Southern California - GMR has become a racetrack for motorcyclists!

I rode up GMR today around 10AM and this was the worst I have ever seen. The motorcyclists were out in full force and were not showing any consideration to anyone on the road. Several times they were cutting it close and tight to the Pasadena Velo riders that were riding the same time I was. It did not matter whether it was the straight portion of the road nor the tight corners, they took whatever line they wanted without respect for anyone else's safety.

The worst incident I saw today was when a cyclist was descending and was closely being taligated by several motorcyclists, until they all decided to just gun it.

I know that law enforcement have more urgent matters to tend to but the recklessness by the motorcyclists has gotten worst.

It's sad to know that it will only be a matter of time until a cyclist gets seriously injured by one of them.

Maybe cause it's a holiday weekend?

Wow welcome to the club for palomar mountain we get it all the time.

GMR has always been like that.

And how about the skateboarders?

I keep praying that they'll just close the gate for the last time on that road. It would be a dream of a dedicated hike/bike path, and sadly seems to be the best thing around for sport riders to race on. Honestly there are MUCH better roads for sport bikes than GMR, just not in SoCal. The corners are too tight and blind. I'm from NorCal and sold my bike a year after moving down here because I simply didn't ride it much. That's when I started road biking, and having ridden that road a couple of times with the gate closed, I haven't had much interest in trying it while open.

-Jeremy

Somewhere those motorcyclists are *****ing about all the cyclists on their road. We've gotta share.

If it bothers you that much, Sundays are supposed to be the busiest day.

today was exceptionally nice in southern california and i noticed alot of people out today enjoying. i am going to guess that weekdays on that road are much better.

Ya well there are idiots of all kinds up there and let's not forget cyclists are part of that crowd too.

GMR has always been like that.

No, it's only the past 3 years or so. Prior to that it had been closed as much as open for most of the last 10 years, and when it was open I mostly saw people on big touring bikes taking it pretty easy. Most of them were pretty friendly, too. A lot of the crotch rocket riders are fairly friendly and considerate, too. It's just that some aren't, and some are just plain dangerous.

I keep praying that they'll just close the gate for the last time on that road. It would be a dream of a dedicated hike/bike path.

-Jeremy
You know what would happen then, don't you??.......The hiker/ walkers would start complaining about those dangerous cyclists that ride too fast and buzz us while we are on our nice peaceful walk. Then it would be lights out for us.

A lot of the crotch rocket riders are fairly friendly and considerate, too. It's just that some aren't, and some are just plain dangerous.

I would agree Mr. Duck,

I've ridden GMR 50 times (probably more), and have had all kinds of motorcyclists pass me (sport, touring, racing, etc.) and the vast, vast majority are quite considerate, give plenty of room, and are in control of their motorcycles (from what I can tell), plus, they are quite friendly when talking to them at The Village or where ever.

Okay,yes, there are exceptions, which I think are (mostly) newbee's, who are scary. I've seen two crashes on Palomar and one on GMR, so I know sometimes the motorcyclists get it wrong. I've never been a motorcyclist, so I don't have any perspective on "how" they get it wrong, but they do.

As long as GMR/GRR are "Open" to motor vehicles, the motorcycles will be there. Get over it, or don't ride there. In my experience, Palomar is worse in this context, but your milage may vary.

Rick / OCRR

No, it's only the past 3 years or so. Prior to that it had been closed as much as open for most of the last 10 years, and when it was open I mostly saw people on big touring bikes taking it pretty easy. Most of them were pretty friendly, too. A lot of the crotch rocket riders are fairly friendly and considerate, too. It's just that some aren't, and some are just plain dangerous.

I was thinking of Angeles Crest Highway. GMR is where the skateboarders go.

Yeah, Palomar is non-stop sportbikes on the weekends, but I don't think it's all that bad. Once in a while someone will get a little close, and I even got intentionally buzzed ONCE(in how many years of going out there). But I'd rather it be those guys than some kid pretending to be Colin McRae in the WRX their parents just bought them.

We went yesterday morning at around 7:30am. The skate boarders were coming down - kind of neat to watch, but when you hear them, know to pull to the right and keep your eyes peeled. One guy was flying wide completely into the oncoming lane on several corners. The motorcycles were fine as far as I was concerned. I've ridden that road 25 times or so, and it always seems safer to me than some of the streets in Pomona / Upland.
I get more close calls by either day dreaming drivers or idiots who do intentional cyclist buzzes on my way to / from GMR.

Most of the planned rides up these roads are for early in the morning because the more capable motorcyclists are out then. After 11AM it is rider beware because all the newbie's show up looking to 'prove' their skill after they slept off the hangover from the night before.

You'll find the good motorcyclists have this same attitude because they are also off the mountain by that time...

Personally I've never had a problem with anyone up there! Matter of fact the one time I was almost taken out was by a rangerman. He was speeding arond one of the corners hugging the oppoistie shoulder. The gates were locked so I guess the old guy decided to play rickyracer!:eek:

I have been told that the Highway Patrol is cracking down on the motorcycles on Highway 2. This is sending them over to GMR and Azusa Canyon. According to a close friend, there have been a couple of head on collisions between motorcycles recently in the area.

Wow welcome to the club for palomar mountain we get it all the time.

Serious!
I always thought the bikers on Palomar were really good technical riders. I used to be a cornerworker on motorcycle races.
I always see them being courteous going up Palomar.

Being a "crotch rocket" rider as well as roadie, I'm sorry to hear that you encountered some apples. Most of the riders I've encountered up GMR/39/Baldy that typically convene at East Fork were nothing but courteous. When I'm on my motorcycle, I give cyclists as much room as possible.

It goes both ways. I was on Hwy 39 this past Sunday morning, and there were two cyclists coming down that were taking up middle part of my lane. Not that I mind much - after all, who wants to ride a few inches from the dirt anyway? But they would move to the right, only to move to the middle again, and didn't seem to hold either line. It presented a difficult situation for me as I hesitate to cross the double yellow to pass due to possible oncoming traffic, while slowing from 45 to 20 or so while waiting for them to make up their minds would cause me to sit up and grab the front brake. I chose the latter, and while I usually like to give a bigger cushion while passing, my first priority was not to risk getting too close to oncoming traffic.

Be safe out there - and courteous whenever you can. It'll come back and reward you!

I favorite was when I was riding up Palomar, South Grade Road, with The Slacker King and a motorcyclist coming down in the other lane saw us and took both hands off his controls to give us applause, then continued on his merry way.

I personally haven't had any issues with the crotch rocket crowd on GMR. They always give me plenty of room whenever possible. I've even waved some by when I could see around a turn that they couldn't to let them know they can pass me and do it safely. Almost always I get a wave for it or at least more cushion than normal. Of course, I ride from Claremont to GMR early morning around 7 - 8 or so depending on the season so that probably has something to do with the quality of rider up there at that hour.

Now the skateboarders...entirely different issue. Many times they are out of control and all over the road. They will buzz you and not care...I guess that's what being outnumbered, in full head and body protection grants you. I have been descending GMR approaching the ridge halfway down and tucked into the bike and had all of them leave the dirt parking area without even so much as a glance to the right to see what may or may not be coming down.

Most recently I had a guy doing a 3 point turn in the road across both lanes on the other side of a blind curve as I was coming down. Nearly went into his windshield or over the truck and god knows if I would have taken a rolling crash over the side after colliding with his truck. Thankfully I was alert enough.

I have talked with LASD in the area on an occassion and she told me two things, it's not their jurisdiction...something having to actually do with CHP jurisdiction and that cyclists have received complaints as well blasting down GMR too fast and too wide and having close calls with pedestrians. I think all parties have bad apples but GMR for the most part over the last couple years for me has been pretty safe overall.

Glendora Mountain Road can be very dangerous for all users. I think the flowing corners and gradual gradient can entice cyclist / motorcyclists to push the limits of their ability. I know many local cyclists that have gone down descending GMR. Luckily for us cyclists the damage is usually limited to scrapes, bruises and the occasional broken bone. Motorcyclists suffer much more severe consequences.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_11423377


Glendora Mountain Road in the Angeles National Forest may be the area's most dangerous route.

John V. Portlock, 49, of Claremont died on Christmas from injuries he sustained when he collided head-on with another biker four days earlier.



A week earlier, two other bikers collided head on, both suffering serious injuries.

In another accident on Oct. 18, Kathleen McGraw of San Dimas suffered severe injuries after her 2008 Suzuki flew 100 feet off the road, according to police reports.

In July, a different woman was airlifted to the hospital after she and her motorcycle were found at the bottom of a 25-foot embankment.

And how about the skateboarders?

I like when the skateboarders are up there. They sweep all of the debris off of the road on the bottom 3+ miles. :thumb:

Last time I was up Palomar, a pair of motorbikers faced off and argued in the parking lot at the restaurant. One yelled to the other, (paraphrasing) "It's f'n a-holes like you who give us a bad name and cause all these accidents! Learn to ride safely ya dumb f*ck!" The other one defended himself, saying, "Yeah, well if you weren't so f-ing slow and rode like a sissy then I wouldn't have passed you on that curve!"

Must be a constant issue and frustration even among that crowd. Maybe all motorcyclists getting a license should have to first watch a gory film with names like "Death Road" and "Speed Kills" like they used to show us in high school.

i like when the skateboarders are up there. They sweep all of the debris off of the road on the bottom 3+ miles. :thumb:

+1