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So... whose riding BA this Saturday. I know Grumpy, Indolent and DScott.... anyone else. Looks like the start time will be 6am, anyone else up for a 6:30am start time? Weather looks to be much cooler, but not cold between Beaumont (high 70s) and Onyx (high 50s) summit. At least now, I can't blame the heat for my poor performance.
Ian in SD
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Melissa and I will be there. I think we're planning on a 6:30am start.
I'll be there, looking for a 6:00 AM start. This will be my third Breathless Agony, which shows I don't remember pain too well at all.
Rick / OCRR
Plan to start @ 6:30am.
-Tak
Starting o/a 6:00AM. My climbing skilz are teh suk right now.
We're shooting for a 6am start, though I'm not 100 confident we can be there and ready to go that early. Might be 15min. or so later. I'm not missing checkpoints due to my own climbing sukness.
I'm also confused a bit by Chruck Bramwell's last email (of today). He was describing the worker's ride last week as being very hot (in the 90's and 100's in some sections). Is everyone thinking this weekend will be much cooler?
I'll be there. I understand there's a SFVBC group starting at 6:30. I can' climb with the likes of Big John, Keith, etc... so I may try to leave at 6am.
We're shooting for a 6am start, though I'm not 100 confident we can be there and ready to go that early. Might be 15min. or so later. I'm not missing checkpoints due to my own climbing sukness.
I'm also confused a bit by Chruck Bramwell's last email (of today). He was describing the worker's ride last week as being very hot (in the 90's and 100's in some sections). Is everyone thinking this weekend will be much cooler?
Yes, I'm assuming cooler than 90-100, for better or worse.
Yes, I'm assuming cooler than 90-100, for better or worse.
Here's the forecast for Angelus Oaks for tomorrow. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=SGX&llon=-117.771247&rlon=-116.493747&tlat=34.872084&blat=33.594584&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=157&map.y=140
Here's the forecast for Angelus Oaks for tomorrow. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=SGX&llon=-117.771247&rlon=-116.493747&tlat=34.872084&blat=33.594584&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=157&map.y=140
So, do you think this is this going to be 'arm/knee warmers and vest' chilly, or 'long sleeve jersey and jacket' chilly?
I'm just trying to avoid packing a jacket for 6-7hrs, only to use it solely for the descent...
Much thanks!
So, do you think this is this going to be 'arm/knee warmers and vest' chilly, or 'long sleeve jersey and jacket' chilly?
I'm just trying to avoid packing a jacket for 6-7hrs, only to use it solely for the descent...
Much thanks! I'm gonna bring arm warmers and a vest, however the coldest decent will probably the one out of Oak Glen. It was in the 30's a couple of weeks ago up there
I'll be there. I understand there's a SFVBC group starting at 6:30. I can' climb with the likes of Big John, Keith, etc... so I may try to leave at 6am.
Hey, I'm not going. Even if I was, I can't keep up with those guys, (and girls).
Starting, hoping to finish, virtually zero miles since MC, aggravated ankle tendinitis last Sat. still not 100% but I've been looking forward to this ride, paid for it gotta try and do it. At least it won't be sauna conditions, Good luck and a safe ride all
I had to withdraw because of injury, I paid the $20 for next years BA.
Starting, hoping to finish, virtually zero miles since MC, aggravated ankle tendinitis last Sat. still not 100% but I've been looking forward to this ride, paid for it gotta try and do it. At least it won't be sauna conditions, Good luck and a safe ride all It was a pleasure to meet you after the ride. I'm sure our paths will cross again. I had a great ride and saw many friends. I could sure tell I wasn't in Kansas today. I think Onyx is at least 3 times higher that the highest point in the state. I did see one guy from K.C. who flew out for the ride. I've no idea how he trains for something like this but he was doing just fine. Next up S2S.
It was a pleasure to meet you after the ride. I'm sure our paths will cross again. I had a great ride and saw many friends. I could sure tell I wasn't in Kansas today. I think Onyx is at least 3 times higher that the highest point in the state. I did see one guy from K.C. who flew out for the ride. I've no idea how he trains for something like this but he was doing just fine. Next up S2S.
Great to have finally met you too. If I'm not lame in the morning it will have been a good day. Pleased to have 2 of 3 done. By the way the traffic gods were kind, had a good ride home, hope you did too. Good luck at S2S.
Tough ride.
Good seeing everybody.
Tough ride.
Good seeing everybody.
+1. Seeing a few BFers on a ride like this always provides a nice morale boost.
Here is my (kinda long) Breathless Agony Report:
Drove into the park at 5:30 AM and (for once!) got a primo parking spot for my Miata! Walked over Registration, saw Elise (Rebel), then saw Caligurl (Linda), gave her a big hug, also saw SirLanceImNot (Chris), but pretty much on one else I knew.
Started right at 6:00 AM, as was my plan, with a very friendly and happy Chuck Bramwell getting people started. Right after the start (like within one block) I hear "Hey Rick is that you?" from behind, and it's Lee (scvroadie) so I talked with him as we rode out of town, plus rode with his whole (or at least part?) SCV team.
Eventually dropped Lee before Jack Rabbit Trail, but rode with SCV riders right up to that point. Once on JRT I found I was picking my way through the rubble pretty good, climbing easily, dropping other riders without even trying. So I was happy, but worried perhaps I was using too much effort too soon.
Got to the first checkpoint right at 8:00 AM (Official Opening), took off vest, took off arm warmers, took off glove liners (yeah, I hate cold weather!). Checked in, refilled bottles, and off to Oak Glen. Lovely morning by this time, warmish in the sun, cool in the shade, but spun up in my (mostly 39 x 25t) lower gears, passed by four riders but I felt no inclination to chase!
Over the top quite easily (for Oak Glenn), I hammered down the switchbacks, tucked for the straights and passed two of the riders who'd passed me on the climb! Into checkpoint #2, friendly volunteers all happy, filled my bottles, two electrolites (E-caps), a couple of Fig Newtons, and off up Damnation Alley.
What a long boring climb that is! Rode for awhile with Mike from Inland Inferno Tri-Club, then the rest of it by myself as I dropped Mike. Got passed by a few other riders (yeah, they started an hour after me!) but a girl in a SAG truck said I was "Number 8 on the road!" as I passed her truck.
That's cool, I thought, but as riders passed me I became more like "Number 35 on the road." until that game became too depressing and I stopped counting. After the "U" turn at Forest Falls I was still riding well (for me), even though more riders were going by me. And no, I wasn't passing anyone at this point.
I was feeling a bit de-hydrated and since I had a huge (2-hour) cushion on the time limit I drank three Mountain Dew's, sucked two GU packets (Chocolate Mint! - yummy!) and talked to a bunch of riders, none of whom I knew before, but whatever. I saw an old friend (Jeff Ishmael) who I'd worked with at GT Bicycles, and he was feeling bad. Sliced a tire on Jack Rabit Trail, and was salting out badly. He eventualy turned back. On the other hand, I was feeling good, nothing hurt, and it was a beautiful day. All good!
Leaving Angeles Oak, fueled by caffeine, I was feeling kinda super-charged and actually passed a few riders on the way to Barton Flats. Talked to them a bit and then rode on. Of course, other riders were passing me along here too, but I was feeling good, the bike was working perfectly, no worries!
Well, after Barton Flats the last 8 miles to Onyx are often a worry, but I was amazed that I was able to hold 8 mph. Okay, it helped that we had a wonderful tail-wind (at more than 8 mph, since I could feel it on my back), plus still powered by Mt. Dew, I had my easiest climb to Onyx in 3 BA's.
Once on top, huge party! I saw my friend Chuck (OCRebel, lightweight Taiwanese, v.strong) who had passed me before Angeles Oaks, then saw Brandy and George, Caligurl and Sir Lance (again), Vert. Bob, Tome (from Norway, she's very fast!) Fast Larry (Carter), Dave Slaton, Sarah Lee, Robert Freese, Keith Christensen, Andrew May, "Burrito Bob" Davidson . . . and whenever I started to think "Maybe I should head back" . . . more friends would roll into the Onyx checkpoint.
Plus (big plus!) they had chocolate covered strawberries! That's a first for checkpoint food for me. Very (extremely) yummy. I drank a couple of Cokes, munched more cookies and strawberries (w and w/o chocolate). I was on top of Onyx for probably an hour and half, but it was warm up there (for a change) so it was all good fun and visiting with friends. I took a photo of Caligurl and Sir Lance (with her camera) and told her she should post it on bikeforums! Her reply, "No, I don't post there anymore!"
Then I had to add, "Yeah, I know, just kidding!" She was nicely turned out with a pink jacket, and matching pink sunglasses! Too bad she doesn't post here either. Oh well.
Rode back down with Chuck Chen on my wheel, tucked in and passing lots of riders on the way to Barton Flats, rolling at 42 - 45 mph (easy to do on that drop) into a headwind. Chuck stayed with me on the climb up Barton (though he could have easily powered away), but then I inadvertantly dropped him when the road got twisty since he is a careful descender whereas I am . . . well, still kinda careful, but faster.
That's the only time I've ever dropped Chuck, since on ANY climb he can fly up the road. I hooked onto a Santiago Cycling peloton (8 - 10 riders), and drafted them all the way back into Redlands, and the park. Doug Patterson was the only Santiago rider I knew in that group, but they sure didn't mind several wheelsuckers hanging on (me included).
Big burrito feed after the finish, saw all the Rebels that started after me (Linda, Arthur, Tito, Sheila, Joe Rayburn, etc.) had a great lunch and we all waited for Kim, the tiny Vietnamese woman who is such a good climber. Turns out she had been forced into a guard rail by a passing car, but only scraped her knee (and didn't hurt the bike!) when she crashed. It did slow her down a bit though.
In fact, this whole BA was a beautiful ride for me, no worries, riding well within my capabilities, feeling no pain and turning in my best time ever. I think it was 7:06 but will have to wait to see the "official" time when its published. I agree that the BA support was beyond excellent!
Kind got long there . . . sorry! Great ride though. I'd give it two thumbs up and recommend it to anyone who enjoys climbing.
Rick / OCRR
I choked.
My first DNF ever. #*$&#ing asthma :mad::mad:. My HR was way too high very early in the ride and it never got better. I was on my lowest granny gear going slowly for much of Oak Glen, which is not all that steep. When I arrived at a little after 10AM at the second rest stop I realized that I had done less than half of the climbing but I felt like I had done it all. No KOM for me this year.
On the brighter side, I think I was the first rider to arrive back at Sylvan Park. I tried to convince them that I had finished first but they weren't buying it. I saw lots of SoCal peeps - Caligurl and SirLanceimnot for the first time since last summer, Brandy for the first time since forever, plus all the usual suspects, Grumpy, Ian, Karen, Lee, Matt and Mel + Lilly volunteering at Sylvan Park.
I assume the asthma is from pollen in the region. I am actually worse now than I was in Redlands. Next year. Next Year.
+1
Support on this ride is second to none. I was very impressed by how many people they had staffing all the check points. There were multiple sag vehicles I noticed crusing the route all day. There were several sag vehicles stopped along the way up to angeles oaks giving refills of water. All stops were well stocked with whatever you'd need. They even left some drinks and snacks at angeles oaks for the decent.
Chuck Bramwell and the rest of the BA team really put on a top notch event..... as usual.
+1
Support on this ride is second to none. I was very impressed by how many people they had staffing all the check points. There were multiple sag vehicles I noticed crusing the route all day. There were several sag vehicles stopped along the way up to angeles oaks giving refills of water. All stops were well stocked with whatever you'd need. They even left some drinks and snacks at angeles oaks for the decent.
Chuck Bramwell and the rest of the BA team really put on a top notch event..... as usual.
I agree this is a very well run event. It's evident from the moment you arrive to check in. There were four tables with check in sheets, socks, and a sticker--happy smiling people even at 6am-and who knows how long they had been there already. I had a slow leak on my rear tubular and was able to find a floor pump at every checkpoint to refill. Chocolate covered strawberries, fresh strawberries, bananas etc... and as many caffeinated and sugar laden soft drinks you could handle if you needed that fast recovery from the dreaded bonk.
What else can you say about Chuck's just a great guy and he puts on a great event?
Breathless Agony Results are posted!
http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0804.htm
Rick / OCRR
Breathless Agony Results are posted!
http://www.cyclingpros.com/Onyx0804.htm
Rick / OCRR
My time is wrong. :( I emailed Chuck, not sure what the chances are of it being fixed though.
Yes Brandy,
I thought so too! My time is right, but since your time was slower than mine, I figured it can't be right, since you're so much faster than I am!
Chuck Bramwell is a good guy though, so I'm confident that he'll be able to fix it and make it right.
Rick / OCRR
Chuck is awesome...he fixed it. Pssssssssst...I was still slower than you Rick. :p
Wow! You kicked butt this year Ricky Boy!:D
Thanks Beanz,
Yeah, I finished 153rd, Whoo Hooo!
On the other hand, if you do an "age-corrected" sort, only one guy my age (or older) was faster than me. That would be "Burrito Bob" Davidson, at 60 years (I'm 58).
Although Robert Freed was 8 min. faster (he's 57), but anyway, the results would LOOK BETTER if there were age groups, but whatever, I'm happy. Plus Brian got a good photo of my suffering up Oak Glenn!
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/bikephoto1/2008BAOakGlenn.jpg
What a well run event. That and the climbing make it worth the long drive down from the bay area. I'm really happy with my time, 40 minutes better than last year. I wanted to go all out on the last climb but my quads were threatening to lock up every time I stood on the pedals. Last year 5:13 would have been good for second but this year there were more fast guys and the wind was better so it wasn't even in the top 10.
71127
What a well run event. That and the climbing make it worth the long drive down from the bay area. I'm really happy with my time, 40 minutes better than last year. I wanted to go all out on the last climb but my quads were threatening to lock up every time I stood on the pedals. Last year 5:13 would have been good for second but this year there were more fast guys and the wind was better so it wasn't even in the top 10.
71127
I was 29 mins slower than last year. I finished with a 6:09 vs a 5:40 from 2007. Overall I am happy with my time. I have not been out climbing as much as I have been in years past nor have I been doing my weekly century training rides. I also knew that I couldn't go all out since I was racing San Luis Rey Road Race the next day. I rode well within my limits--- a nice steady pace always conserving for the next day. I paced a few riders that seemed to be faltering on the climb up to Angeles Oaks and on to Onyx as well. It was amazing to see so many riders dismounting so close to an aid station. I would come by and say "Come on get back on your bike you have less than a mile to go to Angeles Oaks" They would remount get on my wheel and I would pace them to the stop. They would then say "...thanks man I had no idea I was so close." In there fog of pain and fatigue they had lost count of the miles (or didn't know) to the stop. This scenario was also true for Onyx Summit.
It felt good to help other riders. Additionally, knowing I didn't have to kill myself put me at ease with my slower times to the checkpoints. I won't be doing this event next year since it really hurt my performance at San Luis Rey. I would like to have fresher legs next year for the road race.
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