jan nikolajsen 

Another solo ride. Seem to do a lot of those.

Azusa suburbs to above Crystal Lake in Azusa Canyon. 48 miles roundtrip, at least 5000' of gain, 2hr 11m up, average 10.2 mph or so.

Descents have started to scare me, as I get older. Maybe that's good. Above 40mph I reach for the levers and start squeezing hard. Also those tall frames I ride have always had a tendency to start that self reinforcing fork/headtube death wobble at high speed. Frightening.

Today's adventure started out good. Most of the ride is closed to vehicles, despite smooth, dry pavement. Felt strong even after 5 days straight of big climbs. Above 4000' the forecasted desert winds set in, with long hard gusts of 40-45 mph. Up high, on some favorably oriented stretches I coasted UP a 5% incline! That's a first. Won't mention how it felt when the wind was dead on the nose.


Looking down canyon about half way thru the descent.


The high point was here, right before a corner around which the wind howled
so strong that all further progress was impossible. Really, I tried.


Back down by the cryptic sign.

LawnChair

Good job! I rode up there on New Years day. Having the road
closed to traffic is great. I'm always surprised that I don't see
more cyclists up there.

About a month ago I was talking to someone working at
Crystal Lake. They are working to get the place open again.
I don't know when this will happen, but we better enjoy the
closed off road while we can. I don't think I would have been
up there in the conditions you were in if there was traffic on
the road.

KiddSisko

No need to say another word.

big john

I think you don't see more cyclists up there because it is a grueling climb followed by a long, cold descent.
In the summer, climbing it is tough because there is no water. I know people drink from the creeks, but I haven't. I think most rec riders wouldn't enjoy it. I'll only do it rarely.
I prefer to go up Angeles Crest and down 39, makes it more of an adventure.

Thanks for the pictures, Jan.

vertical bob

My favorite climb in So Cal. In summer it's possible to go up to Dawsson Saddle which makes for a 36 mile 7k+ climb. I drink the water from the SPRING, never from the creeks. I've been told they are shooting for a 2010 opening for Crystal Lake. There is still some road repair to be done before that happens.

yes

This is a very nice ride. It is also nice that the 2 is closed to cars as well, so you can keep on going over the top. Haven't done it since last summer .

big john

Not for much longer.

yes

When is it supposed to reopen?

rooftest

I rode 39 up to Crystal Lake from Duarte today. The views were great!

danahs

i want to do this ride

big john

The bridge is almost done but they might wait until spring to open the road to cars. The rest of the road is in great shape.
Vertical Bob went up the 2 from the 39 yesterday and slipped on some ice and fell at low speed, he's fine.

vertical bob

This is about the opening of the 2 but go to the almost last post and there is discussion about opening the 39 https://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum...topic=2997.375

rooftest

I would be shocked if they planned to open the 39 soon. The road surface isn't very good for car travel, and it's only one land wide in one spot. The state's not exactly swimming in money right now - that will likely delay things.

Sewellymon

re; opening 39 to 2...

the powers-that-be are serious about doing this..

ck below link titled "Highway 39 To 2 past Crystal Lake to Rebuild, Reopen"

https://sangabrielmnts.myfreeforum.org/about1181.html

rooftest

Thanks for posting that. According to the report, the road's been closed since 1978? I find that hard to believe. (it's in better shape than that!)

Sewellymon

the section that got avalanched was impassable until '96 or so when they rebuilt it to the extent they could get fire trucks thru. i know last winter there was a huge land-slide covering lord knows how much road (it was giant) but they bulldozed it clear last spring and had the road open again

vertical bob

That slide was actually a result of some blasting they did I guess to bring down loose rocks before they came down on their own. The portion closed since 78 is the last 6 miles or so starting at the gate past Crystal Lake. Don't see how they will ever be able to keep that section open to cars. I hope they don't

Sewellymon

bob - that's the section that they think will take $78,000,000 to make safe for tourist traffic

somehow i bet in this fiscal environment, it won't happen unless they get Fed money from Obama as part of the economic recovery.

vertical bob

78 million here, 78 million there, before long your talking about some REAL money

Jaye

Be Careful up near Crystal Lake, wouldn't wanna run into some of the undesireable locals...

vertical bob

Looks like I'll be heading up there this Saturday the 28th. Leaving from Encanto Pk. at 8am