Kaneko

Yesterday I finally decided to try out GMR/GRR. Wow! What a beautiful place this is!! I parked my car in the dirt lot(right above Dolton Cayon RD) and started from there. After 20 min of warm up, I kept a moderate pace up to the fork and rode another 5.5 miles before making u-turn back to where I started. Next time, I 'd like to go all the way to the village and possibly beyond.

I am very pleased with the fact that I was able to to do what I did yesterday. When I started riding a bicycle 20 months ago to improve my fitness, I could not possibly imagine doing something like this. The idea of me climbing any mountains on a bicycle was beyond my wildest dream. Every time I saw bicyclists on the road when I had gone to Mt. Boldy/GRR/GMR on my motorcycle/car, I thought to myself that there is no way that I could do this.

I 'd like to thank all of you in the Bike Forum for inspiring me. (Special thanks to Mr. Beanz for providing a video clip from his GMR ride. That was a proverbial final nail in the coffin to get me out there) I checked this site everyday to use it as a motivational tool.

Once again, Thank you and have a nice ride!!

alicestrong

Mr. Beanz should be happy to hear this...nice report!

Fat Boy

Is that a Hammerhead? Amazing how well small-wheeled bikes climb, huh?

Mr. Beanz

He is! He is!..........5.5 miles, you were "THAT" close ot the shack at 8 miles. Plenty of riders use this as a turnaround/landmark rest point.

It is amazaing that one can do the ride on a bicycle. I have a ton of friends that keep saying they want to do it, should do it but don't!..They don't know what they are missing thinking it's TOOOOOO hard! Good job!

KiddSisko

I totally relate to your experience Kaneko. Way to go!

sd_mike

Congratulations on your ride. Sounds like you did well. Unless the weather isn't good, I'll be riding GMR/GRR for the first time towards the end of the month. I've done well with my climbs so far, this should be fairly easy. Climbing can be fun!

Rick@OCRR

Yes Mike,

Climbing can be fun, and in fact it is fun. Once you get nto what Laura (longandstrong) calls "The Zen of Climbing" you will be addicted and won't be able to get enough. Once you've done GMR/GRR, there is the bonus climb to the base of the ski lifts from The Village!

Then, of course, there's Angeles Crest from La Canada Flintridge all the way to Wrightwood, or descend on the 39 back into Duarte.

That done, there is Planet Ultra's King of the Mountain (KOM) series which includes a wonderful 100 mile juant in the Santa Monica Mountains, the stunning beauty of Breathless Agony (114 miles) and the Heartbreak Century tour from Lebec (out in Grapevine territory), another 101 miles, to finish it off.

All kinds of good fun at relatively low climbing speeds, and wonderfully fast descending speeds.

Rick / OCRR

Kaneko

Yes, it is a Hammerhead 7.0. 20 inch wheels combined with a triple in the front and 11/30 in the back, I have an amazingly low GI at the bottom for my weak legs. It is a wonderful bike.

Kaneko

Thank you!

I must not have made myself clear. I did go all the way to the shack and descend to the intersection of GMR/GRR. Then, I rode another 5.5 miles on GRR before making a u-turn back to where I started (Thank you for your suggestion on the dirt lot). Total mileage on this ride was about 27 miles. Next time, I will go all the way to the village and I would like to try out to the ski lift.

Hillbasher

LOL I think you were clear to everyone but Mr. Beanz. All those flat miles he puts in, down on the SART, tend to fog his mind once in a while. I guess being at the beach can do that. Nice bike you have there. It shouldn't be hard to spot you if I ever see you up on GMR.

allroy71

Nice to see people using Dahons for a serious ride!!

Mr. Beanz

I was testing the audience!

John R

Another great climbing ride is Ride Around the Bear in June https://www.ocw.org/bear/bearinfo.asp . Plenty of good support and a awesome 100 miles with 9500 feet of climbing. If thats not enough you can try the Everest Challenge in September, 29,000 feet of climbing over two days and 200 miles. https://www.everestchallenge.com/

sd_mike

I said it is fun, but not the whole ride. I like to be able to take my time and see things along the way. A friend of mine does those types of rides, and is going on most of the ones you mention, just not me.

Mr. Beanz

Yeah, I like The Bear, nice smooth roads and a good course. Breathless Agony, is a little too bumpy for my liking....Everest Challenge is for the maniacs!

Kaneko

Dear So Cal Forum members,

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate your encouragement and the suggestions. Granted, I have only gone to places like Anaheim Hills, Santiago Canyon and GMR but I really enjoy climbing so far. I am not to sure what it is but something about climbing has unexplainable emotional appeal to me. I will continue to gradually increase the distance/elevation gain in order for me to enhance my fitness level so that I will be able to try one of the "outrageous" (I am sorry to describe this way but I don't know what else to say!) rides suggested above someday.

Once again, thank you and have a wonderful week!

Mr. Beanz

The Bear isn't as far off as you might think. First time I did it, I thought it was way out of my league. My opinionis that if you can do GMR to the village, you can do the Bear. The first 20 miles or so of climbing the Bear is about like doing GMR. After that section, it's about endurance and not so much about serious climbing. Eases up and you recover while getting ready for Onyx Summit.

I thought I'd be on the side of the road puking my guts out. I was surprised that it wasn't as tough as I expected like most. After the ride I felt pretty good. Next year I tried a little harder and took an hour off my time and still felt good.

John R

I love the Bear, If there is a ride to be done by entry level climbers, this is the one. It is so much fun, good support and good quality riders (like Mr Beanz). And to top it off there is a barbaque after.

Rumpled

If you're looking for some close to home hill climbing (I'm in LF also) check out Silverado Canyon and Maple Springs Road.
At the east end of Silverado is where Maple Springs begins at the Forest Service gate. It's ~3 miles of steep paved road before it turns to dirt. There are cars, truck and motorcycles on the one lane road also. A few creek crossings that are easily managed.
Search here for a few reports.

Mr. Beanz

Did GMR to the shack, then down to Camp Williams area (end of little GMR), then back up with Hillbasher yesterday. Nearly 4000ft. A little different than going to the village.


When I refer to "thewall", I'm talking about the landing just above the shack where we rest for a minute or two. I called it a landing but HB says he calls it "the wall". Anybody else have a name for it?

Kaneko

Thank you for your suggestion. I am going to check it out this weekend. I am looking forward to it.