Chuck Bramwell leads this ride. I am posting this for him.
Saturday, March 22, 7:30 A.M.
About 105 Miles with about 11,000 to 13,000 Feet of Climbing
Many options to do less
There’s only 4 weeks to the Mulholland Challenge so NOW is the time to get our climbing legs kicked into shape!!
Tony Rodriguez has designed a major adventure for us this Saturday!! The Tour of Two Saddles will take us up to Dawson Saddle and then for the ultimate test to Cow Canyon Saddle.
Let me know if you are coming by replying to this post. Note that this is a ride where you can easily climb as much as you like then head for home!! If there isn't enough interest in this ride, I may cancel it by announcing the cancellation on this e-mail list on Friday.
This Century is not recommended for first time century riders. Tony is estimating 11,000 to 13,000 feet of climbing.
We’ll start in Glendora at Starbucks across the street from the McDonalds which is Water Stop 2 on the Mount Baldy Century which is at 1832 E Rte 66, Glendora, CA 91740 and shown at
http://tinyurl.com/2ugbkx
We’ll first climb up Glendora Mountain Road for 9 miles, then descend down East Fork for 5 Miles to Camp Williams for the first Stop.
WARNING: Bring a Camelback or an extra bottle and fill them since there is no water after Camp Williams all the way to Dawson Saddle and back.
From Camp Williams, we’ll go 5 more miles on East Fork Road to Highway 39 / N. San Gabriel Canyon Road where we’ll turn right and climb up about 15 miles to Crystal Lake and beyond … all the way up to Highway 2 / Angeles Crest Highway. I’ve never been up there but “Vertical Tony” Rodriguez says it’s possible to ride all the way up 15 miles to Highway 2 / Angeles Crest Highway. And he said it’s beautiful up there.
We’ll then turn right on Highway 2 / Angeles Crest Highway and climb 5-6 miles to Dawson Saddle which is the highest point on the Angeles Crest Highway as described at
http://tchester.org/sgm/places/dawson_saddle.html
How cold will it be at Dawson Saddle? Weather.com doesn’t show Dawson Saddle but it does show Wrightwood at
to be 36 – 59 Degrees this Saturday with only 10% chance of rain. Wrightwood is at 5930 Feet. Dawson Saddle is at 7901 or 2000 feet more … Ken Bartholic’s rule of thumb is 3 degrees of temperature drop for every 1000 feet of gain so temps will be 6 degrees colder at Dawson Saddle than at Wrightwood or in other words, like a high of 53 degrees but with the wind chill it will probably be in the 40’s.
We’ll then descend back down Highway 2 / Angeles Crest Highway for 5-6 miles then left on Highway 39 / N. San Gabriel Canyon Road and descend about 15 miles all the way back to East Fork Road. We’ll then turn onto East Fork Road for 5 miles to Camp Williams for Water Stop 2 then climb 5 miles up to Glendora Mountain Road. At this point, we could fly down Glendora Mountain Road and head for home … or for more miles and more climbing, we could go up Glendora Ridge Road for 11 miles to Water Stop 3 at the Mount Baldy Fire Station then head back down Glendora Ridge Road for 11 miles and Glendora Mountain Road for 9 miles.
Weather wise, this ride has a very short window because once it gets hot the climb up Highway 39 / N. San Gabriel Canyon can be a real barbecue.
I’ll finalize the route with a route sheet and send it out on the list tomorrow.
You should bring your riding buddy along with you so you can stick together. We will stop at the Regroup points only for a few minutes.
See you Saturday!!
merider1
03-20-08, 05:11 PM
Too tough for my blood but looks like an amazing training ride, Jon. :)
voltman
03-20-08, 05:15 PM
Oof.
WhiteCarbonDude
03-20-08, 05:57 PM
Oof.
You mean, Out! :D
vertical bob
03-20-08, 07:48 PM
WARNING: Bring a Camelback or an extra bottle and fill them since there is no water after Camp Williams all the way to Dawson Saddle and back.
I know several people who drink the water running out of the springs in the area of the tight switchbacks. The three cyclist we ran in to a couple of weeks ago and a local resident I have made friends with who owns one of the burned out cabins you pass in the same area. This is not the streams that you pass lower but the springs coming right out of the rock. I've not tried drinking that water yet but will probably imbibe this summer.;)
big john
03-20-08, 09:34 PM
Hey Bob, isn't the road blocked by a massive rock slide?
This sounds harder than the MC.
WhiteCarbonDude
03-20-08, 09:48 PM
isn't the road blocked by a massive rock slide?
I sure hope not.
This sounds harder than the MC.
I'll let you know.
WhiteCarbonDude
03-21-08, 07:04 PM
Hi,
The Tour of Two Saddles Century has been upgrade to The Tour of Three Saddles Century with the recent discovery of Islip Saddle … don’t worry, this doesn’t change the route plan or amount of climbing … Islip Saddle is at the top of Highway 39.
Note: The ride start has been moved to a different Starbuck’s at 459 W. Foothill Blvd in Glendora with a big parking area with easy access to and from N. Grand Ave. See
http://tinyurl.com/2rcyne
Please send me an e-mail letting me know that you understand that this ride starts at this new location so we don’t have anyone starting at the wrong Starbucks.
I’d appreciate it if someone could check it out and let me know if you see any errors. This will be the first time I’ve ridden all of these roads together. Note that there are 3 options on this route in case you’re out of gas.
Required: Camelbak and Two Water Bottles because there is no water for 53 Miles from Camp Williams up Highway 39 to 2 to Dawson Saddle and back to Camp Williams.
Required: Winter clothes for descent. The forecast for Wrightwood at Noon is 55 Degrees at
but note that the wind will be WNW at 20MPH at 1:00 … and Dawson saddle will be 6 degrees colder than Wrightwood. So the wind chill could make this a cold descent down Highways 2 and 39.
The Tour of Three Saddles Century is On with the following registered riders:
IN:
Anny Beck
Chuck Bramwell
“March Madness Man” Dan Crain
Paul D’Aquanni
“Burrito Bob” Davidson
Scott Davis
Kerin Huber
Alan “Paolo Bettini” Ptak
Troy “Floyd” Raffelson
“Vertical Tony” Rodriguez
Jon Shellenbarger
Bruce Taylor
vertical bob
03-21-08, 08:14 PM
Oh man I wish I was doin this with you guys but I'm commited to riding on the other side of the mountain. You will love it up there.
WhiteCarbonDude
03-22-08, 09:14 PM
Someone could have told me there was SNOW on AC! A mile up from the gate towards Dawson Saddle the road is entirely covered what looks like 3 feet of snow all the way up the mountain. I had a good day in the saddle riding with Bob Davidson all day.
So I take it that hwy 39 is passable again up to AC? What did you think of that climb, pretty awesome eh? I'm thinking of doing that next week. We are going to test the water from the springs. Laura the science teacher has the tests.
WhiteCarbonDude
03-24-08, 12:48 AM
So I take it that hwy 39 is passable again up to AC? What did you think of that climb, pretty awesome eh? I'm thinking of doing that next week. We are going to test the water from the springs. Laura the science teacher has the tests.
Yup, Hwy 39 is clear. There are still plenty of rocks on the road you have to dodge on the way down but nothing that bad.
What I thought of the climb?... GREAT! It was definitly one of my favorite climbs. The water was tempting to drink but I didn't want to stop. I did Camp Williams to Hwy2 and back on 2 watter bottles. Let me know how the water tests come out.
Rick@OCRR
03-24-08, 08:26 AM
Hi Jon,
Good to see you on the mountain yesterday. Never did see any of the others on your ride!
Guess you didn't catch Chuck Chen either . . . he said maybe he saw you and you blasted down past Boulder Springs.
We rode GMR plus the Ski Lifts (still snow on the side of the road, but not on the pavement), then added Little GMR to complete out day.
Rick / OCRR
WhiteCarbonDude
03-25-08, 12:22 AM
Hi Jon,
Good to see you on the mountain yesterday. Rick / OCRR
Hey Rick,
This is what it looked like up on AC.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/shellenbarger/Tour%20of%20Two%20Saddles/untitled.jpg
More Photos by Chuck Bramwell (http://s259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/shellenbarger/Tour%20of%20Two%20Saddles/)
Shprung
03-25-08, 12:39 AM
^ WOW!
I assume you and your bodies will do the double this coming weekend. If not, I would like to do another epic climbing day. I am going to test-ride an Orbea Orca so I want some miles. It not coming with a compact so it will be even more of a tranning...
WhiteCarbonDude
03-25-08, 12:52 AM
^ WOW!
I assume you and your bodies will do the double this coming weekend.
I don't know about my bodies(I only have one you know;)), but my buddies will be doing Solvang. We will be shooting for a sub 10 hour double, totally possible on the Solvang Double.
Rick@OCRR
03-25-08, 07:51 AM
I don't know about my bodies(I only have one you know;)), but my buddies will be doing Solvang. We will be shooting for a sub 10 hour double, totally possible on the Solvang Double.
Have a great double Jon :),
I'll be shooting for a sub 15 Hour double, totally possible for me :D. Even when I was young, and riding doubles in way flat IL, I only had one under 12 hour! How you can do it under 10 . . . I don't know, it's just amazing to me.
Rick / OCRR
Shprung
03-25-08, 08:16 AM
sub 10 hours - that beyond reality.
If I am not wrong, the pro in the tour of california were avg 22 mile per hour and did only 110miles; you 'want' to do better than 20 mph in 200miles :eek: :eek: :eek:
vertical bob
03-25-08, 06:04 PM
^ WOW!
I assume you and your bodies will do the double this coming weekend. If not, I would like to do another epic climbing day. I am going to test-ride an Orbea Orca so I want some miles. It not coming with a compact so it will be even more of a tranning... I'm thinking of climbing 39 this Saturday as far as the snow allows. Probably meet at Encanto 8am
merider1
03-25-08, 06:11 PM
I don't know about my bodies(I only have one you know;)), but my buddies will be doing Solvang. We will be shooting for a sub 10 hour double, totally possible on the Solvang Double.
That was a Shprungism. I love that he does that. It cracks me up. :lol:
Shai, I tease in kind! :)
Shprung
03-25-08, 10:03 PM
Everyone add something to the forum, some knows Photoshop to the max, some can find photo for everything and anything and post it, some can piss off everyone, I just have 'my english'...
I got the "you don't ride this Saturday.. do you?" from the wife because we are going to start celebrating her 40th birthday which fall on the 1st - but because I am getting an Orbea Orca for test ride this weekend, I will try do something bigger than usual on Sunday. Merry, btw are you planning on trying MC?
felt1
03-25-08, 10:30 PM
I'm doing GMR this weekend. I think I'll try this route, why not. If I need to ask this question maybe I shouldn't try. Question, do you think cell phones work in the middle of those canyons?
WhiteCarbonDude
03-26-08, 12:07 AM
^^..NO cell reception.
felt1
03-26-08, 09:18 AM
Mtnmn said he would do it with me. So we are in. This way I'll give it a shot without worrying about other people worrying.
mtnmn
03-26-08, 04:50 PM
Mtnmn said he would do it with me. So we are in. This way I'll give it a shot without worrying about other people worrying.
Wow, I didn't know we were going public with this. ;):D
Shprung
03-26-08, 08:07 PM
^ Time & Date, starting where? (Sunday... please!)
felt1
03-26-08, 08:48 PM
Meet at 7:15 leave at 7:30 or earlier, Sundays good, the place Lonehill and Rt.66 Starbucks.
WhiteCarbonDude
03-26-08, 09:06 PM
^^ You guys should hook up with Vertical Bob. He usually leaves from Encanto Park.
Bring extra water unless your a camel like me:o
felt1
03-26-08, 09:10 PM
What ended up being the total elevation gain
vertical bob
03-26-08, 10:24 PM
^^ You guys should hook up with Vertical Bob. He usually leaves from Encanto Park.
Bring extra water unless your a camel like me:o I'm heading up there on Saturday and you are right I'm leaving from Encanto at 8am:)
WhiteCarbonDude
03-27-08, 12:06 AM
What ended up being the total elevation gain
Dude... #10 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=6387354&postcount=10) Look at the Ascent: #value. This is the total elevation gain. Again this was GMR, East Fork, Hwy 39, Hwy2(1.2 mile) and back the same way.
If you leave from Encanto to Islip Saddle (Hwy 39 and Hwy 2) it would probably be 6000+ feet of elevation gain. I had 8100+ feet when I reached it on Saturday taking GMR.
Shprung
03-28-08, 12:51 AM
Meet at 7:15 leave at 7:30 or earlier, Sundays good, the place Lonehill and Rt.66 Starbucks.
Ok, lets do it!
Is this is that starbucks (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1832+E+Route+66,+Glendora,+CA&mrt=yp&ie=UTF8&attrid=&ei=LZTsR8beEI6yjgGawYGzCQ&cd=1&cid=34128719,-117830455,12995576016390074682&li=lmd&z=14&t=m) you reffering to?
I am taking an Orbea Orca with 39x53 25 for a test ride; while lighter than my Giant TCR (with compact), I hope the gears and getting used to different bike will not be too hard on such climbing day, but then... this is a trainning ride after all.
vertical bob
03-28-08, 07:16 AM
Ok, lets do it!
Is this is that starbucks (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1832+E+Route+66,+Glendora,+CA&mrt=yp&ie=UTF8&attrid=&ei=LZTsR8beEI6yjgGawYGzCQ&cd=1&cid=34128719,-117830455,12995576016390074682&li=lmd&z=14&t=m) you reffering to?
I am taking an Orbea Orca with 39x53 25 for a test ride; while lighter than my Giant TCR (with compact), I hope the gears and getting used to different bike will not be too hard on such climbing day, but then... this is a trainning ride after all. A good portion of Hwy 39 from the West Fork to Crystal lake averages 8% but you will be flying on the inspiration of a new bike, right?:D
alicestrong
03-28-08, 07:40 AM
Mtnmn said he would do it with me. So we are in. This way I'll give it a shot without worrying about other people worrying.
I think the buddy system is a great idea.
felt1
03-28-08, 08:33 PM
Ok, lets do it!
Is this is that starbucks (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1832+E+Route+66,+Glendora,+CA&mrt=yp&ie=UTF8&attrid=&ei=LZTsR8beEI6yjgGawYGzCQ&cd=1&cid=34128719,-117830455,12995576016390074682&li=lmd&z=14&t=m) you reffering to?
I am taking an Orbea Orca with 39x53 25 for a test ride; while lighter than my Giant TCR (with compact), I hope the gears and getting used to different bike will not be too hard on such climbing day, but then... this is a trainning ride after all. That's the Starbucks. It's right across the street from the Mcd's we regrouped at last time(Anahiem to baldy). I've been training with 53x39 25 since early Feb. and find it not that much worse than my compact 50x36. you'll be fine.
Shprung
03-29-08, 10:35 PM
It going to be a real climbing tarnning ride...
I just looked at the bike I got from the LBS for test ride: it is 53x39 and 23 in the back
For the riders that always tells me I ride with too low of a cadance, tomorrow will be way lower than usual for sure.
felt1
03-29-08, 10:47 PM
Dude you got ball. I feel bad now because I'm cheating too. After 2 trips to the Santa Monica Mtns, 3 trips up GMR and a few other good climbs with the 53x39 I wanted to see how big a deal it would be to put the compact back on. So I did. 50x36.
Shprung
03-30-08, 10:25 PM
So I drove to the starbucks (40minutes drive) and met 'felt1'. The weather was bad so in 2 sec we agree to drive 50minutes to SM. Parked in Calabasas and did the 'magicant mulholand tranning ride' modified to get a bit more elevation gain. I think we end up with 87miles and 9200ft (felt1 had a garmin so he can post more numbers while I had no computer - cassave style)
Here are some photos:
A stop to get some water; it was so cold that I actually didn't drink more than 2 sips the first 25 miles.
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/007.jpg
To the one that don't know how felt1 actually look, here he what he is look like after stun road...
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/008.jpg
I think this one is after the rock store climb on Mulholand.
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/009.jpg
on PCH - strong wind make it easy to climb the rollers.
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/010.jpg
While climbing Latigo, I thought I lost felt1 so I stopped and waited; then, I saw him
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/011.jpg
Getting closer
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/012.jpg
And closer
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/013.jpg
You did it.
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/014.jpg
It was a nice day and I enjoy riding the Orbea Orca I got for a test ride. Note the 23 (actually the chain is in the 21) gearing. This is a photo at the top of latigo.
http://shai.impcash.com/08/3/015.jpg
mtnmn
03-31-08, 10:24 AM
So I drove to the starbucks (40minutes drive) and met 'felt1'. The weather was bad so in 2 sec we agree to drive 50minutes to SM. Parked in Calabasas and did the 'magicant mulholand tranning ride' modified to get a bit more elevation gain. I think we end up with 87miles and 9200ft (felt1 had a garmin so he can post more numbers while I had no computer - cassave style)
Would have liked to have made the ride but as I was telling felt on the phone couldn't get to Calabasas as quickly as you guys and I just hate the ride home down the west side.
So I did repeats around OC's Highlands/PID. 9400 and 84 miles, makes me hungry looking at it.:D
Got Friday the 4th off-Calabasas- anybody?
felt1
03-31-08, 12:21 PM
I hate Latigo. It's not steep but I hate climbing even 1% for an hour more 6%. And I'm switching back to my standard 53x39. I switch to a 50x36 just for this ride to see how big a deal it is. 1. not a big deal 2. it makes me lazy and slow. I tend to just put it in the granny gear and spin away. When in the 39 it makes me put a little more effort in. Thanks again for the ride Shprung, it was fun.