Originally Posted by
OCshark
Hi all,
A friend and I want to ride GMR next Sunday (8/31). I've only been on a portion of this road (for a time trial back in 2001). Can some of the GMR regulars please make some recommendations with regards to:
1. What's the best place to start from (so we get a short, say, 4 or 5 mile warmup before things go up). We'll be coming up the 57 from OC, so I'm looking for a place to park and directions to GMR.
We start from Glendora High School. Easy to get to and gives 2-3 miles of ride before you hit GMR "proper"
Take 57N - Exit Auto Center Dr, turn Left. Turn Right on Lone Hill. Go under FWY and then Left on Route 66. Turn R on Compromise Line Rd and then Right on Valley Center - Glendora HS is on the Right.
From the HS, go North on Valley Center, through the light and Left at the stop sign (Sierra Madre) and almost immediately Right on GMR. Keep going and fairly soon you'll be at the gate.
2. Once on GMR, what route should we take? We're in good shape, but we probably want to keep the climbing to 5,000 feet at most. We'll be back later this fall to go all the way.
Really only one way to go on GMR - up.
Go up as far as you want - there are several logical stopping places. One is at the maintenance shack at the top (about 8 miles from the gate); another is at the first peak - about 7 miles from the gate (the maintenance shack is at the second peak); you can pick just about any switchback that you want.
3. We're thinking about starting out about 7AM. We're concerned about getting off the roads before too much weekend traffic. Now, next weekend is Labor Day weekend, so maybe this is a really bad time to be on GMR? Please advise.
Should be fine, but we like starting at 6:30 - it's just a little bit cooler. We've been the first cyclists up the past few times and we've had to deal with the down-hill skateboarders. . .but very little traffic. There's really no destinations up there so the only thing you should see is motorcycles enjoying the road (just as we do) but they've always treated us well.
4. Is there a phone number or website we're supposed to check to see if the road is open/closed to cyclists? I'm not familiar with what's going on up there (fire danger, etc).
Just go for it - shouldn't be any big deal.
Thanks for the tips!
Such as they are!
