What an adventure! So many cyclists up there along GMR, GRR and Mt Baldy itself. You think the strangest part of my day was seeing a grown man in diapers? No, it was a lawman at the intersection of East Fork and GRR telling cyclists they could only walk up GRR from this point forward. An hour before the race even started down below! He insisted, so we walked for 200 meters or so around a bend, then clipped in and rode off. Maybe it was a joke? Ha friggen ha.

Here's a view along GRR, while pedaling, not walking.


Don't know who they were, but I followed them for a time.


At the first KOM mark along GRR after they turn off Baldy Road, a large group gathered. Bikes were parked anywhere and everywhere, which looked as if tossed, cyclists were walking around barefooted or just in socks. Me? I brought along a change of shoes in my backpack, which I first used back at East Fork and GRR when we were forced to walk.

My view of Baldy road from above. From this location, we had 7 minutes from first sighting to their passing us. Everyone was making time estimates.


Here we have Patriotic Speedo guy, Hot Dog Man and Chicken Man prepping for their time in the spotlight.


And here they come.


You guys ready? Gorilla man? Nixon?




In this group is Levi and Horner, the eventual 1 & 2 for the stage.


Charging up the hill, but still able to rezip his jersey.


The straggling sprinters getting some chicken love.

The parade of support vehicles.


Look who I bumped into in the village! umd says hey.


The slow parade of fans and spectators up the mountain. Yes, that's a guy riding with a road runner outfit. It was awesome that the entire area was closed to all but residents, cyclists and ToC staff. We owned the mountain!


As expected, the switchbacks were brutal for many. Still, it was remarkable how many lined the road or made it to the top.


Chalk artist at work.


I was here.


At the final switchback, a cast of characters were helping struggling riders up the hill with a push. Included was a "doctor" asking if anyone needed a heart transplant.


Here's diaper guy. His shtick was to cover his hand with powdered chalk, then push cyclists wearing black shorts, leaving his hand print on their ass.


The view at the Mt Baldy Ski lifts sign, looking back at the final steep pitch before turning into the parking lot and leading to the finish line.

Finished! I didn't wait there. I went back to the parking lot overlook to watch them climb the final pitch. Not visible in this shot is the booth set up to my right, staffed by local Boy Scouts serving sandwiches, salads, cold drinks and assorted cyclist food.


In the lot was a large screen TV set up with live race reporting, so we were able to watch and listen to the approach and final ascent of Baldy.


Here we are watching TV.

Great pics!

yeah i found out when i got home that the diaper guy got me but i dont care anything helped on the last two switchbacks.

Nice Pics! I was also at KOM 1 not too far from you:

The early break with KOM leader:

The Peloton about 2 min back:

After the KOM I rode up Mt. Baldy to the finish.

My Dad took the shuttle and got this early pic:


Our view from the VIP (it's good to have friends from Rabobank )


Another sighting. He's like bigfoot!


With some swag at the finish line


First view of the leaders:

The high five:


Laurens Ten Dam 3rd:


Tommy D. 4th:


Unknown (but oh so pro )


Tejay 7th:


Caruso, Schleck, & Vandervelde 8,9,10


Taylor Phinney exhausted after coming in with the last group

umd sightings - lol.

Yeah, that shot of T. Phinney is spot on. I just couldn't believe they were able to pedal up the last few miles at those rates of speed! I was so happy the Boy Scouts were selling food at the finish line. By the time I reached the top I had gone through my stash. I was worried I wouldn't have the energy to coast down to the village! Add to that the thin air. At one point I stood up from a kneel position and nearly blacked out!

Great pics Kidd! It was nice meeting you.

Cool pics, thanks for sharing.

That picture of the switchback with several cyclists walking pretty much sums up the ride from the village to the ski lifts.

Did I see the overall time correctly, around 3-1/2 hours? That is amazing. Over 20 mph avg on that ride!

Awesome pics - enjoyed them!

We rode up GMR and GRR to watch the race come down the mountain. Then we later rode up to Mt. Baldy Village to watch the race come by a 2nd time.

Here are some of my better shots from the GRR section:


IMG_9983 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_9986 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


George Hincapie by DSantos2008, on Flickr



IMG_0014 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0016 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0023 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0054 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0058 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0079 by DSantos2008, on Flickr

Here are some shots from the Mt. Baldy Lodge:


IMG_0082 by DSantos2008, on Flickr



IMG_0087 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


First chase group, climbing up towards the switchbacks on Mt. Baldy Road. Chris Horner in the Yellow Jersey, 3rd rider. by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0101 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


Andy Schleck (#51) by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0110 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


IMG_0131 by DSantos2008, on Flickr


The coolest bike on the mountain. by DSantos2008, on Flickr

Excellent shots ido!

Here's a few shots of my own. Location right where GMR/GRR meet. So I got to see them twice!

Good shots guys, enjoying seeing the guys riding on the local roads.

Idoru, you've got some winning shots in that batch! The hincapie one is fantastic.

Some great pics here guys, thanks for sharing.

Yes, thanks for sharing. Hope to make it out there next year.

Here are some more shots at GRR and GMR from another POV.







Here's big George on the inside







BMW loaded up w/ Colnagos



Horner and Team RS





Enjoy

great pictures in this thread, mine don't quite match up in quality, but i'll post them anyways. one is from the start in the village, the rest are up at the switchbacks.

Just before the final switchback:
TOC leaders small.jpg

Wow - Those are some beautiful pictures. I watched the stage on Versus - one of the few times I watched pros racing up roads that I've ridden myself and I was completely blown away by the pace they were keeping up all the way to the top.

As a mountain stage experience, I thought it was fantastic. For me it was the whole day of riding up, viewing the first passing at mile 20 or so, then the leisurely ride to the lifts. I had no worries that day, except for the descent down Baldy Rd, with skitchy descenders mixed with support vehicles.

Curious what the experience was like for all the vendors and sponsors who set up along the final mile of road leading up to the lifts.