Southern California - Is GRRLYRIDA A Poseur?????

Other riders might pose such a question about me so now it's my turn!:D.....Is Grrly a poseur? You decide! She asked me to accompany her on another GMR ride. Forty sumthin' miles with 5,000 ft of climbing. That's a pretty serious ride. Ya know, I have never had another gal ask me to go along on a CLIMBING RIDE:eek:.. I've had a few hardcore girly riders talk some trash but this Grrl just does it! No trash talk, no " I wanna kick arse" no "I wanna prove myself", just flat out "come ride up the mountain with me!:thumb:

Matter of fact, I know lots of guys that won't touch GMR! So I have to give her that, she volunteeers to do the fun ride! No, she's not a genetically gifter climber like Pantani. No she doesn't ride a 12 lb climbing machine! No, she doesn't suggest that I ride superlite tires @ $75 each. She just gets up there and rides!:thumb:

So is she a poseur? I think not! But I will say, watch your Gatorade and peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches. Last time at the village she took some of my powder and used it against me! "SO what's that?" she asked. It G-Ade powder, want some?. Next thing I know she's out of sight! I thought tha I would catch her on teh small climbs of the descent, but nope!

Today, she tried it again!:mad: At the village/post office, I pull out my P&J sandwich. She's got her own powder this time but she's eyeballin' my sandwich! "So watcha got ther Mr. Beanz?" she asks. "P&J sandwich, want some?" I reply. Sure nuff, she takes a piece but I'm on to her this time! Just as I thought, on the power of my own sandwich, on the retrun, she stands on one of the climbs (like forever) and drops me. Oh no you di'int! I was on to her and ready to counter the attack! OK, so she dropped me for a bit but I was able to shut down the attack before too long. No way I was letting her out of my sight this time, not on my Peanut butter and Jelly!:D

Well either way, this Grrl has been the only Grrl that has dragged me up the climb!


Grrly playing opossum
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/4093605107_67de3b0fc3_o.jpg

Some of the fire damage (see Grrly center in pink ?)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/4093605111_2be62e5867_o.jpg

Un-huh! Un-huh! She's got my P&J and I know what she's thinking!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/4093605117_64853279e4_o.jpg

No offense intended, nor do I intend in to minimize the achievement in any way, but the pics make the route look harder than the numbers you cited. 40+ miles with 5000 feet of climbing (that's net, not gross, right?) works out to roughly a 2.5% slope, on the average.

With my very limited experience, I would like to ask, at what point in your riding did you first attempt this route? In another thread you cited some SART stats, which are not unimpressive, and I'm sure I would be unable to match them for some time, so I'm just curious how one might get an inkling that one is ready to attempt something like GMR.

Thanks in advance.

No offense intended, nor do I intend in to minimize the achievement in any way, but the pics make the route look harder than the numbers you cited. 40+ miles with 5000 feet of climbing (that's net, not gross, right?) works out to roughly a 2.5% slope, on the average.

With my very limited experience, I would like to ask, at what point in your riding did you first attempt this route? In another thread you cited some SART stats, which are not unimpressive, and I'm sure I would be unable to match them for some time, so I'm just curious how one might get an inkling that one is ready to attempt something like GMR.

Thanks in advance.

Why I OUGHTTA!:D

The pics look harder cause it's a 21 mile climb one way with 5,000'ish feet. A 20 mile descent with one or two very short climbs.

First 8 miles is 6% avereage grade. Next 13 is about 5% average. So really, the ride is pretty much over when one reaches the village on this ride.

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As far as knowing when I was ready? I really don't know!:D...Back in 96'ish, a friend said let's try it so we did.


As far as another trying it, just try it! I've seen an 80 yo (maybe 70) do it. Took them 3 hours to do the first 8 miles but they did it and made a picnic out of it.

A whoooole bunch or riders ride to the shack (first 8 mile section). Pretty much a big target for a large portion of riders. Once they hit the shack, then they go beyond. If you go beyond, take a ride tht knows the course and can give advice cause there are no facilities the entire 21 mile climb. You DON'T want to get caught out there in the heat.

My wife Gina has made it to the shack maybe 7 times and to the 16 mile point 2 times. But hasn't been able to get beyond that point. Of course it was 100 degrees those days. I know several forum members that won't attempt the ride, evn to the shack. IMO, it's fear of failure. MY thinking, is that they won't fail. But it's what's in their head that keeps them from trying.

My opinion, you don't know if you are ready, just go do it!:D...I know several members that still struggle to get past the shack if it's the wrong day (it happens). So there is no shame in not completing the entire ride on the first attempt. Or no shame in aiming for the shack. It's great ride, you gotta try it. Heck, I will go with you!;)


BTW, I have offered to take up first timers. Riders that consider themselves experienced cyclist. Riders that know the road and understadn the climbing involved. I've offered to carry sandwiches in my Camelback, cary their spare water and all sort of other options but 9 out of 10 will decline the offer!:p

Those that do, DO GO BACK and are really shocked at how doable it is!

Man I need to do that ride one these days. I'll let you two know when I we can duke it out!

Man I need to do that ride one these days. I'll let you two know when I we can duke it out!


Aren't you the guy known for beating up on Triathletes?:D

yep the sd peoples need to get up there before the weather goes bad. i think chris almost went a couple weeks ago...

beanz: tough to judge poseur-ness with those pics, but extra points for matching jersey and frame. an expert poseur like robertkat could say better. i carry 200mg caffeine pills in my camelbak as my energy food. anyone can have some. i got lots :D

DR Marcus Welby told me to cut back on the caffeine, but thanks!:D

The old people will get that one!:p

I really gotta get out there and try GMR one of these days. It looks like it'd be a challenge, especially since 6% grades after only a mile start to get very trying on me, but fun none the less :D

GMR/GRR is fun, it's fairly easy, so all of you should ride it if you haven't already. There is nothing steep unless you ride the ski-lifts road above Baldy Village.

Great location, great ride, great scenery, everything to like about it!

Rick / OCRR

Going to the ski lifts is difficult indeed. By the way if you like hiking, Manker Flats is the ski lifts. There are hiking trails up there and you can traverse up to these peaks. Last Saturday we hiked up to the first notch. Average ascent was 8.9% grade. Distance from the flats to the first notch, 3.4 miles from where we parked.

If you are a runner, this is a good trail run.

GMR/GRR is fun, it's fairly easy, so all of you should ride it if you haven't already. There is nothing steep unless you ride the ski-lifts road above Baldy Village.

Great location, great ride, great scenery, everything to like about it!

Rick / OCRR

Wow you must be fast and strong. I couldn't say that the ride to the village is easy. Easy for me is SGRT or the LA Bike path. Heck, I don't even think Mt. Hollywood is easy, but I can do it fairly quickly and easily.:)

But maybe I think it's not easy, cuz I'm a pokey bear.:p

Thanks Mayor Beanz for another fun ride. I need to bring pb&j next time.:D

More pics for Zippy!

Forum member TomBunn, first time to the shack
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3602013038_96c855e335_o.jpg

Gina, Grrlyrida and first timer Mad_One heading to the shack
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3602013030_8026deb6d0_o.jpg


Looks like we made it!:D 8 mile climb with 2200ft gain. Me,Gina,Mad_One, Grrly and Tombunn
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3601225889_50ec45cc94_o.jpg

Beyond the shack. Like every rider knows, this is the section where it gets HOT and you don't want to run out of water on a warm day!

Like member JustMe, doesn't matter how cool you are, a 90 degree day means you're gonna get hot!:D
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3535279284_ef9a5305d8_o.jpg


At mile 15'ish, looking back down the climb. This section is tough, about the same grade as the first 8 but after the accumulation of mileage, the legs really feel it here. MY opinion is mile 15,16 1nd 17 are the toughest. I've seen a whole bunch of riders turn back at mile 16. Including Gina, but it was a HOT day. Most don't realize that after the 17th mile, there is some downhill and seems to level out. Gina had about another 1/2 mile to go and she would have been there. But on a 100 degree day, she just couldn't go on. The next time we tried, we stopped for a breather at this point. She could have easliy made it but I got stung on the neck by a bee during the break and had to turn back fearing the swell! I think she had that bee trained:roflmao2:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3471637133_11bca92616_o.jpg

I have to agree Mayor Beanz, mile 15-17 is always the hardest. This is the point where I start thinking I gonna quit, turnaround, go back down and get some fish taco, guac and chips.:D I never do, though.

If there's a San Diego contingent heading up to do GMR-GRR-Baldy in a group, I'd be interested!

If there's a San Diego contingent heading up to do GMR-GRR-Baldy in a group, I'd be interested!

ditto

I never do, though.

Of course not, knowing you're about to jack me out of the BEST part of my sangwich! You're just as bad as Gina!:D

If there's a San Diego contingent heading up to do GMR-GRR-Baldy in a group, I'd be interested!

Not exactly sure for how long more it's ride-able before horrendous cold sets in but I'd try sooner than later.

Went up last weekend, made it halfway to the lifts. It's a bit chilly at top but still tolerable on a long sleeve jersey. Bring also a wind vest for the way down.

Not exactly sure for how long more it's ride-able before horrendous cold sets in but I'd try sooner than later.

Went up last weekend, made it halfway to the lifts. It's a bit chilly at top but still tolerable on a long sleeve jersey. Bring also a wind vest for the way down.


IMO, actually doesn't get cold till after Christmas. I've gone GMR up to the village on Christmas day no problem. Now Jan and Feb rain? No way dude!:D

Oh I'm sure your Honor that if you ask, weather will be happy to oblige.;)

Depends what you mean by "chilly"! At Palomar it's only started to get comfortably cool enough for me over the past few weeks. I guess the ski-lifts are about 1,000 ft higher than the top of South Grad Rd. though.


Not exactly sure for how long more it's ride-able before horrendous cold sets in but I'd try sooner than later.

Went up last weekend, made it halfway to the lifts. It's a bit chilly at top but still tolerable on a long sleeve jersey. Bring also a wind vest for the way down.

Wow you must be fast and strong.

Thanks grrlyrida,

But unfortunately I'm neither strong nor fast. I just kind of plod along. The Mayor is much faster than I am up GMR/GRR:D.

The ski-lift road esp. is painful and it takes me an hour to ride the five miles from The Village to the Ski Lifts. Still, I can plod along and get there (eventually!).

Thanks for helping out at Grand Tour Registration too (that's where I met you). Hope to see you on GMR/GRR or on the Grand Tour Double some day too.

Rick/OCRR

If there's a San Diego contingent heading up to do GMR-GRR-Baldy in a group, I'd be interested!

Road trip! My body knows it's 6 weeks until winter and is trying to get lazy. I might be slow. :roflmao2:

No offense intended, nor do I intend in to minimize the achievement in any way, but the pics make the route look harder than the numbers you cited. 40+ miles with 5000 feet of climbing (that's net, not gross, right?) works out to roughly a 2.5% slope, on the average.

With my very limited experience, I would like to ask, at what point in your riding did you first attempt this route? In another thread you cited some SART stats, which are not unimpressive, and I'm sure I would be unable to match them for some time, so I'm just curious how one might get an inkling that one is ready to attempt something like GMR.

Thanks in advance.

These types of "averaging out" misconceptions are common, I find.

I've climbed some super-nasty, lengthy climbs. Like 20%+ sustained climbs in Norcal Boehler/On Orbit and then 18% Joaquin all in one ride, with a good amount of flat miles in between them.

If you "averaged out" the incline on that ride including the lengthy flat regions, it would probably be close to 2.5% (if not lower) which sounds puny. Yet I guarantee that everybody, including hardcore elite roadies, would be in a world of hurt going up that 20+% sustained climb; I'm strong enough to average close to 25mph on a 40k time trial, and I barely survive making it up the top of Boehler/On Orbit without dismounting on a 12-25 standard gear setup. Throw the 18%+ on the backside, and you'll swear that's the most insano hilly ride, ever, despite "only" 3,500-4,000 or so feet of climbing.

You really have to consider the main inclined sections and their aggressiveness/length to get a sense of how tough/hilly a course is. In fact, most pure mountain rides I do which exceed 6,000 ft of climbing are nowhere near as hard as the course I mention above, mainly because the inclines don't go above 10%.