July 4 and 6 Rides

Friday July 4, 2014. Glendora Mountain Road is the cycling mecca of Southern California on July 4th. With the road closed, cyclists of all abilities turned out for one of the hottest days of the year. GMR is not for the faint of heart or the unprepared Fourth of July Rider. Extra water should always be carried during the summer. Many riders had mountain top finishes for their goals. Some were achieved and others will try again on cooler days. I rode to Fork Plus Four a 30 mile round trip. The realization that I can ride to Baldy on a cooler day and deciding not to ride to Baldy was a smart move.

Sunday July 6, 2014. Fireworks leave alot of fine microns in the sky. The air quality was much better today. A lot fewer people riding the road. It was easier to connect and talk to other riders. Met Ed who is a proud leasee of a Nissan Leaf. While he charges his car at the San Dimas charging station he rides his bike up GMR. Smart deal both in terms of dollars $140/month and for use of his time.

Tony and Luis reconnected with me at the shed. I first rode with them on August 1, 2012. Nearly two years later. Good to see you back in the saddle and riding strong with the Incycle Employees.

Doug S. was headed up to the shed, as I started down. Hey Doug. Good to see you.
Back at the first saddle the valley below looked serene. Ken and Eric rode up chatted about the wave of riders on Friday. Good times.

The news item of the day was a lost dog at Coyote Corner - the hair pin turn with tall pine trees about mile marker 10.6. Two Forest Service personnel were luring the dog with water. It was a long way up the mountain. It had stayed in the same spot for more than an hour. Perhaps the pavement might be too hot for its paws.