Update: The weather is questionable for a trek up the mountain, so anybody still interested should PM me or call me around 6:30am for details as I might just ride a local route.

Anyone who is off for MLK Day or wants to play hookie, join me for a 55 mile ride up Angeles Crest to Upper Big Tujunga. We'll meet at the Descanso Gardens at 7:30 and roll at 7:40. It will basically be this route but jumping on and off at Alta Canyada instead of coming from my house.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/pasadena/219467676
This no drop ride will regroup at the following locations:
Angeles Crest/Angeles Forest
Redbox
Angeles Crest/Upper Big Tujunga
Upper Big Tujunga/Angeles Forest
Big Tujunga/Oro Vista

Date: Monday, January 21, 2008
Time: 7:30am (roll at 7:40)
Distance: ~55 miles
Elevation: ~ 4500'
Difficulty: 4 (out of 5)

If you're in, post here and I'll make a list.

In:
Mark
Brian

Anyone who is off for MLK Day or wants to play hookie, join me for a 55 mile ride up Angeles Crest to Upper Big Tujunga. We'll meet at the Descanso Gardens at 7:30 and roll at 7:40. It will basically be this route but jumping on and off at Alta Canyada instead of coming from my house.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/pasadena/219467676
This no drop ride will regroup at the following locations:
Angeles Crest/Angeles Forest
Redbox
Angeles Crest/Upper Big Tujunga
Upper Big Tujunga/Angeles Forest
Big Tujunga/Oro Vista

Date: Monday, January 21, 2008
Time: 7:30am (roll at 7:40)
Distance: ~55 miles
Elevation: ~ 4500'
Difficulty: 4 (out of 5)

If you're in, post here and I'll make a list.

How slow are you planning on going? I can't make any promises, but we'll see. If you're going slow, I'll be more likely to make it out.

Pretty slow. Figure an average speed of about 10-12 mph, so completing the ride in about 5 hours. The last time I did this I beat myself up on the climb and limped back home, so I'll be riding casually on the way up.

I wish i could go... but I need to get back on the bike and in shape first.

Okay...just talked w/the missus...I'm in. I did experience a little funkiness inside my left knee these past couple days, so be prepared for me to be slow :D

Send an e-mail off to Jeff BTW.

I invited Jeff through PMs on the team forum. He's probably not going to make it, but he'll let me know.

Stan and I did Big T and AF to Clearcreek today, and it was getting mighty chilly up there. Bundle up.

Thanks. I was starting to wonder how much clothing to bring. Do you think a vest will suffice on top of my shorts, leg warmers, base layer, jersey, and arm warmers, or should I bring full fingers and a long sleeve jacket too? (I'm generally ok without the long jacket down to mid 40s)

I just looked up the weather forecast and it calls for rain early in the morning. Mark, you're the only one to sign up so give me a call in the morning (I'll be waking up at 6) if you still want to ride and we can discuss details. If there's any precipitation, I'll probably restrict my riding to the local hills at best.

Thanks. I was starting to wonder how much clothing to bring. Do you think a vest will suffice on top of my shorts, leg warmers, base layer, jersey, and arm warmers, or should I bring full fingers and a long sleeve jacket too? (I'm generally ok without the long jacket down to mid 40s)Gloves and jacket. Hey it's the mountains in January, anything can happen.

Brian, be careful up there. I'm so jealous.

We left Sherman Oaks about 7:30 and it was bone dry. Cold, but not frigid. We were headed toward La Tuna, though, and with every passing mile the roads started getting moist... then wet... then the condensation was collecting on the glasses...then sure enough, but the time we got to La Tuna it was coming down pretty good. Turned around, and just a few blocks west, it was back sunshine and dry roads all the way back to Sherman Oaks. Then it rained here. And now it's sunny. Good times.

you left at 7:30? i left home at 6:50 rode through glendale and up verdugo and got to decsanso at about 7:50. didn't see any one there. and it was dry so i headed up the crest. i passed a few runners who said they didn't see a group of riders. it started snowing a couple of miles before i got to clear creek. i figured if the group went up ahead of me that the runners would have seen you guys or i would have run into the group by clear creek. i turned at angeles forest and headed for big t. it stopped snowing, but had freezing rain just in time for the downhill. rained all the way down big t and the rest of the way home. was pretty cold but dressed about right for the ride:

craft windstopper hat
craft windstopper baselayer
castelli thermal fleece lined long sleeve jersey
pearl izumi long sleeve jersey
pearl izumi optik jacket for the downhill (this jacket is crap)
glove liners
wool gloves
castelli roubauix fleece lined knickers (my shins were really cold, something longer would have been better)
wool socks
toe covers
neoprene booties (my feet were still cold, but the feelings stating to come back and hour later)

Mark called me at 6:30 and we both agreed to do the SFVBC Big Sky ride instead (note the posts that said for anyone still interested in riding to call me). It rained a little on the drive out there, a little during the ride, and a little more on the drive home, so I felt a little better about skipping the crest.

Based on Will's account, it was a good choice. I don't have any headwear, so I like to avoid anything below 40.

I know Mark wants to do the crest and Big T some time, so we'll make plans for this later when the weather is more favorable.

Mark called me at 6:30 and we both agreed to do the SFVBC Big Sky ride instead (note the posts that said for anyone still interested in riding to call me). It rained a little on the drive out there, a little during the ride, and a little more on the drive home, so I felt a little better about skipping the crest.

Based on Will's account, it was a good choice. I don't have any headwear, so I like to avoid anything below 40.

I know Mark wants to do the crest and Big T some time, so we'll make plans for this later when the weather is more favorable.

When it gets really cold, I have a Nike Cap that covers the back of the head AND your ears. It's amazing.

the craft cap is pretty small but it has the windstopper front and covers most of my ears and works very well. but have a pretty small head other might have trouble with it covering their ears

If my commute drops below 40, I'll have to get one of those.

Concurring with Enzo and Willzo, a beanie might be my favorite/most important item when it gets down to low-40's or below. I have a few different brands, but even my $10 Performance one makes an enormous difference at those temps.

If my commute drops below 40, I'll have to get one of those.

Check out the Monterey ride thread I made, you can see me wearing the Nike one. It honestly made the ride so much more enjoyable. No brain freezes and no frozen ears makes a big difference when you're 20 hours into a ride and it's below 40 outside.