Southern California - Visiting SoCal, want to ride Baldy

My hubby and I will be in SoCal this weekend from AZ and we are interested in climbing Mt Baldy. We are looking at doing it Sun morning (May 3). What is a good time to be on the road this time of year? Weather permitting of course. Recommended routes? If we go out GMR to the village, what is the preferred way back? Backtrack? or come down Mt Baldy rd? Pros and cons of each? For the descent, arm warmers ok or light jacket? Is wind a problem this time of year? Best place to park? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Brenda

If you start by going up GMR, Glendora Ridge Road (GRR) connects all the way to the village. The weather looks to be cool and around 71 in Claremont (below baldy) so the temps in the morning will probably be in the mid to high 40s early in the morning up at that elevation. Leggings and arms wouldn't hurt but do be ready to peel them off going up GMR. You may want to put them back on going across GRR if it's too shady depending on when you venture out.

If you come down Baldy Road do be observant of any rocks and other debris in the road down since there are automotive pullouts and cars as well as rock slides can leave small stuff in the road. Do also check your pads and make sure they're up to par. I've come down there once and hit 50 mph easy but it's not advisable with the possibility of debris in the road so meter your speed on the way down. Once down Baldy Road (stay straight at the split and then take Padua or Mills (both left turns) to Baseline and you can ride Baseline to the Foothill junction, go right and head down to Amelia or Lone Hill and take a right to old Foothill and go left. Then go to Valley Center and take a right and you should recognize how you got to the bottom of GMR and where you parked from there.

Otherwise, you can simply turn around when you hit Baldy Village and go back the way you came. =) Either way I think it's about a 40 mile ride. The winds look to be constant at 12 mph and gusts in the 20 mph range in Claremont on Sunday. I don't know what it may be up there if at all. There are no water stops between the Equestrian Park adjacent to the light at the bottom of GMR before the gate and the village so be sure to stick an extra bottle in your jersey pocket. Once in the village there is a cafe/diner across from the fire station that will refill your bottles if you ask them.

If you decide to come down from Baldy and go back to your car on the flatter Baseline Road route here's an old route I did awhile ago on bikely.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Baseline-Padua-to-top-of-Glendora-Mountain-Road-GMR

here is some detailed info of Baldy and GMR..

http://socalvelo.com/sub/mount_baldy_road.htm
http://socalvelo.com/sub/gmr.htm

Thanks for the info. Sounds like an out and back is a good idea for the first time, that way we can check out what the descent will be like. Will the wind be a factor if they say 12mph down in Claremont or Glendora? I will keep an eye on the weather and hope for the best.

Brenda

On the lower part (GMR) I don't think the wind can be a huge factor. Once you reach GRR (T intersection) you will know if the wind is a problem because that is where it's the worst. You could turn back there if you had to.

Taking GMR to GRR to the Village, then descending Mt. Baldy Road is my favorite route - but I took GRR - GMR back last week, and had a blast.

You didn't say where you are from, but 12 mph winds isn't considered very windy by Southern California standards - you should be fine.

If you really want to climb, continue up Mt. Baldy Road from the Village to the ski lifts.

You need advice from Mr. Beanz on that one. He lives near the foot of Baldy and has ridden it quite a few times. Maybe he'll ride with you. Hey Mr Beanz!! Are you out there?!!

I'd ride with you, but I need to ride with another group that day. Another buddy is going to do it, as he can't do the group ride due to family conflicts. I normally start by 8:30 and rarely wear a vest (don't own arm warmers). The downhill is so intense you won't be feeling the environment. At least my trying to keep the speed up does that.

I'd ride with you except Breathless Agony is Sat. and my legs will be lifeless on Sun! I recommend you start early enough so that there will still be some of the World's Best home-made cinnamon rolls left at the Mt.Baldy Lodge when you get there.

Very yummy! Esp. when heated up before they're served (which is normal).

If you start from Boulder Springs Road (the only traffic light on GMR, about 1/4 mile up from Sierra Madre Road); that's where we usually park . . . if you are a decent climber / descender it's about a 2 hour ride from Boulder Springs to the Village Cafe/Lodge.

Slower riders are +/-, 2-1/2 hours; fast riders/climbers can do it in an hour and a half. Great ride, great people at the Lodge. Listen for motorcycles, and right to the right side of the roadway.

When you come to an intersection, GO UP. This instruction will get you to the Village Lodge/Cafe and (as counter-intuitive as it sounds), works equally well on the trip back to Boulder Springs.

Rick / OCRR

Do you want some company? Expected rain has me planning to cancel my Saturday ride, so I'd love to do Baldy if I have the time free that day.

I really like the GMR/GRR route or up SGR/GRR and down GRR/GMR, but haven't actually done Baldy Rd yet.

We would enjoy some local company....Warning, I am very slow. Hubby is faster then me, but not a racer. What time is a good time to stage/start? We are about 40 min away in Whittier, either taking the 605 or the 57. Earlier is better. This is still not set in stone for us but looking very promising at this time. I will check back as much as possible between now and Sat nite. Now I must go fix a flat....or maybe just run my tubie wheel.

Brenda

I would suggest (you can confirm this by checking a map) the 605 to the 210East. This is more direct, avoids the 60 (which should be too early for traffic on a Sunday, but strange things happen), and avoids the 57 north of the 60, which can be a bit confusing to out of towners.

OK I'm in. I think it's best to start between 7 and 9. If you want to ride Baldy Rd, I have no idea where to park so you or someone else will have to set the meeting place. If you want to go up GMR to GRR, we can park at the corner of GMR and Boulder Springs. If you want to try SGR to East Fork to GRR, we can park at Encanto Park on Encanto Pkwy just north of Huntington Dr.

So what's your pleasure and what time? I'll try to keep up with your husband, but having raced doesn't mean you're automatically faster than everyone who hasn't.

I think I would like to do GMR/GRR. So corner of GMR/Boulder Springs at 8am is good for us. Is this meet at 8 or ready to ride at 8? I'll pm you w/my number.

Brenda

Let's say ride at 8, but if anybody else posts that they're coming and is just pulling up at 8, I'll wait a few minutes. You'll like GMR, both up and down.

Anybody else coming, or is it just me and the happy couple?

Well, if anybody else wants to join in, we're rolling from Boulder Springs and GMR at 8:00am. Weather is supposed to be 60's and 70's. This might be my first trip up there without a vest this year.

Let's say ride at 8, but if anybody else posts that they're coming and is just pulling up at 8, I'll wait a few minutes. You'll like GMR, both up and down.

Anybody else coming, or is it just me and the happy couple?

I'll be there... in spirit. If this ride was next weekend, I'd be joining in as that's when I plan a ride up Baldy.

It was nice riding with you two. Have fun surfing!

Kidd, which route are you going to take? I'm trying to decide which ride I can get in and still be home by 1:00.

It was nice riding with you two. Have fun surfing!

Kidd, which route are you going to take? I'm trying to decide which ride I can get in and still be home by 1:00.

Haven't decided. I haven't gone up via East Fork, or Baldy Rd. EF would be longer. If Brandy was advising, she'd no doubt say just do both, right? :rolleyes:

Course, I don't know which day it's gonna be either. Depends on when I finish putting my bike together. I'm replacing the Ultegra with Rival this week, but I'm super busy this week, so it may be Sunday by the time I can ride. We'll see.

If Brandy was advising, she'd no doubt say just do both, right? :rolleyes:

Yes, and she'd want a cruising pace of 12 mph... on the way up. :notamused:

I've always liked going up EF and coming down GMR then over Sierra Madre back. One good thing about just going up GMR is that it's shorter, leaving you more energy to do the lifts if you want. I've never actually ridden Mt. Baldy Rd.

Yes, and she'd want a cruising pace of 12 mph... on the way up. :notamused:

I've always liked going up EF and coming down GMR then over Sierra Madre back. One good thing about just going up GMR is that it's shorter, leaving you more energy to do the lifts if you want. I've never actually ridden Mt. Baldy Rd.

Baldy Rd looks kind of boring. I don't think there's a switchback the whole way. It would be a quick climb though if time is an issue. Especially at Brandy speed.:D

Urbanknight, did you link up with motochick and her guy?

Motochick - how was the ride?

Yeah. They are a great couple. She's definitely the wild one of the two. While climbing, we saw some longboard skateboards and some kind of modified downhill BMX bike heading down and she shouts out "I WANT TO TRY THAT!" and he just shook his head like 'not me'. Nice people.

We just got home and wanted to let you know we had a great time. We will be doing that ride as much as we can when we come out. Next time, tho, I will bring a bike with brakes! Thanks again for showing us around.

Brenda

A friend and I rode to Baldy Village last Monday. Spectacular! Its one of my favorite rides.

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