March 27, 2013- GMR with Fred, sort of

Baldy from the top of GMR

Crystal Lake bowl from Newman's Point

Baldy from Newman's Point

Started off the ride with Fred, who was off due to the death of Gina's father. Got the whole story on how life was going with the two of them, having to go through all that is involved with that. Fred took off at the bottom to try and get a good time in for a segment of the ride that is measured on Strava. When I finally caught up with him, he was off his bike and resting on the wall on the side of the road. I should have known something was wrong right then, but I kept on riding, KNOWING that he would pass me in a few minutes. Well, the minutes passed, and passed, and no Fred. But I knew he would catch me like I was standing still, so I kept on going. Passed the saddle at the half way point, past Newman's Point, past the downhill section and the climb after it, and finally got to the shed, and still no Fred. He had mentioned something about a new chain when we started, so I figured he either broke it or had a flat tire. Things being so, I stayed at the top only long enough to put some warmer clothes on and I headed down. Never did see him, and was very surprised at that. In all the times I have been up GMR with him, have never seen him not make the top for any reason. When I got home I gave him a call just to make sure things were ok and he explained it was just one of those days. Said when i passed him where he was resting, he wasn't feeling too well. But he pushed on and got up to the half way point, and a little more before deciding he was REALLY not feeling well. So he turned around and called it a day. Smart person that knows when to say when. I learned that lesson a long time ago in mountain climbing. It will always be there another time.

March 19, 2012-GMR by my lonesome

                                At the top, next to the shed on a cool afternoon.

Baldy from the top of GMR

Puddingstone from up on GMR

New cold weather gloves I was glad to have along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was just before the gate at the bottom of GMR, trying to get my head into the next hour plus of suffering, when someone drove by me yelling out my name. Turned out to be none other than Matt himself. Claims he just got back from Salt Lake City, some kind of business and skiing trip. Hope it was more skiing than business, but only he really knows. After chatting for a little while, we parted ways, he driving, and me, well, going at my usual snails pace up the road. Being by myself, I took things at a pace that would allow me to enjoy the views and just being up in the mountains. Weather was on the cool side, and I made sure I was well prepared for the ride down. Got up to the shack in not too bad a time for me, and took a few picks before dressing up in wind pants and a nice warm jacket. Had a great ride down and as usual, had a good time

March 3, 2012 GMR again with Fred, Gina, Alyce, Herb, and Aimee

The group down in the middle of the switchbacks.

 

                Up at Newman's Point, with Aimee already having been to the shack.

                                                          

                                         Baldy in March, looking very dry of snow.

                                         The family that rides together, rides together.

                                         This family really loves to ride, especially in the mountains.


 Another after work Saturday morning ride up GMR with Fred, Gina, Alyce, Herb, and Aimee. Started out with nice weather and it stayed like that all the way up to the shack. Once again, lots of people on both bicycles and motorcycles. Not to sound snobbish, but will be glad when the time trial race is over and all the crowds are gone. I know I can miss all these riders by being up there mid-week, but that is a hard thing after working all night. With Daylight savings time coming up, I will have to get in that mode though. Also need to seriously start the Rainier training, or I will never make the summit. We met a family of four just as we were making the shack. Two young kids with mom and dad. Parents were doing most of the work, but just seeing the young ones up there was great. Emma and Wyatt were the kids names. Family was from Long Beach if I remember right, and in talking to the dad, it sounds like they ride a lot. Had a great time as usual.

February 25, 2012 GMR with Fred, Gina, Herb, Alyce, and Aimee

Couple of bikers on lower GMR. Lots of them out today.

Bill, GMR,Matt, Gina, and Alyce at the first saddle of GMR 

They stopped to talk on their way down,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of crotch rockets out today.Just below the shed.

Herb,Fred,Gina,Alyce,and Aimee at the shed. 

Got the notice from Fred on Friday night that there was going to be a ride up GMR Saturday morning if I was interested. As usual, as long as I can get off work in time, I am interested. I got to Boulder Springs road just as everyone was finishing up getting ready. After having been riding for a while, it actually felt better for me to go at a little quicker pace than my normal plodding along, so I kept going, feeling pretty good for me on a "right after work" ride. There was as much traffic (cars, crotch rockets, and bicycles) as I think I have ever seen on GMR. Good weather brought out the motor heads, the upcoming time trial brought out the bicyclist, and it being the weekend brought out everyone else. Everyone took their time on the way up, enjoying the day and once high enough, the better views of the mountains. Lower down there was still lots of moisture in the air, sort of making the views a little hazy. I was sitting at the first saddle enjoying the morning when Bill, GMR, and Matt pulled up as they were heading down the hill. We talked for a while, and once everyone else arrived, the usual taking of pictures commenced. It is always nice t run into those guys. Once on the way again, it wasn't long till we all reached the top and enjoyed the break. Lots of people pulled in as we were there, and even more went passed us. After resting up, the fun part of the ride was ahead of us. On the way down, I tried to get ahead at times so I could stop and take pictures, but everyone went past me so fast, it was hard to do. Once at the bottom, everyone said their good byes and we were all headed home . Great day in the mountains.

February 22, 2012 Half way up GMR



My bike with what appears to be a fairly tilted saddle.

The Ontario Peak area by Baldy

GMR with the Crystal Lake Bowl looking nice in the background.

Top of Baldy from the first saddle on GMR.



After having not been on the bike for the most part of the last two months, Wednesday afternoon was just too nice of a day to pas up. Getting a very late start, with lights on the bike in case I turned this into a longer than expected ride, I took off not knowing what to really expect. I had suffered through one of my worst gout attacks about 3 to 4 weeks earlier, and the knees were just starting to feel like they were a real part of me once again. That being said, I didn't want to push them on the first ride back, so I was going to be happy just getting a little altitude in, and thought to my self the first saddle would be a goal to not over extend my self on. Figured I could always go higher if things felt good, but for once, common sense won out over my  enthusiasm, and upon getting to the half way mark, I stopped and told myself to not push it any more, Things (knees and the body in general) felt good, so take it easy for once. I sat on the wall for over a half hour, enjoying just being up in the mountains and the setting sun. Enjoyed the day, and look forward to the next time up. 

February 16, 2012--- Overnight at Coldbrook with Jim and Chuck

Me sitting next to the fire, trying to stay warm on the outside to
match my warm on the inside.

Showing just how big this fire really was.

What originally started out as an overnight hiking trip turned into a much needed sitting around the fire, eating steak, and consuming alchohol trip for the three of us. Chuck , Jim, and I got to Coldbrook midafternoon, after having made a stop at the Stater Bros. back in town to pick up vitals for the evening.
  Upon picking out just the right campsite, Jim got a fire started in the cooking BBQ, which left Chuck and I to head up the road a bit in his car to find some real amounts of wood for the fire that would be keeping us warm through the evening. We found a turnout about a mile up the road that had a ton of dead wood right on the side of it and we took advantage. Once back at the camp, we unloaded what looked like enough wood to keep 5 fires going all evening. Had a huge pile next to the fire pit, within easy reach from the chairs we sat in. Through the beer, Beam, and B.S., that fire keep us nice and toasty warm. Jim was the first to hit the sleeping bag, around 9 PM or so, but Chuck and I (dozing off and on in the chair) managed to stay mostly awake until after midnight.
  I was the first one up, even beating the surise. It wasn't too cold, so I stayed out of the sleeping bag until everyone started moving around. Jim made up the usual great breakfast. and we had a beer or two to finish off the morning. All in all, a relaxing time away from it all.

December 29, 2011 Up GMR with Fred and the new build

 Newman's Point with the new build.

Fred's Madone at Newman's Point

Close up of the Bianchi at Newman's Point

 Baldy behind Newman's Point

 Up above the shack on GMR

Fred's ride at top of GMR

Finally got off the butt and finished building up the Bianchi frame that I had bought off Ebay numerous years back. Bought all the parts to make up the component group also on Ebay, used, so as to save money. The main reason for buying this stuff was just to see if I had in me the means to build up a bike. I put the entire bike together myself, except the wheels which came off my Scattante when I bought that a few years back and replaced them with better ones. Anyway, with the bike in one piece (or so I was hoping), I headed up GMR for its virgin ride. Fred, whom had gotten a new job about a month back, had the week off for the holidays and came along. Turns out we both had been sick the last few days and neither one of us was in much of a hurry to get up the road very fast. With only a minor rear derailleur adjustment on the way up, things were shifting and the breaks were stopping sort of along the lines I was hoping for. After sitting at the wall above the shack for a while and enjoying the warm sunshine, we headed down. Everything stayed in one piece, and I only need to do a few more minor adjustments to fine tune it all. Just might have tot ry this again with maybe a nicer brand new frame.