pmc

Has a time been set yet? I work Saturdays at LAX till 3:30. I would love to do this.

Mr. Beanz

You don;t need real god lights. Once up eyes adjust. I hit 30 mph on the way down and couln't really se emy light.

But we roll down slow as a group for safety (ok, cause Gina's with me )

Nothing like GMR in the cool dark air, you'll be missing out!

I say we climb when it's dark but it's Hillbasher's ride so he sets the time.

Mr. Beanz

I don't think so. Be nice to see ya again!..........even in the dark!

Beachgrad05

will have to see how I feel after doing MS ride week before. I do want to do this...

Mr. Beanz

At night, Oh it's much easier and nice!

Mr. Beanz

Hey, don't use my real name. I don't want anyone to know who I am!

Hillbasher

I always wondered about that. Are you in the witness protection program?

Rick@OCRR

Sounds good to me.

Oct. 27th (Sat.) and is the start time 6:00PM? Or earlier?

Where do we start? Boulder Springs? Or where . . . ?

I have lights from riding doubles, so no worries there!

Please advise!

Rick / OCRR

psalm

I can join you all for the start of the ride, but since I ride there and back home, I would need to leave while there is still light. Unless I get a headlight by then.

Hillbasher

Where as this is very good advice, going down GMR in the dark at 30+ mph is not. Reaction times are going to be slower in the dark, objects in the road will be harder to pick up ( see ), no matter how bright of a lighting system you have, and the whole idea of a ride up there in the dark is too enjoy the experience. You want to bomb down the road, daytime is HIGHLY advised. Once again, just my humble opinion.

Rick@OCRR

Hi Hillbasher, What is the start time and start location? Please advise.

Rick / OCRR

vermilionx

im not very confident on my downhilling skills.

i will definitely take it slower on the return.

Hillbasher

The ride is planned for Saturday, the 27th of October. PLANNED start time of 6 PM, may as well be from Boulder Springs, seeing how everyone is familiar with that place. In talking with Beanz, a few good points were brought up. I think this ride is best for people that have been up GMR BEFORE, NOT FIRST TIMERS. I know that is for each person to decide for themselves, but I don't think anyone wants to be responsible for riders that maybe shouldn't be up there in the dark. For that reason, this ride WILL NOT be a "No Drop" ride. If you do not have the experience of having been up before, this is not the ride for you. Everyone should have both descent climbing as well as descending abilities. One doesn't have to be fast (I am one of the slowest up GMR there is), but one needs to be able to complete the climb in reasonable time. No one gets Nurse Maided up this. Mechanical problems will be helped if possible. Physical inability to complete the climb, or fear of the dark, you are on your own. It is not my intention to come off sounding like a jerk, just want to make sure everyone has a good time. Like I said before, sunset is 6:06 PM, but in checking it out, we are doing this ride just 2 days before the full moon, so that will be nice. Moon rise is for 4:58 PM, so it may be useful on the higher stretches of the ride. I have done this ride under full moon conditions a couple times and it is a great time. Any thoughts or questions, let me know.

psalm

What do you consider a reasonable amount? Just in case I get lights by then.

Hillbasher

You have nothing to worry about. Get the lights, you will enjoy the experience.

vermilionx

i guess i'll skip this then.

i have no doubt i can can make it all the way. but... im not sure if i wanna be left alone in case i can't hang with the group pace.

Beachgrad05

I'm out this go around. Conquering "the village" on 10/14 and I know I am way too slow anyway.

cant wait to hear ride reports and see pics/video

TrojanHorse

Oh for pete's sake - take a chance already. What are you, 130 lbs? I'm sure you can keep up. Just go do a couple hills between now and then.

Hillbasher

I agree 1,000,000 % Not rying to talk people out of this, just do not want anyone to have a bad time. If you are a competant (not fast, just relentless ) climber, come along. It will be enjoyable.

Rick@OCRR

Thanks Hillbasher, for the time and place!

I agree with you and Beanz, No first timers on this ride. I will advise my cycling friends of this ride, but only those I know that have been up GMR before.

My understanding is that this is just to the shack and not all the way to The Village. Is that correct?

Rick / OCRR

Mr. Beanz

You are a reasonable time.

I gave my opinion to Hillbasher after he posted this was a no drop ride. MY opinion was that the riders should be in decent shape. Not discouraging riders from giving it a whirl, but because it's too tough to call a ride a no drop ride if a really newb shows up and can only ride 100 yards at a time. He would be hours behind the others.

I don't mind hanging back for the back of the pack. Gina and I are almost always the last to the shack. A few minutes behind us is cool but if a rider is going to take 3 hours to the shack, that is a bit long.

I think we are talking about being able to make it within reason. Everybody on the Clyde ride was good.

I don't advise against a first timer as there are plenty of good riders that haven't done GMR. I'm thinking more of those that will be an hour behind the slow riders on an 8 mile climb.

Heck, if anything, a "super"slow climber can ride up till the group heads down and turn back along the way.

"SUPER" slow? I'm talking about a rider that is 30 minutes behind Gina, and that's tough to do. Decent riders will have no problem, the riders that do 50 miles every month might want to think about their ability to do this ride.

Mr. Beanz

Staying with the grop is not a concern. I have no problem hanging back with anyone if he can continue a forward motion. It's those that need to stop 10 times in the first mile. I'd suggest he turns back. Gina rides 3 miles or so then takes 5. We have no problem with that.

Hillbasher

Yes, just to the shack.

vermilionx

ok thanks guys.

now i just need to make arrangements to leave work early since i work till 5p on saturdays.

TrojanHorse

Now you're talking!

I think I can make it, the football game is away that day. I may have to bring an AM radio and do some cussing on the way up though.