Matt reported it was a very quiet day on GMR. Much cooler than wednesday!
He did something different and rode up GMR and down the back side to Camp Williams. Very little traffic so it was a good ride.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday Ride with Matt
Matt reported it was a very quiet day on GMR. Much cooler than wednesday!
He did something different and rode up GMR and down the back side to Camp Williams. Very little traffic so it was a good ride.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Catching up with Matt
Matt left for his Wednesday evening ride later than normal as it was "very hot". Photo captured the sunset from the first saddle.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday Ride
Rode out at 4:45 pm. It was somewhere between 105-107F. Now for those Las Vegas folks this may be cool weather, but for this southern California cyclist it was more than enough. The sun scorched the skin and seared through the clothes. I had a couple of baggies of ice cubes in the back pockets. They didn't last long.
It was great to have company as John and I rode to the shade. Endurance. No speed goals tonight. Survival of the smartest. Little did we know that as we passed the bottom of Monroe the news of the night was resting in the shade.
Matt and Ron left much later and happened upon this forest family foraging for fragments of foresaken foodstuffs from folks futily flinging fodder into garbage cans.
It was great to have company as John and I rode to the shade. Endurance. No speed goals tonight. Survival of the smartest. Little did we know that as we passed the bottom of Monroe the news of the night was resting in the shade.
Matt and Ron left much later and happened upon this forest family foraging for fragments of foresaken foodstuffs from folks futily flinging fodder into garbage cans.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Baldy
Late out the door due to a work emergency I found myself trying to catch up with John who was riding up Glendora Mountain Road. I shouted up the canyon at the first trashcan where the recent fire started. My voice reverberated up through the canyon. No visual. yet. I caught him around mile marker 12.19. Dude it was good to have company.
Matt caught us before the shed and then rode with us along Glendora Ridge Road for a few miles to about Fork plus five or six. The heat kept alot of folks off the road. It was a battle to keep hydrated and core body temperature down. Today's reward cool drinks at the store by the Lodge. Refrigeration is a marvelous invention. Jaeger a big black and white dog stood alert on the store steps. Based on the huge pile of bear scat at the Visitor Center, the watchfulness of Jaeger gave me comfort. The bugs drilled into me on the way back. I learned to zip the kit after one large winged bug nose dived off my chest and then plunged down my shirt.
The first climb out of Baldy Village was always a kicker after that I found a bit more strength to push up the hills. Testing to see if the extra protein at breakfast helps. I think it did.
Matt caught us before the shed and then rode with us along Glendora Ridge Road for a few miles to about Fork plus five or six. The heat kept alot of folks off the road. It was a battle to keep hydrated and core body temperature down. Today's reward cool drinks at the store by the Lodge. Refrigeration is a marvelous invention. Jaeger a big black and white dog stood alert on the store steps. Based on the huge pile of bear scat at the Visitor Center, the watchfulness of Jaeger gave me comfort. The bugs drilled into me on the way back. I learned to zip the kit after one large winged bug nose dived off my chest and then plunged down my shirt.
The first climb out of Baldy Village was always a kicker after that I found a bit more strength to push up the hills. Testing to see if the extra protein at breakfast helps. I think it did.
Catching up with Bill
By Bill ....
The bike was custom built to my specifications by Incycle in
San Dimas. Starting with a Litespeed Xicon frame and fork,
Incycle added:
Williams 30 wheels with Specialized 700x25c Armadillo tires,
Shimano Utegra carbon shift levers,
Shimano Ultegra front & rear caliper brakes
Shimano 105 triple (50-39-30) crankset and front derailleur,
Shimano Deore XT 10 speed (11-34) cassette and rear derailleur,
Thomson Masterpiece seatpost and Selle Lite 209 saddle
Ritchey Log Curve handlebars with Salsa bar-top brake levers
and miscellaneous other pieces such a stem, chain, bar tape, etc.
The completed bike looks good and rides well. I really like the
fact that it weighs about 6 pounds less than the Trek Pilot I have
been riding up GMR on for most of this summer. Kudos to the
guys at Incycle!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Pasadena Incycle is Moving
Pasadena Incycle is moving its location to a bigger and better facility on Fair Oaks one block south of Colorado Boulevard. This is a beautiful brick building adjacent to Central Park and easy access to the Gold Line Train Station.
The new address is
175 S. Fair Oaks
Pasadena, CA 91106
What does this mean for all the stock at the current store? Stay tuned for a BIG announcement next week regarding all the stock Incycle has in Pasadena. The doors open on August 30th for all of its great customers!
Check out their store photos here. A perfect location Incycle!
The new address is
175 S. Fair Oaks
Pasadena, CA 91106
What does this mean for all the stock at the current store? Stay tuned for a BIG announcement next week regarding all the stock Incycle has in Pasadena. The doors open on August 30th for all of its great customers!
Check out their store photos here. A perfect location Incycle!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday Ride
102F when I rolled out of my garage. My neighbor Gary smiled and chuckled. My goal for the day was to stay upright and hydrated. I succeeded. While a few degrees hotter than Monday, the air was clearer and the heat stronger. I felt much better.
Kent and Cheryl relaxing after a good strong pace up Glendora Mountain Road.
Ron who completed a yo-yo to East Fork and back.
Matt drenched in the heat of the day from keeping up with James.
James a mountain biker enjoying the light airy feel of a road bike.
Ray enjoying the chocolately goodness of an unmelted Tiger's Milk bar.
Beauty after a good push up the mountain.
Kent and Cheryl relaxing after a good strong pace up Glendora Mountain Road.
Ron who completed a yo-yo to East Fork and back.
Matt drenched in the heat of the day from keeping up with James.
James a mountain biker enjoying the light airy feel of a road bike.
Ray enjoying the chocolately goodness of an unmelted Tiger's Milk bar.
Beauty after a good push up the mountain.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday Ride
Is it summer yet? At 99F, I say yes!
Road was fairly vacant. Smarter folks stayed inside. The remaining few Ron, Matt, Ray, Brian, Edge, Eric, Tim and friend congregated at the top.
Road was fairly vacant. Smarter folks stayed inside. The remaining few Ron, Matt, Ray, Brian, Edge, Eric, Tim and friend congregated at the top.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Baldy Ride
My tenth ride to Baldy this year. Nice to feel the rhythm of the road, the strength to go the distance and the discipline of the mental reserves to get me there and back. This week was quiet in comparison to the blast I had last week with the group ride with John, John LV, Ken, Renee, Joe, Matt and Ron.
The sky was crystal clear and the view spectacular. I have re-stocked my tool bag with my complete mini-tool, it comes with four sizes of spoke wrenches. It’s important to have a proper set of tools when you meet folks in need.
Met some new folks along the way. Curtis manned the support vehicle while he recovered from a Marshall Canyon mountain bike injury. Curtis, explain to me again, the advantages of using film in that camera. Rachel, Cathy and Grace rode up 39, North GMR, to GRR. I caught up with Rachel and rode with her awhile.
This was a quiet and sterling day for a ride. Life was good in the mountains. Enjoy.
The sky was crystal clear and the view spectacular. I have re-stocked my tool bag with my complete mini-tool, it comes with four sizes of spoke wrenches. It’s important to have a proper set of tools when you meet folks in need.
Met some new folks along the way. Curtis manned the support vehicle while he recovered from a Marshall Canyon mountain bike injury. Curtis, explain to me again, the advantages of using film in that camera. Rachel, Cathy and Grace rode up 39, North GMR, to GRR. I caught up with Rachel and rode with her awhile.
This was a quiet and sterling day for a ride. Life was good in the mountains. Enjoy.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Cadillac CTSV
Photo shoot on Glendora Mountain Road for the Cadillac CTSV. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
The magic of filming transformed a turnout of asphalt into a western desert scene. They had bags of leaves. Burnt trees. Rocks. Green shubbery. Reflector arrows for the curve with the stone wall at mile marker 7. Water truck. Catering truck. Cameras on cranes on top of the filming car. The road may not look like GMR at all!
Saw Wolfgang in his Magormold kit going up as I cruised down!
The magic of filming transformed a turnout of asphalt into a western desert scene. They had bags of leaves. Burnt trees. Rocks. Green shubbery. Reflector arrows for the curve with the stone wall at mile marker 7. Water truck. Catering truck. Cameras on cranes on top of the filming car. The road may not look like GMR at all!
Saw Wolfgang in his Magormold kit going up as I cruised down!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Baldy Ride
After last week’s adventure of riding down the mountain while a fire burned below, the course corrections and intertwined paths of riders and rescuers, I thought nothing could top that. Today’s ride did so and more.
Renee and Joe arrived at 6:30 and picked up the van for the support and gear (SAG) duties. Two large ice chests empty where put in the back along with patch kits, tubes, tires, first aid kit and more. They headed out to pick up breakfast while I dashed into a state of ready to ride.
Bill and I arrived at the corner of Sierra Madre and Glendora the rendezvous spot for the group. John from Las Vegas a triathlete and instigator of the ride chatted with Renee and Joe. I passed a rider bent over the back seat of his car. I liked his bright orange shirt with Duff Beer. We chatted and then Renee decided to invite the other rider along. Sure. Go ahead. He may hang with us or not. It was the moment of no way! recognition as I put down the camera and his face came into view. Ken! A colleague from 10 years ago now bitten with the biking bug, joined in our adventure.
We rode up to Palm and picked up John of GMR and set a lively pace up the road. John LV had the stories of his personal ride around Big Bear Lake both on and off road, escapades with the wildlife, his endurance prowess as well as his fond memories of high school days on Glendora Mountain Road.
The counterpoint was on. Ken had his Chantry Flats deer encounters, his preparation for Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo in October, the hobnobbing, the recalling of grand old days at our work and future employment possibilities.
I merely interjected names of points of interest along the way, Start of the San Dimas Stage Race, Bottom of Monroe, the Ramp, last week’s fire, the S-bends, Colby Trail, Coyote Corner, first, second and peacock saddle. The shed, top of Monroe, the Fork, San Dimas Experimental Forest, the point of no return, Reward Climb, Cow Canyon Saddle, and of course the Village.
Ron caught us before the shed, then took a detour down to Camp Williams. He and Matt met up with us in the Village.
Renee and Joe performed their duties impeccably with ice cold water, Sub-way sandwiches, Gatorade and loads of granola bars. I needed to repay favors from clubs, groups and folks who I have bummed water from their supported rides over the past few months. Paying it forward was the term. The sandwich was oh so good in the Village -- a real treat compared to the normal processed bar food.
New folks along the road: Met Mike at the shed, Aaron and PTC members at the Village. Tom on the return to the shed.
Pleasant surprise to see my friends Edith, Marty and Levee from Riverside Bicycle Club. Marty enjoyed the pure delight of a smooth ride with 5000 feet of climbing on his steel fixie.
Everyone had a great time. Always someone to ride with and talk to. Ken and John LV flew up the Reward Climb together. Ken noticed on the Reward descent, wow I did all that climbing? Great ride!
Renee and Joe arrived at 6:30 and picked up the van for the support and gear (SAG) duties. Two large ice chests empty where put in the back along with patch kits, tubes, tires, first aid kit and more. They headed out to pick up breakfast while I dashed into a state of ready to ride.
Bill and I arrived at the corner of Sierra Madre and Glendora the rendezvous spot for the group. John from Las Vegas a triathlete and instigator of the ride chatted with Renee and Joe. I passed a rider bent over the back seat of his car. I liked his bright orange shirt with Duff Beer. We chatted and then Renee decided to invite the other rider along. Sure. Go ahead. He may hang with us or not. It was the moment of no way! recognition as I put down the camera and his face came into view. Ken! A colleague from 10 years ago now bitten with the biking bug, joined in our adventure.
We rode up to Palm and picked up John of GMR and set a lively pace up the road. John LV had the stories of his personal ride around Big Bear Lake both on and off road, escapades with the wildlife, his endurance prowess as well as his fond memories of high school days on Glendora Mountain Road.
The counterpoint was on. Ken had his Chantry Flats deer encounters, his preparation for Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo in October, the hobnobbing, the recalling of grand old days at our work and future employment possibilities.
I merely interjected names of points of interest along the way, Start of the San Dimas Stage Race, Bottom of Monroe, the Ramp, last week’s fire, the S-bends, Colby Trail, Coyote Corner, first, second and peacock saddle. The shed, top of Monroe, the Fork, San Dimas Experimental Forest, the point of no return, Reward Climb, Cow Canyon Saddle, and of course the Village.
Ron caught us before the shed, then took a detour down to Camp Williams. He and Matt met up with us in the Village.
Renee and Joe performed their duties impeccably with ice cold water, Sub-way sandwiches, Gatorade and loads of granola bars. I needed to repay favors from clubs, groups and folks who I have bummed water from their supported rides over the past few months. Paying it forward was the term. The sandwich was oh so good in the Village -- a real treat compared to the normal processed bar food.
New folks along the road: Met Mike at the shed, Aaron and PTC members at the Village. Tom on the return to the shed.
Pleasant surprise to see my friends Edith, Marty and Levee from Riverside Bicycle Club. Marty enjoyed the pure delight of a smooth ride with 5000 feet of climbing on his steel fixie.
Everyone had a great time. Always someone to ride with and talk to. Ken and John LV flew up the Reward Climb together. Ken noticed on the Reward descent, wow I did all that climbing? Great ride!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
 |
| From 2010-07-31 FIRE on GMR |
One More Fire Picture
Another view of Saturday's fire from Matt our man on the scene
CBS News Story, Crews battle 15 acre blaze.
KTLA report Glendora Fire
SGVTribune Car crash sparks brush fire north of Glendora
I will be checking on the status of the road around 7:30 am. The SGVTribune article stated the road will be closed on Sunday.
CBS News Story, Crews battle 15 acre blaze.
KTLA report Glendora Fire
SGVTribune Car crash sparks brush fire north of Glendora
I will be checking on the status of the road around 7:30 am. The SGVTribune article stated the road will be closed on Sunday.