October 27, 2010 Highway 39 to Dawson Saddle

Switchbacks below Crystal Lake turnoff showing elevation difference in levels. Mr Beanz by Crystal Lake cutoff

CalTrans shed at Dawson Saddle

Fred at top of Dawson

At Islip Saddle where we took a break

Switchbacks at top of Canyon

Fred descending not far above the car.

Finally got him to try it

After trying to get Fred to do this ride for the longest time, I was finally able to talk him into it. Seeing how CalTrans had opened the bottom gate a little while back, we were able to get a better (higher) start on this. We made it up to the Crystal Lake cutoff fast enough, but grom there things slowed down. We came across workers in the last 5 miles to Islip Saddle, and the road for that stretch is nowhere near as nice as down below. The wind REALLY kicked up the last few miles, and with it blowing at least 40 mph, the temps felt even worse. Being in the shade the last few miles up to Islip didn't help either. We finally made Islip, and got to sit in the sun for a while before taking off for Dawson. The last 5 miles up to the pass were not bad at all, and in fact, were quite nice and enjoyable. The views out to the desert were especially nice. After a rest on top, we headed down to enjoy the downhill that we had earned on the way up. Great ride, as usual.

October 23, 2010 Newbees on GMR

Gina at shack on GMR. She thinks it is cold out. Fred at the shack. Tammy and Gina at the shack Allan's first time up GMR Fred coming up the switchbacks And again Some riders going down as Fred ascends to the switchbacks Allan and Tammy, first timers, at the shack A couple of first timers Fred talked a husband and wife he knows from SART to come on up and give GMR a go for their first time. Tammy took off like a bullet, while Allan rode with Gina to start things out. It was a very busy day for riders, lots of them out. Seems like Fred knew just about all of them. He kept stopping to talk with riders and get video, so the rest of us got a ways up the hill ahead of him. It got to a point where he was quite a ways back, so I stopped and waited while everyone else kept going. He finally caught up and we caught up to Gina. Allan and Tammy were not to be seen until we reached the shack. Hung out for a while and headed down. For as fast as Tammy was on the way up, she practically waked down. Guess she has a fear of going downhill fast. At one point I waited over 20 minutes for her and Gina, just to make sure they were safe, which they were of course. Good ride all in all.

October 22, 2010 GMR Solo

Downtown LA with the beach in the background Me at the shack dressed for the downhill My bike at the top of GMR in the clouds View down San Gabriel Canyon Fast, quick, and wet. Took off late in the afternoon hoping to make the top and back without getting rained on. The road and conditions held up until just past Newman's Point, where things got wet. I wouldn't say it was actually raining, but you couldn't say it was dry either. The road was not dry, but had no standing water on it. I would say it was as close to raining as it could get without actually raining. Passed by Matt just below Newman's. He rode with for a couple minutes and then took off. Good ride, glad I chanced it.

October 13, 2010 GMR to Baldy Village

"The Shot" on GRR The 3 mile downhill on way back from Village Mt Baldy Post Office Another view of "The Shot" Looking down from Cow Canyon Saddle towards Baldy Village Looking up towards Cow Canyon Saddle with other rider heading out. Looking down San Antonio Canyon The basin was covered in fog when we started up. Two gorgeous women we saw at Baldy Post Office Another great ride to the Village. Started the ride with the basin being all socked in with clouds. Was actually a little cold at the start. Ride up to and out to the Village was just another great time in the mountains. When we got to the Village, while stopped at the post office to rest, these 2 women drove up and got out. They were knock dead beautiful, and dressed to the nines , heels and all. Made the ride up there worth the effort. Felt pretty good for me on the ride up. Wind was blowing very strong in places.

October 7, 2010 GMR to Peacock Saddle

Richard hiding behind me Richard coming into Peacock Saddle Section of Glendora Ridge Road Fred trying to get into my pic. Cloudy weather equals nice day Weather was warm at the start, but cooled of as we climbed and the clouds came out. made it to Peacock Saddle and met Richard once again. He stopped and had a story or two to tell as usual. Nice day to be in the mountains.

October 3, 2010 GMR plus about 6 more miles

Fred and Gina at bottom of GMR after ride The happy couple at the top of GMR

Fred playing movie director

SMILE

Fred and Gina on lower switchback, GMR

Furthest up yet.

Got a fairly early start, cool weather was nice. Warmed up on the way, clearing to really nice day. The ride went as usual, but at the shack, Fred asked Gina if she wanted to keep going, and to his surprise, she said yes. We took out time and got out to Peacock Saddle (fork plus 4.5 miles) and took a break in the shade. It was starting to warm up, but wasn't bad yet. Once again Fred asked Gina, and to his even bigger surprise, she said yes again to continuing higher. This was at the start of the 3 mile climb that is the bitch of the ride, so we made sure that Gina knew it was up to her when we all turned around. Well, we went about another mile and a half, and she finally said that was it for the day. We rested a little and had a nice return downhill. I guess they went to get something to eat and drove back up GMR to see just how far Gina had made it, and she was shocked how close she had been to the end of the hard stuff. She makes the Village on her next ride up there.