Southern California - Mt Baldy Rd to the Village with Eyemage....8/5/11

Today was some good climbing, from Mills and Baseline to Baldy Village up Baldy Road. Eyemage and I got an early start so the heat wasn't a factor. It was Eyemage's first time up Baldy Road and my second time since 1998. I was actually shocked that it didn't feel as bad as I expected. Yeah, steep compared to GMR but much shorter. I could hear Eyemage shouting out grades from his Garmin, 12%, 14%, 16%. Good thing I had my triple cause I'm not sure I'd make it on my standard double right now ha ha!

Eyemage did very well for his first time. Matter of fact, I expected him to attack near the top. I was waiting for his attack and I kept thinking to myself, "go now suckuh, Go now suckuh!". I knew that if he went too early, the final steep section before the village would slow him down then I'd catch back up ha ha! I paced myself well and never really felt too much of a struggle. I'm actually shocked though!

Well, 9 miles pretty much straight up with 2,467 feet of climbing. Doesn't sound like much but it felt like most of it was in the second half of the climb. Surely just my imagination but that's when I really started to feel the grade. Well OK really, I felt it as soon as we left the Von's parking lot ha ha!

Good thing is that once you are up there, it's all downhill from there. It's a fast descent but I stopped to take a couple of pics so at my top speed of 42 on the upper section is when I applied the brakes. I'm sure that I could easily do 50 but at my age, no thanks! I did hit 45.8 on the last drop but its a much nicer strip of road on that section. Thankfully, I wasn't as lucky as Eyemage. Poor guy had a car tailgating him through the tunnels on the descent. Boy, those tunnels are dark and there is no shoulder at all! But, it is a bit of motivation on the way up to lift the pace ha ha!

That is Eyemage in the pic, descending Baldy Rd. The first 30 narrow seconds of the video is footage from Eyemage.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8g2BF2tmRo

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/080511A.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/080511B.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/080511C.jpg

Thanks for the video Beanz
You weren't kidding about the steepness of Mt. Baldy Rd. It's much shorter than GMR/GRR but significantly more painful.

Thanks for the video Beanz
It's much shorter than GMR/GRR but significantly more painful.

But pain is a good thing, right EyeMage?:50:

Thanks for the video Beanz
You weren't kidding about the steepness of Mt. Baldy Rd. It's much shorter than GMR/GRR but significantly more painful.

the section from the tunnel to the sign (hogsback??) is a beast, but you don't truly know pain until you've climbed the switchbacks to the ski lifts.

But pain is a good thing, right EyeMage?:50:

Too bad you were out camping, or was it hiking? Err maybe not, but you missed a cool ride. Sort of strange, although steep, I can't say it was painful. We'll have to do it a few times then go for the lifts.

Sort of strange, although steep, I can't say it was painful. We'll have to do it a few times then go for the lifts.

:thumb:Maybe you are just in better shape than you thought.:50:

:thumb:Maybe you are just in better shape than you thought.:50:

There are 2 different riders named Beanz out there: the one with Gina and the one without Gina. The one with Gina is purely a social rider. No matter how hard you try, he will always stick back with her. He may leave her for a moment, but he always comes back.

He is the motivational Beanz, the Mayor of GMR and SART. He is modest and will tell you he is tired. This is the Beanz that gives candy to children. He is your coach and best friend.

Then we have the other Beanz. This one is without Gina. Do not attack him early. He will make you pay. You must think tactical to keep riding with him.

If for some unknown reason, you do get away from him, it only affords him the opportunity to study you and look for imbalances. He has seen many riders before, more than most, and can instantly spot any weakness or fatigue or flawed technique.

Don't be the last one in the breakaway group ahead of him. He considers you as the weakest of the herd, just asking to be dropped. He drools thinking of you.

If you do drop him, keep looking over your shoulder. The longer the climb, the more likely he will catch you and pass you.

it only affords him the opportunity to study you and look for imbalances............... and can instantly spot any weakness or fatigue or flawed technique.



Funny post! :D:p:roflmao2:

You've done your homework, you found the anti-tactic. Every time I think, "OK, here I come Eyemage!" you pull over and start eating peanuts!:D

Funny post! :D:p:roflmao2:

You've done your homework, you found the anti-tactic. Every time I think, "OK, here I come Eyemage!" you pull over and start eating peanuts!:D

I have to fuel up in anticipation of another attack. Do not let down your guard with Beanz without Gina. He is nice, but at the same time he is your rival. He is your frenemy.

Now, Beanz with Gina will go to the store and buy you peanuts, fixes your bike at his house, sings Elvis while babysitting his grandchildren, gives free video dance lessons, etc.

Now, Beanz with Gina will go to the store and buy you peanuts, fixes your bike at his house, sings Elvis while babysitting his grandchildren, gives free video dance lessons, etc.

Never have met that guy.:50:

Never have met that guy.:50:

C'mon over, I'll teach you some swing dance!:D

Never have met that guy.:50:

Neither have I. I'm just repeating what I read on the Internet.

Neither have I. I'm just repeating what I read on the Internet.

You can come on over too. I can teaqch you both the man and the woman's steps. Then you guys decide who leads!:roflmao2:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9096h0daJQ