Mr. Beanz

Was conversatin' with Obie at the beachstop. He got me to thinking that maybe I'd try it again this year. Did it the first time in 03, then again in 04 and 05 (pretty sure I got the years right). I just might give it a try again hoping I'm not too old to complete it again. Might gimme a reason to set a goal!

Anybody else thankin' about it?

https://www.ocw.org/bear/bearinfo.asp

furiousferret

Even though its in my backyard, probably not. Just not a big fan of the 18 or 330. I'll be running BA though.

Rick@OCRR

Yes, I'll be there. 2008 was my 10th so I'm thinking about "giving back" and working the ride in 2009. Unless . . . it's on the same day as the Eastern Sierra Double (course Beanz might be there too) like it was this year, in which case I'll be at the Eastern Sierra.

This year I skipped Eastern Sierra to do The Bear because my wife was doing it too. In 2009 that probably won't be the case. Hope they're not on the same date in 2009!

Rick / OCRR

obie

Wha?

DScott

I liked it this last year. Fun ride, and it's nice coming on the heels of the KOM series... great way to keep up the climbing fitness, and what a great start to the summer!

rooftest

I'll be there.

Mr. Beanz

When I did BA, I missed one of the checkpoints. At the ranger station.....A friend had a flat and asked to borrow my pump (another swear by CO2 guy) I was distracted and forgot so I got penalized 10 minutes!...On the descent,he flatted two more times so I helped him again. He ended up jumping in the support vehicle leaving me out there alone, basturd!

Did the other KOM rides also have check-in points?

Rick@OCRR

Yes Beanz,

All the KOM's had checkpoints. It's pretty standard procedure for double centuries too, so you better get used to it!

It helps them keep track of where all the riders are on the course, which can be important for rider safety. Plus (though this was not an issue on Breathless Agony), it keeps riders from cheating by cutting the course short (I know some riders were busted on Eastern Sierra for this).

Rick / OCRR

obie

I don't understand why people do this.

On the OCW Metric a few wks. back we saw a group of 6-8 riders take a shortcut (I was told it was - I didn't know where the 1/2 Metric course went).

Cheat so you can be the first to the top of the mountain? Weak sauce.

rooftest

I've done the ride around the bear twice, and didn't see checkpoints anywhere - They scan your number when you leave, then scan it again when you finish.

Mr. Beanz

Yup, done it 3 times myself but I was talking about (BA) Breathless Agony.....The Bear isn't part of the King of the Mtns (KOM) and no checkpoints.

Rick@OCRR

True, but you have to know the difference between a "Checkpoint" and a "Rest Stop" (which the Bear does have). At a real checkpoint, you have to give your name or your number to the volunteer with the clip board who is checking riders in. There is usually food and drink there too.

A "Rest Stop" has food and drink, usually rest rooms, etc. but you don't have to check in or out with anyone.

Rick / OCRR

scvroadie

I've done it twice, 2005 when I met Beanz, and this summer, 2008. I love the ride, but I hate the traffic.

In 2005 I had a semi miss me by less than a foot, and I was on the right side of the white line. This year there was some Harley Poker Run, and there were several thousand motorcycles heading up the road.

I will do BA anytime, because the amount of traffic and road width is acceptable, on the Ride around the Bear, I can do without all the crazy people seeing how fast they can get to Big Bear. I don't plan on doing the Bear again.

There are lots of other challenging rides, that can be done. Just spending the day with VB on AC will usually give you the same amount of vertical in less miles, without paying a fee to ride. Just provide your own self support.

DScott

Not only are the KOM checkpoints present, the time limits are also pretty strictly enforced. You either get in under the cut-off time, or you don't get credit for the ride. Mulholland Challenge was very tough this year, and thankfully I was able to squeeze in under the deadline (15 min. more, and I'd have missed it).

Despite what I said after MC this year, I'm already looking forward to doing it again.

*******s.

Rick@OCRR

Yes DScott,
I know what you mean. I DNF'd at the Mulholland Double last year at the top of Decker (mile 163), and I was so DONE! Legs gone, brain gone . . . nothing left. So in 2009 I was thinking maybe I'll do the single century just to get the KOM points.

Breathless Agony and Heartbreak were no problem for me, so I'm fairly confident I can finish the Mulholland Century under the time limit. Still tempted to try the double though . . .

Rick / OCRR

DScott

You'd smoke it as a single century, Rick! That day was one of the worst for the ride, from what I've heard- mainly due to the heat. The average temp. in that region is in the mid 70's usually, and we hit over 90 for much of that day. Brutal!

See you there.

Mr. Beanz

How much is he paying you?

Rick@OCRR

Well Beanz,

DScott is right in that it was a brutally hot day. It was 106 Deg.F over the top of Balcomb Canyon. But it was also the blast furnace wind that did me in. I became so totally dehydrated that I was just about (okay, completely) worthless.

Now the single century, I think I could have completed under the time limit. But no, I thought I could complete the double . Was I stupid or what?

So in 2009 I will (hopefully) be smarter and enter the single century at Mulholland. Once that's done, I'll try the double again in 2010. At least, that's the plan now .

Rick / OCRR

DScott

Not enough, Beanz, not enough...

Magda003

What**********???? Binzy thinkinnnnnnn about the Bear again???? Sure, I'll believe when I see you there. You promised to ride with me and Rick in 2008 and what happened? Did you put up a few pounders of that greasy white stuff around your body instead??? For God's sake have some merzzzy Binzy.
Was it you who once finished the Bear in 5 hours or so? Urban legend, eh?

Extort

Or do what I did in 2007... sign up for the double and then ride the century instead....

Mr. Beanz

Nope! 7:40 but I outweigh you by a hundred pounds. So, factor in my weight and my age and it's like 5 hours!

I have a chance to train this year since my work schedule has changed. So I plan on going out this year to see if I can keep up with you!

tprevost

Whoooo Hoooo!!!! GO Beanz GO!!!!!

Magda003

Good, good, good.............no more excuses for the 2009 cycling season.

Here, fixed it to reflect the truth and nothinnnn but the truth.

Mr. Beanz

NO way Gurl! All the training you've been doin', I'd never keep up with you!