We did the 8 mile climb this evening with Eyemage (forum name)! 17 miles with nearly 2300 ft of elevation gain, all in the first 8 miles or so. Started about 6 pm. Got dark on the way down. [video=youtube_share;3NCQ0H02RzM]http://youtu.be/3NCQ0H02RzM[/video] It's our wedding anniversary, 28 years together. Only 10 not living in sin, but it was a darn good sin! So we have 4 days off so Gina said she would be wiling to do GMR to celebrate. We can always do dinner anytime. So we had lunch at a little Italian joint (Cafe Allegro in La Verne). Then a little stroll around the mall to relax. Then up GMR! Lunch and a stroll at the mall. 4 miles up Top of the climb Schweaty Gina, happy the climbing is done! The profile Eyemage Our support chopper!
It's a cool ride! I've known plenty of riders that have never done GMR and wonder if they can. Let's put it this way, if Gina can do it........... That's the first 8 miles to the shack (8 miles 2300 ft) . Now to the village takes a little more conditioning. Btu Gina has done the village twice. 21 miles one way/42 RT with nearly 5,000 ft total gain). If you do the village, be advised, there is no water available til you hit the village so minimum 2 bottles, a third if possible. ;-)
Nothing like GMR in The OC. Worth the drive. And you can climb up Monroe Truck Trail if you feel like doing a MTB ride--that's a nice climb and fun descent, seemed more mellow / forgiving than the climbs in the Cleveland National Forest in OC (Blackstar, Maple, etc.) to me and the trail is narrower / more interesting than the exposed fireroads of OC. Climbing GMR on the pavement makes me always imagine I'm a pro in a European grand tour...a big fat old pro on a cheap heavy bike...but the scenery is awesome and there seem to be more bikes than cars and you can hear the cars minutes before they're near you.
You've got that right! After watching several TDF videos, I see the same view when I'm climbing GMR. Especially around the rock walls on the lower slopes where one can see down on the lower roads. Cool views. I've had riders from the OC that have never been on GMR tell me to try Santiago Cyn. I have a couple of times and uhh, sorry , no comparison. Must do GMR!
