Southern California - GMR/GRR - Second Impressions

"Someday" came sooner than I expected. I took the plunge today and rode up GMR/GRR about 16 miles from the parking area on the left at the bottom where most of the vehicles park. I felt pretty good at the East Fork/GRR junction and thought I might go all the way to Baldy, but riding along the ridge with all of the ups and downs let me know that it was time to turn back, as the ups kept getting harder. I figured I better save something for the ride back. I'm glad I did. It was really nice up there on a bike, like you all said. Thanks for the encouragment. The weather couldn't have been better - overcast didn't burn off until I was 12 miles up the hill - and the air was still cool. Descent was exciting, not too scary. Thanks again, Gary

It's a nice ride, you should have finished it (its easy for me to be an armchair cyclist) there are enough downhills and flats to make the rest a tad easier than the first part.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. How was the traffic up there?

"It's a nice ride, you should have finished it (its easy for me to be an armchair cyclist) there are enough downhills and flats to make the rest a tad easier than the first part.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. How was the traffic up there? "

I'm sure it's just a mental thing, but going steadily uphill with little variation in grade is easier for me than alternating uphill/downhill, at least when I'm getting tired. I could have pushed it, but I'm still just getting in shape. I know I'm improving though - I ordered a 22 and 24 tooth sprocket to replace my two lowest gears (21 and 23) and I'm thinking I may not even need them, since I managed to avoid using my lowest gear yesterday. Still, after knee surgery in June, I should be pedaling faster, not harder. The traffic was probably normal for a Saturday. Lots of motorcycles, fewer bikes, very few cars. Gary

I usually start at Boulder Springs, so my milage will be a bit off from yours, but there is a 3.5 mile climb that starts at about mile 14 and goes to about 17.5. So . . . if you turned around at 16, and started (approx.) 1/2 a mile later than I usually do, you were almost to the top of that climb.

That said, yes, I see how you could become a tad discouraged. Happens to (just about) all first timers. Next time just stick with it to the top of that climb, and you'll be fine. It's rollers from there, then a 3/4 mile drop to Baldy Road, another 1/4 mile (left turn, i.e. up) to the Mt. Baldy Lodge / Cafe. Lovely ride, really!

Rick / OCRR

Rick@OCRR: Any GMR rides planned in near future w. Rebels or others?

Looking to make first GMR climb and would like to get it sorted it out with experienced riders.

Thanks.

Did you see any skateboarders going down? That's one of the legendary downhill spots in so. cal.

Rick@OCRR: Any GMR rides planned in near future w. Rebels or others?
Looking to make first GMR climb and would like to get it sorted it out with experienced riders.
Thanks.

Hi Obie,

None planned right at the moment. The last two weekends I've been riding Angeles Crest and derivatives (Little Tujunga, Big Tujunga, Angeles Forest, etc.) so I need to get back to GMR/GRR soon.

Next weekend I'll be in Vacaville for the Knoxville Double Century, so that's out, and the following weekend I'll be at the Interbike show in Las Vegas, so that's out.

Watch this forum for GMR rides, but if nothing pops up, I'll ride it with you in three weeks, or you can just ride it yourself (or with a friend). It's really not that tough, and you can always turn around if it gets to be too much on any particular day, and coast back down.

Take two large bottles (and/or a Camelback), some Cliff bars (or similar) and couple of GU or Hammer Gel packets and you'll be fine. Re-fill bottles or Camelback at the Mt. Baldy Lodge (get something to eat too if you're feeling hungry), and head back.

Remember, it's only a 44 mile ride round trip, 5,000 feet of climbing, 5,000 feet of decending. About 70% of the climbing is on the way out, 30% on the way back, and nary a flat bit in between! Try to ride to the right, and esp. when you hear a motorcycle coming your way!

Rick / OCRR

Did you see any skateboarders going down? That's one of the legendary downhill spots in so. cal.

Yes, fairly often, usually quite early in the morning (7:30 AM and before). The skate boarders and the street lugers (http://www.streetluge.com/) are fairly common up there, but never later in the day.

Rick / OCRR

Yeah, most guys wear full leathers and it gets too hot later in the day. Downhill skateboarding is another of my passions and I'm always going down as cyclists go up (old tunnel road in berkeley for example).

Watch this forum for GMR rides, but if nothing pops up, I'll ride it with you in three weeks, or you can just ride it yourself (or with a friend). It's really not that tough, and you can always turn around if it gets to be too much on any particular day, and coast back down.






Sounds good Rick. Keep me posted, I'm ready to roll. Will take a ride up it next weekend to check out things. Thanks for the reply.

Exactly, Rick. I was getting near the end of a fairly long ascent, so I'm sure it was the one you describe. Next time. So Boulder Springs is 1/2 mile closer to the 210? Where do you park?

Exactly, Rick. I was getting near the end of a fairly long ascent, so I'm sure it was the one you describe. Next time. So Boulder Springs is 1/2 mile closer to the 210? Where do you park?

Boulder Springs is perpendicular to GMR, marked by the only traffic light on GMR. We park along the roadsides and the natives have never given us any trouble; in fact they've been quite friendly.

The only "downside" if you want to call it that, is the launch from Boulder Springs is quite a bit steeper than the launch from the parking area you used. On the positive side, it's a quick warm-up!

Oh, and that 1/2 mile is a guess-timate, I've never actually measured it.

Rick / OCRR

Seems like there are alot less group GMR rides this year than the last.

Oh, and I'm really interested in doing this when the snow level is low (I wont descend) is it safe (traffic, ice) to climb in the morning when snow is at 4k feet?

Absolutely.
Snow does not stick on asphalt but it can remain icy on corners where sun doesn't reach. Basically you just have to exercise caution on pretty much last 6 flattish miles but completely doable.
My trouble is with the clothing: a cold gear underarmour layer and a long sleeve jersey make me overheat going up but not enough wind stopping coming down. :(

There is usually a patch of ice that extends across the road in one of the dark turns about 3 or 4 miles before the village. That's scary!:eek:...It's usually there when it gets cold, even when it isn't snowing. Careful there!

There is usually a patch of ice that extends across the road in one of the dark turns about 3 or 4 miles before the village. That's scary!:eek:...It's usually there when it gets cold, even when it isn't snowing. Careful there!

Very True Beanz!

A couple of times, I hit the ice and the front tire starts to slide over the ice, but then catches on the pavement on the other side quick enough that I don't go down. Just about that time (when the front tire regains traction) the back tire loses it . . . then regains it part of a second later.

So my brain is getting all these conflicting signals (we're gonna crash . . . wait, we're not gonna crash), so that once I'm onto dry pavement again I'm thnking, "Wow, that was close; better slow down a bit!"

Rick / OCRR

Seems like there are alot less group GMR rides this year than the last.

Didn't they just reopen it to cars it last summer?

Any of you guys want to give me some input on the Newport Coast Drive/Vista Ridge climb vs. GMR? Not overall mileage/effort needed, obviously, but grade and, gear choice.

I hit Vista after a good run up NCD (in 39/23) and found myself struggling right off the jump on Vista.
I was 39/25 all the way up Vista.

That first section of Vista seemed like about 12-13% to me and if GMR is same and, more miles to be sure, then I'm in fairly poor climbing shape now. Will now be doing NCD/Vista every chance I get - that's some business getting up Vista at more than 6 MPH.

Someone told me that I should use Vista Ridge(after coming up NCD) as a gauge for what cassette I might need for GMR. Advice was that, short of doing more climbing rides 2-3x a week, I may need a 12-27 on GMR if Vista is putting the hurt into me. It was last nite. First time is always a bear, I guess.

I've never done Vista, but I think the slopes of GMR and Newport Coast are similar.

I don't have a fancy computer, but I've ridden both enough to tell you . . . Vista Ridge is far steeper than anything you'll ride on GMR (unless you do the Ski-Lift bonus climb).

Most of GMR is 5 and 6% with a very few spikes to 7-8%. Gearing wise, I use a 39 x 25 or 27 (depending on fitness level and motivation) on Vista Ridge/Ridge Park, and a 39 x 23/25 on GMR.

Now, if you want to talk Ski-Lifts, I use my 30 x 27 triple, or my 34 x 28 SRAM Compact, depending on which bike I'm riding . . . but always the lowest gear I can find!

All that said, Newport Coast and Vista Ridge / Ridge Park are good training for GMR/GRR because they're steeper, but way, way shorter.

Rick / OCRR

I did the lifts last week on a 39X25. I've seen people attempt it on a 42X23 before (haven't seen one make it yet.)

I did the lifts last week on a 39X25. I've seen people attempt it on a 42X23 before (haven't seen one make it yet.)

The first time I rode the lifts (maybe 5 years ago), I did it with a 39 x 25 too! However, it was an educational experience:thumb:, so I've ridden it in lower gears every time since.

Rick / OCRR

It wasn't too bad - except for that last stretch where it kicks up to 15%. I had hammered up 39/GMR/GRR, so I was pretty tired by the time I got there.

I think the Big Bear century is more painful than that climb, but it's close.

That descent makes it all worth it, though!

It wasn't too bad - except for that last stretch where it kicks up to 15%. I had hammered up 39/GMR/GRR, so I was pretty tired by the time I got there.
I think the Big Bear century is more painful than that climb, but it's close.
That descent makes it all worth it, though!

Interesting that you should say that. I've had a lot of riders tell me they hate the descent off the Ski-Lift climb. I didn't like it much myself at first, but I've gotten used to it and now enjoy it.

Regarding The Bear, there is nothing very steep on The Bear course, so I'd say it's much easier unless you have endurance issues, which it doesn't sound like you do.

Rick / OCRR

The descent right after the parking lot is unbeleivable! I've done some steep descents, but have never hit 40 mph so fast! It was packed with parked cars, and some guys hanging out in the middle of the street (who does that on a 4-lane road?) so I couldn't go much faster than that.

The switchbacks are definitely tough, with the (very) off-camber hairpin turns and all.

As for the Bear, you're right - I just always seem to be in a lot of pain on the Onyx Summit climb - it didn't hurt THAT bad climbing the lifts. (or perhaps I'm just getting tougher...)

You won't need the 27 Opie! As soon as your legs and bod adapt to the long climbs, you'll be fine with the 25. I did Ride Around the Bear 3 times and Breathless Agony with a standard 53-39/12-25. And outweighing you by 100 lbs, you got way more of the climbers physique than I do!:D

When I use the triple on GMR, I don't touch the 3 lowest gears so that I don't get spoiled.:p..Not that steep and neither is The Bear. Forest Falls is a different story, 22% with a double is a killer. If you ride there, get a 32!:roflmao2:

I'm sticking with my 12-25. Instead of guessing about things I'm just going to do GMR this Saturday to get a feel for things and, stop sweating gears.

I did Newport Coast/Vista tonite and felt a lot better doing both in 39/25. I crunched NCD the other nite in 39/23 and was struggling when I got onto Vista. Felt better tonite just 'spinning' all the way up NCD in 25 - my legs felt a lot better when I got onto Vista.

Beanz, if I get lost on GMR I'll take some advice you gave out here before..."just keep heading up." Sounds good to me.

Is this a one or two sandwich ride?

I'd say three, it's not that long but to my body it feels like 80 flat miles.

Man those sandwiches you take are 'biggies'! I say one sandwich is good since it looks like it feeds 3!:D

So you don't get lost:

From the big steel gate (used to close the rd to traffic) is about 8 miles to the little caltrans shack (?) on the righthand side of the rd. Many use this as a rest stop.

Another quarter mile is a fast downhill. Be prepared cause theer is another big steel gate sometimes closed (don't hit it!:eek:).

At that point veer right (up). If you veer left (down) you will end up descending down to Azusa rec area. SO VEER RIGHT (UP)!

From that point it should be about 13 miles to the village. Right before you get to the village, you will hit a one mile downhill. BE PREPARED CAUSE YOU MUST STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DESCENT. This is Baldy Rd with fst traffic. Be careful!

On Baldy Rd, make a left. SHould be about a hundred yoards to the village. Small cafe/lodge and a park on teh left side of the rd. Sor tof hidden but there are nice restrooms towards the rear of the park . Doesn't look like a park from the rd so keep your eyes open. Maybe only a hundred yards past the lodge and opposite side of the rd.

On the return, you must climb that one mile section of the Rd. Comdes quick as you make a fast descent from the village so keep an eye out for the right turn.:D

OBIE, this is the view from the 8 mile point. Can't see the shack on the right but you will know when you get there! After this is a short flat section then a fast 1/4 downhill. Be careful, gate at the bottom, sometimes closed!

Taking a pic of my buddy Lee as he rides by the shack
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/SA%20River%20Trail%20Ride/DSC04389.jpg

Obie, this is the only fork in the rd yo have to worry about (common sense though!:p). This is from the gate looking down to the left descending back down to Azusa. Don't go this way (down).

Veer right and continue up! But be careful here too! Usually crothcrockets and fast sports cars gathering her. Sometimes speeding around the turn. Be extra careful on the return, this is a blind turn for the fast cars!:eek:..Not sure if they have a stopsign or not!

This was shortly after the big fires so more trees now.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/climb.jpg

Cool Beanz. Thanks for the help.

My first ride to the Village.

Stoked. What a stylin' ride.

A few pix for the proof.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/obie549/018.jpg


http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/obie549/033.jpg


http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk178/obie549/025-1.jpg

You rode with Smokie? What about the report, difficulty level, gearing, all the good stuff?

You rode with Smokie? What about the report, difficulty level, gearing, all the good stuff?

Well, beyond the coolness of riding in the mtns., this coastal boy felt pretty good all the way.

Left 8am from the light at Boulder Springs/GMR. Plenty of riders heading up but, missed several groups and rode solo most of the way.

I stayed in 39/25 on most of the climbs - I wasn't sure how much I could handle the first time so I played it safe. Kept myself moving at 8-9 MPH on the more (for me) difficult sections and felt pretty good. (My cyclo is telliing me I averaged 11.6 for 43.21 miles total, so I may be stretching it a bit about my actual climbing speed on the leg up to the village.)

Anyways, the first time was more about finishing and getting loads of pictures. Next time I ditch the camera and put some more SHOT in my H20 for a workout. The length of climbing was the hurting part - I didn't think the steepness of any of the climbs was that bad - just some up/down sections kind of mess up the tempo, yadda, yadda. You experienced guys know what I'm saying....this was fun anyway for me.

My lunch: Focaccia (from Panera Breads), organic/honey-roasted turkey, and slice of swiss from hand-milked Chino's finest. (w. a touch of Dijon). This lunch gets 3 Stars for staying fairly fresh and not smelling up my brand new (sorta) 'Surf City Cyclery' kit. Nice.

Not too hot, though, as I neared the last 5 miles of descent the wind and heat seemed to be funneling up the road and, wouldn't want to make a 'double' out of this day. Saw fewer roadies heading up GMR as I headed back.

Great experience.

And, I will be ready for this again ASAP. Anyone looking for another rider (at medium 8-10 MPH pace, ring me on bf.net)


Smokey's cool...held my bike up for the photo.

No probs w. the constabulary today.....now, the crotchrockets - that's another story! Yikes...those bros putting the knee down to the pavement of the switchback turns make for some freaky moments when they've been coasting down and suddenly hammer it about 15 yds. in front of you, talk about climbing like a scared deer.

It's all good today.

Wow! Sounds like you did pretty good Obe!:thumb:..If you used the 25 for GMR, I bet you would have no problems on The Bear!:D