To attempt this feat one must either ride a mountain or cyclocross bike. About 1/4 of a mile before the ski lifts is Falls Rd. Falls road is the only access to the lodge and after about 3/4 of a mile Falls Road turns into a fire road.
My plan was to get out by 6:00 am but I decided to do some work before I left the house. By 9 am, my work was done and I was geared up and on my bike.
I decided to ride my Kona CX bike. I figured this would be the best bike for paved/dirt road riding.
The ride up Mt. Baldy was hard and by the time I entered the village, I was BONKED! I rested, and re-filled my water bottles at the post office before heading up the switchbacks to Falls Road.
The switchbacks were lonely and brutal. Its hard to believe just last week the mountain was teeming with people for ToC Stage 7. Faded Messages in Chalk be-speckled the road.
By the time I reached Falls Road, I was cramping and down to half a bottle of water. I decided to rest for 5 - 10 minutes then walk/road up Falls Road to the waterfall. At the waterfall, paved road becomes dirt. I road up about 25 feet before I could go no further. My legs were done and the dirt road was just loose enough to break my pace. Defeated, I turned around and headed home. Total trip, about 35 miles round trip.
But you were the one trying. You're the man!
ReplyDeleteIf I can pick up a new cross bike later during the summer I'll be in for the next attempt. I can't imagine doing those paved miles on my mtb.
ReplyDeleteNate, it was a monster climb. You need to start riding again.
ReplyDeleteMichael, Coates is doing a Summer CX Series in July. I am going to race exclusively CX this year. Let me know when you get a CX bike and we'll ride.
Agreed, Riding up Mt. Baldy on a MTB would not be fun.