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Monday, September 8, 2008

My Solo 175 miler (282 kms)- Dawson Saddle




On Sunday I went out to do 175 miles (282 kms) solo. I rode from Huntington Beach to Dawson Saddle (7901 ft) in the San Gabriel Mountains. The ride has 8600 feet (2621 meters) of gain. The largest chunk of it comes in a 33 mile 7,000+ feet of gain (2133 meters) in a remote closed road section. No cars and no people for hours and hours just the way I like it. I love doing long solo rides.


The ride took me North on the Pacific Coast Hwy to Seal Beach then Northeast on the San Gabriel Bike Trail. Hwy 39 up past Crystal Lake (where I went two weeks ago)to the junction of Angeles Crest Hwy then continuing up to Dawson Saddle.




Meet Rebecca, my climbing bike. It is a Cervelo R3-SL. Very light very stiff and unbelievably it has a great smooth ride. It is dressed out in a Dura-Ace kit with Velocity Arrowhead rims on a Powertap Wireless 2.4 SL.

Rebecca before the Fred Pump



After the fred pump



Flat repair- notice Park Tool Patches



18 gel packets stuffed into my shorts



Three bottles in my jersey pockets with powder mix NO WATER yet



Beginning of Hwy 39 climb









9 miles into the climb East Fork Turn Off





11.5 miles into the climb the road is closed





Nearest Mile Marker to the first gate



15 Miles into the climb 3,000 feet




THIS IS A SPECIAL PLACE



Looking down



About 4,000 feet (1219 meters) elevation about 18,8 miles (30.3 kms) into the climb there is a stream. It has been really hot lately so I usually dunk my head in the icy cold water. It is very refreshing. Some folks drink from it.







About 21.2 Miles (34 kms)into the climb the 5000 ft (1524 meters) sign



Crystal Lake Turn Off if you read an earlier post you will recognize this as the destination point in that post. You may also recall it is a veritable ghost town.



About 27.8 miles junction to Angeles Crest Hwy




Destination Dawson Saddle 7901 ft (2408 meters) 33.3 miles (53.1 kms) of climbing.

18 comments:

  1. Thank you for reading my blog pass it along.

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  2. so there is sasha, rebecca, and what do you call your TT bike? also, that ride looks awesome, impressive work.

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  3. Thank goodness you have embraced your "Fred" ness and carry a pump! ;) Maybe you'll sport a mirror next time I see you :P. What a ride! Geeezzzz!

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  4. Wow! What a ride. I went from Encanto to Crystal Lake (solo) earlier this week. I've been up to Dawson Saddle from the backway (Wrightwood) I am totally inspired now to climb to Dawson Saddle from Encanto. It's the most amazing thing to be up there and not see anyone for hours, not hearing anything but your body and wheels turning.

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  5. Wow! What a ride. I went from Encanto to Crystal Lake (solo) earlier this week. I've been up to Dawson Saddle from the backway (Wrightwood) I am totally inspired now to climb to Dawson Saddle from Encanto. It's the most amazing thing to be up there and not see anyone for hours, not hearing anything but your body and wheels turning.

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  6. Subfive-- Thanks for reading. Are you a Bike Forums member? Some guys post rides on there and you might be able to hook up with a few people the next time you go from Encanto to Dawsons Saddle. I prefer to ride alone but it's a not too smart on those closed sections of HWY 39.

    So tell me about your ride to Dawsons from the other direction? I have been curious about going from Encanto passed Dawsons Saddle.


    Have you subscribed to my blog?

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  7. god sweet ride you got,nice bike btw.

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