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GMR 4-1-13 with part of Team Unlikely Cyclist
Was a tad chilly to start but actually was perfect weather for riding GMR. First time for me that it wasn't really warm. Thanks to all the training/climbing I have been doing I bested my previous PR from gate to shack by .9 mph!
http://app.strava.com/activities/46851873 Vntgdrms and I wanted to get a ride in up GMR before we took team up. Neither of us wanted to look like fools since it has been several months since either of us rode it. We had two GMR "Virgins" with us. One is a STRONG Athena rider that can climb! The other is a more petit rider who loves to climb and we tease her and call her a billy goat because she just flies up hills. Here is Lisa with Tracy and Yen. http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02664.jpg Here I am with Tracy and Yen. http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02665.jpg I owe Tracy as it was SUNNY and WARM at my house and of course every time I have ridden GMR it was really warm. So I did not put my arm warmers, jacket or knee warmers in my bag. (Lesson learned). Tracy had a spare set of arm warmers and she loaned them to me. I was most appreciative (especially on the descent which was CHILLY) View of where we parked (somewhat...we parked at the dirt lot and skipped that initial hill that you hit if you park at Boulder Springs...both Lisa and I had somewhat tired legs and figured skip that). http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02666.jpg Nice shot of one of the early switch backs: http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02668.jpg GMR had a "greeter" today early in the climb to welcome us: http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02670.jpg Another viewpoint: http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02672.jpg More views http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02674.jpg Me at the "Shack" http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02675.jpg Yen and Tracy at shack http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02679.jpg Here is Vntgdrms making her way the last bit to the shack: http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/DSC02680.jpg The descent from the shack was VERY COLD as mentioned....so I descended in under 19 min. After we all were down...we all headed to Starbucks for something WARM to drink. Both Tracy and Yen are now HOOKED on riding GMR...I see a trip to the Village in their futures. So another two have been indoctrinated. Buwhahahahaha! Video to follow...uploading to computer now to edit. |
Nice report and especially nice pictures. I am tempted to do California next year just to see if I can do this ride.
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Let us know when. We'll make a party of it!
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Video of climbing portion is ready:
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Looks like fun. Is that route traveled by cars and how fast are the descents? Are a flat Florida cyclist, those downhills spook me!
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Hey BeachGrad, way to kick that mountain! .9 ..... wow that's huge! Whatever your doing on the bike is working.
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Originally Posted by lolguy
(Post 15461975)
Looks like fun. Is that route traveled by cars and how fast are the descents? Are a flat Florida cyclist, those downhills spook me!
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I don't think we have any sustained climbs like that around here. Most of our hills are rollers.
I did some longer climbs in New Mexico last September but it was only working out to a little over 100 feet climb/mile. I did sag out of some steeper routes that trip but don't have them mapped. My hill strategy is gearing of 53-39 front, 12-27 back -- and walkable bike shoes for anything the gearing can't handle. :) How was the road surface? Smooth pavement makes a huge difference for me. |
Great report and pictures.
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I'll just echo what others have said...nice pictures and report. Wish we had views like that here in Chicagoland.
:) |
All I heard was goldfinch was coming out to ride GMR with us. :)
C'mon down! (the roads are fantastic, traffic is usually light although you do get your share of crotch rockets crotch rocketing around) |
When I got to the shack I heard that the downhill boarders nearly took out Tracy (the taller of the two rookies)...on a curve they crossed into her lane and and missed her by maybe 6 inches. :notamused:
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Originally Posted by goldfinch
(Post 15457697)
Nice report and especially nice pictures. I am tempted to do California next year just to see if I can do this ride.
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Originally Posted by nkfrench
(Post 15462420)
I don't think we have any sustained climbs like that around here. Most of our hills are rollers.
I did some longer climbs in New Mexico last September but it was only working out to a little over 100 feet climb/mile. I did sag out of some steeper routes that trip but don't have them mapped. My hill strategy is gearing of 53-39 front, 12-27 back -- and walkable bike shoes for anything the gearing can't handle. :) How was the road surface? Smooth pavement makes a huge difference for me. |
Descent video done...I left the raw sound on...no music.
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Originally Posted by Beachgrad05
(Post 15462936)
Goldfinch...if you come to Cali and want to ride GMR...I bet we can gather up a few folks to make it a great ride for you.
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Originally Posted by nkfrench
(Post 15472008)
That sounds fun. :)
Watch out though, Mr. Beanz bites. |
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