Today on GMR (Saturday)
 

Couple of guys invited me on a ride up GMR. Robcircus and AndyFlo (not sure of handle, lurking mostly). A friend named Terry, way too fast for me! Rode the first 8 with Herb then we split at the fork. I tried encouraging him up GRR but Herb was having none of it after the Solvang Century last weekend. I know the feeling but thanks for the company.

The guys were gone so I continued up the remainder of the climb to the saddle. I actually felt much better this week when at the top of the climb. I think it had to do with a good breakfast and the spaghetti last night sure was good!

I sat at the saddle for about 5 minutes, downed a CLifBar, a little posing then took off. I thought maybe the guys would catch up depending n how long they had been at the village before my 12:00 arrival at the saddle. Did see a couple of the RiverVelo Boyz up there. Jose and not sure of the other guy's name. It was a little cool and foggy but sunshine near the saddle.

We started at Encanto Park so turned out 55 miles wiht maybe 5500 ft.

Robincircus
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AndyFlo(?)
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Herb's happier miles of the climb
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Heb and I
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Sunshine at the saddle
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MY 98 CAAD3 BeanzMobile..Rode to make sure it still works.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/...7f40c1dc_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/...dd94eef6_o.jpg
One of the samll climbs on the descent
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/...9a749428_o.jpg
Looking down the road
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It's supposed to snow up there tonight. Snow levels to 4K feet. Should be beautiful up there starting Monday when the sun returns.

Sometime in April or May I'm heading up GMR to the village. Thanks for the inspiration.

Hello Mr. Beanz,

Sound like you had a good day. Nice photos. :thumb:

I was up there yesterday with a buddy. We started at Encanto Park and went up Hwy 39 to East Fork then up GRR to the village. We went back via GMR and Sierra Madre. My Garmin showed 62 miles with 6,000 ft of climbing. We watched a little of the San Dimas Stage Race, Stage 1 hill climb on our way down the mountain. My friend had never done the ride before and he loved it.

Thanks guys, hope everyone gets up there soon!:D..........I've made several offers to GMR newbs so that they may try out this wonderful ride. BUT! So many are intimidated by the thought of the elevation gain. But who cares, we can cruise, take a picnic basket, just do it. You're missing out! I'm always up for a picnic basket and a sandwich. Some call me Yogi!....ok, not really but I'm always game for a nice stroll up the mtn with a newb, if I can keep up!:thumb:

If I can hang with Gina up GMR, I can hang with anyone!:roflmao2:

Thanks for hanging back with me...I am sorry I had to bail...but it was the right decision...I was having back spasms and tonite its pretty bad...even going back on East fork was tough...
Unfortunately, I heard Terry took a spill on the way down from the lifts....when they got back to burbank he had ot go to urgent care for some stitches on his arm....hope he is ok!

No problem Herbie!:D.... I've done it the day after a 78 mile ride and I feel your pain after doing the century last week. Takes time for the bod to totally recoup after a long one.

Oh darn, to bad about Terry. We told him the horror stories of going up to the lifts. Hope he is ok though! I told ya, there's a reason I don't care to go up there. I have a hard time taking those turns in my truck. If I ride till I'm 90, I won't be broken hearted if I never ride to the lifts.:D

when driving to gmr,where should i park?

I'm even slower
 

Ok I take this as a challenge. When are you going again. Couldn't go up this weekend because of German chocolate cake. But if I don't have dessert catering this week, I plan to go up there. And I think I'm slower than Gina.:)

Encanto Park is where a lot of people park. It isn't excatly at the base of GMR but close enough

Herb, I think you made the right call. Toughing it out can make things so much worse.

Sorry about Terry, hope he heals soon.

Nice pics Beaner, as always

I know I did...my back is still pretty sore....I know you know that is! IT SUCKS!

Hey V,
I need to get up there and conquer this...but wont be next week...I think I am riding in Ventura next weekend...

If you want to go up. I'll go with ya! I'd rather go on a Saturday cause I like to do it when my legs aren't tired on a Sunday. But either one is doable!:thumb:..I just might not keep up with you on a Sunday!;)

I park at the bottom of GMR usually.

210 Fwy west
exit Lonehill (Glendora)
right on Lonehill to Foothill (NOT RT. 66 FOOTHILL!!!!!!!!) About 1/8 mile above Rt 66 is Foothill.
Left on Foothill about 1/2 mile at the end of Glendora High school.
Right on Valley Center..travel about one mile up to Sierra Madre
Left on Sierra Madre (ONLY ABOUT 40 YARDS THEN A QUICK RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!)
right onto Glendora Mtn Rd
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You can park on BoulderSprings street. The only stoplight about 1/8 mile up. Residential area.
A 1/4 mile fromther is a dirt lot on the left side of the road, lots of riders park there too.:D

Good ride! I took a few pics too that I'll post sometime tomorrow. Sorry we missed you Herb!

Rob

I can go up on Saturday, but my ego says go on Sunday.:lol: If I have to work I'll pm you before. What time are you going to be at the park? I would like to go up further than I did before--I think I can make it.

When riding on my own, I start at the bottom of GMR (Right up from Sierra Madre where we turn to go up, directions above in other post). I avoid traffic as much as possible!:D...But the park is no problem if you choose.

When will you know if you work or not. I had no plans, just doing it for your entertainment!:thumb:

How much training & experience does it take to do this, I ride mostly on flat lands.

Wow, that would be tough to answer. Lots of riders find it tough to do the first 8 miles (6% average grade). It takes me about an hour and 5 to do the first 8.

To make it to the village is tough. Gina has been riding for years. Her best on a flat ride is 18.4 for 42 miles. She's never made it to the village. Twice she came close but it was a hundred degree day. Best she's done is 16 of the 21 miles. I think she'd have a better chance on a cool day.

She's done the dfirst 8 about 4 times but she doesn't LIKE to climb.

I've seen an older couple, 70'ish do the first 8 in 3 hours. So it's doable but training would dictate more of the "how fast you make it up" aspect of the ride. If you can do a 40 mile ride, I'd say you can handle the first 8. Which is a good ide to estimate your ability.

The next 13 is only 4.5% average. Because you are tired from the first 8, makes it feel a little tougher than it is. At mile 15-17, the grade kicks back up to that of the first 8. This is the toughest section of the ride IMO. Once you make it past that, it's peaches and cream.

I ride year round and the first time I ride GMR, it's a struggle. I make it but I aint happy!:D

Like I said, I'd suggest that you try the first 8 first. Grrlyrida had done Angeles Crest rides so no stranger to hills. She was pretty consistent on the first 8 so that's why I figure she'd be ok on the 21 if we pace properly. I believe she's done centuries also and is signed up to do "Ride Around the Bear". This would be a great training ride for her. It is a tough climb for riders that don't like or train in hills.

I've offered to ride with first time slow riders on several occasions in the past but never a reply or response from any of the riders I had in mind.:D

If you want to really suffer - "complete" the climb by continuing on from Baldy Village to the ski lifts. After I did that, I never again said "wow, that was really hard" after a climb.

I was up there on Sat.

Sorry to have missed you, Beanz. I read your posts here, and it would have been great to finally meet you.

Anyway, I ate french fries at the lodge with Rob and Andy, and Terry criticized our cuisine choice. Terry seemed fine. That guy can climb!

Fun ride. Great group. I ended up with 64 miles, 6k elevation.

I always hated that part of the road with a stick shift VW....I can't imagine what it would be like on a bike.

I'll know for sure Wed. But I will commit to doing GMR on Saturday. The entertainment will be trying to slog up GMR again.:)

I did see you ride by and said "how's it going?". Heb stopped on the side of the road to answer the phone at about the 4 mile mark. He had his back to you and I say 'hey' as you rode by. I didn't know it was you till Herb said that was TJKnight that went by.:D

Thats cause he was going at the speed of sound!!