Southern California - Angeles Crest Highway

Has anyone ever ridden the full length of Angeles Crest? (Click here for map. (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Angeles+Crest+Hwy%2FCA-2+E+to:34.308278,-117.477493&hl=en&geocode=FX7uCQIduHj0-A%3BFbRCDAIdMIz6-A%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=11&via=1&sll=34.223726,-117.777557&sspn=0.407645,0.869293&ie=UTF8&ll=34.298636,-117.832489&spn=0.409551,0.869293&t=h&z=11))
I'm thinking this will be another one of my goals this Spring/Summer, but I fear there aren't many water stops along the way.
If no one else has done it, I'll probably take a motorcycle trip up there to reconnoiter one of these Sundays. I motorcycled that road many years ago and remember it was pretty spectacular.

I've ridden from La Canada / Flintridge to Wrightwood, but not past. There were adequate water stops at the time, but that was before the fire, so current water stops may vary (or not exist).

Plus, as you know, the 2 not all open yet.

Rick / OCRR

I was unaware that it's not open yet. (Wasn't the Tour of California taking a stage through there?)

It was announced that Stage 6 of this year's Amgen Tour of California (http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages/stage6.html) will use SR-2, but according to a March 26 press release from Caltrans District 7 (http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/sync/pr/123456m%20210%2003262010.pdf) (PDF), the highway is likely to remain closed until mid-summer. I imagine the state would like to have it open in time for the Tour in May, but I hope the organizers have plans for another route.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/04/news/storm-damage-prompts-change-to-california-stage_110794


Organizers of the Amgen Tour of California announced Wednesday that recent storm damage to roads in Southern California have forced a change in the route to be used in the sixth stage of next month’s race.
AEG Sports president Andrew Messick said the California Department of Transportation’s recent assessment of damage to Route 2 – known as the Angeles Crest Highway – near La Cañada Flintridge prompted the change.
“This change is being made at the direct request of CalTrans, which has notified us that due to the potential safety hazards, the road will be unable to accommodate our race,” Messick said. “Stage 6, scheduled for May 21, 2010, will no longer start in Pasadena and we are working to secure a new stage start, which we are hopeful of announcing in the coming days.
Messick said the stage will still finish in Big Bear Lake as planned and will still be routed through the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains.
“As long-term partners with Pasadena, we appreciate how graciously they have handled this difficult situation,” Messick said. “We look forward to returning to Pasadena soon.”

Nuts. Thanks for the info.

Portions of Angeles Crest below Upper Big Tujunga are not expected to reopen before sometime in September 2010 due to extensive damage from slides following the recent rains. It is possible to access AC from Big Tujunga Cyn to those parts of the road east of Upper Big Tujunga, but there are no sources of water untill Newcomb's Ranch, unless the fire station near Hidden Springs has water, and snow pack will probably keep areas above 5500 to 6000 ft closed for awhile longer. Keep in mind that Cloudburst Summit is 7000 ft., and Dawson Saddle is just about 8000 ft. Once the road is reopened, it's a great ride, but there's still substantial deforestation from the Station Fire last year. If the road repair is completed on the presently projected schedule, there may be a window of a couple months that the entire road can be ridden before the snows hit next season.

LA Wheelmen have a training ride that goes from La Canada/Flintridge to the 39. I'm gonna try it this year:

http://www.lawheelmen.org/gttrainers.htm

i don't know how much it affects you climbers, but for drives, ACH is, at its best, a very dirty route. after the fires and subsequent oddball weather, it's open/closed on what seems to be a daily basis, and for good reason.

the road is pretty blind, and rather tight (only been up in a car). You're going up with other people, right?

Maybe this will provide some insight into why ACH is closed from LaCanada to Red Box, and probably won't reopen until sometime in September. Sorry V, but the Wheelman prep ride probably won't take place in June this year unless they change the route to using Tujunga Cyn. for the same reason that the TOC had to reroute stage 6.

Repair of ACH following winter storm activity. (http://sgvtribune.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=27810844&event=937302&CategoryID=33028&picnum=7&move=F&Slideshow=Stop#Image)

And for road conditions (http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=sr2).

[QUOTE=JustMe;10639293]Maybe this will provide some insight into why ACH is closed from LaCanada to Red Box, and probably won't reopen until sometime in September. Sorry V, but the Wheelman prep ride probably won't take place in June this year unless they change the route to using Tujunga Cyn. for the same reason that the TOC had to reroute stage 6.
Darn.

I hope they go up Tujunga Cyn cuz I've never gone that way before. I get biking ADD from doing the same routes.

I've spent a lot of Saturdays on that road the last several years. Couple weeks ago we went up Big T to AF to Upper Big T to AC to Newcomb's. There are some planning this Saturday to do that again, so if grrlyrida or Chris would like to do it, let me know. About 80 miles with about 7500? feet. No water until Newcomb's. I not sure yet if I'm doing it.

I heard they are opening (maybe already open) the parking so we will be able to drive up to 5000 feet and ride to Wrightwood and back this summer.

Forgot to mention going up the Big T/Upper Big T is a lot harder than straight up AC. Upper Big T kicks my butt.

Also forgot to mention that you can keep going after Newcomb's as far as Islip, which would make for a tough century +.

there are some planning this saturday to do that again, +.

in!

in!

I guess you heard from Vance? Start at 8:00 at the rec center.

. . . .
I heard they are opening (maybe already open) the parking so we will be able to drive up to 5000 feet and ride to Wrightwood and back this summer.

Forgot to mention going up the Big T/Upper Big T is a lot harder than straight up AC. Upper Big T kicks my butt.
. . . .

That would be nice, and ya, it was probably good of you to mention that; I wasn't going to.:D

Here is a shot from last month.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/bmc.jpg

One from November.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/dawson-1.jpg

Last spring.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/DSCN0853.jpg

Earlier, summertime.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/jsj.jpg

There is no fire damage once you pass Newcomb's.

Here is a shot from last month.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/bmc.jpg



Me likey! Vance?

My whole riding schedule has been thrown out the window. My proximity to ACH made it possible to ride there often. I've ridden to the closure sign a few times in the event the road may be open or the gate is unmanned. I'm not adverse to ignoring a road closure.

I've been missing those AC rides. I know a lot of people probably feel the same.

Me likey! Vance?

Yes, his new Pro Machine. It replaces the Token that was farked in the crash.


My whole riding schedule has been thrown out the window. My proximity to ACH made it possible to ride there often. I've ridden to the closure sign a few times in the event the road may be open or the gate is unmanned. I'm not adverse to ignoring a road closure.

I've been missing those AC rides. I know a lot of people probably feel the same.

You can go up Big T now.

I've spent a lot of Saturdays on that road the last several years. Couple weeks ago we went up Big T to AF to Upper Big T to AC to Newcomb's. There are some planning this Saturday to do that again, so if grrlyrida or Chris would like to do it, let me know. About 80 miles with about 7500? feet. No water until Newcomb's. I not sure yet if I'm doing it.

I heard they are opening (maybe already open) the parking so we will be able to drive up to 5000 feet and ride to Wrightwood and back this summer.

Forgot to mention going up the Big T/Upper Big T is a lot harder than straight up AC. Upper Big T kicks my butt.

Also forgot to mention that you can keep going after Newcomb's as far as Islip, which would make for a tough century +.

I'm in the Santa Monicas doing piuma and stunt Saturday. I would have love to have joined you guys.

John, in the Dawson Saddle photo did you start from LaCanada or do Big T?

Nice bike btw.

I'm in the Santa Monicas doing piuma and stunt Saturday. I would have love to have joined you guys.

John, in the Dawson Saddle photo did you start from LaCanada or do Big T?

That was in November, after the fire and we started at Encanto Park and climbed Hwy 39.

That's Vancemac's bike, I couldn't ride a tiny bike like that.

The last press release I read said it might take up to three years to re-open AC from La Canada to Clear Creek because they need to construct a major bridge.

Beautiful day up there. Cool and windy in places, light traffic and lots of sun. 13 of us started but Vance is sick and Jon hasn't been riding, so they turned back after the climb of Upper Big T. Newcomb's Ranch could really use some business, you guys should ride up there and have a snack.

http://tinyurl.com/yc58mfo

Looks like some are doing the ride to Newcomb's again this Saturday, 4/17. Anybody want to go?

Looks like some are doing the ride to Newcomb's again this Saturday, 4/17. Anybody want to go? Yeah. Probably start early.

Yeah. Probably start early.

The rumor mill says you are doing a Wheelmen ride.

Looks like some are doing the ride to Newcomb's again this Saturday, 4/17. Anybody want to go?

I'd really like to join you on the April 17 ride, but I'm signed up (and paid) for the Hemet Double on Saturday.

Sounds great though, can't wait to get back in that area on my bike.

Rick / OCRR

The rumor mill says you are doing a Wheelmen ride.I was thinking of that but got no interest so I'm meeting SVRoadie{Lee** at the park on Foothill where Foothill and Sundland meet. Rolling at 7:30 I heard from Sarah that the others are meeting at the 7-11. Don't know which one.

I was thinking of that but got no interest so I'm meeting SVRoadie{Lee** at the park on Foothill where Foothill and Sundland meet. Rolling at 7:30 I heard from Sarah that the others are meeting at the 7-11. Don't know which one.

Lakeview Terrace Rec Center at 8am, or 7-11 at Foothill/Oro Vista by 8:15.

I'd really like to join you on the April 17 ride, but I'm signed up (and paid) for the Hemet Double on Saturday.

Sounds great though, can't wait to get back in that area on my bike.

Rick / OCRR

We'll get you out here sometime this summer.


I was thinking of that but got no interest so I'm meeting SVRoadie{Lee** at the park on Foothill where Foothill and Sundland meet. Rolling at 7:30 I heard from Sarah that the others are meeting at the 7-11. Don't know which one.

Bob, I think Danny wants to come with your group. I don't know what I'm doing, had a crappy day and haven't thought much about the bike.

I was thinking of that but got no interest so I'm meeting SVRoadie{Lee** at the park on Foothill where Foothill and Sundland meet. Rolling at 7:30 I heard from Sarah that the others are meeting at the 7-11. Don't know which one.

VB,

You should have gone on the wheelmen ride. Stunt was ridiculous after doing Latigo, but the scenery was breathtaking. That was the first time I've done either of those 2 routes. I know you were out there a lot after the fires.

The weather was perfect and there were a lot of cyclists on latigo. Now is the time to go to the Santa Monicas while they're still green. :)

VB,

You should have gone on the wheelmen ride. Stunt was ridiculous after doing Latigo, but the scenery was breathtaking. That was the first time I've done either of those 2 routes. I know you were out there a lot after the fires.

The weather was perfect and there were a lot of cyclists on latigo. Now is the time to go to the Santa Monicas while they're still green. :) Well, I know my buddy Stan wishes we had done the wheelmen ride . He crashed in the tunnel on
Af and broke his hip. I will probably join the Wheelmen this Saturday for Baldy

Well, I know my buddy Stan wishes we had done the wheelmen ride . He crashed in the tunnel on
Af and broke his hip. I will probably join the Wheelmen this Saturday for Baldy


Omg. Wish him a speedy recovery for me. Did he hit some debris or maneuvered incorrectly?

I plan on doing the Baldy ride too, so I may see you next week. I'm trying to do as many as I can, but I have no intention on doing the Grand Tour--too many miles for me.

Omg. Wish him a speedy recovery for me. Did he hit some debris or maneuvered incorrectly?

I plan on doing the Baldy ride too, so I may see you next week. I'm trying to do as many as I can, but I have no intention on doing the Grand Tour--too many miles for me.

He hit a bunch of sand that was dropped by a dump truck. He doesn't see that great anyway and that tunnel is very dark. He had a plate installed this morning and the doc says he can ride in 3 months.

I'm glad it wasn't worse. 3 months is a pretty quick recovery.

Baldy is the same. I was there last month and they're doing some road work, so you have to be careful when going down GMR. There's sand patches all over the road.

Stan and me.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/STANANDJOHN.jpg