fore0121

This is a long read, but I am too stoked to shorten it any. It's a good read (at least I think so )

Absolutely freaking amazing experience. I am so glad I did it.

Many of you may have read that I was going to Pasadena, California on business and was looking to squeeze in a ride or two while there. Being from Toronto (not exactly hilly) I wanted to take a ride in some actual mountains and do some climbing and see what the experience would be like. In my own head I have this perception that you're not a 'real' rider unless you can climb to some degree. Now, I know that's not true, but it's just my own feeling inside. Maybe it was just a goal of mine coming to the surface, or just because I see it in the Giro, TDF, Vuelta, etc. I had a need to do it. I wanted to climb to the Mt. Wilson Observatory as it was suggested that it was a challenging but doable ride for someone who doesn't climb that far that often. I 'climb' around here, but our hills are only a few KM's long. I also wanted to experience a winding, climbing road. Around here everything is straight up and down.

I was able to rent a decent Ti bike from Velo Pasadena and I was on my way (I was really worried about shipping my new carbon for maybe two days of riding). I arrived Tuesday and went right to the shop to pick up the bike, about 2pm. Gave it the inspection and took it back to the hotel. My only disappointment was that they only had an 11-23 cluster available, not exactly climbing gears for the newbie! Oh well, I figured I see how it went. Wednesday morning I was wide awake at 3am, I was still on East Coast time. I didn't have to be back at the hotel until 12pm for some work related activities, so I decided when sun up came I would be out the door. It's what I usually do at home anyway. 6:00 came and I set out on my ride. It was foggy and dreary. I decided I would coast around the Rose Bowl and see what it was like. Very beautiful, subtle rolling hills. Short, steep climbs in and out of the valley itself. The ride seemed to be OK and I Had to decide whether to keep it local and climb around the Bowl up to the Sacred Heart Academy or get out and try that mountain. I decided to try that mountain, since I was up early and had the whole morning. I could leave the local stuff for tomorrow, as my work stuff started earlier Thursday morning.

I got to Flintridge/La Canada (fitting, eh) and zigged when I should have zagged. I came around Oak Grove and turned one street early, getting on Birkshire Ave. I thought I remembered the way, but I was slightly off track. I met up with an older guy, definitely a Seasoned Vet of the local roads. LA Wheelmen (sp?) jersey on, so I felt pretty confident he knew his way around. I explained to him I was visiting, not from around here and wanted to find Angels Crest Highway. I asked him if I was on the right track. He pointed and rode me up to Chevy Chase, and then to the base of the Angels Crest Highway. I asked him the level of difficulty and he told me it was pretty ambitious of me, but doable. His only advice was that if I could hang on until I got to the golf course, I'd be OK. It 'flattened out' a bit and the grade was less steep and very even after that.

I fueled up at the Shell station at the base, bought some power bars and water and headed up that climb. Boy, was he right. That initial couple of miles is pretty steep. I was worried that if the whole climb was like this, there was no way I was prepared to get anywhere near the top. I was slowing a bit in the 23 and I just kept repeating to myself 'just get to the golf course, just get to the golf course'. Sure enough, once I got there the road leveled off a bit and I was able to turn the pedals at my normal climbing cadence again. The fog lifted (or I was getting higher than it). What a spectacular view. I have never felt the rush of getting higher and higher, and leaving the city and the hustle behind. The higher I climbed, the bigger the rush. I could feel the adrenaline. The road was winding around the mountain, snaking from side to side around the hills. Very cool. You could see the road above you winding up and disappearing around the mountain. Once you turned the corner you could see the next section winding up and around. I was not tired, but I had to remind myself it was a long climb and to pace myself so as to not bonk from inexperience. So, steady I went up the highway. Mile by mile, just enjoying the ride. I had no cpu on board so I had no idea how fast I was going, or how far I had gone. I only had my phone which had a clock. I passed the 3000ft mark and checked the time, it was 8:30. It pained me, but I didn't think I would be able to make it up to Mt Wilson and get back in time. I decided to climb until 9 and call it a day. I figured I needed all that time to get back to the hotel, shower, etc. I figured I needed all that time. I was disappointed I didn't reach my goal, but I was thrilled as all he!! that I had a chance to climb above the clouds. I turned around and started the descent.

What a rush. I had never realized how fast you could go and for how long. The winding road was a challenge, more of a challenge than I had imagined. I never realized how difficult real descending was. It is an art, weaving from side to side around each turn I had just navigated up. It was a bit scary a few times, I rode the brakes for awhile to manage my speed until I got the hang of navigating the turns (and the cars behind me). I climbed for an hour and a half, I descended for 15 minutes. Unbelievable. I've never actually descended at top speed for 15 minutes. It took a he!! of a lot of concentration.

I went back down to the Rose Bowl and back to the hotel. I arrived home at 10am, much earlier than expected and very disappointed that I could have gone on for another hour or so. It ate at me all afternoon. I didn't like having to turn around in the middle of the climb. I wouldn't have made it to Mt Wilson, but I would like to have made it to some logical finish point before turning around.

As luck would have it, my Thursday AM stuff was pushed until 12pm. I anxiously awaited the next morning as I had to give it another crack. I woke up Thursday morning, hopped on the bike and got back to the mountain (just get to the golf course, just get to the golf course). I climbed and climbed until I passed the area I had reached the day earlier. I was much more efficient because I knew where I was going. I rode up to 'Georges Gap' and decided to press on a bit further. I kept going until I reached the road to Mt.Wilson/Red Box Road. As much as I would have loved to ride it the rest of the way, it was getting late and I was definitely getting tired. I needed to be back by 11 to get ready so I decided that I had at least reached a goal of getting to Red Box. Truthfully, I was a bit worried I would get on that climb and would be to tired to get back home. I hadn't bonked yet and I didn't want to press my luck at that point. So I returned and descended back to the Rose Bowl.

I still had some time and I really wanted to do the Sacred Heart climb as well, just to say I did it. so instead of going down to the bowl on Linda Vista, I went up and around to Highlands, to Chevy Chase (that really was steep and quick, Avalanche325!). I continued on to Figueroa and came to Linda Vista. I was so confident I was to turn Right, I did. Right to the bottom of Linda Vista at Chevy Chase!!! Doh!. So I had to haul my A$$ back up that steep climb and over to the other side. I was bushed at that point, but I made it. I was able to get home from there.

A few observations:
1. I've never felt more proud of anything I've done cycling related as I did climbing to that Red Box Intersection.
2. I'm a better rider than I give myself credit for, much better. This was confidence inspiring.
3. I handled that climb very well physically. No sore muscles, no aches or pains. It may not be the steepest climb for some, but for my first I was thrilled.
4. Descending is a Skill. I never realized how hard that really is. Full concentration required.
5. Cool cyclists up on the mountain. Rose Bowl people didn't acknowledge you, AC people gave you a wave and a thumbs up, every time I passed one.
6. Take your crappy glasses with you on vacation, I had mine in my jersey when climbing, lost them. It was a teary eyed descent at times.
7. I love that area. I've never been happier to ride. Ever. It was a life altering ride.

Thanks for reading and a special thanks to all those who helped with route info (2Rodies, Avalanche325, HJR, Squeegy200, livestrong91, The Fixer, dolophonic, 26mi235, -CM-, and anyone I missed). It was all extremely helpful and gave me the confidence to go out on my own. Sincerest thanks.

I've got pics, I'll be posting them later today when I get them downloaded.
f

2Rodies

Outstanding Fore!!! I was talking with another forum member who lives near the area and he's also lived in Europe and climbed the Alps. He said that many of the climbs in the San Fernando and San Gabriel mountains are very much like the ones in Europe.

I did Mt Wilson two weeks ago and it may have ended my season. I've done something terrible to the anterior muscle along my shin and it won't heal up. After two weeks off the bike I tried to ride this morning and it still just screams with pain.

roadfix

Congratulations on your climb. Getting up to Red Box ranger station is plenty enough.....there's not much more elevation gain from that point to Mt. Wilson anyway. Glad you got in some quality miles.

26mi235

Glad you got the ride(s). I did not tell you the story of the first time I climbed all the way up and over. I was going to do a 3-day loop up and over to the backside (the road does not go through any longer, I do not think). The second day I was going to come down Cajon pass, and then make for Riverside where my neighobor was going to UC. Then I was going to ride back the third day. I had never carried stuff for a ride like that and after I got over the first crest I bonked, despite having taken in what I thought was a lot of food. The next 5-6 miles were murder until lunch finally got into my system. This was back about 1970 and there was much less knowledge and I did not know anyone that was a serious rider.

Stealthman_1

Great story, I'm glad you shared it with us. Climbing has been the single largest self-confidence builder I've ever experienced in my life time. Every climb is an accomplishment and prepares you both mentally and physically for the next challenge whether it be on the bike or in life. Other than mountaineering, I can't think of another sport that supplies such challenges and thrills. Unlike mountaineering, on the descent, if you hit 50mph, it's a good thing!

fore0121

That's what I figured. I was sort of dissapointed, but proud as he!! at the same time. It was time to go home.


Definitely confidence building. Like I said, I feel like I'm a better biker than I've given myself credit for. Make no mistake, I wasn't flying up AC, but I was never overly tired. I'm not kidding myself into thinking I'm Lance or Jan. I just felt like I was working 'comfortably' hard, if that makes any sense, and was able to push myself to greater things. I was worried at first as I said, but I kept thinking if I just tried, I could see how far up I could go.
f

henesse

there should be more posts like this.

fore0121

Thanks for your detailed description of this ride.

I really hope you're on the mend. Sounds painful. Have you had it checked out?
f

HJR

Congrats fore!

That is an accomplishment of which to be proud. I have yet to get the confidence to try Mount Wilson. I have done in my car or on my motorcycle. It's not as tiring, but it is great fun to drive/ride it and very challenging also. You have inspired me to do AC on my bike before the end of summer.

As for getting lost around sacred heart, that is something I love about that area. I often just start riding up roads that I have no idea where they lead. I've hit deadends, descents, challenging climbs and beautiful roads. It is fun to not know what is next. Unfortunately you cannot do that when you are on a schedule.

Lastly, thanks for the business and plug. That Shell Station is my father's.

fore0121

If I can haul my 200lbs up there, so can you!


True, it can be fun getting lost. However that's not what I was thinking when I hit Chevy Chase again!


That is too funny! Amazing coincidence!!
f

fore0121

... and here they are:

1. Start of the climb (and HJR's Family Shell station on the right!)
2. The Golf Course
3. The Way Up
4. The Winding Road
5. 3000ft
6. View from Above
7. The obligatory "I Made It" pic (edit: the pic is actually at Georges Gap, on the way back. it was the best place I could put the timer on my camera and be in a pic)

There are more, but these generally are the best pics. Also, they are larger sized, but I shrank them to 640x480. Is there any way to keep them larger sized and compress them to under the 100kb limit? Thanks
f

'nother

Cool, sounds like a great ride. Thanks for posting the pics. I haven't been up the AC since I lived in West L.A., about 15 years ago. I miss that particular aspect of SoCal, but not much else

Anbaric Cog

Dear Fore:

Great post, love those pictures. Hills are awesome to climb. I love that feeling of
accomplisment when you finally do make it, and you know that you did it and didn't let the negative voices from your legs (or life!) stop you.

best wishes.
a.c.

AlanS

Hey Fore-

I know that area of Pasadena very well (used to go to Caltech). I've had cars that had trouble getting up A. Crest Highway. Now you have something to tell your grandkids.

sunninho

Wow, I went out today and rode up (for the first time) Angeles Vista Drive near the Leimert section of LA and felt great about that climb. It definitely wasn't as long as your climb, but made me proud all the same!

Now, I'm gonna have to take on Angeles Crest Highway a few times this summer. Thanks for the great pictures!

socalrider

I use to live in Pasadena and Angeles crest was one of my favorite rides.. The weekend traffic can be a little tough at times but you get a great view of Valley in many spots..

simplyred

After looking at those pictures..
Do you really want to come back home? ^^
I agree that Toronto is about as flat as toast...
You're really lucky to be able to find an awesome ride like that...
Congratulations on your climb dude, I'm really happy that you're happy..
Safe trip back to the motherland [psst... toronto]

-Peter

fore0121

I've heard that about the weekend traffic. Glad I was able to do it on a Wed. and Thurs. morning, real early. It was still busy though. There were a few times on the narrower section that I gripped the bars a bit tighter as a truck or two buzzed past. I'm used to traffic in TO, but that road was a bit tight at times.


Didn't really want to come home, I loved it there. But when I did arrive back in the motherland last night, I was glad to hold my wife and kids. I'm wondering if I can convince them to move!

f

sambusik

Did you feel safe on AC? I had read that it was a particularly deadly road for car accidents, especially with the fog.

I drove up AC once when I lived in LA, and remember it being very steep. Good job on a kick-ass ride

terrymorse 

Cool ride report. It looks like we have another convert!

I'll be down Los Anglese way in a couple of weeks. Is there a posting with directions to the start? A URL to a Mapquest map would be cool, too. How about stats for the climb?

Thanks,
terry

fore0121

I felt safe. It was busy though. I am used to busier roads. You certainly had to pay attention, your full attention, to staying to your side of the road on the blind corners.

I don't think I'd do this on a weekend, unless I lived there and was more familiar with it.
f

26mi235

Terry, I encourage you to look a little further east. You can go up San Gabriel Canyon. Eventually it branches with the main road going strait and climbing more steeply. East Fork goes east and after a bit it climbs steeply up and meets Glendora Mtn Road, which you can go down (10 mi) or go east on Glendora Ridge Road, which goes another 12-13 miles where it meets the MtBaldy Road (after cresting the saddle at 4550). It is 5-6 milesup to the end of the road from there, with a very steep second part after Ice House Canyon, ending at 6450 feet. You can do variations on these, my most common was to ride to the base of Glendora Mtn Road and climb up to the juncture, then east and down MtBaldy Road.

For a challenging ride, climb up San Gabriel Canyon to the top, then cut over on East Fork and up to Glendora Ridge Road, east to MtBaldy and then up. When you come down, it is not that hard to ride west to your beginning point, although I suspect that it is more crowded than when I was riding it 20 yearrs ago. The roads are not too heavily travel except for on weekends. There is another loop, just going up Glendora Mtn Road and then east to MtBaldy. I would time the ride from the beginning of the climb (some portion of a mile before the first switchback) to the aforemention saddle before the quick mile drop to the Village. See how close to 81 you can get for the 22.x miles

fore0121

Wow, my meager climbing post got a response from the King of the Mountains, Terry Morse!!!! You definately have a convert.

This thread I started in February gave me great ideas for this route. I followed -CM-'s route exactly from my hotel in Pasadena. These directions were absoultely perfect. I've quoted the reply below so you can read it.




Also, because you're a bit more experienced in the hills, you could follow the same route as mine, but instead of going up Mt Wilson Road, you could continue to a road called Upper Big Tujunga, loop around to a road called Angels Forest Road, which will bring you back to Angels Crest Highway. It will get you closer to a century ride, I calculated +/- 90 miles from my hotel, This Map gives you some idea of that area in the mountains. If you haven't used googlemaps before, it's great. You can zoom in on Angels Crest Highway and follow it around to Mt Wilson and/or Upper Big Tujunga. It's the best I can do at this point.

Sorry, no stats. Best I can do is say the ride was about 40-45 miles and got over 4000ft. It was a rental bike and I had no cpu. Haven't got a Polar yet (i've been thinking about it for awhile) either so no altimeter readings.

f (a.k.a., the climber )

fore0121

This route came highly recommended as well. Probably suited to you, Terry, a bit more than the AC route I took. I'd like to have a week to just ride there. Many great places to go.
f

26mi235

One advantage of the routes further to the east is that the traffic is lighter than on AC, especially GMtnRd and GRRd.