Ah Ha! So now we're getting somewhere......
I have a distant memory of having a similar perspective as Chuck regarding rides, but after a very long hiatus I'll be suffering. It's funny how the most memorable rides are often also the most grueling. Looks like a low gear and some preparation are in order.
I have a new (for me) old (1972) bike so at least I'll try to fit in with the vintage format - wish it had a triple! There's a bit of a story, but it's very similar to a bike I had when I was in college and raced. After a crash (didn't damage the bike at all), I foolishly sold it and have regretted doing so ever since.
The comment 'few of us can climb like Chuck' says a lot. I'll just plod along and see how it goes. Having grown up in So. Cal, it will be great to go on a ride there again. Thank you for the descriptions and advice. Looking forward to a great weekend. I remember the South Bay Wheelmen and Ted Ernst (I don't recall ever meeting him - I frequented a LBS in Westwood - Charlie Harding's place) and am really looking forward to the Saturday and Sunday events as well.
Rodney Kugizaki Tucson, AZ USA
On Sep 5, 2007, at 12:26 AM, Chuck Schmidt wrote:
> On Sep 4, 2007, at 9:04 PM, Randy Dugan wrote:
>
>> Hi, I did the ride last year, and it was hot at the bottom and
>> cold at
>> the top. Of course, this year could be different, but if I were
>> coming
>> from out of state I'd pack a long-sleeve jersey and two bottles.
>> Chuck's
>> description of the climb sounds right, however, few of us can
>> climb like Chuck.
>> I did it in a 34-inch gear with two big bottles and was happy to
>> have them.
>> It was an epic day and one of my favorite rides ever, but it's hard,
>> for real, so be prepared. All those houses in that photo Chuck
>> linked to
>> are going to be a distant memory by the halfway point. I don't
>> want to
>> discourage anyone, in fact, quite the opposite, it's an awesome
>> ride!!
>> Cheers,
>> Randy Dugan
>> Van Nuys, CA USA
>
>
>
> I guess I tend to downplay the difficulty of rides generally. You
> tend to take for granted the San Gabriel mountains that rise out of
> the LA basin. When I tell people about some of the climbs here in
> my backyard they look at you like the Nipper the RCA Victor dog
> with their head cocked to the side... HUH, there are mountains in
> Los Angeles?
>
> Rose Bowl to Mount Wilson is 750 ft to 5750 ft in 25 miles. A
> fifty mile ride up Angeles Crest takes you to Dawson Saddle at 7900
> ft. And the ride up Mount Baldy is almost an exact match for l'Alp
> d'Huez in grade and distance (Mount Baldy grade is a little
> steeper; 4600 feet of climbing in 13 miles).
>
> I'm actually not much of a climber since I on the heavy side but I
> am a strong, very steady climber (and 63!). And the Angeles Crest
> Mount Wilson ride is going to be a social ride (at least that's the
> way I plan on riding it). And I'm planning on riding the 25 mile
> Beantown loop later in the afternoon as well.
>
> But like Randy said, two bottles, wool would be good hot or cold,
> arm warmers(?), a low bail-out gear, couple of tubes and patch kit,
> and there is NO sag wagon so ride conservatively and you'll be fine
> if you're in any shape at all. And like I said, you can turn
> around at any point with no shame at all.
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> South Pasadena, CA USA
> http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)