Anyone doing the 2019 Lobster Ride?
 

Scheduled for next weekend, Saturday March 23rd.

My only riding partner will be out of town, so I should be going solo.

It is in SoCal, but I am assuming you are working on that day.

https://www.facebook.com/events/lobs...1297495280884/
https://events.com/r/en_US/registrat...e-march-755442

I do not think there will be enough daylight hours for me to finish it. At a minimum I will go up to Baldy and bail before going up to Crystal Lake.

oh...that lobster ride. yah, working. not in that kinda shape currently (nor ever) anyway. could maybe manage a third of that with generous tailwinds. you got that, tb.

Mmmm... garlic butterrrr.... Alright I'm a maybe.
What's the latest post-Winter condition report on the road up to Crystal Lake?
If I make it, I'll be the wannabe-Lemondrian on the white Schwinn Sherman Tank ('86 Peloton).

http://www.calamarichris.com/wp-cont...07-letape5.jpg

https://d2u2bkuhdva5j0.cloudfront.ne...ersion=a31fd3b

Feeling more pumped after looking at the map and elevation profile, however it looks the ride would more aptly be named the Wacky Waving Inflatable Flailing Arms Tube Man Ride.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/c2...40c334e325.gif

Most likely make it. Comrade Jimmy? You up for some suffering and a late lunch?


EDIT: Annnd of course now that I've mentioned an interest, there's 40% chance of rain on Saturday. Unless the forecast changes, I'll ride it on sunny Sunday. Will keep an eye on the forecast.

I did the Lobster last year in April with a bit less than 10 hrs, (including ~40 min rest). The garmin said slightly over 11k-ft elecation. Strava gave it 13.5k ft.

I'm not in lobster shape this year. I did Crystal Lake + Little GMR last weekend. The road conditions at Hwy 39 and GMR were great, Lots of debris at Little GMR. Be very careful when you descend and be super careful at the end of the Little GMR descent the gate is closed (don't go too fast).

I ride in the San Gabriel Mtns a lot. My advice is to pace yourself, don't take long breaks, don't ever try to keep up with fast riders, and don't wait too long for the slow riders. The descent at the end of the day from Crystal Lake could be very very cold.

Weather is going to great this weekend. I always just google "crystal lake recreation area weather". The weather condition (particular the wind this time of the year) up in the mountains can be very different from Glendora/Azusa.

The weather is my biggest concern. Wish this ride was in April and not March. They are calling for showers on Mt. Baldy on Saturday. I need to rent a car in order to do this ride, so I do not want to cancel at the last second, but I also do not cycle in rain, especially on a tough ride and those descents.

i had today off and wanted to come up to give it my best shot. had the weather been better, i would have. this particular storm had some serious chill and winds to it. i had a few minutes of hail
here in metro san diego at approx 450 ft above sea level. it woulda been a windfest on gmr/grr and potential snow above 5k feet which the ride obviously significantly touches on. i'll be keeping
an eye on more favorable weather for the next few mons/tues.

I'm out. No pointing renting a car if not doing the full route. Will still ride, but a more manageable 4-5 hours.

you guys have lobsters in California?

yum!

I agree. The Wacky Waving Inflatable Flailing Arms Tube Man Ride rolls more lyrically off the tongue.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/31/04...5148c8d200.jpg

, if you haven't already appreciated its majesty.

nearly perfect weather made perfect by the fact gmr/grr was closed off to motorized traffic today. wow. so fortunate to
have the best mountain road(s) in socal to myself and a handful of others equally blessed. gave it a try but came up definitely wanting
down at the crossroads of east fork and ca hwy 39 and made a left when i planned on making a right. just didn't have 15 more uphill
miles in the legs. for me, the 39 ascent is hardest from just past the cogswell dam turnoff/campground to the beginning of the switchbacks/curves.
it's about 6 miles of (for me) mashing and grinding. lose the battle, win the war-hopefully. 2/3 of the lobster ride for the first big mtn ride of the year.
wanted more but i'll settle for less. goals for warmer weather...

https://www.strava.com/activities/2240603860

i still despise the ascent/descent of mt. baldy rd. east fork rd. below the gate still is less than perfect.
there are still the eternal headwinds heading east on east fork and south semi-down ca hwy 39. pavé
pretty decent on gmr/grr. some rock/light dirt debris but very little loose gravel in the roads. remembered
but had truly forgotten just how magical the descents of gmr/grr from cow saddle are.
maan, you can really carve some turns on the descents with those banked curves. essential.

How do you steer a lobster?

Nice job!

thanx. need to get back up there for the tour of california middle of may.

http://static1.squarespace.com/stati...g?format=1500w

I'm still very much interested in this ride and hope I can talk my comrade into coming up with me if it doesn't rain. Anyone else coming?

Postponed again due to the weather forecast until May 18th.

^the day after the toc rolls up there. should be some
interesting road graffiti to pull you along.

Terah and I will be at ATOC (not sure where yet) riding two-up on my white BMW motorcycle, and we'll both be there for the Lobster ride too in my usual Lemondrian shirt.)

I'm taking it easy the first half up GMR/GRR, and sticking with Terah, to save up for the final climb up to Crystal Lake.
Hoping Comrade Jimmy can join us too.

Sing out if you're coming and say Hi if you see us.