Ride Report: Mt. Baldy 7/4/07

[S54MCoupe]

We left from Encanto Park with 20 riders at 8:00am.

A friend of ours met up with us at the intersection of E Fork and GMR with refills of water, which was nice, because it was probably close to 100 degrees and this point.

By the time we got to Baldy Village, it was really, really hot, and as you know, there isn't much shade on GMR. I'm happy to announce that at mid-day, there is even less shade on Mt. Baldy road. Pretty rad, when you consider that there are parts of the switchbacks that, according to other riders, are around 15%.

For me, that meant pushing my lowest gear (39/27) and getting dropped by the rest of what was left of the group (again). For the first time ever, I actualy got off my bike and started walking. Between walking/riding, I made it to the top and had a fun time on the descent back to the village.

The 10 that were left stopped and ate at the bottom, it was rad. I had a hamburger, fries, and a lot of soda.

There is a small climb out of Baldy Village to get back to GMR, but it was still brutal. In fact, any climb is brutal at that point. 100+temps, no breeze and climbing beat the sh*t out of me.

On the way down, someone blew both tires. His save was impressive, and was able to avoid falling at high speeds. He did fall, but was probably going 7 or 8mph when he did. It beats falling at the 25 or 30 mph we were going when his tire blew.

The group patched his tire/tube nicely using dollar bills, gel wrappers and a piece of his old tube, and off we went.

We got to the bottom. The total ride was close to 70 miles. All I can say is this: The ride is great, and if you haven't done the road from Baldy Village to the Ski Lifts, you need to, it's a very rewarding kick in the balls.

I will update this post later with some more fun facts about the ride, but right now, I am tired, haha.

[RidetheRAAM4]

I want to ride down from the ski lifts. Doing those switch backs with it being that steep has always looked like tons of fun to me. I don't know if my legs can climb that much though yet.

[Sharky]

Ah the memories, my brother and I used to make my parents drop us off up there in the early 80's and just bomb down, SO much fun !!
Just for the fun of it we should do this from my house in the Heights and get shuttled up. Maybe throw in a lift ride to see what's with that,our friend works the lift. All our rides are a workout so let's just do this one for fun on my fat mtn. bike tires.
AND thanks for the ride report your buddy was sure lucky in his fall.Awesome ride you all had. Get's toasty up there too. Grew up with it as my backyard. What happens in Baldy stays in Baldy...

[Pain Freak]

This is pretty much a regular ride for us, going up the Glendora side. Climbing up from Azuza is a little more demanding, but I think I like it more. We do get to the top sooner this way though. Last time out a nice CHP officer stopped and gave two of our riders water, as they'd run out. We are doing the Glendora side tomorrow if anyone's interested PM me and I'll give you the skinny. We will be starting in Fontana so we can get some more miles in.

[MTBMaven]

Mike, you're not coming out to Chilao? Jesse, dirt tomorrow? Call me or email (handle + @yahoo.com) if you want to come.

[Pain Freak]

I've got to take my son to his anger management class. I'll miss out on all the Saturday planned rides.

I'll probably go do GMR by myself, later in the day.