Luwin1026

Just wanted to start a thread for the ride reports that will start rolling in once everyone gets home and settled.

What a great ride - many familiar SoCal folks as well as new faces!! Had some midpoint excitement as a motorcyclist and a convertible driver almost took their gloves off and throw down, apparently over accused poor driving/safety/etc. - suffice to say, we let the cars go down first before we headed down ourselves.

I was unsure about this ride at first as after my miserable experience up Oak Glen last year at the Fall Metric Century, I had a little phobia towards climbing/mountains/etc. - took some time yesterday to go up Hwy 39 to East Fork and back to kind of get a feel for the climbing. Wasn't so bad, so I figured I'd end up going to this GMR ride. Besides, the company would be great, and if I was going to suffer, BF people are the ones to suffer with!

Rolled into Encanto and was greeted by Dave with some donuts that Happytime had so graciously brought. Weather was overcast and nice and cool. Ride was underway pretty promptly - and I was once again pleasantly surprised by the number of riders. Good 'ol Herb - he's a good ride organizer and is able to get some folks from out of the woodwork! Hopped onto the bike trail for a little bit, then got on Sierra Madre and headed towards Glendora. Ran into two dirt/unpaved/rocky sections in the middle of the road where they were apparently in the middle of doing construction - as my front tire slipped and slid, I had various magnificent visions about eating it . . . but luckily I escaped unscathed. Something about Herb's rides and off-road excursions . . .

Regrouped at the gate leading up to GMR. Thanks to the chivalrous guys and girls that helped hold/lift bikes while riders straddled and cross the yellow bars. As people started taking off, I decided that it'd be good to get going since I'm slow and was going to get passed up anyway. The climb itself wasn't too miserable - just a steady, consistent uphill. Luckily, Tiffanie hung with me for much of it, and chatted it up with her to take my mind off the exertion to get me and my bike up the mountain. Broke through the cloud layer and into the warm sunshine, but I kept my arm warmers on as I've been trying to even out my tan line. Ran into several good groups/folks on the way up, but it seemed like we were all pretty well scattered throughout. At one point, GregK, who is a member here and friend of mtblurkr - passes us . . . on his big ring. Later on we find out he never left his big ring all day. Insane!! Reached a bit of shade that was around 1/4 mile from the top - folks were gathered there so we figured we'd stop and sit for a little bit. Waited for the regroup, then headed up/down to the yellow gate.

As we were waiting for another regroup, this is where the almost-altercation between motorcyclist/car driver ensued. I whispered guiltily to Scootcore that I wanted to sit back and watch a good 'ol mountaintop brawl, but they ended up cooling off enough to part without any punches thrown. Boo. Wusses.

A quick, twist descent down to East Fork awaited us, and I followed behind Tiffanie who held a great line. Going wide then coming in around the apex, and accelerating out, it was a fast downhill. It's great to ride with people you've ridden with before as you know their ability/tendency/personalities, so you can trust enough to follow them down a 35+mph descent without fear that they'd suddenly slam on the brakes or what not. Hopped onto East Fork, then stopped at the Cafe for a quick refuel/drink/potty break.

East Fork to Hwy 39 - a few uphill sections on 39 followed by some sweet descents. It was windy in some places, and Scootcore was behind me for a little while then swung around to let me take a break. I tried to hang onto this wheel but my legs weren't having it, so I just did my own thing for the rest of the way down 39. Hit 40.5mph on the way down, but was pretty much spinning my 50/11 pretty fast. Regrouped at the beginning of the trail in Azusa, then we booked it back to Encanto Park.

All in all, it was an awesome ride - great to ride with people I haven't ridden with in the past (Happytime, jschen, Davesanzyzyzyzyz or something like that, psydotek (who I didn't even realize was there until m.e. pointed it out, jpconrad, Extort, VanceMac, etc., etc.) - nygirl and her estrogen posse, who had just done a century the day before (awesome!), Mr. Beanz and Gina who did an awesome job, cole505, ronjon, bitingduck, scvroadie, markaj, justme, etc. - and some other folks I didn't get a chance to meet.

Thanks to herbm for once again another great ride. Sorry I couldn't make it out to The Green Onion - I had told Holly that I'd be home at noonish as she had wanted to go for a run and get a pedicure afterwards, so as I pulled in at 1:30 and she had been waiting for me - looks like I have some damage control to do later on when she gets back . . .

Oh - pics to come by others who took some!

herbm

Thanks to everyone who came out for this ride...
Wow...we had close to 40 people!! Awesome...
What a great day for riding...nice and cool to start, then warm and sunny...
Only drag was the wind on East Fork and 39..I could have done without that..
I showed 38 miles and 3770 feet of elevation..not too shabby...
Everyone who said they would have a hard time with this ride did great....you know who you are!

Even Larry (from SFVBC) who is 73, did great...

Yeah...I dont know whats with the hike a bike on my rides...but the real drag is, the reported bad section on GMR is totally fixed and I am guessing they really are getting ready to open it...there is even one of those electronic message signs at the bottom...bummer...

I am sorry if I didnt get to say goodby to everyone...I was under strict orders to hurry up!

Here are a few pictures

Thanks again for a great ride!!

merider1

Thanks, Herb for organizing this outstanding ride today! And, wow! What a turn out! - Wimmins galore. Asia and her estrogen posse blew me away as they all climbed that hill like real troopers. Asia is a SAND-BAGGA! Couldn't beat the weather although the head winds (grumble, grumble) were a bit much.

Thank you, Chris for giving me little pushes from time to time and jamming down 39 with me.

I'll post pics in a few. I've got to finish my ride report from yesterday. So much riding so little time..

Happytime

What an awesome group of people to ride with! I counted 42 BF'ers on the ride out.

I had a great time, both on the ride and the eats afterwards. Kudos to Herb for organizing the ride, to Jason (whose 'surprise' was showing up in a dress shirt, tie and slacks!) and DaveSanzYZY for the excellent company on the climb up, to Gene for pulling NYGirl and me through those rough headwinds and all the cool BFers I got to meet for the first time in person... Psydotek, Extort, Tiff, BitingDuck, too many to name. Great to see Scootcore, JPConrad, Luwin again, and others, too. ME, you're always too cool for school.

I'm at my folks' Whittier house right now (had to make a detour to catch the Ducks in OT) but will post pictures when I can. As a teaser, all I can say is that there is a rather scandalous photo of Jschen that may cost him his BF moderatorship!

david ramirez

I want to thank this great group of friendly riders for allowing a rebel cyclist like myself into your midst. My moniker will heretofore be buikd and you might of noticed me on todays gmr climb as the guy with the red FAKTA jersey. Feel free to Email me, address is buikd@aol.com thanks.

Mr. Beanz

Just another sweet forum ride! Nice to meet new members and see the familiar faces. Was a nice ez ride as I just hung back with Gina. I could tell right away on SM that she was going to have a tough time. She struggled but after a Port-O-Potty break at about 3 or 4 miles up GMR, she seemed to get a lil life back into her. She was breathing much better after the break. She even spoke a few words to me without swinging. I think I even saw her smile once.

Herb hung back to make sure all ther riders made the right turn on Glendora Mt Rd. so we were around him for much of the climb. Something about the Port-O-Potty must have motivate him cause he took off like a rocket after that. I'd pull away from Gina now and then to sneak a peek at Herb just up ahead. At one point I shot ahead looking for Herb but saw nothing. I looked up the turns and noticed he was about 6 miles ahead. I was like WTF! I'm starting to wonder what he was doing in that Port-O-Potty!

Well Gina made up the climb, slowly but Shirley. After the show at the gate, we headed down. One advantage us big guys have is weight for the downhill. I was doing a good pace down as I encountered a patch of rocks in the middle of the road. I stopped to brush the large rocks so that none of the forum people would hit them for a mishap. Some dude going up in a truck must have thought I ate it cause he stopped and asked if I was ok. Cool! I told him I was fine and had only stopped to brush the rocks aside for my friends. But then my all friends went by leaving me behind as I began to remount my bike. Some friends!

OK, actually Gina had fallen behind on the downhill too. Oh well, she made it! Brief stop at the cafe then across East Fork. She seemed to be fine at this point, now that most of the climbing was over. Then down 39. A few hills here and there. She'd slow up on the hills and kept asking if this was the last one. I kept telling her ,"uhh, I think this is it". A few hills later she began to lose her patience. Right as she was about to take her first swing of the ride, AH-HA! Downhill! Then it was back onto the trail to the park. A safe return without a punch!

Did have a chance to talk and ride with Kristie. Nice lady. We talked a bit till she put on the sauce! She can ride! Did BA too!

Luwin1026

Welcome! Glad you can join us!!!

Luwin1026

And all this time we thought he rode "clean!" Next thing we know, he's going to be organizing a ride called "Goodbye Operación Puerto" or something . . .

VanceMac

What a great group and ride. I think I doubled the number of BF'ers I've met on this one ride! I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Happytime

Back at ya, Vance!

herbm

Hey hey hey now...
I lightened the fluid load a bit..thats all...and ate a banana while waiting....maybe someone spiked it?

Thanks Mr B for the company...I had a great time...
I know I told Gina there wasnt much more on 39 either...I honestly didnt remember there being that much...The winds didnt help either......but she did awesome!!!

Mr. Beanz

BTW, buddy Lee said he had a great time. Said it was a nice ride with some really good people. Not sure why he said that, he's ridden with me and MTBLurker before!

ronjon10

Thanks Herb, I had a great time. I got a few of my TnT buddies out there, there were certainly surprised by the huge turnout. Hopefully I'll be able to get them out on more rides. Sorry I didn't say goodbye to everyone. I caught up with Cole, Coles buddy (david?) and JP at the cafe. Weren't sure how long it'd be so we took off back to the park. I was very happy to share windbreaking duties with JP as we blasted back. That was nasty. Looking forward to the reverse route on June 2nd!

VanceMac

Speaking of Ronjon... looking LEAN, brother!

tprevost

Great Job Everyone!!!!

I'm waiting for the pics though!!!!

Mr. Beanz

Hey thanx for the pic Herb. I like this one. Makes it look like we actually rode with you guys!....I took a few pics but didn't get much. Just a bunch of pictures of Gina's butt. I'm not sure what got into me, but sometimes this happens!

Mr. Beanz

I thought you was going?


...AND WHAT DONUTS? Oh, it was a plan to keep me away from the donuts I see!

tprevost

Not this time I'm up in NorCal so it takes a bit of planning these days to get to the rides

jschen

And with that, here's my somewhat unusual ride report.

First of all, thanks to Herb for organizing a great ride. And thanks to Dave for driving me. It was great to share a really enjoyable ride with so many of you and to meet so many new faces.

Dave and I got to the start 45 minutes before we were to roll, yet there was already a bunch of people there. In terms of turnout, this definitely was one of the bigger rides we've done. With Vivian having been meticulously cleaned and thus unlikely to soil my clothing, I decided to indulge M.E.'s desire to see what I looked like when dressed nicely, wearing a dress shirt and tie. While waiting around, though, Joy managed to give me a little surprise of her own. Saw M.E. a bit before rolling, so she saw my surprise (and Joy's surprise), so I stripped off the nice clothing to reveal my riding attire for the day: the 2007 Breathless Agony bib and jersey.

I ended up riding up GMR mostly with Joy and Dave. It was a lot of fun riding with them. At one point, Phil and I chased someone, but there was no way I was keeping up, so I dropped back to hang out with Joy and Dave. Once we descended to the cafe, one of the riders (sorry, can't remember everyone's name) commented to me that my wife or girlfriend was an excellent descender. That's an interesting comment seeing as I'm single. Turns out he was referring to Joy, who indeed descends quite well and who has a striking resemblance to a college friend of mine.

The home stretch was plagued with nasty headwinds, but hey, we don't control the weather. Nonetheless, it was a really great ride, and we bummed around a bit at the start--lots of enjoyable bumming around today--during which time M.E. finally stood somewhat still in a somewhat accessible position. Oh, and then the aforementioned "scandalous photo" was taken.

Anyway, a nice filling lunch afterward, during which time I found out that one of the SoCal wimmin has warm, soft hands. Oh, and on an unrelated note, the new bib worked out pretty well.


Umm, yeah, an interesting day... Sorry about some vagueness, but I'm sure the pics will explain all.

Mr. Beanz

Jason, did you get new wheels? They looked really cool but I don't remember seeing them before.

jschen

Yeah... not my climbing wheels, but I decided to test ride my new tires for that wheelset. Little did I know we'd be rolling through some sharp rocks a few miles into the ride. Though I shouldn't complain... they were just an annoyance for me, and I heard some people had worse fates with those rocks.

Tell Gina she did an incredible job out there today!

Scootcore

great ride guys! awesome to see so many people show up as well!!!

Mr. Beanz

Gina says thank you!....Yeah, I got a glimpse at your wheels while they were rolling from a sideview. I thought to myself, "darn those wheels look sweet"!

bitingduck

that's been there for a few years now-- since the major washouts that closed it in the rains a couple years back.

DaveSANYYZ

Oops, I thought I've made a few rounds of asking around. Sorry Beanz.

The ride is great. Here's a route profile for those interested (absolute elevation not correct). The vertical line marks the last traffic light before the climb. My computer shows 3376 ft of climbing.
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