Saturday the 24th. GMR, GRR, Baldy rd. all the way to ski lifts.
~70 miles, ~7000 ft climbing.
There will be 2 natural regrouping points during the climb.
Meet at 7:00, leave at 7:30.
Meal afterwards.
I could put up 1, maybe 2 people if necessary.
All abilities welcome. Separate regroupings for intermediate/advanced and slower intermediate.
There will be 2 shorter options available as well.
Full details will be posted on Monday.
this should be fun. Maybe Dan and Monty will make it also?
Since I spouted off about these climbs yesterday, I guess I should do my best to make this. Heck, yesterday, after Mike suggested doing Baldy and then Palomar on successive weekends, I was even thinking that it would be fun to tackle them on successive days. But then I stopped myself so as not to open a can of worms which I’d probably have to eat…oh, no, I didn’t just write that! Nevermind.
See you guys on the 24th.
What’s “GMR” and “GRR”?
Awesome. I just got back from there and it was one of the greatest rides I’ve done. I said F work today and went and parked at the top, actually at the fire road near the top because the ski lifts entrance was closed. It’s nice starting a ride and seeing a sign with a semi on it and “15% grade” and knowing I damn well have to go back up it to get to my car. Anyway went down to GMR and took that to whatever road it deadends into and then came back. I’ve never been on GMR and it’s an incredible feeling to be in SoCal and ride for 23 miles (out and back on GMR) and only see one car and one motorcycle. There are a few more on Baldy, but still not many. Living on the beach just off of PCH is the exact opposite situation regarding vehicles.
I can’t believe somebody did that 11.5 mile ascent of the GMR portion in 27:51. It took me nearly twice that today, though I was admittedly conserving a bit for the last 4.5 miles on the way back up Baldy road. I’ll be interested to hear the details and see whether or not I can hang on to a group of riders in the mountains.
The TT up GMR starts pretty much at the gate and then climbs for 8.5 miles to the summit after that little downhill section. There’s a building there, Forest Service, I think.
So, let me know if I understood you correctly, you went up GMR (Glendora Mountain ROad, GRR = Glendora Ridge Road), then turned around and road back the same to the base of Baldy and then up? Or did you continue across GRR to Baldy Village? The former is definitely the long route.
I thought about doing back to back climbs on the same weekend, but then that would really skew things and the Sunday ride would be a lot harder. I’d rather get a fair idea of how each climb is with some rest between them.
Yeah, and I really am in a base building period, so I couldn’t pull off two successive efforts like that right now anyway. It would definitely make for a good training camp weekend, though. Or, three days. The ride in between could be down from the Baldy area, through Hemet, and into the Palomar area. Someday.
“I can’t believe somebody did that 11.5 mile ascent of the GMR portion in 27:51”
They climb the whole thing in the big ring too!!!
I get it now. Sorry, I’m slow - on and off the bike. That first turn on to GRR is steep little pitch, too.
Here’s a writeup of a motorcycle ride in that area. Great hills and views from the top.
Sounds good. I’ll try hard to make it (to the base and to the top 
It feels more like lifting weights without rest between the sets than it does cycling.
Yea I know the feeling, hope I can make it. I will definitely be on a 12-27, even on my compacts. A little lung expansion is always good for you.
Thanks for the link. Nice pics. As it turns out, I’ll have to skip it. The Pacific Coast Tri is the next day.
DETAILS
Meet: Encanto Park in Duarte @ 8:00-8:15 Address is 751 Encanto Parkway. PM me for exact directions.
Start: 7:30 sharp, meet at 7:00
Route: GMR to Glendora Ridge Road to Baldy Village. Baldy rd. up to ski lifts and return. 65-70 miles and ~6500-7000 ft total climbing.
Other: Anyone who wants to can easily turn around after GMR or Baldy Village for a shorter ride with less climbing. We will probably regroup at the top of GMR and then at Baldy Village to refuel before the steepest part of the climb(if we have a large disparity among riders we will have two separate groups for regrouping purposes).
Meal afterwards. Baja Fresh? Pizza?
All abilities are welcome. Shortest option is 40 miles and ~2700 ft of climbing.
I’m thinking about doing the Santa Barbara Duathlon the day afterwards if anyone’s interested.
Again, if someone neeeds a place to crash, let me know.
How about it, Dan? Monty?
ok, so how many are in? I’ll be there, might be bringing a couple of people with me of varying abilities. If we can get some women to go as well, then my g/f will come also, but she doesn’t want to ride alone, and get lost, she is a 16 - 18mph avg. rider on the flats.
Dan? Monty? you guys coming?
I’m on the fence. Byrd, you should come along, I’m sure you’ve recovered from CdA by now.
Jaylew, any chance you could just post directions from San Diego county??
I am planning on being there at this point in time, work permitting. Not sure about the ski lift part though.
One side note for everyone, 2-3 water bottles may not be enough, it will be hot and no water for at least 25 miles through the mountains. I will definitely have a camel back even though it will make me a total tri-geek, better than having to get water from a friend like last time.
I have no idea what to expect on this ride. It’s not 35 miles of straight uphill is it? As far as fitness level, I am in about 70 minute shape for climbing Palomar which is ~12 miles at avg. 7%. Another unknown for me, I have always done my long climbs like Palomar on my road bike and this time I am using my tri bike for Baldy since I have a power meter on it, would like to see what kind of readings I get.
Is there anywhere on the climb to refill water bottles? At the top?
You can fill up at the base of GMR (from either side I’m not sure if you guys are going up the front or the back side of GMR). At the end of Baldy ridge road there is another water fountain in Baldy Village at the post office.
Too bad I have to work Saturdays because I enjoy this ride and I live approx 3 miles from the start
Mike