Thunder, Lightening and Fire

What a difference a day makes. Monday, bright sun, dry arid winds and 116F temperatures. Wednesday dark thunder head clouds, light cool wind and streaks of lightening plummeting to the ground. Matt reported heavy rain at Coyote Corner. We stuck to a section of road that had fewer clouds overhead. Watched six US Forest Fire Fighting Trucks tear up the road sirens at full bore.



Ron was the man on the scene and caught the two air water drops: Water Drop 1 and Water Drop 2. On his descent past Newman's showed several vehicles parked and watching the show. The lightening during the storm was both the bolt down streaks and a white diffused flashes. Ron can see lightening in this video, but I need a few more viewings before I agree. Lightening.

Rode intervals on a lower section of the road. Kept dry. Stayed "unburnt". I like clouds when they don't rain on my ride.

Snow Day

Took a Southern California Snow Day on Monday when the thermometer peaked at 116F. When I arrived home about 5:30 pm it had cooled to 107F. I opened the door of the car to walk into the house, when a blast of dry air roasted anything that moved. The extreme weather condition made the decision very simple.

Fire fighting Goats

Goats for fire prevention. they eat the dry vegetation creating afire break.

Saturday Ride

The hot dry winds skyrocketed the temperature up to 110F. Everyone on the road had the same thought Saturday morning, go early and beat the heat. Met up with GMR regulars Gina and Mr. Beanz. Good to ride with John who has been missing in action the past few weeks. Matt hooked up with everyone at the electronic sign.

Had a one on one conversation with Mr. Beanz about video editing, life philosophies and the art of cycling.


Bill's panorama.

Monday Ride

Met new folks tonight starting with Steve from Monrovia. He had information about Mt. Wilson reopening in October and lots of stories of the river trail, Chantry Flats, and others.




Hillbasher arrived as I was leaving, so I stayed and chatted. His plans included riding GMR Monday afternoon. Work a full "day" and then ride Tuesday morning.




Where upon Ray and Edge arrived with news from Brian's Friday evening emergency rescue. The x-ray didn't show the lateral break in the T11 vertebrae or the chip in the T2. The cat scan did which convinced the doctors he really needed medical treatment. The MRI the next day showed the damage in more detail. The interesting note was that the Baldy Village riders don't carry cell phones as there is zero reception. Edge was the man to climb the mountain in order to call 911. We celebrated our good health and ride safely partings. Hillbasher, GMR, Ray, Edge, Ron.



Found an Inland Empire Woman Cyclist with a flat tire. I recommended Armadillo tires if you want to ride GMR. Matt had the CO2 and filled the tire instantly as the sunlight waned.




An eventful ride indeed.

Man Down

Brian rode out of Baldy Village with Ray Clone on Friday evening. Descending Glendora Ridge Road at mile marker six his tire flatted. He slide into the wall and broke his spine in two places T2 and T11. Photo courtesy of Ray Clone. Brian - recover quickly. Your presence is missed.





Brain Saturday June 5, 2010 on Glendora Mountain Road.



Brian Wednesday evening April 14, 2010.



Other "solo" incidents on GMR include a rider who descended and broke their pelvic bone on a slippery leaf at the bottom of Monroe, another rider broke their collar bone when their pedal bolt failed. Still another suffered a chipped shoulder bone when he wiped out on the fire truck turn.

Ride safe.

Saturday Ride

Early morning sun on the reservoir.



Bob and Leslie.



Steve,



Richard.



Graham and company.



Mr Beanz and Mrs Beanz

Wednesday Ride

The towers of Los Angeles.

Catching up with GMR

It was a whirlwind of activity with family activities, work and rides this past week. The Saturday ride was short and sweet to fit in a visit to the Nethercutt Musuem. Needed to burn off steam from CEO reports. Touched base with Jason. Hooked up with Ken of Duff Beer fame to fork plus four. Caught up with Kelly of Claremont and Mike at the return trip to shed.

The hills flamed red with flowering shrubs.



Monday afternoon ride. A bit warmer than expected at 90F. The air clear as the mild winds pushed the smog elsewhere.



Down right lonely. Very little traffic of any kind tonight. Met up with Ron near the top. We mused about Wolfgang and his trip to the Dolomites. Send us pictures Wolfgang!



Good ride, good friends, good weather. and good night!

Catching up with Ron

Ron's footage of momma bear and baby bear. Raw and uncut!

Mamma and Baby Bear

Smarter than your average bear!

Wednesday

Road conditions. Wet. Rain this morning. I have put off the ride to this afternoon. Hopefully the sun will come out and dry things out.

Saturday and Monday

Saturday

Mike. Wayne. An assist with my versatile tool with a chain splitter.


Monday
Steve. The Valley at GRR 4.0.
Skid Marks at GRR 3.74 made by a vehicle on course for "OTS" status.
Personnel. Helicopter. Crew.
Car over the side. Wider view of Car over the side.
Mr. Beanz. Mr. Beanz and Gina.

Wednesday.
Steve.

Wednesday Morning.

Road conditions! Wet. Rain this morning. I have put off the ride to this afternoon. Hopefully the sun will come out and dry things out.

Wednesday Afternoon.

Road conditions. Dry. Cloudy overhead. Cold. The road was damp looking but not moist from second saddle up. It was 61 F on the way down. It was cold. Base layer. Leg Warmers. Jacket.

Road Status

Road is open for the Labor Day Weekend. Last checked 19:04

Wednesday Ride

Rode up with John. Matt caught us along the way. We watched three motorcycles make u-turns in odd places along the road until we spotted their camera man in a wide turnout. Tagged along with Eric to the top of Monroe. Haven't seen Eric since July 4th! John enjoyed Lance Armstrong and David Wiens battling the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race in "Race Across the Sky 2009". Tinker had a few nice shots in the movie.


Eric.


Matt




Ron