Kevin's Goal, One Baldy Ride Per Quarter!

Kevin's new goal is one Baldy ride per quarter.  Next ride, March 30, 2013.

This is what Kevin had to say about his last ride.

"Today Kevin and I had an adventure.  Since late 2011, Kevin had it in his head to ride to Mt. Baldy.  He kept a good training routine and sure enough, he made it to Baldy today! Great job, Kevin. It only gets easier."

Kevin Writes ...

Three and a half years after thinking about riding to Baldy
Village, I finally made it. Despite a few health setbacks, I can now
check it off that list.  Like many other BicycleFriends rides, it starts
 with a Plan from Jason.

"Just make it to Fork plus 8.3 and I'll buy you a beer, as it is
all downhill to Baldy Village" So a year ago after I stopped taking
blood thinners and was cleared to ride again.  I followed Jason's easy 4
 step  plan that goes something like this:

Step 1 - ride to maintenance shed

Step 2 - ride a short distance further to a spot known as Fork. (it
 is located where GMR turns and goes down to East Fork. It's also the
start of Glendora Ridge Road)

Step 3 - add distance (about a mile per ride) by observing milepost  markers

Step 4 - after riding to Fork plus 8.3, continue on easy downhill to Baldy Village

I have ridden with Jason enough to know that he is challenged with
distance, difficulty, grade etc.  We still talk about the day he talked
me into an easy mountain bike ride on Sunset Ridge. I think he posted
something. Short story - extra climbing, double
 the distance, & 95* temps resulting in heat stroke.

So, I checked out Annette's Glendora Mountain Road website to
verify Jason's plan, which actually was not too bad. (except for the
downhill part)

With Jason posting my results and coaching me along the way, I made
 it to Fork +8.3 a couple of weeks ago and we scheduled the celebratory
ride for today, September 1.  

Jason's plan: start at 6am (Jason riding fixie) and meet up with me
 when he reached GMR in Glendora.  I modified the plan after suffering
in the heat on Glendora Ridge, last week.

I left at 530 am and Jason would catch me sometime after the first
saddle. Well, I made it to the maintenance shed with no Jason, feeling
pretty awesome. Only to find out that Jason was delayed when he stopped to  talk to Christian at the bottom of GMR.

After about 5 minutes of much needed rest at the shed, Jason and
another fixie rider showed up. We chatted for a few seconds and then
took off.  Stopped for a quick bottle change at about F+3.6 dropped down
 to F+4.5 and started the climb to F+8.3. 

I think I slowed Jason down, but he quickened my pace until about
F+7. I found what little shade there was and stopped as I was starting to
cramp. Jason continue about a tenth of a mile and help a rider with a
flat, who was dropped by her friends. Despite
 what his coworkers say about him, Jason really is a good guy with
helpful demeanor. 

Fork Plus 5 or 6 or 7.  Kevin Rides On

With the flat fixed and my legs straightened out we continue with
Jason asking about how I was feeling. It was then when he came clean.
 "To be honest, after 8.3 it's not really all downhill". 

"WHAT?..." I exclaimed know that there was another 1.5 miles of more gentle climbing according to Annette. 

I celebrated at F+8.3 nonetheless. And we continued. 

Success, Fork Plus 8.29

9:30am After a short down hill and being stopped by the closed gate Jason snapped some photos 

I MADE IT!!!

Jason had The Baldy Village Inn open early just so he could buy me that beer.  Thanks Jason!

A short 45 minute downhill ride and I was home. 

Thanks to all the fellow GMR riders offering encouragement over the
 last year. And special thanks to Jason, whose coaching and
encouragement helped keep me going.

Baldy Village.  Did it.

Cheer! I don't always drink beer, but when I do its in Baldy Village with Bicycle Friends.

Kevin Writes: Its all Downhill after Fork plus 8.3

"Today Kevin and I had an adventure.  Since late 2011, Kevin had it in his head to ride to Mt. Baldy.  He kept a good training routine and sure enough, he made it to Baldy today! Great job, Kevin. It only gets easier."

Kevin Writes ...

Three and a half years after thinking about riding to Baldy Village, I finally made it. Despite a few health setbacks, I can now check it off that list.  Like many other BicycleFriends rides, it starts with a Plan from Jason.

"Just make it to Fork plus 8.3 and I'll buy you a beer, as it is all downhill to Baldy Village" So a year ago after I stopped taking blood thinners and was cleared to ride again.  I followed Jason's easy 4 step  plan that goes something like this:

Step 1 - ride to maintenance shed

Step 2 - ride a short distance further to a spot known as Fork. (it is located where GMR turns and goes down to East Fork. It's also the start of Glendora Ridge Road)

Step 3 - add distance (about a mile per ride) by observing milepost  markers

Step 4 - after riding to Fork plus 8.3, continue on easy downhill to Baldy Village

I have ridden with Jason enough to know that he is challenged with distance, difficulty, grade etc.  We still talk about the day he talked me into an easy mountain bike ride on Sunset Ridge. I think he posted something. Short story - extra climbing, double the distance, & 95* temps resulting in heat stroke.

So, I checked out Annette's Glendora Mountain Road website to verify Jason's plan, which actually was not too bad. (except for the downhill part)

With Jason posting my results and coaching me along the way, I made it to Fork +8.3 a couple of weeks ago and we scheduled the celebratory ride for today, September 1.  

Jason's plan: start at 6am (Jason riding fixie) and meet up with me when he reached GMR in Glendora.  I modified the plan after suffering in the heat on Glendora Ridge, last week.

I left at 530 am and Jason would catch me sometime after the first saddle. Well, I made it to the maintenance shed with no Jason, feeling pretty awesome. Only to find out that Jason was delayed when he stopped to  talk to Christian at the bottom of GMR.

After about 5 minutes of much needed rest at the shed, Jason and another fixie rider showed up. We chatted for a few seconds and then took off.  Stopped for a quick bottle change at about F+3.6 dropped down to F+4.5 and started the climb to F+8.3. 

I think I slowed Jason down, but he quickened my pace until about F+7. I found what little shade there was and stopped as I was starting to cramp. Jason continue about a tenth of a mile and help a rider with a flat, who was dropped by her friends. Despite what his coworkers say about him, Jason really is a good guy with helpful demeanor. 

 

Fork Plus 5 or 6 or 7.  Kevin Rides On

 

With the flat fixed and my legs straightened out we continue with Jason asking about how I was feeling. It was then when he came clean.  "To be honest, after 8.3 it's not really all downhill". 

"WHAT?..." I exclaimed know that there was another 1.5 miles of more gentle climbing according to Annette. 

I celebrated at F+8.3 nonetheless. And we continued. 

 

Success, Fork Plus 8.29

 

9:30am After a short down hill and being stopped by the closed gate Jason snapped some photos 

 

 

I MADE IT!!!

Jason had The Baldy Village Inn open early just so he could buy me that beer.  Thanks Jason!

A short 45 minute downhill ride and I was home. 

Thanks to all the fellow GMR riders offering encouragement over the last year. And special thanks to Jason, whose coaching and encouragement helped keep me going.

 

Baldy Village.  Did it.

Cheer! I don't always drink beer, but when I do its in Baldy Village with Bicycle Friends.

 

 

 

Kevin: The Other Side of GRR

"Tough
Diabolical
Hot
Torture
Misery
Pain
Dry Mouth
Hit the Wall
Exhaustion 


=


Some Thoughts I had while on the road..."

Kevin text-ed this to me along with the following picture.  Fork plus 8.29, The Other Side of Glendora Ridge Road. Kevin and I have set a date, September 1, 2012, we are riding to Mt Baldy. 

Kevin Rides on, Here then There ...

Fork Plus 6.75, then ...

 Fork Plus 7.00.  Almost There!  Just 1.29 miles before the drop into Mt. Baldy.

Kevin Rides to Fork Plus 5.73

Getting closer and closer with every ride.  Soon enough Kevin will be dropping into Baldy Village.  Last ride it was 4 point something, today its Fork Plus 5.73.  That is only 2.52 measly miles until the next downhill and an easy ride into the village.

Kevin keep it up and keep going, only 2.52 miles (Or Mile Marker 8.29). The stretch between 4.25 and 8.29 is the hardest but with only 2.52 miles left you certainly can do it! 

Kevin Fork Plus 4.55

Kevin sent me these photos today.  He's making his way to Mt. Baldy!  Fork plus 4 is just 'before what I call the point of no return.  Kevin made it just past, a testing of his will and the concrete "waters".  It was hot but he made it out and back.

Keep going, Kevin.

ANOTHER QUINTESSENTIAL DAY ALONG GMR

Michael Heading Back Up GMR and ready for the Ski Lifts

Yesterday was L' Etape Du California.  I was training for this epic ride but a last minute change in plans prevented me from doing it.  After two weeks off, Kevin is back in the saddle and working towards his goal of GMR to Mt. Baldy.  Using Annette's training method of Fork Plux "X" miles he's making great progress.

Kevin Writes:

I got a late start to my ride up GMR as I continue to train, after two weeks off, for the ultimate ride for my from my house to Baldy Village.  As I crossed Sierra Madre and started up GMR, I realize today was the L’ Etape.  For a moment I thought how disappointed you must have been after all the training and then having a conflict.  Maybe next year.

Maybe it was because of a limited warm up, or more likely the two weeks off, but I was definitely feeling sluggish.  But you know how it is riding up GMR with all the friendly riders.  Today, I got encouragement times ten and that definitely helped keep me going.  Nevertheless my legs tired quickly and I was off my pace to the first saddle.  I couldn’t stop the self talk about cutting the ride short.

Wouldn’t you know, rounding a corner, just short of the first saddle was the Queen of GMR herself.  “Kevin, AWESOME…” was exclaimed from the rider descending clad with a red bandana around her neck.  That did it.  For some reason, Annette’s encouragement always sets my mind straight. Today it reset my thinking towards reaching my potential for the day.

The L’Etape volunteers offering water and Gatorade at the first saddle were very friendly and not concerned that I was not officially in the event.  The offered me shade and bottle refills. It was definitely helpful, as the temperatures steadily climbed.

After a bit more riding I stopped for shade at the maintenance shed, where I snapped some photos of participants climbing and wondering “will it ever end?”.  Nothing but admiration from me goes to all of them.

Next stop East Fork Road, where as I was pulling in to the rest stop, an energized Micheal Young (You can tell by the smile on his face) pulls around me on his way for some food and drink.  We chatted a bit and I was surprised to hear him say “So far so good” and ‘I am looking forward to the climb to the lifts”.

I was thinking about turning back, but for some reason I told him that my plan was EF Plus a mile.  So off I went, but it was general flat of downhill for about ¾ of a mile so I added another ¾ to get some more climbing in.

It wasn’t fast today, but I think I am ready to view the Tour of California from the Ridge Road.  I am hoping one of my work colleagues, Curtis, comes down from Bakersfield to ride with me.  I am a bit concerned as he talks about double-centuries and death-rides in his younger days.  Hopefully father time has slowed him a bit.

24.5 miles (fork+1.5), 2,880 feet of climbing (including a CAT 1), & no rain or snow. Couldn't be any better.

Thanks to all the encouraging fellow riders, Annette, Michael, L’Etape volunteers, and GMR for another great ride.

Fargo Street Hill Climb 2012

This year Kevin and I attended LA Wheelmen's Annual Fargo Street Hill Climb competition.  There were fewer attendees than last year and I think a big reason was the impending rain.  Die hard cyclist, intent on breaking records, were out early this year to beat the rain.  

Fargo Street is the second steepest hill in the USA at a staggering 33% grade.  LA Wheelmen hold their annual hill climb that gets more and more popular every year.  Racers get an LA Wheelman PATCH if you make it up at least once without touching down with your foot.  A few years ago Huell Houser came to watch and this year Channel 7 and some cable news van were out to report on the event.

I think the Fargo Street Hill Climb is going to be part of Kevin's and my annual tradition.  The Fargo Street Hill Climb tradition dictates breakfast at Nick's Cafe, two eggs, hashbrowns, toast, country sausage and grits for me!  Nick's Cafe is right across the LA Historical Park were I raced CX late last year.

After Nick's we headed to Fargo Street.  We were officially a half hour early but the competition was already under way.  We registered and Kevin had the honors of starting up the hill first.  Last year he crashed out, this year he was better prepared for the short but intense climb up Fargo.  

Days and minutes leading up to the hill climb we talked about strategy.  How best to approach the climb, when to pedal, how to pedal, when to zig-zag and snake across the road.  It's possible to muscle up Fargo but I've seen less than a handful strong enough to do so.  And even at that, those that do only attempt it once or twice before calling it a day.

So Kevin starts his climb, I'm there with the camera and support.  The coordinator asks him its his first time to which Kevin says, "I tried last year but crashed out."  The coordinator then sends Kevin off and says you are in your middle chainring. FAIL.  Quickly Kevin shifts down and he's off.  There's no point being in any other gear than your GRANNY GEAR. 

I run up along side Kevin shouting words of encouragement and bits of advice. He's looking good and he's made it half way up.  Half way up, he cuts in, snaking up Fargo a few more feet and fatigue is setting in. DAMN Fargo Street is a beast!  Kevin's getting tired and Fargo Street isn't getting any less steep, he touches down.  

Riders continue to make their way up Fargo, then there is an opening in the pack, and Kevin starts up again.  Pedal, pedal, push, push, Kevin continues on and at about two-thirds of the way, Fargo wins. Kevin touches down again.  He takes a small break and the goal is to just get to the top.  He starts up again and pushes hard up the final 30 to 50 feet.  Channel 7 is at the top and a big news camera is there to greet Kevin along with a handful of other cyclists and spectators. 

Last year I made it up Fargo Street fifteen times.  This year my goal was 36, to signify my lovely 36 years of life.  Long story short, I made it up 18 times before LA Wheelmen stopped the event.  It started raining so the coordinator decided they had enough and it probably isn't a good idea riding up a steep a$$ hill in the rain.  The first 5 times up were hard.  After that, I settled into a groove and just kept going.  When I made it up the eighteenth time the score keeper said the event is over due to the rain and I zipped back down with hopes of trying to get at least 2 more before it was "officially" over.  I started to make my way up the nineteenth time and the coordinator cut me short. 

All in all the event was a success and I look forward to next year.  

Ice Then Snow Then Rain (My Dad is Stupid)

Kevin's on fire, training hard up GMR.  Today he made it to Monroe.

(Kevin Writes)

ICE THEN SNOW THEN RAIN -OR- MY DAD IS STUPID

I can’t decide which title best fits my ride today.

After hearing about my ride and making me a cup of HOT coffee, my 20-year old daughter posted on FaceBook “My dad is stupid” in less than two minutes she had three LIKES.  I hope her comment had more to do with her attitude since she turn 16 and began to believe that she is enlightened.  I would like to know what you think….

The ride today started after examining the weather report and seeing that by 10am the temperature would bust above 45degrees and the chance of rain would drop below 30percent (which to me means no chance in southern California).  I packed a rain jacket and a head warmer, nevertheless.  That’s what I call preparation. Oh, I also asked my wife to heat up the spa in a couple of hours, knowing that there was a good chance I would be a little chilled.

I then began the steady climb up GMR hoping to surpass last week’s ride.  Unlike last week, it was not the quintessential GMR riding day-- cloudy and few riders.  I figured maybe the fitness buffs were enjoying running the LA Marathon or were watching the finals of the San Dimas Stage Race. To which my daughter would say, “No Dad, they just use good judgment”.    Imagine that, a UCSB college student living in Isla Vista extolling the virtues of good judgment, ironic.

 I did see a few riders descending and one passed me going up.  There was little traffic and only a couple of motorcycles.  One of the riders coming down said “its cold…” another said “it snowing up there..”. They looked like they might have been coming back from Baldy Village, and I was comfortable and not going that far, so I paid no attention.

Well after about 6.5 miles into the climb, it started experiencing little ice balls falling from the sky.  No big deal as they would bounce off me and I stayed warm and dry.  Nevertheless, I stopped at 7.5 miles to put on my jacket as it was starting to get a little chilly.  See, good judgment that I was prepared.  Flurries of ice ball continued as I passed the maintenance shed and pushed a little further.  I stopped to rest at the junction of GMR and the Monroe Truck Trail.

It was then when little flakes began to float around.  It was snowing.  I pulled out my camera/phone to try to capture the moment as it turned into a snow shower.  My phone shut off due to moisture or cold, I am not sure which.  I was beginning to think about how cold it was going to be descending and I pulled on my head warmer.  I even that for a second about trying to call for a ride, but I figured the snow would stop as I headed down, and my phone wouldn’t turn on. 

 So down I went, taking it easy so as to not crash on the wet pavement.  The snow quickly turned to ice balls again, then a pretty steady rain as I continued down.  Despite three layers, long sleeves, arm warmers, and full finger gloves, I began to get quite cold pretty quickly.   With about 5 miles to go my hands and feet were numb.  I stopped and made windmill motions with my arms to force blood back into my fingers so I could have strength to pull the break levels and keep to a safe descending speed.

So as she made me some coffee, while I was getting ready to go in the 104degree spa to thaw out, my daughter after hearing my story posted that I was stupid and got immediate concurrence.  I tried to convince her that I exhibited both preparation and perseverance.

I am looking forward to the Fargo Street Climb next Sunday.  No chance it could be so cold and definitely not as long.  I just hope I don’t crash again…(I cant handle another FaceBook posting)

Kevin Rides on and on and on to the Maintenance Shed

Kevin's been riding up GMR these past few weeks and is progressively working his way higher and higher up the mountain. Great job and you'll make it to Baldy this year for sure!

 

Kevin Writes:

'Great weather plus a little encouragement makes for a great ride'

Jason asked for some pics and a write up about my ride. Here it is:

Thinking back three years this month, Jason talked me into starting to train for rides to Baldy Village.  You see, he was on a fitness kick and found a website authored by Annette that talked about riding GMR.  We met Annette and Matt at the corner of Sierra Madre and GMR and began to ride to the maintenance shed.  I think Annette was assessing Jason to see if he really had what it takes.  I had no doubt about Jason, but I on the other hand was a much longer term project. 

 

Kevin 3 Years Ago

Something went terribly wrong for me on that ride, which I had to cut short.  I later found out that I had a serious deep vein thrombosis in my leg.    Two and a half years later after great care from Dr. Paul Bressman, I was able to stop taking Coumadin (a blood thinner) and get back to riding.

Jason helps keep me motivated with pep talks about riding the Fargo Street hill climb, rides to the Rosebowl, and getting ready for the Tour of California.  He is going to do the L’Etape, while I plan to ride up to Glendora Ridge and watch the peloton pass in both directions.  So no surprise that he was checking in with me to see if I was riding this weekend.  I told him that I was riding today, rather than my typical Sunday trek.

Turns out, today was the quintessential California riding day.  Nice weather, clean air, and plenty of friendly fellow riders.  It really can't  get any better.

Kevin Today

As I continue to get back into shape after more than two years of minimal activity.  Each ride I pick up the pace a little and put in a bit more distance.  My plan today was to climb about 7.5 miles from my house, somewhere around 1,700 to 1,800 feet of vertical.

The great thing about GMR is the friendly fellow riders, always greeting and some giving good advice like “shift down and spin” or “stay in the saddle” to conserve energy.  I really appreciate it, although often when breathing heavy, my best response may be an unintelligible grunt “thanks”.   Today was like any other, many encouraging comments for this recovering pachyderm as I climb and twisted up the scenic road.

As I was nearing my goal, maybe about a mile to go, I noticed a pack of riders descending lead by the red bandana clad ambassador of GMR cycling herself.  As she passed, Annette shouted out “Hey Kevin way to go! Keep it up!”  Well, that was like a shot in the arm, although certainly not one that would be banned by the International Cycling Union.  You see, it got me thinking about that ride I never finished 3 years ago.

With a half bottle of water left, I decide it was enough. My legs seemed relatively strong.  So, I decided to streak pass my goal (it felt that way, but probably was turning it over enough to stay between 5-6mph).

The result:

9.5 miles of climbing

2,000 + feet of vertical

Kevin Rides on to the Maintenance Shed

Kevin - "Jason found out I was riding to today and asked for pics and a write-up. Here is my Thousand Words essay"

Great job Kevin.  

Kevin Rides Glendora Mountain Road

Last Sunday Kevin rode up GMR for a Personal Record.  Keep it up!

View of The First Saddle while sitting on the saddle.  No time to stop!

Looking down the canyon.  First Saddle Plus 2.  Time to get ready for TofC!

Beach Ride (as told by Kevin)

A few weeks ago, Kevin and Meme rode to Newport...

Kevin Wrote:

There is nothing like an upcoming Tour of California to get the cycling juices flowing, so Meme and I choose to click off 44 miles along the Santa Ana River trail. In addition, this ride was chosen to put to rest the spinning vs stomping debate that that has been plagued us over the last few months of riding.

For me it's been 25 years since I took my last engineering class. Yet, I am pretty sure Meme doesn't have it right when he quotes Bernoulli's and Newton's laws about aerodynamic's and forces (I shoulda kept those textbooks). He claims that stomping on your pedals, while in the highest gear is the best way to ride. Ride really hard for a mile or so, then back off and recover. I, on the other hand, prefer to spin in a lower gear, while trying to maintain a steady speed.

About 10 miles into the ride I got really nervous when Meme jumped onto a train of young bucks with matching team jerseys cruising somewhere around 22-23 mph. In less than a minute he was out of site. A mile or so down the trail I was joined by Cliff, a retired 60-ish gentleman, on a vintage 50year old ten speed. We matched each others pace and took turns pulling, until we surprisingly reeled in Meme, who had lost his young bucks.

The three of us rode for several miles, taking turns cutting through the increasing head wind as we neared the beach. The steady pace may have proven to be too difficult for the stomping style of Meme. With about 3 miles to go we dropped Meme, who latter complained to me that we weren't going fast enough for him. I am still trying to wrap my head around that logic.

At PCH I thanked Cliff for the ride and waited a short minute for Meme to catch up. I figured I had proven my point "nice and steady wins the race" as Meme paid for lunch, the true sign of concession. We ate a quick bite, took the obligatory proof photos, watered up, and started home.

I hoped Meme's youthful exuberance had got the best of him on the way down. Seemingly it had, as I was easily able the keep pace with him to the about the 18 mile marker. It was then when his inner machismo kicked in, as once again he kicked hard and jumped on a train of three speed deamons as they passed us.

I was too tired myself to even try, so I hoped he would lose steam once again. It was not to be the case as he greeted me as I returned to the truck, with what I continue to believe to be misquotes of the famous physicists. Can anyone remind me about Newton's first and second laws?

Oh well, looks like we didn't settle our debate. I was a good day nevertheless, as I finished with my BEST time. Thanks to Meme, Cliff, and the SART for another great ride.

Beach Ride

Meme and Kevin rode to the beach today.