For January's Women on Wheels (WoW) no-drop ride we are going to be climbing Glendora Mountain Road with an option to climb to Baldy Mountain. If you haven't climbed GMR, this is your chance and what better way to do it, than with a group of women who won't leave you behind.
DESCRIPTION OF RIDE
GMR Option 1: 18 miles round trip at 2,500 feet of climbing
It is the start of the year and a great time to tackle one of Southern California's most scenic routes, Glendora Mountain Road. From our meeting spot on Sierra Madre Ave and Glendora Mountain Road, GMR traverses up into the foothills for about 9-miles with an elevation gain of 2,500 feet. The grade never reaches double digits and mostly varies at 6%, which makes this climb so doable and enjoyable. The views of Azusa Canyon to your left and the San Gabriel Valley to your right are breathtaking and ever changing. The ascent is worth the effort as you focus your views on the heart of the Angeles National Forest with its highest peak, Mt. Baldy, pulling you closer to the top. We will regroup frequently to support each other on this wonderful climb and will ride at a manageable pace.
This option of the route will end after 9 miles at the saddle above the utility shed. There is a large dirt area to park our bikes, take in some nutrition, and take some cool pictures. From here, some of you might decide to finish the route and return to the cars or continue on to an enjoyable WoW coffee meet up, which will be in downtown Glendora. Continue on Sierra Madre Blvd for about 1.5 miles, turn left onto Glendora Avenue for another half mile until you reach the lovely village of Glendora for some nice coffee spots.
GMR and GRR Option 2: 45 miles with 6,000 feet of climbing
Mt. Baldy is the destination. If you have the desire to take in more picturesque mountain ranges, keep climbing for another 3,500 ft. (Keep in mind that this option is completely dependent on weather conditions. Sometimes there is snow and ice on this section, which would make it impassable for bikes). From the top of GMR, we will continue the journey on GRR, Glendora Ridge Road. Like its lower companion, this section also remains in the single digits, as it takes you deeper into the mountains via a magnificent road that hardly sees any car traffic. After 12 miles, we will reach Mt. Baldy Village and enjoy some great coffee and food at the Village Lodge Restaurant or the adjacent Camp Baldy Juice Co. The way back to the cars will be spectacular and a total blast.
ROUTE LENGTH, ELEVATION, AND STRAVA LINK
Option 1 is 18 miles with 2,500 ft. and the Strava link is https://www.strava.com/routes/2931977055316406366
PARKING WITH GOOGLE MAP LINK:
Both routes start and end at the corner of Glendora Mountain Road and Sierra Madre Ave. There's free parking on the street at Glendora Mountain Road https://goo.gl/maps/1QKj3E3GDzrX5mWT7
PRE-RIDE MEETING:
We will be having a quick pre-ride meeting at 8:00 a.m.at the bottom of Glendora Mountain Road. We will discuss rules of the road, hand signals, the route and hopefully get a group photo. We ask that everyone registered please attend.
GROUPS:
We will be splitting into two groups: Option 1 (Regular Route ) and Group 2 (Extended Route). Please RSVP with which group you'd like to join.
This is a No-Drop ride - we will have ride sweeps for each group.
RIDE LEADERS:
Group 1 (Regular): TBD *We are looking for volunteers to help lead and sweep
Group 2 (Extended):TBD *We are looking for volunteers to help lead and sweep
Things to remember…
- Women's Only Ride
- You must RSVP for the ride
- Wear your PAA kit (not required)
- Make sure to leave plenty of time to find parking and get yourself ready
- Bring food, water, flat kit and a spare tube
- Feel free to bring a guest (they must register prior to the ride). You are responsible for the safety of your guest
**Please remember: ride leaders, sweeps and all our women who help, are all volunteers who have spent time and energy creating and pre-riding each specific route to ensure safety and fun for the whole group. Our average speeds are determined prior to each ride to make sure each group stays together -- this isn't a race, it's a social ride. If you feel the pace is too slow for you, feel free to ride ahead. We ask you to be mindful of the whole group and respect the leader's decision on the pre-determined route and speed.