Southern California - Anyone doing the Ride Around the Bear on Saturday?

I've been doing lots of hill training, and lost 20 pounds - looking to improve dramatically this year. Anyone else?

I am doing it. Last year We did it on a tandem. This year I will be on my single. We are leaving Sylvan park at 7am. We are hoping to do it in 6 hours..

I am doing it. Last year We did it on a tandem. This year I will be on my single. We are leaving Sylvan park at 7am. We are hoping to do it in 6 hours..

6 hours? Holy smokes, you will be one of the first guys in! The year I did my best time (2004), there were only 5 guys under 6 hours. You must be fast!:D


My best was 7:40 (7:05 ride time).:D

Rob is doing it. ;)

Rob is doing it. ;)

5 1/2 hours?
:thumb:

I'm riding The Bear; this will be my 10th. My best time ever was 6:59:13 and I doubt I'll come close to that this year!

Still, it's a great ride, and we will have a good number of Rebels out there. Even my wife (Jackie) is riding it this year, along with her friend (The Action Figure) Roseanne, plus Linda and Arthur, Maria, Jimmy, Andrew, probably Keith too, so it should be a good time!

Rick / OCRR

5 1/2 hours?
:thumb:

Not a problem. :twitchy:

Not a problem. :twitchy:

Cut your hair first, you look like a GOAT!:twitchy:........GOAT-TASTIC!:roflmao2:

I'm in. I guess I didn't get enough with Breathless Agony.

I'm starting as early as I can, depending when I get my butt out the door. I'm hoping to finish.


See you all out there!

I'm in. I guess I didn't get enough with Breathless Agony.

I'm starting as early as I can, depending when I get my butt out the door. I'm hoping to finish.


See you all out there!


I've dont the Bear 3 times and BA once. I'd say the Bear is a much more enjoyable ride IMO. I hated Jack Rabbit Trail and a few others out there. The Bear is more mtn scenery most of the way up.:D

I've done the Bear 3 times and BA once. I'd say the Bear is a much more enjoyable ride IMO. I hated Jack Rabbit Trail and a few others out there. The Bear is more mtn scenery most of the way up.:D

I totally agree with The Beanzster!

The Bear is a pleasure cruise compared to Breathless Agony :). Honestly, no Jack Rabbit Trail like stuff, and the climb to Onyx is WAY easier from The Bear side. No, really . . . it is! Plus, nothing as steep as Oak Glenn.

Add it all up, shake throughly, . . . The Bear comes out way easier! I know, the support and org. on Breathless Agony was excellent, but the OCW support on The Bear is every bit as good. Try The Bear, you'll like it!

Rick / OCRR

Oh man!

That's this weekend?

What's up with always missing this and Breathless Agony?

It's been something like 3 years since I did Ride Around the Bear, 'cause something always seems to come up. :(

Although at least this weekend it's fun. Got a last-minute call from a SAR teammate last Friday morning, that they were short people for an intermediate rope rescue class, and could I come. So I bailed on work and went to that. We did all the classroom stuff last Fri. - Sun. This Thurs. - Sun. we'll be in the field rigging haul systems and dragging a litter up, down and across various nearby cliffs and canyons.

If it wasn't that it'd be a mtn. bike race in Santa Barbara, so I guess the bear just wasn't in the cards for me, again, this year.

It's funny, I actually *liked* Jack Rabbit Trail for some reason. The climb wasn't that steep, and it was definitely a different kind of riding.

Rick, great description! I'm looking forward to the ride more now, knowing it's not quite the slog that BA was. I'm still leaving at the crack of dawn, though...

It's funny, I actually *liked* Jack Rabbit Trail for some reason. The climb wasn't that steep, and it was definitely a different kind of riding.

True, at least there wasn't a "lake" on Jack Rabbit Trail like in 2005! The "sand bog" you may have noticed on the 2008 BA is located where the lake used to be (and will be again, I'd guess, if we get rain the day before like we did in 2005).

My fear on JRT was taking out a tire. Too many sharp rocks and other bits that used to be pavement. But yeah, the climb was easy, and the scenery was totally excellent (once I looked up from the trail . . . occasionally).

Overall, JRT just constributes to BA's personality, and BA is definitely more varied in that regard than The Bear. So I like them both; just as much, but differently.

Rick / OCRR

But yeah, the climb was easy, and the scenery was totally excellent (once I looked up from the trail . . . occasionally).
Rick / OCRR

Oh yeah, that rolled car down in the dirt canyon was a beautiful sight!:roflmao2:

BTW, I hate Damnation Alley!:(

BTW, I hate Damnation Alley!:(

Yeah Beanz,

Just get over it! Actually, it wouldn't be so bad if it ever ended. That's the worst thing for me. It's like you're on it FOREVER, and you look up, and it still goes on, apparently FOREVER. Same grade, same pavement, same scenery, same, same, same, FOREVER.

Other than that, it's not so bad :D. Looking on the bright side, when you do FINALLY make that turn at the Forest Falls junction, it's time to celebrate, Whoo Hooo! I love that part :love:.

So Beanz, do you agree that The Bear is lots easier than BA?

Rick / OCRR

Why does everyone keep referring to the climb up Hwy. 38 as "Damnation Alley"? I've never heard it called that anywhere else, by anyone, cyclist or otherwise.

Who calls that stretch of road "Damnation Alley" anyway? Is that something that's on the BA route-sheet?

Ever since I've ridden that area I've heard it called that. Don't know why, or who first started calling it that. The name sure fits though! It might be on the route sheet that way; not sure . . .

Rick / OCRR

So Beanz, do you agree that The Bear is lots easier than BA?

Rick / OCRR


I can't say that cause I was in much better shape when I did the Bear. 20lbs lighter and more mtn training. I only did 4 or 5 mtn rides before I did BA, not enough! Before the Bear I was doing GMR once a week, sometimes twice (repeats up to the shack during the week). I was able to push myself the Bear and BA was more about survival. I'll have to get back into shape before I could tell you! The first mile of BA I knew I was going to have a tough ride:D

Ever since I've ridden that area I've heard it called that. Don't know why, or who first started calling it that. The name sure fits though! It might be on the route sheet that way; not sure . . .

Rick / OCRR

We did a ride up OakGlen, Damnation Alley then up to Forest Falls on a hot summer day. Do one, you won't care who or why they call it that, you'll just go along with it!:roflmao2:

Gina drove support for us that day. Refilled my bottles at the beginning of the road. About 4 miles later I was totally empty!:eek:

Now FFalls, that was the toughest climb I've ever done. 20 or 22% according to the others' GPS's on my standard double (39/25). If I ever go back there, I'm taking a triple!:D...With Gina on the side of the road asking how I was feeling?....I was struggling too much to take my hands off the bars for 'The Bird':p

Who are these guys?:p...April 2004
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/April2004.jpg

Yeah Beanz!

That was April 2004? Time sure goes quickly when you're havin' fun! I was a lot fatter back then! Is that Jon (whitecarbodude) in the middle? Looks like him, but I'm not sure.

Rick / OCRR

Yeah Beanz!

That was April 2004? Time sure goes quickly when you're havin' fun! I was a lot fatter back then! Is that Jon (whitecarbodude) in the middle? Looks like him, but I'm not sure.

Rick / OCRR

Webby007!....He's like 7 feet tall but doesn't show in the pic!:D

Must be my monitor, but the color on that photo looks kinda funny to me. Also, I'm the only one not hanging onto my handlebars. No wonder my front wheel looks floppy!

Yeah Web007. I remember him now. Whatever happned to him? And Semper Fi? And bigkahuna? Do these people just drop out of cycling, off of the internet, or maybe just change their screen names and they're still with us. The mysteries of cyber-space . . .

Rick / OCRR

Must be my monitor, but the color on that photo looks kinda funny to me. Also, I'm the only one not hanging onto my handlebars. No wonder my front wheel looks floppy!

Yeah Web007. I remember him now. Whatever happned to him? And Semper Fi? And bigkahuna? Do these people just drop out of cycling, off of the internet, or maybe just change their screen names and they're still with us. The mysteries of cyber-space . . .

Rick / OCRR

007 is TCR on this board (he posted above). I think he's some bigtime racer now!:D..Bigkahuna hasn't ridden much. Busy with new job and kids in sports. Semperfi dropped off the boards but I heard from Uncle Leo that he still rides the OakGlen area. I really like riding with him, great and experienced riding partner!:thumb:

And the cheesy pic is cause I took a pic from a paper I had printed off the forums back then. Didn't have my own camera yet!:D

is there a link for this event somewhere?

Travis

http://www.ocw.org/bear/bearinfo.asp - watch out for the bear!

Sold out for this year.

Last year I did it on my tandem with a Girl who had only been riding for months. We did it in 7 hours 20 minutes. One of the hardest rides I've ever done...

That's an extremely fast time considering that you were on a tandem, plus you had a relatively inexperienced stoker. Great job, really!

Rick / OCRR

The Bear is limited to 400 riders. Entries are now closed.

That's an extremely fast time considering that you were on a tandem, plus you had a relatively inexperienced stoker. Great job, really!

Rick / OCRR


Hey Rick, do you remember Tom and Sue? They rode with us when we rode down to Long Beach for lunch at Tequila Jack's. Moneyfriend was with us too!:D

They did the Bear last year on the tandem with a finishing time of 6:30. They were places # 22 and #23.:eek:

John R, there were only 3 riders that finished in 6 hours or less last year! Wow, you must be fast! I'll be looking for your results, good luck!:thumb:

I'm hopeing to finish in around 6 hours and change. I know Tom and Sue Tisler, There from Rancho Cucamonga, they had a fast time last year. They blew off most of the rest stops. We were trying to find someone to drive a chase car. Makes you wonder why you pay the 50 bucks and not take advanatage of the rest stops, and food. Our total time on the tandem was 7 hours 20 minutes, our ride time was 6 hours and 40 minutes. I am 51 years old this year.

I'm hopeing to finish in around 6 hours and change. I know Tom and Sue Tisler, There from Rancho Cucamonga, they had a fast time last year. They blew off most of the rest stops. We were trying to find someone to drive a chase car. Makes you wonder why you pay the 50 bucks and not take advanatage of the rest stops, and food. Our total time on the tandem was 7 hours 20 minutes, our ride time was 6 hours and 40 minutes. I am 51 years old this year.


We used to ride together when they were on the singles. We had some really fast times on the trail. Once the 3 of us did a 19.5 average over 50 miles. That's fast for me!:D I haven't ridden with them on the tandem though, prolly much faster. I did the Bear before they did so I suggested they try. They were hesitant at first but once they started climbing. look out! Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut!:D

Several riders don't use the rest stops. I'm one that needs to stop. 220 lbs up the mtn aint easy you know!:p When I do the ride, Gina drives my truck as a support vehicle. I get fluid whenever I need and I really don't care for the stuff at the stops. All I need is a few Fig Newtons and Gatorade powder.

The year before I did the ride, I drove up for my friend. He didn't really need much but it was fun to watch. I did end up helping a couple of flats and a guy who thought he could do the ride on one small waterbottle!:eek:

A couple of other times we drove up just to watch. I take supplies just incase! But with the price of gas nowadays? Sheesh! Gina (my wife) has driven my truck as support on countless forum rides, this forum and others. But now that has got to stop! Stupid gas prices!:troll:

I was holding out to make sure I was accepted, but I was, so I'll be there.

All I need is a few Fig Newtons and Gatorade powder.

Yes Beanz, I remember them from the SART ride a couple (or 3?) years ago.

I always thought Gina brought you Bagels! And now I find out your were powered by Fig Newtons and Gatorade. I am shocked! :eek:

Plus, I remember one year we had exactly the same "On the bike" times for The Bear, but my overall time was faster because I used the official OCW stops, and you were serviced by Gina stops! So your personal SAG was more :love:, but the OCW's were quicker . . .

Rick / OCRR

Yes Beanz, I remember them from the SART ride a couple (or 3?) years ago.

I always thought Gina brought you Bagels! And now I find out your were powered by Fig Newtons and Gatorade. I am shocked! :eek:

Plus, I remember one year we had exactly the same "On the bike" times for The Bear, but my overall time was faster because I used the official OCW stops, and you were serviced by Gina stops! So your personal SAG was more :love:, but the OCW's were quicker . . .

Rick / OCRR

Actually I had Gina and Ana in the truck (2 years in a row). So I had to do twice as much hugging before getting back on the bike!:D

Actually I had Gina and Ana in the truck (2 years in a row). So I had to do twice as much hugging before getting back on the bike!:D

Well then, that explains why your total times were longer! And, while the checkpoint ladies are great (esp. the Pirates), they don't usually give out hugs with the Fig Newtons and Gatorade:hug:!

Rick / OCRR

Tom and Sue will be there this year. They leave Sylvan park around 530 am. We are leaving around 7 am. The weather should be pleasent... Be Safe and Have a Great ride....John

Hi John R,

I plan to leave at 6:00 (approx.), so if you start at 7:00, and are looking at a 6:00:00 finish, you'll probably pass me before the first checkpoint!

I'll be wearing my yellow (mostly) OCRR jersey with the cartoon Eagle on the back, riding a dark blue to black fade Calfee. Say "Hi!" when you fly past me!

Rick / OCRR

Hey Rick
I will be wearing my red Sho Air/ Sonance Jersy. I ride a red Specialized Tarmack and wear a red Bell Helmet. I will be in a group of 4 riders. Hope to see you out there. I also drive a silver Honda Element. Maybe I will see at the barbaque. Be safe and have a great ride. The Bear is the best...John

Hey JohnR, are you riding with the same girl/partner ?

Hey Rick
I will be wearing my red Sho Air/ Sonance Jersy. I ride a red Specialized Tarmack and wear a red Bell Helmet. I will be in a group of 4 riders. Hope to see you out there. I also drive a silver Honda Element. Maybe I will see at the barbaque. Be safe and have a great ride. The Bear is the best...John

Okay, will look for you. I drive a red Honda Insight, but not sure if we'll be in that or my wife's Subaru Forester (dark blue with "Bike 1" license plates). I'm guessing your group of four will all be wearing the same team kit?

Rick / OCRR

Hey Rick
I just got word that I am being picked up. We will be a Toyota crew cab pick up, Red. Now there are only three of us . See ya out there.

Hey Beanz
No, this year I will be on my single.

Hey, How do you upload pics to this sight, your pics are great...John

Hey, How do you upload pics to this sight, your pics are great...John

I load my pics into an online photo ablum (photobucket.com) it's free. Then I copy and paste the direct link to the little square yellow icon at the right of the "reply screen". The little yellow square with the mtns and moon or sun(?) (4th from the right lower row)

Thank You Beanz
I might try to put some pics up later...John

Hey Everyone,

I lost my Camera today after the ride. I had it set in a tree next to my bike and I stepped away accidentally. When I realized it it was gone. The camera was in a black pouch. It's an Olympic FE-230. It was a gift from a very close friend, and I really would like to get it back. If you happened across it please PM me.