GMR for Dummies
#26
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I'm not fretting.....much. I'm ...uh....planning! Actually, I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm in for. Is Whites a tad steeper than GMR? Comparable? To me, Whites is a bear! But, with practice, I can do it. Last time I did it was pre-cancer, when I had all my muscles, on my mountain bike, in total granny gear. Calves were cramped solid, but I did it!
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I'm not fretting.....much. I'm ...uh....planning! Actually, I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm in for. Is Whites a tad steeper than GMR? Comparable? To me, Whites is a bear! But, with practice, I can do it. Last time I did it was pre-cancer, when I had all my muscles, on my mountain bike, in total granny gear. Calves were cramped solid, but I did it!
It's a bit harder to climb GMR with knobbie tires on an MTB than a roadie, you'll be fine.
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This vid has some good views of GMR. If Gina can do it......
These are the places in the village where water is available. Post office has a ftn outside, the lodge and across form the lodge a small ftn next to a small shed/garge looking structure.
Restrooms at the lodge as well as the park/visitor center just above teh lodge on teh left hand side. Pretty nice facility there.
mtbaldyfacilities by gulpxtreme, on Flickr
These are the places in the village where water is available. Post office has a ftn outside, the lodge and across form the lodge a small ftn next to a small shed/garge looking structure.
Restrooms at the lodge as well as the park/visitor center just above teh lodge on teh left hand side. Pretty nice facility there.
mtbaldyfacilities by gulpxtreme, on Flickr
Last edited by PhotoJoe; 08-01-12 at 11:48 AM.
#33
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Found this site. Turns out White Canyon is 7.8%. Interesting site to play with.
GMR is a good climb. I think the bottom is a bit steeper than the rest as it switchbacks up through the trees. Once you get up where they open up, the grade seems to soften (just) a bit.
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However, I got up at 5 and went riding this morning. Climbed Whites Canyon. OUCH!!!! I made it, though. I did have to stop half way up to "take a picture". Actually, I almost passed out. Legs were feeling pretty good, but I was getting dizzy. Had this once, too, when I rode while on chemo. Not exactly sure why, but I assume my lungs are just getting used to having to really work again. Did 19.6 miles, ran out of water (2 big bottles) and got rained on. It was AWESOME!
#36
SuperGimp
I may have to ban you for that comment!
However, I got up at 5 and went riding this morning. Climbed Whites Canyon. OUCH!!!! I made it, though. I did have to stop half way up to "take a picture". Actually, I almost passed out. Legs were feeling pretty good, but I was getting dizzy. Had this once, too, when I rode while on chemo. Not exactly sure why, but I assume my lungs are just getting used to having to really work again. Did 19.6 miles, ran out of water (2 big bottles) and got rained on. It was AWESOME!
However, I got up at 5 and went riding this morning. Climbed Whites Canyon. OUCH!!!! I made it, though. I did have to stop half way up to "take a picture". Actually, I almost passed out. Legs were feeling pretty good, but I was getting dizzy. Had this once, too, when I rode while on chemo. Not exactly sure why, but I assume my lungs are just getting used to having to really work again. Did 19.6 miles, ran out of water (2 big bottles) and got rained on. It was AWESOME!
Congrats on the ride, I'm sure it will take a lot of effort to acclimate and get back to where you used to be. I was up in Valencia on Tuesday and it was 106 when I went to lunch. That ain't right.
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I may have to ban you for that comment!
However, I got up at 5 and went riding this morning. Climbed Whites Canyon. OUCH!!!! I made it, though. I did have to stop half way up to "take a picture". Actually, I almost passed out. Legs were feeling pretty good, but I was getting dizzy. Had this once, too, when I rode while on chemo. Not exactly sure why, but I assume my lungs are just getting used to having to really work again. Did 19.6 miles, ran out of water (2 big bottles) and got rained on. It was AWESOME!
However, I got up at 5 and went riding this morning. Climbed Whites Canyon. OUCH!!!! I made it, though. I did have to stop half way up to "take a picture". Actually, I almost passed out. Legs were feeling pretty good, but I was getting dizzy. Had this once, too, when I rode while on chemo. Not exactly sure why, but I assume my lungs are just getting used to having to really work again. Did 19.6 miles, ran out of water (2 big bottles) and got rained on. It was AWESOME!
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The past two weeks I've been using the new Ultegra 12-30 on my Dura-Ace 7900 bike. The D/A 7900 RD only comes in one cage length. Other than having to re-set the "H" and "L" limit screws, no modification needed to be done, including changing the chain length. Previous to that, I ran a 12-28 and had no problems with GMR/GRR. The 30 was put on for the ski lift assault. I'm running 50-34 on the front.
#40
SuperGimp
Of course you can feel a difference! Whether you need it or not is a better question.
I'm extrapolating my experience telling the difference between 28 and 25 but 2 teeth is pretty noticeable IMO
I'm extrapolating my experience telling the difference between 28 and 25 but 2 teeth is pretty noticeable IMO
#41
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If your wife does not want to give up her 11T ring, then just combine the two cassettes to give her an 11-30. The downloadable Shimano tech documents show what sprockets and spacers are needed in what order, (probably drop the 14T and add the 11T and 11T lock ring.
I am so happy with the 34-30 combination, (50-34 crank, 12-30 cassette), that I'm changing one of my bikes from a 6703 (52-39-30 - 11-28) to a 6750 (50-34 / 12-30). I don't really need a high top end at my age. If I want to go fast, I'll ride the TT bike.
Last edited by volosong; 07-15-12 at 12:10 AM.
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Thanks for the feedback. My wife can climb gate-to-shack on 34-28 without a break but she's mashing a bit more than spinning. After reviewing the Shimano specs on the 12-30 cassette, second gear has 27T so this wouldn't be a problem for her on the avg. 7% grade of GMR and the 30T would be good as her "recovery" gear so she can make it to the Village.
As far as her missing the 11T, I don't think that would ever be a problem. It's the cleanest gear on her cassette. Heck, I don't even have an 11T as my cassette is a SRAM 12-28 and has the favored 16T.
As far as her missing the 11T, I don't think that would ever be a problem. It's the cleanest gear on her cassette. Heck, I don't even have an 11T as my cassette is a SRAM 12-28 and has the favored 16T.
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Resurrecting an old thread here but... what type of gears does anyone recommend for GMR. I have an Allez with 52/36 and 11-28 in the back. I know this isnt really a"climbing" set up but is GMR that hard? I have not climbed any thing hard with this bike yet only Chantry Flats and Turnbull Cyn which are very short climbs. The most climbing Ive done was Tour De Big Bear but that was on my old bike that had a triple. Any suggestions?
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Resurrecting an old thread here but... what type of gears does anyone recommend for GMR. I have an Allez with 52/36 and 11-28 in the back. I know this isnt really a"climbing" set up but is GMR that hard? I have not climbed any thing hard with this bike yet only Chantry Flats and Turnbull Cyn which are very short climbs.
#45
SuperGimp
If you can get up Turnbull with your setup you can get up GMR. I think the eastbound Turnbull is very similar to GMR, just a lot shorter. The westbound direction is a bit steeper I think, and if you're really crazy, go up Descending.
There's nothing really steep on GMR (just like Turnbull) either.
There's nothing really steep on GMR (just like Turnbull) either.
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Resurrecting an old thread here but... what type of gears does anyone recommend for GMR. I have an Allez with 52/36 and 11-28 in the back. I know this isnt really a"climbing" set up but is GMR that hard? I have not climbed any thing hard with this bike yet only Chantry Flats and Turnbull Cyn which are very short climbs. The most climbing Ive done was Tour De Big Bear but that was on my old bike that had a triple. Any suggestions?
when do you plan on doing GMR?
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I find that if I park near downtown Glendora and ride the 3 miles to GMR I feel a lot better than if I park at GMR/Sierra Madre and ride up (basically at the start of GMR), it's nice to get a little warm up before the climbing. I think JMx did a good job summarizing what to expect. Overall the ride to the village isn't too bad - but the ride to the lifts is no joke. It's ok to skip that part of the ride! (at least that's what i tell myself, lol). If you do the loop that descends down 39 into Azusa, just be aware that 39 is much more traveled road, so start early in the summer to avoid lots of cars.
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Hey, wait a minute here, Descending is a wonderful climb. I love climbing Descending (plus it gets the oxy's and the morons all mixed up when I type that!).
Beautiful scenery, almost never any motor traffic and only one loud barking dog to encourage you near the summit! Plus, doing the Descending climb repeats is good training for the Ski-Lift climb .
Rick / OCRR
Beautiful scenery, almost never any motor traffic and only one loud barking dog to encourage you near the summit! Plus, doing the Descending climb repeats is good training for the Ski-Lift climb .
Rick / OCRR
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Resurrecting an old thread here but... what type of gears does anyone recommend for GMR. I have an Allez with 52/36 and 11-28 in the back. I know this isnt really a"climbing" set up but is GMR that hard? I have not climbed any thing hard with this bike yet only Chantry Flats and Turnbull Cyn which are very short climbs. The most climbing Ive done was Tour De Big Bear but that was on my old bike that had a triple. Any suggestions?
#50
Senior Member
Resurrecting an old thread here but... what type of gears does anyone recommend for GMR. I have an Allez with 52/36 and 11-28 in the back. I know this isnt really a"climbing" set up but is GMR that hard? I have not climbed any thing hard with this bike yet only Chantry Flats and Turnbull Cyn which are very short climbs. The most climbing Ive done was Tour De Big Bear but that was on my old bike that had a triple. Any suggestions?
Just for comparison, I have 39/25 and do totally fine.