Mr. Beanz

Well, California poster "Freighttraininguphill" posted raw footage in her video climbing suffer fest. So I figured it was time for a response. I decided to push myself a bit on GMR, only the lower 4 miles. I was doing ok till I encountered FryDaddy. For those that don't know, FryDaddy is a 138 lb super climbing animal that lives on GMR. Well, he is up there every time I go. He makes most riders look bad and I know he let me win the sprint haha!

One poster (BillyDon)noticed that I always wear black sock so today,in his honor, I wore my white sucks with Rubba-Duckeys haha!

LAriverRat

Mr. Beanz, did you lose weight?

Mr. Beanz

Hmm, now that I look back at the video and stills, I'm trying and he's not!

Mr. Beanz

I don't think so, not yet but I've been eating much better lately and trying to ride more.

jmX

Hey Beanz, I'm thinking about heading up to GMR saturday for my first time...planning around noon or one'ish. Any pro-tips on where I should park? My car is 2" off the ground, so its gotta be paved. I only mention this because I saw tons of people parking in a dirt lot when I drove up there a few weeks ago.

I assume I just ride up GMR, and then take GRR at the split?

Jon

Rick@OCRR

Excellent video Beanz!

Rick / OCRR

Mr. Beanz

Yes GRR at the split (veer right). Left will take you down to east fork. Veer right at the bottom of the short fast downhill. It will take you to Baldy Village. Once approaching the village you will hit the saddle, then a one mile fast dwnhill into the village. At that stop sign, go left (up 1/16 mile to the village).


Park on BoulderSprings. It's the only signal on the road right across form the equestrian center (about 1/4 mile before the dirt lot). Make a left at the signal onto BoulderSprings where I wrote "bottom of gmr" in purple.

some people just park there at the bottom of GMR on the street, just after turning off of Sierra Madre.


I park at the dirt lot marked towards the top of the image. BoulderSprings is marked in red.

Mr. Beanz

Thanks!

psalm

I have to try GMR again!

idoru2005

Hey jmx, If I can get a hallpass from the wifey, I might head out there as well. Keep an eye out for a PM from me. -Darren

Mr. Beanz

Yeah you do! At the pace you were traveling up GMR, you could have easily made it to the shack. But you have to keep in mind that the first 2 or 3 miles is the toughest as far as steepness. With the many times I've done the shack and the village, I "always" have doubts on the first 2 miles. That's always my heaviest breathing point. Even Gina suffers bigtime on the first 2. She finally learned to relax after realizing it gets better. Heck, she doesn't even cuss me out anymore (which has happened several times haha!).

It helps her to get off the bike for a minute or two after 2 or 3 miles. Then the rest of the ride is gold!

rooftest

I always park at the "bottom of GMR" on the map above to get that little bit of extra climbing in. Plus - it puts one last top-speed run into the descent.

Mr. Beanz

BTW, thekid skidding around the turn in teh silver SUV, I see him up there from time to time, always driving the same. Sometimes alone and sometimes with a car load of highschool(?) kids. He's going to kill somebody someday, maybe a rider or maybe a carload of his friends.

JimmyNH

Don't be so humble Beanz. I also think you have lost some weight and a few body fat percentage points.
I'll try to get to GMR tomorrow (Saturday). Are you going to be there? GMR looks bad during the week judging from your video. All these trucks... Did you eventually pass that truck on the way down? If not, ask Rick how you do this.

jmX

Thanks for the map beanz, that's a great help. Do I need to bring a jacket and full fingered gloves, or will a long sleeve jersey + shorts be fine? I see snow out my window right now on Mt Baldy, but I don't remember it being very cold up there a few weeks ago.

idoru, lemme know. I'm hoping to leave the house around 11:30, and be parked by noon.

Mr. Beanz

It was very nice yesterday, warmer today I believe. I always bring a windbreaker for the descent chill but I think the longsleeve and short will do. But I'm usually warmer than most people.

Mr. Beanz

Not us, but Gina has been saying she needs to get back up GMR (to the shack). First I have to get her regular again, too much slack time.

I didn't pass the truck. I turned and went backup a bit for more posin' haha!

This day, the trucks were all on the lower slopes buy the gate (start of GMR). Also coming down so I think from the fork/Camp Willy. Last week (ride with Checksix) they were only from mile 4 to the fork. LOTS of trucks!

JimmyNH

You're right Mr, one need to increase the mileage and the difficulty gradually. I think I'll go up there anyway. I see jmx and idoru are planning to ride there too, but noon-ish is a bit late for me. Guys, say "hi" if you see me. I'm very easy to recognise by the helmet.

Mr. Beanz

Pfft! You flew by me so fast on The Bear, I didn't get a chance to see the helmet....or not.