Southern California - Ride Around the Bear - 6hrs18min

So I completed what I felt was the single hardest day I have ever had on my bike. In the past I have done a few solid climbing rides (39 up to Dawson Saddle for TOC most recently), but nothing was quite like the Ride Around the Bear. The climb up the 330 to Big Bear Lake is not really steep but just doesn't quit. After a small break around the lake the Onyx Summit climb finished me off. I felt pretty good until I was about 2 miles from the summit and then just lost my groove. Even on the decent, the climb a few miles down the 38 is no fun. All in all it was a great day on the bike and I exceeded my goal of 6hrs30min but boy oh boy, not sure if I will do that ride again :D

Wow, great time! You were flying.....uphill!:D

So I completed what I felt was the single hardest day I have ever had on my bike. In the past I have done a few solid climbing rides (39 up to Dawson Saddle for TOC most recently), but nothing was quite like the Ride Around the Bear. The climb up the 330 to Big Bear Lake is not really steep but just doesn't quit. After a small break around the lake the Onyx Summit climb finished me off. I felt pretty good until I was about 2 miles from the summit and then just lost my groove. Even on the decent, the climb a few miles down the 38 is no fun. All in all it was a great day on the bike and I exceeded my goal of 6hrs30min but boy oh boy, not sure if I will do that ride again :D

I hear ya brother. I'll never do that ride again too (at least that's what I've been saying). I've been up the Tourmalet and Hautacam all in the same day but they were like a recovery ride on the LART compared to that Bear Ride.:p

Congrats on the great time. That's impressive.:beer:

Very impressive.
I am clearly a different class of rider and was pleased with getting under 8, but what really stunned me was when Alex and Deya passed me like I was standing still, uphill.
5hrs 20 mins on a tandem is shocking.

You guys are fast! My time was 10:18 but I did take it easy this year!

Rick / OCRR

Im vacationing in Big Bear Lake this weekend. THinking of having the family drop me off at the bottom of 330 and as they drive up. I would ride up as they drive up and meet them up at the lake later. Never rode on 330 so I have a few questions:
1) Is it a good road with shoulder for riding? I would be riding during the day on Thursday. I imagine there is traffic.
2) What is a reasonable time frame for the ~30mi climb? I just did Palomar this weekend in 1:30 (taco shop to Mothers).
3) Maybe 38 would be better climb? time?

Trying to train for Tam double and being a family guy at the same time....

On 330 the shoulder varies from quite good to none at all. Motorists (most) are used to seeing cyclists on that road, so that works in your favor.

Don't know the time frame, never did intermediate time checks on The Bear.

38 is a different sort of climb; no better or worse, but you will have that 8 mile climb from Barton Flats to Onyx Summit if you ride up 38!

Rick / OCRR

I just saw this link:
http://www.socalvelo.com/sub/onyx.htm

Seems like more info on 38/onyx summit...

Yes, tj90

Looks like good information and seems to be about what I remember. Fun climb! Well, except Damnation Alley gets a bit boring, but after you make the left U turn at Forest Falls it's all good.

Rick / OCRR

I live in Running Springs and would not recommend climbing 330. I have no problem climbing 38, Baldy Rd, GMR, any time of day, but in my opinion both 18 and 330 are too narrow and filled with insane commuters. They are both OK for descending, or maybe climbing very early on a weekend or with a big group of cyclists. The section between Running Springs and Big Bear on 18 seems to be OK most of the time, it's just from the 210 freeway up to Running Springs that's scary.

If you have the option, I'd recommend climbing 38 over Onyx Summit into Big Bear. One of my favorite southern California rides ever. Traffic is significantly lighter, especially during the week.

Thanks for the input. Im convinced that Ill be taking 38 up into BB. Ive heard nothing but things regarding this route.

I did it in 6 hours 20 minutes on my tandem in 2009 and 6 hours flat in 2008 on my single.

Well I did it and it kicked my a$$! I started at the ranger station about 1:30p yesterday. Car temp read 90F. The first miles to the hairpin were hot, exposed and demotivating. Mountains started cooling off (headwind vs tailwind) and was feeling slightly better climbing. I left with 2 24oz bottles of GU and Hammer Perpetuem and it was not enough. The store at Angelus Oaks was a life saver! 4 bottles of gatorade and protein bar was what was needed to crest Onxy and ride into Big Bear Lakes. If it wasnt for that extra fluid you were going to find me curled up on the side of the highway.

It was a beautiful ride and highway. It was psychological torture to keep giving up altitude around 6500'. All I wanted to see was 7000' cause it meant that I was that much closer to Onyx. Rode in the 39x26 on all of the steeper sections and was able to go higher when I could.

I was surprised that there was traffic but there was. No dangerous moments but the motorists dont seem to ease off the throttle when they see a cyclist. Maybe were too common a site and they are trying to make time up the mountain. Summited at 4:30 and was in Big Bear by 5pm.

That long streach between Mentone and Forest Falls is killer. I think it's called "Damnation Alley. I've don't that climb so many times I see it in my sleep. I seems like the fires are starting early this year. Last year fires kept the mountain training to San Diego county.

John, are you doing Everest this year?

That long streach between Mentone and Forest Falls is killer. I think it's called "Damnation Alley. I've don't that climb so many times I see it in my sleep. .


GEEZE! That section gets me everytime. In my case, it's a mind game. Looks totally flat but isn't. I struggle more on that road than I do on OakGlen. On one Damnationn Alley ride, I went through2 LARGE water bottles on the first 4 miles!:eek:..But it was June and HOT!:D Another FIT rider/racer turned back after feeling nauseated on the ride. That made me feel better.:p

Damnation Alley (center graph) Doesn't look tough on paper.

This was our ride:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4790252047_f89ff1b87f_b.jpg

This Ryan Miller, (who happened to be born in 1978), wouldn't happen to be you - would it?

(from Bear Results Page.)

Age Name Start Time Finish Time Total Time
32 Miller Ryan 6:32:31 AM 3:05:13 PM 08:32:37 S

This Ryan Miller, (who happened to be born in 1978), wouldn't happen to be you - would it?

(from Bear Results Page.)

Age Name Start Time Finish Time Total Time
32 Miller Ryan 6:32:31 AM 3:05:13 PM 08:32:37 S

:popcorn

John, are you doing Everest this year?
I'm training as if I am and plan on doing it. But you never know what can happen between now and September.

This Ryan Miller, (who happened to be born in 1978), wouldn't happen to be you - would it?

(from Bear Results Page.)

Age Name Start Time Finish Time Total Time
32 Miller Ryan 6:32:31 AM 3:05:13 PM 08:32:37 S

It definitely is...Not sure if you have done this ride before, but they scan you in the parking lot when you leave and scan you back in the parking lot when you return. Thing is they don't scan you in or out at any rest stops, lunch stops, stop lights, flat tires, mechanicals, etc, etc, etc. So when you add in 5 or so rest stops which included lunch, 4 flat tires between myself and my two riding partners, a mechanical or two along the way, and stopping on the side of the road to wait for your slower partners things can quickly add to your RIDE TIME.

My total ride time was 6 hours and 18 minutes. Total elapsed time from the time I left the park until the time I returned was 8 hours and 32 minutes.

Hope the popcorn tastes good.

It definitely is...Not sure if you have done this ride before, but they scan you in the parking lot when you leave and scan you back in the parking lot when you return. Thing is they don't scan you in or out at any rest stops, lunch stops, stop lights, flat tires, mechanicals, etc, etc, etc. So when you add in 5 or so rest stops which included lunch, 4 flat tires between myself and my two riding partners, a mechanical or two along the way, and stopping on the side of the road to wait for your slower partners things can quickly add to your RIDE TIME.

My total ride time was 6 hours and 18 minutes. Total elapsed time from the time I left the park until the time I returned was 8 hours and 32 minutes.

Hope the popcorn tastes good.

WHAT! So foget the "great time" comment I posted above. That means my best 7:40 time is actually like 4:30!:roflmao2:

I think an official posted time is an official posted time! If I took a 2 hour break along the way, I'd feel pretty fresh on the road!;)