Southern California - GMR RIDE Sat. Feb. 23rd OCRR/bikeforums

How about we all go cross-country skiing this Saturday?:D

Or why don't you meet me and we'll go shopping and get Appletinis after my hair appt.? :D

Or why don't you meet me and we'll go shopping and get Appletinis after my hair appt.? :D



Mary, I can't go shopping, see my horoscope for today (LEO). I am a recovering shopaholic:(:(:(. I think I will go biking with OCRR manana.

Leo July 23 - August 22
Much to your surprise, your finances seem to be slowly falling into place. This is good news, although it does not mean that you should go back to your old ways of shopping and (not) tracking your costs. Now that you have gotten everything under control, don't give up! You've gotten used to life with a tighter belt, and there is still a lot you can learn about how to trim the fat. Keep going, and you will be very proud of what you can save in just a few months.

And here is mine:

Friday, February 22 2008
PISCES

Positive things happen when you do a little detective work today. You can uncover a truth that will help someone get out of trouble. Your mind is quite clear. Ideas are flowing and come with ease. Whatever you seek to accomplish today will have positive results. Travel is on the horizon and you will frequently find yourself looking through maps and pamphlets for more information along this line. You may be teaching or instructing a young person in matters of importance this evening. It could be that you are tutoring a student. If you are not romantically involved, you will find a special someone soon. If you are romantically involved, you will discover ways to grow closer to your loved one. There are opportunities to create memorable times.


Gee, let's see. I'm going to uncover a truth (the roads up at Baldy are slick!) and get someone out of trouble (you, Maria!). I will accomplish whatever I seek today with positive results (a tuna sandwich made with fat free mayo/I will stick to my diet!). I'll be traveling soon (yes, from Sherman Oaks to Burbank for my hair appt. tomorrow) and may be teaching or instructing a young person this evening (not touching that one...) I will also soon meet a romantic interest and get lucky. :D

Okay, that being the case, and as the OP (Original Poster),

This ride is called off . . . and will be rescheduled fora later date with better road and weather conditions. It's posted on the OCRR site as "delayed" so it will be rescheduled for OCRR too.

We (I) do not want to expose any rider(s) to unsafe conditions.

That said, anyone wanting to try it on their own is still welcome to! It's a public road, so there's no one stopping you! If you do, however, be sure to dress warm and watch carefully for rocks and debris on the roadway.

Rick / OCRR

So, no need for me to scope out the road tonight?

And here is mine:

Friday, February 22 2008
PISCES

Positive things happen when you do a little detective work today. You can uncover a truth that will help someone get out of trouble. Your mind is quite clear. Ideas are flowing and come with ease. Whatever you seek to accomplish today will have positive results. Travel is on the horizon and you will frequently find yourself looking through maps and pamphlets for more information along this line. You may be teaching or instructing a young person in matters of importance this evening. It could be that you are tutoring a student. If you are not romantically involved, you will find a special someone soon. If you are romantically involved, you will discover ways to grow closer to your loved one. There are opportunities to create memorable times.


Gee, let's see. I'm going to uncover a truth (the roads up at Baldy are slick!) and get someone out of trouble (you, Maria!). I will accomplish whatever I seek today with positive results (a tuna sandwich made with fat free mayo/I will stick to my diet!). I'll be traveling soon (yes, from Sherman Oaks to Burbank for my hair appt. tomorrow) and may be teaching or instructing a young person this evening (not touching that one...) I will also soon meet a romantic interest and get lucky. :D

It's all good stuff Mary. And yes, thanks for keeping me out of trouble because for sure I don't want to descend GMR in snow or rain or ice. Maybe one day myself and Rick will convince you and other BFers to ride with the Rebels:D

I don't want to descend GMR in snow or rain or ice.

No snow or ice on GMR it is not high enough nor is it cold enough, could rain but that's about it. There was one patch of ice on GRR just before Cow Saddle but that might be gone now.

So, no need for me to scope out the road tonight?

True Gr@sshopper,

Thanks for the offer, but everything is just adding up in the wrong direction for this time. We will reschedule on a warmer days, with better road conditions, bright sunshine, etc. and will not conflict with M.E.'s beauty enhancement appointments.

Rick / OCRR

No snow or ice on GMR it is not high enough nor is it cold enough, could rain but that's about it. There was one patch of ice on GRR just before Cow Saddle but that might be gone now.

You think that's gone with the recent rain and cold weather up there? I've crossed over that patch on a sunny day with it being above 50. That patch is in shade and at the coldest spot (or so it seems) on the way up. It's certainly avoidable, but I doubt it's gone.

True Gr@sshopper,

Thanks for the offer, but everything is just adding up in the wrong direction for this time. We will reschedule on a warmer days, with better road conditions, bright sunshine, etc. and will not conflict with M.E.'s beauty enhancement appointments.

Rick / OCRR

Rick, I know you are joking, but my attendance is irrelevant! Lots of great riders who will love this ride. Baldy is my favorite and as the weather improves, I definitely want to get back up there (and up to the ski lifts again). I hope those who do decide to go up tomorrow have a great ride!

Hey Rick, I don't know how you feel about spectating, but some of us are riding out to Balcom to watch the TOC. It will be about 80 miles, casual pace on the way out, and faster on the way back. We leave CSUN at 8:00 and everyone is welcome.
We also have rides planned to go to Angeles Forest on Sunday, but I'm not riding up there if it's raining.

It's all good stuff Mary. And yes, thanks for keeping me out of trouble because for sure I don't want to descend GMR in snow or rain or ice. Maybe one day myself and Rick will convince you and other BFers to ride with the Rebels:D

Great idea Maria :),

We could have bikeforums.net day at The Rebels with a special invitation on the Rebel site, plus here on bikeforums.net / SoCal and as special offer, for any bikeforums.net poster, their ride is FREE!

Rick / OCRR

Great idea Maria :),

We could have bikeforums.net day at The Rebels with a special invitation on the Rebel site, plus here on bikeforums.net / SoCal and as special offer, for any bikeforums.net poster, their ride is FREE!
CRR

You're killing me, Larry. :p

You're killing me, Larry. :p

Thanks M.E.

I knew I could count on your for the punch line :D.

Rick / OCRR

Hey Rick,

I ended up going on Saturday and it was COLDDddd! My knee started giving me some pain so I took it easy.

The climb up GMR was like NO other. I was the only rider up there at 7:30 in the morning, NO cars, NO motorcycles, only a forest service truck passed me and a Sheriff. The temps were in the low 40's and dropped into the high 30's. Once on GRR I was dodging rocks and the higher I got the more rocks were on the road. I made note so on my descent I would take caution. There were few patches of black ice on the road and up towards Cow Saddle there was snow/ice on the sides of the road. When I got to the Village the Lodge was closed so I just sat on the bench and tried to thaw out my frozen toes (I need to get me some booties). An employee opened the door and asked if I wanted to warm up in front of the fire place so I did. She even gave me a cup of hot chocolate and put my wet clothes in the dryer. I left there all warmed up only to descend into the fridged air. On my way down I started seeing more riders coming up the mountain but not many. I started at 7:20 and returned to my truck at 10:51, 3:31 total time and I hung out at the village for 30 min.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/shellenbarger/022308.jpg

WhiteCarbonDude;

Thanks for your report. I woke up on Saturday morning thinking "Oh no, it is a perfect day for GMR and I can't belive we cancelled it!!!!!!!!!". A quick thought ran through my mind that I could still do GMR by myself and...... instead I rode 60 fairly painful miles with OCRR. After reading your ride report I am at piece with myself now:D. I am not worried about cold air but black ice is no fun for sure :eek:.

Is the high point of that profile at the lifts, or is it just to the lodge area? I haven't done this ride but am looking forward to it. Also, for those of you that may have done Balcom Cyn. this weekend, how does the steepness compare to that climb? (including the section to the lifts at the end). I know Balcom is much shorter, but that puppy is STEEP!

Balcom and Baldy (GRR) are in no way similar. The climb up to the lodge never gets above 10% grade (if that). It is just a steady, consistent climb. Pacing, fuel and determination can get most people up there, even those who aren't necessarily Billy goats. Balcom, however, is a whole other type of climb. It's very steep (the guys can provide grade, but I think on the steepest/longest side it maxes out at 22% in one of the switch backs). It's much, much shorter and really just for fun (in that very painful, fun kind of way). I prefer Baldy, but I don't dread Balcom (all else fails, just walk the darn thing).

You must do Baldy! MUST! That's an experience, especially in ideal weather conditions and it's my favorite ride to do. You also get the luxury of having a ski lodge with good eats or the Trout Pond (for a quick snickers and a coke) before turning around and descending. The ski lifts are as steep if not steeper than Balcom, but they are not a requirement for any Baldy ride. They are only for those (like me) who are nutty enough to climb up and descend back down those crappy roads for really nothing more than a "I did it" feeling. I recommend it only if you fall into this category. Otherwise, skip the lifts and enjoy a hot cocoa and loaded potato skin at the lodge. ;)

Crazy people, rolling at 0730. What did you expect? When I went up at 1200, it was still cold in the shadow.

Crazy people, rolling at 0730. What did you expect? When I went up at 1200, it was still cold in the shadow.

Have you met whitecarbondude? He's a little tougher than most (and I mean that with all due respect to Jon).

Crazy people, rolling at 0730. What did you expect? When I went up at 1200, it was still cold in the shadow.

You probably saw me and my friend--I was on a red trek 5000 and she was on a celeste Bianchi. We started right around noon, too.

Balcom and Baldy (GRR) are in no way similar. The climb up to the lodge never gets above 10% grade (if that). It is just a steady, consistent climb. Pacing, fuel and determination can get most people up there, even those who aren't necessarily Billy goats. Balcom, however, is a whole other type of climb. It's very steep (the guys can provide grade, but I think on the steepest/longest side it maxes out at 22% in one of the switch backs). It's much, much shorter and really just for fun (in that very painful, fun kind of way). I prefer Baldy, but I don't dread Balcom (all else fails, just walk the darn thing).


Balcom is way easier than the ski lifts.

You probably saw me and my friend--I was on a red trek 5000 and she was on a celeste Bianchi. We started right around noon, too.

Were you guys stopped on ridge road? She maybe was stretching calves? I don't remember bikes, I asked if you were allright and kept rolling. Trek 2300, my buddy was on a bianchi. He had a jersey with a lobster on it, I was wearing a twin six jersey with a big 6 on the back.

Have you met whitecarbondude? He's a little tougher than most (and I mean that with all due respect to Jon).

Haven't had the pleasure. Was hopping to chase him and the OCR crowd on Sat.

Were you guys stopped on ridge road? She maybe was stretching calves? I don't remember bikes, I asked if you were allright and kept rolling. Trek 2300, my buddy was on a bianchi. He had a jersey with a lobster on it, I was wearing a twin six jersey with a big 6 on the back.

Probably someone else-- I don't recall her stretching or anyone riding by while we were stopped. We took a few short breaks to snack and so she could catch her breath. We turned around at the 8.0 mile mark on GRR when we started getting sleet and rain- I didn't want it to turn into an epic ride.

Ah, who knows then. Next time.

Is the high point of that profile at the lifts, or is it just to the lodge area? I haven't done this ride but am looking forward to it. Also, for those of you that may have done Balcom Cyn. this weekend, how does the steepness compare to that climb? (including the section to the lifts at the end). I know Balcom is much shorter, but that puppy is STEEP!


This is my profile with the lifts:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/shellenbarger/July212007.jpg

I've never done Balcom Cyn. but from what I gather it's not worth the drive for me. The Baldy Ski lifts add 2110 feet with average 8.6% for 4.6 miles from the fire station and "The last few miles of this climb are more dificult than most of Alpe d'huez." (http://www.socalvelo.com/sub/mount_baldy_road.htm)

Have you met whitecarbondude? He's a little tougher than most (and I mean that with all due respect to Jon).

I'm just your average "B" rider.:o

Balcom is way easier than the ski lifts.

Except it's easier to do switch backs on the ski lifts road since there is next to zero traffic. ;)

I'm just your average "B" rider.:o

:rolleyes: Yeah. That puts me in the "E" group, I suppse. :p

I'm just your average "B" rider.:o

"B" for Bodacious! :D

Went up at 8:30am and reached the Village for the first time 2.5 hrs later.
Just 1hr later must have made a big difference because I did not see any ice on the road; a bit damp on dark areas and small fallen rocks but no other debris.

I think I remember a couple matching bitingduck’s description on Ridge right after the Fork when I was descending.

Don’t know what are you guys talking about being too cold but I was slightly overheating (145 # here).
Maybe next time will have the pleasure to meet you.

Except it's easier to do switch backs on the ski lifts road since there is next to zero traffic. ;)

Gonna have to disagree ME. On weekends when there is snow, there is a ton of traffic. 3 weeks ago (maybe 2?), the traffic was bad enough that I was as fast as the cars. Those switchbacks really, really suck when you are stuck in the shoulder.

Gonna have to disagree ME. On weekends when there is snow, there is a ton of traffic. 3 weeks ago (maybe 2?), the traffic was bad enough that I was as fast as the cars. Those switchbacks really, really suck when you are stuck in the shoulder.

Darling, I don't ride those roads when there is snow up there. ;)

Switchbacks?

Only the ones where the road turns.

re saturday:
We were a little underdressed (no tights, and nothing windproof), and only one pair of gloves. Going up was fine, but descending was chilly.