thenomad

I've read about it a few times here, and now I'll give it a shot, maybe in the spirit of the tour.
On the map it seems to be a steady rate of 6%, pretty brutal.

Anything I should know? I'm hoping to keep the speed on the decents to 35 and under just to be safe.

RacerX

not a bad climb at all. the first 1/3 is the steepest and it's just a nice climb with a good view too.

TJKnight

Start early if you can. Temps will get hot, and there's very little shade on GMR. Also, there's no water on GMR, so bring at least two full bottles, and hydrate before you start your ride.

Consider doing the "Azusa loop" wherein you go North on 39, then East on East Fork (allowing you to refill your bottles at Camp Williams on East Fork), then hang a U-turn to climb the backside of GMR (a.k.a. Little GMR) and finally descend GMR to get back to your start point (Encanto?)

Rick@OCRR

GMR is a great ride, you'll love it! If you start from Boulder Springs, the worst part of the climb is between miles 14 and 17.5. All the rest is fairly easy; ride at your own pace. Don't try to race everyone that goes by you.

Bring a GU, Hammer Gel or your favorite bar in case you need a boost mid-ride. Eat and drink at the Mt. Baldy Lodge Cafe. Great people, great food!

Rick / OCRR

Mr. Beanz

Only the ugly fat slow ones! Happens to me all the time!

There are only a couple of short straight sections where you might hit anything over 35. The switchbacks make sure of the rest...If it's hot, don't use the brakes too much or it may cause a heat induced blowout. Make sure you have good tires in the heat.

Not sure but last I heard (around the 4th) the gates were closed. If so, tkae caution on the descent after the shack, 8 miles up from the starting gate. IF gates are closed, you will approach the second one ona a fast descent, about 9 miles into the ride.

big john

Better to go when it's not 100 degrees.

jsigone

bring a 3rd bottle to fill at the camp ground, you'll need it!!! Once you empty a bottle, put that one in your back pocket so you don't carry the weight any more.

rooftest

If you're thinking GMR is a "tough" climb, this will be a little more advanced for you. an up & down GMR is a good way to start slowly. no water up there.

Mr. Beanz

Hehehe! Well if you guys happen to see a big fat FUGLY slow guy up there in an orange jersey on Saturday, He just may have a support vehicle 'round the corner!

obie

Heat, what heat?

Rick said it's "Beat the Heat" on AC....I'm gonna roll out of Encanto and try the AC/39 loop this Sat.

If I go solo, I'm thinking of reversing the OCRR route by doing the 39 leg first and then descending down AC. Thinking about water at that spring on side of road up 39 (VB's 'secret spot') and then lunch at Newcombs. Right now I think I'd rather ascend the 39 and descend AC.

I'd thinking AC instead of GMR 'cause that heat advisory does look like it's sticking around and I'm hoping it does cool off a tad on AC.

thenomad

I guess we're starting at San Dimas Park and going up to the Ranger station and back.
I'll do the camelback and we're starting early to avoid the heat.
I'm looking forward to it in a "It's going to hurt so bad but feel so good to stop" sort of way.
I hope a 39-26 gear is good enough, it's all I got!

Mr. Beanz

What ranger station? On GMR?

socalrider

If it is super hot I will add a couple bottle cages for rides I know do not have water available.. Picked these up a few weeks ago.. Gives you 2 extra cages on the seatpost..

https://cgi.ebay.com/Profile-Design-A...3%3A1|294%3A50

thenomad

Dunno, never been there, just going by what the lead guy is saying (friend of a friend, haven't met him yet)

Mr. Beanz

...........................


There is a small abandoned (?) building about 8 miles up referrred to as by "the shack". Ithink they use it to store road equipment now and then ,bulldozers and stuff. Many cyclist turnback as a rondezvous point.

If you are starting at SanDimas Park, it may be a good idea to refill your waterbottles at BoulderSprings (first and only stoplight intersection as you make a right to head up GMR. There is a small horsepark there, and a WATERFOUNTAIN!

You should be fine with a 39/26. I'm a bigboy (230-245lbs) and do it with a 39/25. Nothing to steep, just constant. After the first 2 miles of serious climbing (after the gate), IMO, the grade eases up a bit.

If you only go to the shack, should be a breeze!

alicestrong

I've seen bikes with those before. I like them...maybe I'll get one.

obie

I'm thinking about those but, doesn't that limit the size of your saddle bag?

Mr. Beanz

Get one! We'll be happy to have you up on GMR with us!

socalrider

It seems to angle downward and away from your seatpack unless you have a huge one.. They normally sell for 35.00, so 19.00 w/ free shipping seems like a good deal..

big john

If you're going up 39 first you will hit the hot part in the hottest part of the day and you will finish in the heat. I have gone the other way, (up AC down 39), when it was 110 at Encanto at the end. Hard day, but it's only deadly hot at the end and most of the climbing is done.

Mr. Beanz

I'm hoping Sat is like today. We headed out after 8:30 and it didn't feel warm at all. Last year we'd head out at 7 (same course) and Gina would suffer from the heat. Today was sweet! Gina barely broke a sweat.

If Sat is like today, a 7 am start on GMR will be real nice!

Rick@OCRR

7:00 Start from Bolder Springs works for me.

Okay with you Beanz?

Okay with you Obie?

Okay with you Alice?

Rick / OCRR

Attach insprational GMR/GRR photo here:

JustMe

How's that John?? If you go up 39, and then over Cloudburst before stopping for lunch, it sounds to me like you've beat the heat. The rest of the loop is pretty much down hill with the exception of a few short climes. And once your down to LaCanada, the route back to Encanto is pretty much a gentle descent from 1330 to 600 ft.

big john

It will get hot by Newcomb's and you have that (short) climb up to Red Box that is an oven. While the climbing may be mostly done, you still have to ride in the high temps. Going the other way it's only awful at the end. YMMV

embe

is GMR the same as azusa canyon?

pretty pumped, I grew up in baldwin park and moved to SD a few years back, but heading home and gonna bring the bike with me for the azusa canyon ride saturday morning around 7am.

Hope to see a few of you guys out there, I ride a red giant defy 2 with a green and grey jersey.

Mike