Shannon's GPS stats (look who's now hooked on Strava): http://app.strava.com/rides/816940
For average human results, click here: http://app.strava.com/rides/816917
For the Garmin connect devoted: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/95097358
For today's training participants, we had Shannon, Noah, Verm, Eddie, Jeremy and Kevin (Noah's buddy) come out to take on Mt. Baldy (again for most). The planned route was the same as the previous one we did with VeloViet last month, but this time there was no roving SAG support. Despite this, we were still able to achieve PRs in some sections over previous ones.
The plan was to meet up at 6 a.m. at the Peet's Coffee at Culver/Portola. Eddie and I were a little worried Jeremy wasn't going to make it on time since he was coming from Long Beach and had to stop by work to pick up his helmet and shoes. However, he arrived shortly after 5:45 a.m., and we were off shortly after. We meet up with Shannon and Verm first, and Noah and Kevin met us shortly after for a caravan to Glendora High School. We made it there shortly before 7 as planned (although I did miss a turn), and were out on the road by 7:13 a.m. after a few last minute bio breaks.
It was a pretty mellow pace starting out as we made our way towards Sierra Madre and onto first part of GMR. We were actually all still together when we made our way past the gate where the start of the first KOM was from L'Etape du CA. I thought the pace was going to pick up after, so when it didn't, I decided to break off and see if I can improve over my previous time...a side effect of having a Strava account. After all, we were out there to train, weren't we?
I was certain that Shannon and Noah were going to blow by me at some point early on. I must have looked back several times expecting to see them coming up behind me. Apparently, I hear only Jeremy charged after me initially, but he may have thought otherwise shortly after since he'd never been up this mountain before. At some point, two thoughts began circulating in my head as I kept looking back and seeing no one following: 1) did something happen to the others or 2) maybe I'm not doing too bad. I did hear a text message come in on my phone at one point where I thought it may be someone telling me something happened. Then I rationalized that if it was an emergency, they would have called instead...so I kept going. You can see how isolation can drive a man crazy, right?
After climbing a few miles and not seeing anyone behind me, I was beginning to think I would hit the end of the KOM section by myself. Then out of nowhere, I hear voices talking behind me and sure enough, Noah and Shannon were making their way to me. Of course, BAM syndrome kicked in where I thought I'd give it a shot and try to keep them at bay at least until the end of the KOM section. However, of all places to be passed with Noah at the front, it had to be on a downhill section right before the final climbs. AAARRGH! (on the inside). HA HA. I did manage to jump on their rear wheel and ride with them up to the KOM section and to where the SAG stop was between GMR and GRR. As a result, I improved over my L'Etape time. Sa-weet! Kevin and Verm followed shortly after, so they weren't too far off the back.
With no sign of Jeremy or Eddie, we decided to go ahead and spin through GRR and hope that they catch up....at least that's what Noah said. Although the pace was moderate, I didn't think it was as slow as it could have been. Shannon had mentioned that the power output through this section was higher than the last time thanks to Noah, and this was substantiated by another PR I received on Strava for this stretch of road. Nevertheless, the 5 of us stayed pretty much together to the village. Shannon did stop to pick up a bar end that had fallen off of Kevin's bike, and I dropped my chain going down the hill leading toward the village, but the two of us rode down together right behind the others.
We stopped at the ranger station to take a little BIO break, and surprisingly, no one needed any additional water at this point. We did start to fuel up at this point in preparation for the torturous climb to come. Kev and Verm decided to roll ahead of us and just as we were about to roll out, Jeremy and Eddie rolled up. This gave me the opportunity to pop a couple Shot Bloks again while Noah and Shannon fueled up a little more also.
The 3 of us decided to go ahead and finish off this hill. Near the start, I somehow managed to get up front passing Shannon where I announced to him and Noah that this was NOT an attack. When Shannon and Noah passed me after, I said "Now THAT'S an attack." I jumped on the rear wheel for a bit, but Vince's #1 fight club rule kept popping up in my head: under no circumstance should you try and stay with Shannon up a hill. Happily, I decided to heed this rule and decided that my own pace would be better. Noah looked like he was going to challenge this rule today, but according to him, Shannon snapped him off after the first switchback.
I was able to make my way past Verm and then Kevin eventually, both suffering the fate of the standard crank but charging nonetheless. Kevin also found out he had a flat at some point, and opted to head back down to the ranger station subsequently as a result. I arrived at the top with Shannon and Noah sitting under some shade taking a well deserved break. Verm followed after to report what happened to Kevin.
Noah was getting ready to go down, but upon finding out that they sold Coke at the little shop at the top, decided to stick around for a little bit. Thanks to Shannon who sprung for our Coke and waters. Ironman Eddie made it up in time to get some water as well. We wondered if Jeremy was going to make it up or opt to turn around, but the guy showed up after a while as well. This was a pretty incredible feat considering his longest ride prior to this was 30 miles. Good job!
Noah and Verm had taken off first to the ranger station and we thought the plan was to regroup there. Eddie and I followed with Shannon hanging back a little to probably make sure Jeremy was okay.
On the switchbacks down, I wasn't feeling too confident on the turns at the time so I let Eddie go ahead of me since he's a good descender. It's always nice to follow someone's lines vs. making up your own. Eddie got a little gap ahead of me for a bit, but I was able to get behind him as we entered the village. Although we didn't see anyone at the ranger station, we ended up waiting for Shannon and Jeremy before heading back up GRR.
Once on GRR, I sprung ahead a bit to get the last "long" hill of the day done. Thankfully, Shannon followed and we got to ride together to see if we can make our way to the other guys. Unlike the switchbacks, I was really enjoying the downhills. Shannon and I were together mostly, but we did run into some guys without helmets riding down together and splitting us up a little bit as we made our way past them. It wasn't long-lived though as we were back together again as we approached the GRR GMR transition.
On GMR, I was really getting comfortable with how my bike was handling where once it headed downhill after the initial climb, I was blazing downhill. Shannon must have given me a little space since I was taking the turns pretty fast and ultimately, I managed to get down to the bottom getting the 2nd best time on Strava on that section (http://app.strava.com/segments/671011). We did see Noah at one point, and I asked him to try and hop on but he didn't hear me until I passed. I was actually trying to make my way to Kevin and Verm, but I didn't see them until we were already on Foothill Dr. where I was able to roll in just behind them as we got back to the school parking lot. Shannon and Noah weren't far behind, and Eddie came along after.
We again wondered if Jeremy would be able to find his way back, and like the trooper that he was, he was back soon enough. Again...impressive outing for his first time out. That was 7400-7600 feet of climbing, bud!
It's always a delight to "liquid carb" replenish with the guys after, and yes, I did indulge in a couple as well. Overall, it was a great day out and a training route Shannon and I discussed we should do more often. Thanks to everyone who made it out today!
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