It's about a 7-8 mile ride from Encanto to GMR(Glendora Mountain Rd.). Lots of rollers. Just after the turn on GMR, there will be a water fountain for refueling, the last place to do so for the next 1:30 to 2:30, depending on your pace.
This opening section is quite steep. It's actually the w/u before you get to GMR proper. We'll probably have to get off the bikes and go over the barrier at the top of that stretch as the road is almost always closed to motor vehicle traffic. There's a sign welcoming you to the park and the next ~8 miles is the course for the uphill TT stage of PVSR. It's always fun to time yourself up this one(27 and 32 minute records for men and women). It's steady 6-7% grades for the most part. 3/4 of the way up there is a short descent before the final part of the ascent. Any time under 40 is smokin'. When we go as a group in the course of normal training(not hammering), times are usually bt. 42 and 55. At the top there is a nice stone wall to sit on and wait for other riders.
After a very short descent, we'll turn on GRR(Glendora Ridge Rd).
The next couple of sections are as Rich described:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...guest=1607749#155009 This is the easiest stretch of the route but there is definitely more climbing than descending. I convinced some guys to continue on this stretch w/ me once and they were quite upset with me for describing this section as rolling. Ok, so it rolls uphill ;) This section usually takes me about an hour. It descends into Baldy Village where there is water and a little cafe.
Rich has done the last stretch more than I have. Read his description. The last part is steep. If you plan on going all the way up to the lifts please bring at least a 25. Your knees will thank you.
We usually come back a different way, traveling all the way down Baldy rd to Baseline and taking that and Route 66 home. I thought maybe we should come back via the same route this time. It will make the ride a bit tougher as there will also be climbing on the return trip on GRR. There would also be
far less traffic this way and the GMR descent is a blast!