to stop on a blind turn (by the shack) as I was descending. My eyes must have opened so wide that the oncoming car stopped and let me go around the van. Guy in a grey Porsche braked hard about 10 yards before the van and waved me on. Good thing some of them guys know what's going on!:D

Mr. Beanz,

Next time you're going to do something crazy like that let me know. Depending upon my work schedule and other factors, perhaps I can tag along. And then, depending upon the pace you choose to set, I may either join in on the conversation or just listen. :D

I would guess it's going to be a little while before the weather will allow a safe ride all the way to the village, via GMR, so your idea of two trips part way up may be the best alternative. That way hopefully you can avoid the ice on the back side of the mountains and cut down on the temperature extremes from the start of the climb to the top.

Nice photos of the climb and good luck with your New Year's resolution. Rides like this should certainly get you headed toward your goal.

Rick - DB2

Mr. Beanz,

Next time you're going to do something crazy like that let me know. Depending upon my work schedule and other factors, perhaps I can tag along. And then, depending upon the pace you choose to set, I may either join in on the conversation or just listen. :D

I would guess it's going to be a little while before the weather will allow a safe ride all the way to the village, via GMR, so your idea of two trips part way up may be the best alternative. That way hopefully you can avoid the ice on the back side of the mountains and cut down on the temperature extremes from the start of the climb to the top.

Nice photos of the climb and good luck with your New Year's resolution. Rides like this should certainly get you headed toward your goal.

Rick - DB2

I need to get some climbing legs before I call the goats out!:D I have a feeling I'd be chasing 'you' on the way up. One of these days I get you and OCRRick out there together. I had this habit of chasing him up GMR. Might be fun having two 'Rick Rabbits' to chase for a workout!:p

Hey Beanz -

I've heard you guys talk about GMR, but I've never been up. If you feel I can handle it and would like to share your next ride up there with another rider, you can call on me. I need "get my butt back into shape" too.

Rob

Hey Beanz -

I've heard you guys talk about GMR, but I've never been up. If you feel I can handle it and would like to share your next ride up there with another rider, you can call on me. I need "get my butt back into shape" too.

Rob

You can handle it, you're stronger than Gina and she did 16 of the 21 miles in the heat (and she sucks in the heat). But if you do it, make sure you're comfy with the bike cause descending can be scary if you aren't comfy with the handling. Just bringing it up cause you were talking about a new roadie.:D....Didja get it?

You can handle it, you're stronger than Gina and she did 16 of the 21 miles in the heat (and she sucks in the heat). But if you do it, make sure you're comfy with the bike cause descending can be scary if you aren't comfy with the handling. Just bringing it up cause you were talking about a new roadie.:D....Didja get it?

Beanz -

It may only be 21 miles, but it's all up hill and not like what I'm used to on the SART. I didn't get the "new roadie". I think I waited too long to decide. So I would be bringing my TREK and I'm pretty comfy with it now. So, if you're in, then so am I.

- Rob

Beanz -

It may only be 21 miles, but it's all up hill and not like what I'm used to on the SART. I didn't get the "new roadie". I think I waited too long to decide. So I would be bringing my TREK and I'm pretty comfy with it now. So, if you're in, then so am I.

- Rob

Sounds like a GMR forum ride may be in the brewin'!:D

I'm up for a "hookie day" up GMR;)

I'm making tentative plans to do GMR to Baldy Village on Sunday, Jan 13. I'll be leaving the GMR gate at about 9:15-ish.

Anyone interested?

I'm making tentative plans to do GMR to Baldy Village on Sunday, Jan 13. I'll be leaving the GMR gate at about 9:15-ish.

Anyone interested?

Aye

Have we been watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies??

Have we been watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies??

Nay.