Wishing to ride Mt Baldy
07-13-23, 11:51 AM
#26
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FWIW, I really do not like the ride upto the ski lifts not because of the 2K climb from the village but because of the descent.
Same goes for the descent from the village down Mt Baldy Rd. I have done it a few times but did not enjoy it as much as GRR/GMR. Fast traffic, rocks and a beat up road just is not my idea of fun.
For myself, I would only ride up to the lifts with disc brakes and wider tires because of the steep descent, traffic,condition of the road and rocks.
Same goes for the descent from the village down Mt Baldy Rd. I have done it a few times but did not enjoy it as much as GRR/GMR. Fast traffic, rocks and a beat up road just is not my idea of fun.
For myself, I would only ride up to the lifts with disc brakes and wider tires because of the steep descent, traffic,condition of the road and rocks.
Last edited by CAT7RDR; 07-13-23 at 11:59 AM.
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07-13-23, 12:08 PM
#27
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Sorry - I used bike calculator, plugged in his weight, bike weight, grade (which is 7.6% without the downhill portions), with a 2 mile section at 10%+.
That is a beast of a climb for an experienced rider.
I was a heavy rider for years, made decent power and would not try that climb at that time. Shorter, less steep climbs used to kick my behind when I weighed 240#.
Now for offense. I offered advice based on my experience as a heavy rider and watts required based off a calculator that everyone has access to. I'm not sorry if you are offended by that - not at all.
It's gotten to the point where you can't even speak without someone being offended... and when you speak to 1000's of people, someone is bound to be offended by anything you say.
So - not sorry if you are offended - and I will quote the rule you listed a few weeks back. See Rule #5.
That is a beast of a climb for an experienced rider.
I was a heavy rider for years, made decent power and would not try that climb at that time. Shorter, less steep climbs used to kick my behind when I weighed 240#.
Now for offense. I offered advice based on my experience as a heavy rider and watts required based off a calculator that everyone has access to. I'm not sorry if you are offended by that - not at all.
It's gotten to the point where you can't even speak without someone being offended... and when you speak to 1000's of people, someone is bound to be offended by anything you say.
So - not sorry if you are offended - and I will quote the rule you listed a few weeks back. See Rule #5.
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07-13-23, 12:17 PM
#28
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07-13-23, 12:20 PM
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned a mountain bike with a compact double crank, or even an old-school touring bike with a triple crank. Why strain yourself when you can sit and spin a 24-34 all the way to the top?
07-13-23, 01:12 PM
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One time a friend who had only recently started bicycling ( he had ridden off road motorcycles his whole life) wanted to go with our group. I advised against it because he only had a mountain bike and little experience climbing. A nice, light mtb, but still... Anyway he insisted and promised to turn back when he got tired and didn't want us to wait. Fair enough. We dropped him part way up and went to the village for snacks, thinking he turned back. When we started back down we found him nearly at the top of the climb. We gave him some water and a granola bar and hit the road. He stuck to my rear wheel all the way down, even on knobbies. Comes from a lifetime on two wheels, I suppose. Plus, I'm a careful descender. (read wuss)
One time we went to the Eastern Sierra to do some climbing and my one friend set up a rigid mtb with road wheels and tires and it was a good choice for those mountains.
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07-13-23, 01:17 PM
#31
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Wishing to climb Mt Baldy
GMR>GRR to Baldy Village would be my preferred route. It's more scenic with fewer cars. From Baldy Village to the ski lifts, that's a whole other beast.
Take your time and bring plenty of water and food. As for gearing, you'll probably be in whatever your lowest climbing gear is (not too long ago, 34/28 was as low as people went, and before that was 39/25); you'll get up the hill eventually if you take breaks as needed. The one and only time I did GMR>GRR>ski lifts I weighed 180lbs, had a 30/25 climbing gear, carried 2.5-3L of water, and took my sweet time getting up there (lots of photo breaks, water/banana breaks, and a proper lunch at the lodge).
Take your time and bring plenty of water and food. As for gearing, you'll probably be in whatever your lowest climbing gear is (not too long ago, 34/28 was as low as people went, and before that was 39/25); you'll get up the hill eventually if you take breaks as needed. The one and only time I did GMR>GRR>ski lifts I weighed 180lbs, had a 30/25 climbing gear, carried 2.5-3L of water, and took my sweet time getting up there (lots of photo breaks, water/banana breaks, and a proper lunch at the lodge).
Also wanted to send out a big thank you to everyone for all your encouragement, tips, and advice appreciate it.
Last edited by jzr756; 07-13-23 at 01:33 PM. Reason: More info
07-13-23, 03:55 PM
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Just go to the bottom of Glendora Mountain Road and start climbing. If you get a couple miles up that will tell you a lot. Don't be discouraged by the first part before the gate. It gets easier after the gate.
07-14-23, 01:47 AM
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baldy lifts after the village are brutal. once you maybe survive the switchbacks and the all too rapid downhill, you hit the "bowling alley" up to the lifts in the last segment.
much ouchiwawa. u haz triple-bring it. u'll need it. done it on 34 x 27, 34 x 30 and 34 x 34. always destructive.
some climbs, like baldy lifts and south grade palomar, have few spiritual benefits other than completing a slog from hades. they are definitely
difficult but (almost completely) without any kind of "wow" and reason why we cycle throughout. i'll do those climbs every few years or so just to "stay relevant' in hipster land but those climbs are nearly devoid of any pleasure throughout. doing gmr/grr to the lifts or east palomar to the observatory are so much more desirable as a cyclist. you look to cultivate challenge, scenery and experience vs just checking something off a checklist ideally.
much ouchiwawa. u haz triple-bring it. u'll need it. done it on 34 x 27, 34 x 30 and 34 x 34. always destructive.
some climbs, like baldy lifts and south grade palomar, have few spiritual benefits other than completing a slog from hades. they are definitely
difficult but (almost completely) without any kind of "wow" and reason why we cycle throughout. i'll do those climbs every few years or so just to "stay relevant' in hipster land but those climbs are nearly devoid of any pleasure throughout. doing gmr/grr to the lifts or east palomar to the observatory are so much more desirable as a cyclist. you look to cultivate challenge, scenery and experience vs just checking something off a checklist ideally.
Last edited by diphthong; 07-14-23 at 02:03 AM.
