Mount Baldy Ride

[jimxyz]

We were there... 5 riders left the meeting point at 8 am and rode up to the village and back (6 if you count me). There were a number of other bikers who started further down GMR at about the same time. I ended up having to jump back in the car at 8 and drive home and get my shoes - I brought the wrong ones.... crap - so I had to chase my group up the hill with about an hour delay (wearing black and yellow on black Felt). It was cold up at the top, but over all a great ride. There were lots of bikes heading up GMR around 1130ish. I think next time we have to pick a different meeting spot - it looks like most people park near GMR and Sierra Madre as opposed to up by the Equestrian park. jmX I was looking for you, but chances are you went right past us on your double climb - which by the way is pretty damn impressive.

[jmX]

Hrm, maybe I did see you guys. I saw a group of riders with two faster guys...one with white legwarmers and one with an orange jersey. After we left the post office they stopped in the road to talk to two or three other riders.

Was that you guys? The two faster guys had no idea what bikeforums was when I asked.

[jimxyz]

That was them - none are familiar with this forum, yet anyway, and since I had to turn back for my shoes before we even started I never got a chance to tell them who else was supposed to meet up (not sure what happened to everyone else). I met up with them at about mile 16 when they were on the road back from Baldy.

[volosong]

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/149226846

Holy frijole. That's mighty impressive. Well done!

[Mr. Beanz]

and got my epic sunday ride in.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/149226846

When I was prepping for Ride Around the Bear, I thought about doing the double village ride. I did the village and the shack but never got around to doing GRR a second time.

Now you're ready for RAB. My favorite ride.

[JusRelax]

I know I'm a week late to the party, but any beginners plan on making the ride out to the village either this Saturday or Sunday? I'd like to try to make the ride out to the village sometime this coming weekend, and it'd be nice to know a couple other beginners will be doing the ride as well, so we can keep an eye on each other. Hoping to maybe even possible see a little snow -- that's one of my two goals for this year: 1. Cycle up to snow level, and 2. Cycle up to the ski lifts.

[Mr. Beanz]

I know I'm a week late to the party, but any beginners plan on making the ride out to the village either this Saturday or Sunday? I'd like to try to make the ride out to the village sometime this coming weekend, and it'd be nice to know a couple other beginners will be doing the ride as well, so we can keep an eye on each other. Hoping to maybe even possible see a little snow -- that's one of my two goals for this year: 1. Cycle up to snow level, and 2. Cycle up to the ski lifts.

When you talk about beginners, posters ought to state something of the climbing ability/experience etc. Some first timers are smoking fast and some vets are smoking slow.

Or ride plan, like staying together or dropping your bud like a hot potato.

[JusRelax]

When you talk about beginners, posters ought to state something of the climbing ability/experience etc. Some first timers are smoking fast and some vets are smoking slow.

Or ride plan, like staying together or dropping your bud like a hot potato.

Lol well, I'm pretty sure I'm a slowpoke... here's my most recent (and best) ride up GMR to the shack: http://bit.ly/xi7DdI

I don't mind staying together with a buddy, or if the riding level of buddies are noticeably different, I also don't mind setting up meeting zones (i.e. - shack and village). I'll just feel bad if I know I'm slowing someone else down a whole lot, so I prefer beginner buddies haha.

[jmX]

When I was prepping for Ride Around the Bear, I thought about doing the double village ride. I did the village and the shack but never got around to doing GRR a second time.

Now you're ready for RAB. My favorite ride.

Volosong, thanks.

Beanz, RAB will be on my todo list one day. Seems like it'd be an easy'ish fun ride. Right now I'm stressing out over the Spring Death Valley double century which I almost surely will not complete. Too much downtime from illness in Dec/Jan, so I've dialed the goal back to 150mi (which is when the route crosses back by the hotel), and I think I can manage that.

What I was impressed with was my 2nd Gate->Village time on Sunday was within 90 seconds of my first Gate->Village time from that morning. Pacing win!

[Gabbo]

I've never ridden up Mt. Baldy, but want to do it a few times this year.

Trying to get an idea of what it's like. How would it compare to Palomar?

[Lesper4]

Palomar is Deffinitly harder. 16 miles straight up. GMR is 8 miles up then a bunches of rollers and then 3 up. Palomar also has steeper grades.

[jmX]

Sounds like somebody was hurt on GRR today and taken to the hospital. I think a woman named Sidney? Forest service truck was driving around letting cyclists know what happened incase they were part of her 'group'. I didn't ask about any details as to what happened.

Felt pretty blah out there today, but did get to see some patches of snow on the shoulder. For a Texan like me, that's always a kick. The mountain was very empty today, aside from some car club showing up after 2pm.

[egress91506]

I was out there today as well. JmX we must have passed each other at some point. It was cold on GRR! I climbed out of the Village on GRR going toward GMR and the Forest Service and Baldy Fire were just finishing loading up the cyclist. It was at the saddle at the top of the hill before you descend GRR to the Village. Sort of an odd scene, no cars or any other cyclists and a relatively flat straight section of road.

[socalrider]

Palomar is Deffinitly harder. 16 miles straight up. GMR is 8 miles up then a bunches of rollers and then 3 up. Palomar also has steeper grades.

Palomar and baldy have very similar profiles, I do think baldy has some tougher sections, past the village through the switchbacks can be a back breaker. I have been asked by a few shops if I would bring back the baldy hillclimb, just curious if there is interest?

http://www.socalvelo.com/sub/socalclimbs.htm

[Gabbo]

Thanks mucho for the answers. I've done Palomar, but never Baldy (which is odd, b/c I'm closer to Baldy). Anyway, I'll have to give it a whirl in the near future.

[Lesper4]

Baldy up the front approach is deffinitly much closer to Palomar.
I used that link all the time last year getting ready for BA.

[jimxyz]

Interesting day on GMR to Baldy Sunday - did anyone else get passed (up GMR) by the guy who looked like he was on his way to work (jeans, running type shoes, i think he even had on a button-down shirt...)? He went by at least 10 people on the way up to the shack. Then another guy coming the other direction (down GMR), shaved head, those big crazy earlobe rings, no helmet, wearing all black was peddling pretty much full speed down the mountain - he had to be doing 50+ when he passed us. He was pulling away from the motorcycle that was behind him.

[mfresh]

@ Mr Beanz.... Thats a cool video thanx for sharing!! The views looked nice i have a question tho.... is there Mountain Biking trails at Baldy as well??

[Mr. Beanz]

@ Mr Beanz.... Thats a cool video thanx for sharing!! The views looked nice i have a question tho.... is there Mountain Biking trails at Baldy as well??

Thanks!

Yup, Monroe Truck Trail. Lots of the riders shuttle up then descend. I've seen a few ride up. It starts at the first turn after the big yellow gate and arrives at the landing just above the shack.

Do a search on youtube, lots of videos "Monroe Truck Trail"





East of GMR is Claremont Hills Wilderness Park (top of Mills Ave). Variations of the trails, 5 mile loop, climb ot Potato Mtn, west side is Marshall Cyn. Mostly fireroads.

In the later views of the video, you can see the trails below. A tougher climb is Sunset Ridge ( from Wheeler ot Baldy Village) I've done a section of that ride and it is tough. Most rides shuttle up then ride down. Forum member Eyemage does it to the village.

[JSMaxwell]

Palomar is Deffinitly harder. 16 miles straight up. GMR is 8 miles up then a bunches of rollers and then 3 up. Palomar also has steeper grades.

AN interesting comment. I've never ridden Palomar, but the GPS data on line shows a the crucial climb is 14 miles and around 4500 feet. Front of Baldy is 13 miles and 5000 feet. I don't see how that is easier.

Everyone is different, but I find the full ascent up GME/GRR/Lifts harder than climbing straight up Mt. Baldy Rd from Claremont.

I was there Sunday the 19th. I left Glendora at 7 am, so probably saw lots of you on my way down.

[rm -rf]

ridewithgps is good for checking out climbing rides. You can drag a section of the elevation graph, then click the Metrics tab at top right to see that section's distance, average grade, and feet of elevation gain.

Here's a GMR to Mt Baldy route I found on a search. For instance, on the red elevation graph, selecting the 13.5 to 17.0 mile steeper climb halfway up shows 3.4 miles, 4.9% average grade, and 1025 feet. The whole ride up to the lifts and back is 52 miles, 7800 feet.