July 29, 2010 GMR plus 4.5 miles

Looks like it crashed, but it didn't. The trusty steeds. These always get us to where we are headed. Nice shot of the summit of Baldy

Finally met the author of the famous GMR blog.

Her name is Annette.

Fred on his way back down from the turn

around point.

Went back up GMR with Fred for another day of fun and sun on GMR. Man was it hot, and seeing how, as usual, I rode straight after working all night, I was very tired. But once I caught my second, or maybe third wind, I felt better. Right at the bottom, on the way up, we met Annette, who writes the blog on GMR. She seems really nice and always does a great job with the latest info on the rode. Local riders are lucky to have her.

July 27, 2010 GMR plus a little

Top of GMR Where did that go?

This thing ever going to fill up?

Me at the top.

Self portrait.

Just a quick ride up GMR on a warm but not unbearable day. We were going to do the East Fork and down 39 ride, but Fred flatted at the top, so we just headed back down for the fun downhill. Took a while, but was glad I went.

July 21, 2010 Wrightwood/Buckhorn/Highway 39

Highway 39 from Jarvi Memorial Buckhorn campground

Desert from East side of Dawson Saddle

Up by Inspiration Point

Steve was nice enough to drive me up to Wrightwood and take my car back to his house so I could have an easy (that is relative) time riding back to Glendora. Left Jenson's Market just before 9 AM. Right off the bat, the altitude got to me. Riding at 6,000 feet straight out of the car is something that takes getting used to. Made the 5.5 mile uphill to Inspiration Point without passing out. The steep part by Big Pines Visitor Center was a bitch. After I. P., the downhill to Vincent Gap went all to fast. From there it was a 5 mile uphill to Dawson, and then 5 down to Islip Saddle. Thought about calling it a day right there, but Steve had sort of shamed me into going out to at least as far as Buckhorn, which I was glad I did. Lots of up and down to the campground, but really enjoyable. Had lunch there and then headed back to 39 for the main part of the ride, going down 39. The first 10 miles took me almost an hour as I was taking pictures about every 3oo feet or so. Finally put the camera away at the springs by the cabins below Crystal Lake and started to ride. Mad it home about 3:30PM. Great ride, with fantastic weather.

July 18, 2010 Sunset peak with Chuck and Taylor

Yucca forest on fire break back down. Chuck at point we all decided it was too hot to go on.

Chuck and Taylor with Baldy in background.

Taylor's first time up on Sunset Peak.

Dad and son on trail up to Sunset Peak.

Due to other plans falling apart, Chuck and I ended up agreeing to do Sunset Peak on Sunday after he dropped Julie off at the airport. Turned out that Taylor came along for the ride, and I was glad he did. We ended up leaving the Cow Canyon Saddle trailhead somewhere about noon, give or take. It was HOT, right from the beginning. As it went, Chuck had problems from the start, that only got worse as we went on. He couldn't hike more than a few minutes at a time, up a road that we had been many times with no previous problems. He had to constantly stop and rest in the shade, all the way that we wentI continuely asked him if he was doing ok as I had never seen him react quite like this before on any hike we had ever done. He kept assuring me he was fine, but towards the end, even he started to have reservations. About half way up, where the fire break that comes up from the car parking area hits the dirt road, we decided it was just TOO FUCKING HOT, and went down the fire bread to the car. Even doing that, Chuck had his problems on the way down. Glad he made it ok, as I was really starting to get worried. Anyway, after getting to the car, Baldy Lodge called and we went and had a beer or two. With the cold water we got, plus the cold beer, things turned out well. Oh ya. I would be remiss if I did not mention just how much fun Taylor had on this hike. He really enjoyed himself and it was obvious that he was having fun the entire time.

July 17, 2010 GMR by night

Left the house just about 7:45 PM, Saturday night. Thought since it was too hot to ride during the day, may as well try a ride with the light I bought 6 months ago and had not used yet. Ride up was nice , using a less powerful light that used throw away batteries. Seeing how I climb like a snail, I did most of the ride up in the dark, only turning on the light when I saw approaching headlights. The views of the basin, once I got high enough up on the road, were nice, with the lights of the cities quite bright. Once up top, I put on a jacket I brought, not so much to stay warm as to make my self more visible to cars and such.(Bright yellow is good for that). Ride down was fun, if not just a little slower than on a daytime ride. The new light ( a Night Rider something or other) more than lit up the road. There are lots more powerful set ups, but I liked this one for the price I paid for it. Ride down went off without a hitch and I was soon down on Loraine, Just a few blocks from where I live, when after hitting a bump in the road, mt tail light went flying off into the gutter and shattered into pieces. Oh well, it was over 15 years old, so I guess I got my monies worth out of it. All in all, GMR by night turned out well, with lighter traffic than I expected and views worth the effort of going up in the dark. Will be doing it again as the weather stays too warm to ride during the day.

July 7, 2010 GMR with Fred

The shed at the top of GMR Still just a little bit of snow on the side of Baldy

Halfway point on GMR

GMR Met Fred at the bottom of GMR, running late due to work. Was cold and cloudy when I left the house, so as usual, I over dressed. Had long sleeve shirt under my jersey, and brought along a wind jacket and extra shirt to change into. Needless to say, the clouds broke way before I expected them to. At the halfway point, had t stop and dress down. The ride for the most part was nothing to write home about. Was first time in over 2 months for me, which showed. Was glad I went.