Kar3368

Anyone doing this?
https://www.ocw.org/bear/bearinfo.asp

Registration opened this month...Does it normally sell out?

I was thinking about it, BUT I wanted to see if I could manage the BA
before I sign up for this one as it looks like it follows some of the same
route as Breathless Agony.

Thoughts? Is is as hard as BA is going to be?

K

caligurl

bear is easier... (not easy.... but easier on the scale) climbing the "back side" to onyx is not as long nor as hard!

however the road up to big bear is very narrow and twisty, if that freaks anyone and VERY VERY VERY busy! (large trucks, cars, etc....) there is no shoulder....

the only part that shares BA is the 40 mile descent... you leave a completely different way in the morning to head up to onyx.....

scvroadie

I totally agree with Cali. There are some points on the front side where the white line on the shoulder and the pavement ending are one, very narrow. As we entered Running Springs, just as I went under the bridge, a semi with a long trailer passed me. the back of the trailer missed me by less than a foot. If I hadn't used the port-a-potty at the previous rest stop I would have had a mess.

caligurl

here's a pic of the road heading up... (early so before traffic!) note that you ride ON the white line or just to the left of it in the lane.....



but that said... it's a fun ride and OCW does a good job with it! really the only negative i ever complain about is the traffic/narrow roads!!!!

HRC-Rascal

Everyone I have talked to says that the Bear ride is easier. I hope that is true because I'll be doing it... My local cycling club has a series of training rides designed to prepare you for the ride. Talking to some of the folks on the training rides that have done both all say that BA is tougher.

Pamestique 

HRC-Rascal - are you BCI or OCW? Every other Sunday BCI has training rides designed to prepare a rider for the Bear. Each ride is progressively harder. Last ride is up Mt. Palomar. Palomar is harder than the Bear. Only problem I see with the Bear ride is (1) traffic and (2) weather - sometimes its bejeesus hot and others too cold.

caligurl

yep.... both years i've done it i started out with long sleeves (or arm warmers) and jacket.... strip down to racer back top to climb up to onyx.... then put it all back on for the descent (two years ago there was mist and it was miserable and FREEZING all the way down (but gorgeous at onyx!)

caligurl

the different clothing of bear:

2005 after removing the jacket:


climbing to onyx


FREEEEEEEEZIN pulling into the ranger station... BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR


2006 w/armwarmers... (ok... didn't start with a jacket last year)


and at onyx (OMG i look so FAT in this pic!) (thanx jimmy for snapping this one for me!) again stripped down.... it all went back on for the descent....

merider1

Cali, I ban YOU from ever saying you look fat again. I AM pudgy (oh, shush, anyone with a comeback). But YOU are not. I actually think you look lean and buff in that pic. You got nice arms, woman.

caligurl

i'm a pudgy PEAR!!!!!! lean upper body and pudgy lower body!!!!!!!

this one really shows my arms (from 2005) ok.... arm, not plural! lol!



but in last year's onyx pic.... i definitely look like i have an extra layer of fat over the muscle! yuck!

merider1

Keep it up and I'm going to smuttart every thread going forward... Oh, wait...I already do that.

HRC-Rascal

BCI. This past Sunday they did a ~50 mile ride with about 3400 ft of climbing. It wasn't too bad with the exception of Pacific Ridge (I think that is the name of the road) - that climb hurt.

Mr. Beanz

All 3 times I've done it, the cold or the heat wasn't a factor (2003,2004,2005). Not enough to strip or add clothing. I guess it depends on the individual. In 2005, I did get a bit warm on Onyx Summit. Took off the jersey for the 6 mile climb. Fine on the way down.

Some riders think Onyx climb is the toughest part of the ride. It was actually easier for me than the section up to the first rest stop. But I'm a slow starter. And yes, that Bear on the site still scares me!

Rick@OCRR

Thanks for the Heads-Up on The Bear!

I just went over to the OCW site and signed up. This will be my ninth year for Ride Around the Bear.

I agree with all the posts above (Except for that bit about Cali looking fat, or pudgy! Every time I've seen her she's been downright skinny! Must be about zero % body fat on that girl).

The first seven times I rode as fast as possible to get a good time. Last year I "toured" the Bear and while my time was much slower, I actually had a better time (funny how that works!). Should be fun again this year!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

Pamestique 

Didn't they do PID this weekend?

I always mean to do Bear training (just because) but somehow always seem to miss it...

Actually I did it about 4 - 5 years ago (before the injuries and surgeries) and found it to be incredible training, period. Maybe next year!

Indolent58

So who's in for this?

Rick@OCRR

I'm in for The Bear, but it will be the weekend following the Eastern Sierra Double, so don't know if I'll be recovered enough to hammer it, or just tour it like last year. Either way, I'll be there!

Best Regs,
Rick / OCRR

rooftest

I saw this thread and signed up - I'll be there!

Kar3368

I have decided not to do this ride so I have two spots for sale if anyone is
interested.

Let me know by Friday A.M.
Thanks!
Karen

big john

Karen, are you off climbing rides for now? Will we see you at the LAW trainer this weekend or maybe at Baldy next weekend?

Kar3368

Hey John!
I did a "easier" ride last weekend, and I am planning an "easier" ride this weekend, but most likely
I will be @ Baldy next weekend.
I just needed a couple of weeks off of the climbing rides, after KOM.

Karen

tprevost

Karen, I was thinking about you last night and wondering how you were feeling. Are you back to your normal 'animal' self, or still sort of in recovery mode? I know you had a really hard time on that last ride

Anyway, just wanted to let you know I was thinkin' about you! Glad to hear you are doing some easier rides and hope to hear you're back to your normal stuff soon!

Tracy

Kar3368

Hey Trac,
Thanks!!!
Yes, I had a VERY hard time @ Heartbreak.
Sitting in the dirt @ mile 80 crying was not fun!
I am "sorta" in recovery mode...
My ride last weekend was the Ojai Century.
It only had just over 5000 ft of climbing so it was "easy" in terms of centuries!
I was trying to do it in under 6 hours...didn't make it..My time was 6 hours 20 min.
Not bad, considering I was riding solo...
This weekend is another mellow ride, then I should be back to my "normal" self!!!

Karen

big john

I don't blame you, why do it if it isn't fun? I have switched to mountain bikes for months before. See you soon!

tprevost

good I imagine the BA ride really took it out of you.... I was worried about ya A little break is probably a good idea

Oh, and that's a great time for Ojai! I would love to do that ride sometime but I had a ride up here this year and then I was gonna do three harbors again just so I could ride in the area but had a childcare issue come up so that's out too

I'm looking forward to hearing that you are back to your 'normal' self!!!