***By popular request we've revised the start time to 9:00 AM for both groups***
***** GMR is closed due to weather conditions....FLAT LOOP ONLY!!!*****
Apologies to the club as this message is coming at you later than we’d like. Depending on how you look at it it’s either about a week late or more like five. I don’t need to tell you that January was a challenging month for the PAA community. Life in general was disrupted because of the weather, the fires, and the air quality. Unfortunately, these occurrences have become increasingly quotidian elements of modern life. It feels peculiar to shift back to business as usual without acknowledging the profound losses experienced by some of our members.
At the same time, for many of us, cycling is an essential coping mechanism. Time spent on the bike with little more than the sound of our breath for company is time to reflect on the challenges of life. For me, it’s a form a meditation. Perhaps the only one I have the patience for.
The PAA Board is working on a variety of avenues to support affected members in the cycling space, but first and foremost, PAA is a group of people who ride bikes together. So, it’s with mixed emotions that we announce our first Club Support ride of 2025, Twin Loops. ‘
Our traditional season starter will take place on Saturday, February 15th out of Encanto Park in Duarte. The ride is a member favorite that appeals to everyone; the climbers and those who prefer flatter terrain. The climbers will enjoy a route that will take them up Highway 39 to the backside of GMR and down the front of GMR (note, the traditional challenge route along GRR to Baldy Village is closed due to damage from the Bridge Fire back in September.) and back to Encanto. For those riders who want to enjoy the flat route we'll ride the Emerald Necklace loop on the San Gabriel Path then out to Glendora from Emerald Necklace and back to Encanto.
This ride is supported in part by our sponsor Rain, Rain.
ROUTE Details ROLL START at 9:00 AM
ANNOUNCEMENTS 8:45 AM
Flat Route
51 miles 1500’
Strava: www.strava.com/routes/2917113026283384052
RideWithGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41814867
Climbing Routes GMR IS CLOSED...CLIMBING LOOP IS CANCELLED
40 miles 3900’
STRAVA
https://www.strava.com/routes/2917107110628698356
RideWithGPS
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41815186
START/END LOCATION
Encanto Park
751 Encanto Parkway
Duarte, CA 91010
RIDE ORGANIZER
Dennis McCullough
323-376-9696
SAG VOLUNTEERS
Joe Turk
Russell Burt
Blair Callicott
SAG LOCATIONS & TIMES
FLAT
SAG Stop #1 - Mile 17.5 Inside the Hondo Nature Center (restrooms)
SAG Stop #2 - Mile 38 Pelota Park (West side of park) (10:30-11:30a)
LUNCH - Encanto Park for lunch and refreshments.
APPROXIMATE FINISHING TIMES
Flat finishes 12:20
Please Note
- All riders should be prepared to do minor repairs on the road (e.g., change a flat)
- Due to the challenging nature of most club supported rides, groups will invariably form and split up enroute depending on riders levels of fitness, training goals, etc.
- For your safety, helmet is mandatory on PAA rides.
- Inclement weather or road closures may result in a change of the route or cancellation of event.
- Our SAGs will be actively sweeping for riders in need of support. Please make a note of all stops to ensure you are aware of the route and layout of mileage and elevation.