Conquered Killer Ride ... PICTURES!!!

[cosc]

Jiffer, congrats on riding the big, bad hill. There is times on hills where I want a break but I'm with Zencentury, in that I can't get started if there is much incline and I find it hard to unclip and get off the saddle without tipping over. Loved your pics of the do or die determined cycler.

[mimitabby]

Thanks Fredwina. Argh, eeek, ak! why do we do this?? SOMEONE TELL ME??

[Fredwina]

Thanks Fredwina. Argh, eeek, ak! why do we do this?? SOMEONE TELL ME??

Beacuase it's fun

[Jiffer]

Thanks for all your replies. I've been frustrated that I haven't had time to sit and read them until now.

To answer some of your questions, the ride was a total of 1400 feet of climbing. When we turned onto Mills road, we went for about mile at about a 2% grade, another mile at about 3% to 4% and then it quickly became a 10% grade for maybe a quarter of a mile, eased to a 5% or so than back to 9% for another quarter of a mile, and then eased up and down between 4% and maybe 7% for another mile or so. I'm pretty much guessing at the distances. (Fredwina could tell you better.) And I could tell you EXACTLY if I knew how to properly use my great new Garmin bike computer! I just asked Dh and he said, "Read the manual." (He's working and doesn't have time to stop and deal with my new obsession of sitting at the computer in the middle of the day posting about bike riding!)

Not counting all the stopping (including giving the pony a shot!) ... our average pace was 13.8. I'm thinkin' that's not bad at all for that ride. Of course the 42 mph downhill helped a lot with that!

And, YES ... it was hot and NO, there is no shade! We should have left earlier, but didn't leave until about 9:00 a.m. It was probably in the 80's.

One of the reasons I wanted to do this ride was because my girlfriend, who's husband and she ride tandem with my husband and I, are going to ride our singles on Monday together for the first time. She's definitely stronger than me. When we were discussing courses, she suggested that very ride. I said, "Are you KIDDING me?!" I had just done it on the tandem for the first time. But then I thought about it some more and thought, "Hmm. Maybe I can do it better than I think I can." Sometimes I surprise myself. When Dh said he'd ride with me yesterday and I told him I wanted to do 30 miles, he ALSO suggested that ride. I decided to take him up on it so I could see how I'd do before going with my friend. She's never done that ride on her single either, so who knows how she'd do ... but I'm sure much better than I!

However, after yesterdays experience, I saw her last night and said, "How about a ride to the beach!" So, I think we're doing that. No climbing! But longer distance than I've ever done on the single. (45 to 50-ish) I'm not worried about distance though, as long as there's no climbing!

[Jiffer]

Hey Fredwina and Jiffer-
You must live near me cause I just did Jiffer's climb last night . . not with the Cycle Connection crew but with some others I have met through my century training with Team In Training. It is a very difficult climb .. especially when it's this HOT outside !! Congratulations Jiffer! GOOD JOB !!! My DH and I did the cycle connection 3 club ride about 2 saturdays ago which left from "The Grind." Seems like a nice group of people . . maybe I'll see the two of you out and about in sunny Rancho Cucamonga !!

I've only done one Cycling Connectons ride to Neely's Corner on the tandem. It was about a month ago. I plan to do more on my single when I get stronger. Maybe Dh and I will do more tandem rides with them as well. (He does more than I do.) As I've told Fredwina, I can't do any Saturday rides until August. But you'll know I'm there if you see all the pink! Make sure you introduce yourself to me if you spot me.

I almost can't wait to do Neely's Corner on my own again (I've done it once). After Mt. Baldy road it will "hopefullY" seem like a piece of cake!

Blessings to you, too. God IS good!

Jiffer

[Jiffer]

Jiffer, congrats on riding the big, bad hill. There is times on hills where I want a break but I'm with Zencentury, in that I can't get started if there is much incline and I find it hard to unclip and get off the saddle without tipping over. Loved your pics of the do or die determined cycler.

Dh was actually impressed with my ability to get started again after I stopped. I wasn't sure how that was going to go myself the first time I stopped. So, at least I have that going for me! Whenever I started again, I'd head at an angle across the road to get started. Less incline. And then later I decided, "Hey! Why not just go back and forth across the road continuously to get less incline?!" So, I did that near the end of one of the steeper climbs. Hey, whatever gets you there, right?! Luckily, there weren't many cars!

[Fredwina]

Finally had a chance to look closer at the picture (memo to self: find job that doesn't invlove 12 hour days and twice daily panic attack from my co-workers)
I lied
http://www.socalvelo.com/sub/mount_baldy_road.htm
if you see the first red tick on the profile - that's the climb Jiffer did.
I've been up to Icehouse Canyon - it's even more fun.
Jiffer - weaving is common tatic when you run out of gearing. I think you're ok doing that on a weekday there during summer. and starting to take an panting break, works
Luvs2Bike- I live near the border of Upland and Rancho, and I think that is God is , too

[weathergal]

Well, this flatlander bows down in awe of your accomplishment. Congratulations!

[teigyr]

I've been up to Icehouse Canyon - it's even more fun.

You're talking up where the switchbacks are?? I've driven it and I am content with that being the extent of my relationship with that mountain.

[Fredwina]

You're talking up where the switchbacks are?? I've driven it and I am content with that being the extent of my relationship with that mountain.

Icehouse is parking right below where the switchbacks start. I'm not a big fan of 20% grades and inadvertent wheelies.

[mimitabby]

i studied that climb (thanks for link Fredwina) and it is really punishing, because it keeps getting worse! you think you're almost done, you have 5 miles to go and it GETS WORSE! wow.

[luvs2ride]

Hey Fredwina-
Are you near the new Chicks/Starbucks/Jamba Juice off of Campus?? We are probably passing each other on the road and don't even know it . . boy the world is small !!

I do hope to run into you and Jiffer soon! Maybe on Baldy Road !!

Blessings!
Susan