Southern California - Here's something you don't see every day...

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2614/colekv9.jpg
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1241/backboneki0.jpg
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/6900/boatwc3.jpg

In the even that any of you forgot about Team Bearclaw, check this out.

Start in Montrose, ride up the Crest 'till you hit Hwy. 39, descend to East fork, climb to Glendora Ridge Road, Baldy Village and ride up the Switchbacks all the way to the fire road. Take the fire road to Devils Backbone, and hike-a-bike/ride to the summit of Mt. Baldy.

Head back to Baldy Village, eat/drink beer, and ride back to Montrose.

150+ miles with over 20,000 feet of elevation gain.

I wasn't there, though. Next time.

Umm, that's pretty crazy. I hope you dont have Speedplays. I dont think I'd do that but I would do a bike and hike to the Baldy Summit.

Totally awesome!

Bodacious.

Is the trail to summit a no-brainer once you get past the lifts?

Excellent!!

This is the ride you were telling me about, isn't it? Looks sweet Jesse...I want to touch that sign! :p

Awesome!!

both totally insane and totally awesome... i love it.

Cool. You definitely need to right type of recessed cleats to do this "ride".

Did everyone do this with a cross bike?

Sweet! I'll repeat a few of the questions from before - where is the trailhead? Is it doable on a road bike? (perhaps I'll ride my mountain bike all the way up.)

Wow. Nice pictures too, especially the B&W one.

redonculous.....

still looks like fun....does that void the warranties on the bikes ;)

Where did you go man....i haven't seen you racing all year?

Very cool!
I havn't been to Baldy summit in a lot of years!
Thanks for the post.

I'm actually more surprised at forum content containing bikes on dirt....

Sweet! I'll repeat a few of the questions from before - where is the trailhead? Is it doable on a road bike? (perhaps I'll ride my mountain bike all the way up.)

The trailhead starts off as a paved fire road close to the top of the switchbacks. Once you're at the top of the fire road, you make a left and it's pretty simple from there.

They did the ride on Cyclocross bikes rather than mountain bikes because the majority of the ride was on the road, with only the last several hours on the dirt.

Road bike? One guy, Cole, somehow pulled it off on his road bike.

Good God Man!!! from the parking lot Mt. Baldy... where is the switchbacks or trailhead you speak of?

At what elevation did you have to take out the oxygen tanks? :p

Someone's going to have to organize a group ride/walk up there. You just know there's enough crazy local roadies just itching to have their pic taken with that sign. F the cross tires. 23c it as far as you can.

Fantastic.

Very cool!

Scouting trip for the next Continental adventure? ;)

Good God Man!!! from the parking lot Mt. Baldy... where is the switchbacks or trailhead you speak of?

The switchbacks start after Baldy Village, it's a pretty famous stretch of climbing because of how damn steep it is.

The trailhead is near the top of the switchbacks, it's a paved service road (with a closed gate) called San Antonio Falls Road. Pretty easy to see if you're looking for it.

How far from this service road gate to the top?

How far from this service road gate to the top?

It's a few hours, at least. Regular hiking I think it takes 3 or 4 hours. With bikes a little bit less, and obviously much faster on the way down.

Bump.

Anyone up for this? Beanz?

Maybe a recon ride from Lifts (truck bikes up and ride from Lifts).

I'd be up for an 'official' ride then from Boulder Springs.