Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clyde/Athena GMR Virgin Ride - Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Great 2012 Clyde/Athena GMR "Gate to Shack" Virgin Ride

Date: Sunday, August 5, 2012
Time: Ride at 7am
Location: http://goo.gl/maps/6G2r

Currently in:

1) Beanz
2) Gina
3) BeachGrad (R)
4) PhotoJoe (R)
5) TrojanHorse
6) psalm (R)
7) CommuteCommando (R)
8) eja_ bottecchia (R)
9) ahultin (R)
10) Genaro (SoCal)
11) JusRelax (SoCal)


http://www.weather.com/weather/tenda...+USCA0424:1:US (http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Glendora+CA+USCA0424:1:US)
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I want to ride GMR at least the "beginner" portion. More if we are all up to it.

Who might be in? And what date might work? I know starting EARLY is important due to heat.

Dial it up, I'm in. Most weekends are OK pending soccer tournaments.

maybe we could do a two stage dealio with the more, uh, aggressive crowd continuing to the village (beanz!). Clinically insane may continue to the lifts. :D

A good poin to hit is the 13 mile point. Check out the graph in my starava ride. You see that it actualy flattens out after the 8 mile climb. This allows you to see more of the scenic section without getting wasted. Any further then you need to be prepared for a tough climb (as a first timer) cause it kicks back up for 3 or 4 miles after the flat part.

Some gentle climbing on the return if you do this segment but nothing tough.

One thing I must say about GMR is there riders are very different from the flat road riders. Everybody and their gramma want to race me when I'm on the flats. On GMR, better be prepared for a gang of yeah baby's and way to go's! The riders up there know what it takes to get up there and do it so seeing someone out of the TDF profile gets many many pats on the back. I've done GMR a zillion times and other riders still shout encouragement at me for climbing the mountain.:D It's a different ride, it's a different attitude! There is no shame in attempting GMR. ;)

I will tell you that a female rider we know tried it. No way was she a climber, no way did she fit the TDF profile (5'6 230 lbs). I got her up there and believe it or not, she floated right up the mountain. In the past she struggled up hills like Katella (area of your metric). Now, she's a proud GMR climber 15 times over.

Check out the profile after the first 8 mile climb

http://app.strava.com/rides/12493269

maybe we could do a two stage dealio with the more, uh, aggressive crowd continuing to the village (beanz!). Clinically insane may continue to the lifts. :D

Nope, I say a first timer making it ride should be just that. Sort of discouraging when other riders pull ahead and leave the first timers behind. Wait at the shack, say what took you so long, then continue on like nothing while the first timers head back down with a sad face.

I think it should be we ride together, we encourage those up the hill, then help them along if they decide they can continue on for a bit more. It works when I do this with unsuspecting first timers. We stop at mile two for a stretch , then encourage them on and stop when needed.

The "to the village" ride should be a separate ride IMO. But that's just me. If I go with the first timers, I stay with the first timers. It's worked many many times before. ;)

Heck, I stayed back with a first timer couple years back. Even Gina pulled away with another gal and couple of guys. I even sat there and watched him puke, ya never know when someone might serioulsy need help. He continued on for another mile then called it quits. He was sick from his meds, his guess. We tried again after that and he made it. Few months later he made the village!:thumb:

I can't leave first timers on GMR. If you knew me, you'd know that I am a very sensitive caring person. That's why I can get people up and over GMR. Heck, if you ever need a hug, I'll hold you Man!:innocent:

Wish I lived closer :)

I live atop a 2-mile 5-7% grade hill that I have to ride no matter where I go (to get home). Looks like the first 8 miles is very similar. Im pretty sure I could get close on the first 8 miles. Isnt the first 8 miles the 'worst pat' Mr Beanz? After that it seems to be more of the same but 'flatter'.

However, zero chance of matching your 10.9 mph avg Beanz - maybe half of that :)

Wish i could join you guys.

Isnt the first 8 miles the 'worst pat' Mr Beanz? After that it seems to be more of the same but 'flatter'.


Yes in a sense. The steeper and longer section. But in another sense it's the section after the first 13 miles after the flat spot. It kicks back up like the first 8 mile section but only 3 miles long. That is where the rider is tired and if hot, worries about running out of water. I've seen some pretty good rider turn back here. KNowing the course, I know even if I run out of water it levels backout after that climb. But when you are on it andit gets tough, the mind plays games.:D




However, zero chance of matching your 10.9 mph avg Beanz - maybe half of that :)

You'd be surprised, you might get 8 or 9. I'm telling ya, I'm climbing slow right now carrying 35 extra pounds. Although I did feel good on this ride, could have gone faster but was recording on the way up which means riding with one hand. I've been cutting backon junk trying to get back into form. Hope to be back inby Sept.

Back in 05, I was doing a repeats up the 8 mile section. Climbing it twice, back to back I would end up with a 12.4 average. :D

In 09 preparing for "Ride Around the Bear", I climbed to the village (21 miles/5000ft), refilled my water, with only 4 minutes of rest, descended then climbed back up the 8 mile section for another 2200 ft. I was testingmyself to see how long I could ride and climb on little stop time. I averaged 12.

Check out my climbing rides and mileage in my 2009 journal. This is the way I ride when I feel like training for a ride. :D

I had ramped up my climbing and fitness over 6 months to prepare for the ride the following month.

Next, I am going to train my typing skills.:p

I did 7200 feet n Friday (58 miles), then a 42 on Saturday and 42 on Sunday. I worked 4 tens on night shift so I had Fridays to ride too.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Ride%20info/rides.jpg

So excited to do this with my fellow BF GMR virgins! I like what Mr. Beanz suggests and figure this to be a really nice experience.

I most def would love Mr Beanz along to document.

I can ride any weekend day in August. I have a club member who wants to try it but is not comfortable with riding with those she doesn't know on a unfamiliar ride. I told her I wanted to do it with my BF Clyde/Athena pals who appear to be insanely supportive!

You're scaring me Beanz....

but good points. Regardless, ....... on to the shack! Seriously, I'm in. Let's go. We can have a little clif bar bbq at the shack, sans coals. I saw a motorcyclist last time I did it, sitting in the shade at the shack (ha, second time out of two total) and he said " I don't know how you guys do it" and I had to agree with him... It was 100 in the shade that day. So yeah, mornings are good.

I can ride any weekend day in August.

I'll be there...maybe, depending on whether my wife works or not.

My wife works every other Saturday, so one of those would be good. I'll check the schedule. If not, I still may make it.

I seem to be stalled lately at 230 lbs (after being stalled the first half of 2012 @ 245). If I can hit 220 by the end of August, I'm in. This is a practice ride I will be doing tomorrow. Big hills at mile 12 and 26.5, and short and steep at mile 21.5. Next week I'll take that big hill at mile 12, then turn around at mile 17 and do it the other way, about 20% higher and longer. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1452102

So excited to do this with my fellow BF GMR virgins! I like what Mr. Beanz suggests and figure this to be a really nice experience.

I most def would love Mr Beanz along to document.

I can ride any weekend day in August. I have a club member who wants to try it but is not comfortable with riding with those she doesn't know on a unfamiliar ride. I told her I wanted to do it with my BF Clyde/Athena pals who appear to be insanely supportive!


As long as I have 2 or 3 days notice, I'm in. Gina too! :D

A good poin to hit is the 13 mile point. Check out the graph in my starava ride. You see that it actualy flattens out after the 8 mile climb. This allows you to see more of the scenic section without getting wasted. Any further then you need to be prepared for a tough climb (as a first timer) cause it kicks back up for 3 or 4 miles after the flat part.

Some gentle climbing on the return if you do this segment but nothing tough.

One thing I must say about GMR is there riders are very different from the flat road riders. Everybody and their gramma want to race me when I'm on the flats. On GMR, better be prepared for a gang of yeah baby's and way to go's! The riders up there know what it takes to get up there and do it so seeing someone out of the TDF profile gets many many pats on the back. I've done GMR a zillion times and other riders still shout encouragement at me for climbing the mountain.:D It's a different ride, it's a different attitude! There is no shame in attempting GMR. ;)

I will tell you that a female rider we know tried it. No way was she a climber, no way did she fit the TDF profile (5'6 230 lbs). I got her up there and believe it or not, she floated right up the mountain. In the past she struggled up hills like Katella (area of your metric). Now, she's a proud GMR climber 15 times over.

Check out the profile after the first 8 mile climb

http://app.strava.com/rides/12493269


How do you manage to ride at 5-7mph for over an hour without blowing out your knees?

I did my first sustained uphill (as opposed to rolling) this week at roughly the same speeds, using gears that are typically far lower than what is usually found on road bikes (26 chainring, 11-34 cassette), and I felt like I was stuck pedaling at much too low of a cadence the entire way up:

http://app.strava.com/rides/13706575

I felt like I really needed to lose weight before doing that again or I would risk permanent damage.

i told her i wanted to do it with my bf clyde/athena pals who appear to be insane!

fify! :d

Let me work out my schedule for August/September and see if I can join. I would love to be part of this. I know the weekend of the August 10th is out for me.

Aug 18 is out for me, I signed up for the cool breeze century. The following day is also out because my daughter is having her b-day sleepover on the 18th and my wife might shoot me if I'm not there to run interference.

Fortunately, August is the coolest month in LA. :D

I just got a GoPro so I can take video!

As I said, I can do pretty much any weekend day in August.

The boss says any weekend in August is O.K. This should be great training for my first organized metric in late Sept. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/897836 The biggest elevation gain I've done on a single ride so far is about 2500.

OH YES! I am in! Been wanting to do this but not alone. Thu-Sun any time is fine for me. I am out of commission first weekend in August tho. :thumb:

Bump

Rode yesterday. Planned fifty miles turned to forty four due to the big bonk. I don't think I ate well enough the night before. I did get in some (for me) good climbing, though I passed on my intended route due to high temps, and hugged the coast to Torrey Pines and back.

This was my third time up the hill, and my first going up the steeper State Park road. That I averaged over 4mph during the first, steepest mile, was an accomplishment. Some of the smaller rolling stuff crossing the coastal lagoons that I used to do at five or six mph, I was doing some of them in excess of 10.

http://app.strava.com/rides/14070128

Edit

Just took a closer look at Beanz's profile and it is 5% for eight miles and I did 0.8mi at 7.7%, after doing a rolling 25 miles. I hope this is a good indication that I can do it.

I assure you that if you can ride 50 miles (aside from bonking, which at 50 miles is probably not related to your previous evenings meal) AND you're not afraid of hills, you can most certainly make it up GMR.

GMR may be 5% overall but my Garmin seems to think it's mostly 7% with very little over 8 and some as low as 5.

You know, another fun group ride to do would be OC to SD one day this fall. :) Catch the train back up when we're done, a la the Amtrak century but minus the crowds.

I assure you that if you can ride 50 miles (aside from bonking, which at 50 miles is probably not related to your previous evenings meal) AND you're not afraid of hills, you can most certainly make it up GMR.

GMR may be 5% overall but my Garmin seems to think it's mostly 7% with very little over 8 and some as low as 5.

You know, another fun group ride to do would be OC to SD one day this fall. :) Catch the train back up when we're done, a la the Amtrak century but minus the crowds.

I love that idea!

...I think it should be we ride together, we encourage those up the hill, then help them along if they decide they can continue on for a bit more...I can't leave first timers on GMR. If you knew me, you'd know that I am a very sensitive caring person. That's why I can get people up and over GMR...

Can you get me up to the ski lifts?

I assure you that if you can ride 50 miles (aside from bonking, which at 50 miles is probably not related to your previous evenings meal) AND you're not afraid of hills, you can most certainly make it up GMR...

Totally agree! I'm not a climber, but at slow-and-steady, GMR is very possible for anyone without physical limitations. On bonking, I've learned this summer that if I eat about 100 calories once every hour, I won't tend to bonk, (assuming the heat is not oppressive). Clif bars and Quaker Oats 25% reduced sugar granola bars seem to work for me. And, I carry a couple of those energy gel packets for emergency use.

I want to go so bad...wife and i will make it if we can

I want to go for the village though even if we have to keep on after the group

How far and high are the lifts?

You know, another fun group ride to do would be OC to SD one day this fall. :) Catch the train back up when we're done, a la the Amtrak century but minus the crowds.

I did a portion of this solo last month. I work in Irvine, near the 55, right up against Santa Ana, and live in Oceanside. Friday June 22, (almost longest day of the year), I left work half hour early and rode all the way to the Oceanside Metrolink Station, where my car was parked at 5:00 that morning. 54 miles. Didn't bonk on that one, but was getting saddle sore about the time I entered Camp Pendleton.


Totally agree! I'm not a climber, but at slow-and-steady, GMR is very possible for anyone without physical limitations. On bonking, I've learned this summer that if I eat about 100 calories once every hour, I won't tend to bonk, (assuming the heat is not oppressive). Clif bars and Quaker Oats 25% reduced sugar granola bars seem to work for me. And, I carry a couple of those energy gel packets for emergency use.

I only had about 1900 Cal the previous day. Breakfast was 1 1/2 oz peanut butter, 4g honey in a slice of wheat bread. I took 1 pack Clif Shot Blocks, and 20 oz Gatorade, which I had finished just about the time I bonked. Should have taken a Clif Crunchy Peanutbutter (my fav) as well.

A short term goal is to do a fifty, with lots of hills, once a month until that 5500 ft metric in Temecula at the end of Sept.

I want to go so bad...wife and i will make it if we can

I want to go for the village though even if we have to keep on after the group

How far and high are the lifts?

They are only about four or five miles past the village ... but straight up! Only time I drove the car up there, it almost stalled out on some of the ramps. Kidding about that, but I'm sure my 72 horsepower diesel stick shift wouldn't be able to make it to the top...even in first gear!

Volo. I know the wife can make the climb, and if you go,its just one more piece of motivation to drag my butt up there.

Worst that can happen is i give up and ride back down with a shameful look on my face.

Can you get me up to the ski lifts?

Pretty sure but that would be a different day though!:D The toughest part is from the village to Ice House Canyon IMO. The switchbcks are tough but doable



http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500L.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/081011500D.jpg

Hillbasher and I did it straight up Baldy Rd. :thumb:

5000 ft in 14 miles




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoI9Xuf6SbU

Man i have to make that ride beanz.

When are we going?

OK, we can sit around talk about going until we're blue in the face.....OR.....we can make this happen.

I'm in for August 4, Sept. 1 or Sept 2. I'd prefer to do the September dates just so I can get some more miles in, but if August 4th works better for everyone, I'll bite the bullet and be there.

How about Aug 4 to the shack and Sep 1 to the village. :D It's only 9 miles or so to the shack. I'm in. I might even ride to the base of GMR and back home, how insane is that?

OK, we can sit around talk about going until we're blue in the face.....OR.....we can make this happen.

I'm in for August 4, Sept. 1 or Sept 2. I'd prefer to do the September dates just so I can get some more miles in, but if August 4th works better for everyone, I'll bite the bullet and be there.

Sept 1 or 2nd could work for me but that is Labor Day weekend and may not work for others. But I can make it work those two dates if needed.

Aug 4 doesn't work as well but I can make it happen if I have to. (my cycling club has our monthly beginner ride that day and I like to attend beginner rides if I can to welcome our new members and to pay it forward how I was treated when I started out)...

How about Aug 4 to the shack and Sep 1 to the village. :D It's only 9 miles or so to the shack. I'm in. I like that plan!


I might even ride to the base of GMR and back home, but I'm insane anyway!

FIFY! :D

Is August 5th better for everyone?

Is August 5th better for everyone?

Would work better for me but if it is the 4th, I can manage. Just might get the stink eye from our club president... :p Tho since she has been unable to lead rides for pretty much all of July...she will have to deal with it if I have other plans once.

Well, we could do Aug 5th instead if that's better.

As for you Joe - I've got my eye on you! :D

How about Aug 4 to the shack and Sep 1 to the village. :D It's only 9 miles or so to the shack. I'm in. I might even ride to the base of GMR and back home, how insane is that?


Whatever date we do, is there a neat place to have a bite to eat after our ride? Be cool to visit after while enjoying some refreshment and nutrition. :)

No clue. I'm sure there's tons of stuff right off foothill there, but I'm not aware of anything particularly neat. If there's something there, I'm sure Beanz will know about it, he's been riding up and down that road since before they used pneumatic tires.

Regardless, I am IN...and am looking forward to meeting all you guys and any gals (Gina "Mrs. Beanz). It will be neat to put faces to the folks I enjoy interacting with on here.

Trojan, you and I ride SGRT often...no doubt we will run into each other on it here and there and I would like to be able to realize it quickly enough to holler HI!!

So, our first choice is Sunday August 5th?


Beanz? You good with this. I ain't doin this without 'cha!

So, our first choice is Sunday August 5th?


Beanz? You good with this. I ain't doin this without 'cha!

I'm in on the 5th and Definitely want Beanz and his better half along :thumb:

Aug 5th sounds good to me.

So, our first choice is Sunday August 5th?


Beanz? You good with this. I ain't doin this without 'cha!

Sounds good to me! Sorry took long to check in, darn construction on on our street damaged a cable and had me off the net since last night. Beautify projects getting the best of me.:mad:

As far as places to eat, we go to "The Hat" or to "Chicken and Ribs". But usually a small group of 6 most times. If larger, not sure how it will work out with parking and watching bikes.

Chicken and Ribs has a sweet deal on a lunch plate, like $6 for ribs and chicken, cole slaw and rice and roll. Near Citrus and Alosta (which is Foothill Rt 66 westward).


A couple pics of the plate and place in these blog posts (chicken and ribs)

http://mrbeanzandhisbikerides.blogspot.com/2011/10/sart-100211.html

http://mrbeanzandhisbikerides.blogspot.com/2011/11/gmr-110511.html

Alright - so we have

PhotoJoe (R)
TrojanHorse
BeachGrad (R)
Beanz
Gina
psalm (R)
vntgdrms (R)
CommuteCommando (R)
eja_ bottecchia


What time? I know some of you have a bit of a haul to get there, and I think I'll ride up for the occasion, so I'm flexible on time.

Where to meet? I parked here once - https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Azusa,+CA&hl=en&ll=34.147528,-117.837832&spn=0.001802,0.004128&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.806079,135.263672&oq=azusa&hnear=Azusa,+Los+Angeles,+California&t=h&z=19

If you put the map on satellite view, you can see a big old tree just north of Sierra Madre on Glendora Mountain Road with plenty of street parking. Mr. Beanz may have a superior solution.

Excellent! Glad you're in Beanz!


As far as places to eat, we go to "The Hat" or to "Chicken and Ribs". But usually a small group of 6 most times. If larger, not sure how it will work out with parking and watching bikes.

I have a pickup with a hard taneau cover. I'm not to worried about getting a prime "watching" parking spot.

I have edited the title of the thread to hopefully draw more rookies and added (R) next to us rookies in Trojan's list. Let me know if I have anything wrong.

OH YES! I am in! Been wanting to do this but not alone. Thu-Sun any time is fine for me. I am out of commission first weekend in August tho. :thumb:

Aaargh!!! I just re-read the thread and saw your note. Any chance you can work your schedule around? I'd love to have the biggest group possible all do this together!

Joe - I think you and Commute Commando are the farthest away - why don't you two figure out what time you want to start? Unless it's overcast it's likely to be hot no matter what we do. I'll go anytime from 6 am on through later afternoon. :)

I'm an early-bird. The earlier the better for me. I HATE heat!

What's good for you, Commando?

Oh, and I just ordered up a SRAM PG 1070 12-28 cassette. I know I "may" not need it, but I'd rather have it and not need it than fail at this ride. With my lack of miles, lack of hamstring, lack of breathing, I'd rather not add lack of gears to the mix. If I don't need it - GREAT. I'll probably need it for the Ski Lifts Village on September 1 or 2, though.

Nice... I can't wait.

I drive an Xterra and put my bike inside it so if we drive to a spot to visit and have grub/beverages...I don't have to worry about watching the bike.

I don't live far from Trojan but not up to riding all that way yet.

Just let me know the time and I will be there with my GoPro... so everyone wear your best looking kit!