Road Ride Report Mt Gleason; Angeles National Forest

Discussion in 'The Roadie Hangout' started by dstepper, Oct 30, 2008.

  1. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    I normally would not post this in the roadie forum but my ride today ended up being 98% on pavement. If there where more roads like this I would consider a road bike.

    I started at Mill Creek Summit off Angeles Forest Highway and climbing up to the old Nike site on top of Mt. Gleason. Round trip was 22.1 miles and 4023 elevation gain. The beginning and the top were steep then most of it is rolling with a couple small dips. There is one section that bypasses the Firecamp that is dirt. Wind was blowing 50 plus and briefly got rained on and it was cold (low 40's) great for climbing.

    Couple of pavement shots.
    The only building left from the Nike site.
    Where the site used to be.
    No idea about the bell but it had a Los Angels County property tag on it. I rang it and nothing happened.
    Looking across at Mt. Pacifico.
    Big trees make me happy.

    I will go back to my normal forum now. I am not planning on thinking a road is dirt and have it be paved again.

    Dean
     

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  2. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    So Dean, this is the road that goes from Angeles Forest Highway to Mt. Gleason? The road surface looks pretty cracked. Was it pretty cracked up most of the way?
     
  3. sheclimbs

    sheclimbs Active Member

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    Ummm pavement ;) !
     
  4. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    That is the one, and yes it is cranked some of the pavement must be 30 years old, but clear of rocks. I would think it would be smart to use tough tires.

    I liked it because: big views, no cars, historical value, mostly moderate grade, tons of side routes (dirt) to explore, and did I say no cars.

    Dean
     
  5. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    Sounds pretty interesting. I will have to hit that one up some day. I can ride there from the house.
     
  6. tkblazer

    tkblazer Zack Attack

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    roadie scum
     
  7. Pain Freak

    Pain Freak Dead or Alive

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    When I'm considering a short ride I'll take the cx/tour bike out there and give that a try. I like the looks of it.
     
  8. F.A.D.

    F.A.D. POWERED BY MUSUBIS

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    Hey, we used to use those road during the Rim of the World rally up unitl a few years ago. we used that road as a tarmac stage, both up and down the hill. If I remember correctly, my best time going up the hill was around 5 minutes.

    Don't worry though, the organizers of the rally lost the permit to use the angeles national forest, so you won't be seeing anymore auto events out there.
     
  9. mtbski

    mtbski New Member

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    I know peeps go up the pavement and down the Preferred Cycling Trail, the "dirt" that parallels the road. :) This is usually done midweek to avoid getting busted.:-s

    I've done the MTB fire road from Santa Clara Divide up to Gleason, about 50 miles round trip. For a longer ride you can start down at Sylmar and go up to Mt Gleason for a 66 mile MTB ride, all on fire road.

    The last time I summited Mt Gleason, there was a thunderstorm and lightning strikes all over the place. I had to get off the peak ASAP!

     
  10. Burner

    Burner WAWE

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    Martino.... SHHHHHHH
     
  11. mtbski

    mtbski New Member

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    Ok sorry guys, SHHHHH...

    The solitude of that place, even on weekends is awesome!!
     
  12. Schecky

    Schecky SoCalMTBubbs

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    Ban him George!
     
  13. tkblazer

    tkblazer Zack Attack

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    yoooo sheckster! you wanna ride on sunday... we can do that one trail than call it a day :lol:
     
  14. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    These sound like great local training rides for VC. I was looking at Santa Clara Divide to Gleason as a training option. The alt option on an off Friday would add a nice element to it as well.
     
  15. BoingBoing

    BoingBoing Team Sisyphus

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    Nice pix, Dean! That looks like a nice ride despite the pavement.
     
  16. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    Brian you can add some more miles on to that route by and a out and back to Roundtop Mountain and a out and back to Mt Pacifico. Pacifico would be good as it is pretty steep. You can get miles in out there but it will not be as tough as riding the Main Divide.

    Dean
     
  17. Pain Freak

    Pain Freak Dead or Alive

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    All I know is Dean posted a road ride report in the roadie forum....my life is complete.
     
  18. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    In the immortal words of Ice-T and Body Count "There goes the neighbahood."
     
  19. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    Don't worry it was just a drive by, I'm bouncing out of here...
    :steppie:
     
  20. El Salt

    El Salt Guest


    You rang it? Oh heck...! That's the "make it rain every 7 days for the next 3 months, starting on Saturday, bell". #-o
     

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