That Strawberry Peak trail section is going to be terrifying on a gravel bike in the middle of the night

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Agreed. Probably the toughest section to handle under the circumstances.

@michaelgoodman3326

11 ай бұрын

@@GravelBikeCalifornia The exposed sections on the way to the Strawberry Peak summit are kinda ridiculous on a gravel bike during daylight. At night that's nuts. On the plus side (?) no one will ever know that's where you crashed since they'll never find a body...Try VERY hard to get through there while there's still some sunlight left.

@Planetone.

11 ай бұрын

Definitely some hike a bike on several sections, especially doing it counter clockwise. I always ride it on a mountain bike clockwise, can't imagine on a Gravel.

Can’t wait to get rhabdo trying to get halfway ☠️

Seems like a 2 day event that should have camping overnight. I know these races are always hard but this is next level.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Depends on your comfort level.

All I can say is, Good Luck!

I'd love to see a race report now that it's done and dusted. Their website reports 8 finishers out of 119 riders. That's kind of nuts! I know the weather wasn't ideal, but a 36 hour cutoff time is crazy too.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

9 ай бұрын

Funny how I was just thinking about doing a GBC LIVE about that...

it would make sense to start at 4 or 5 in the morning instead of 8, that would let everyone get through the city with much less traffic and a lot more light when you are on the dirt. this will be 15 hours for a minimum for the winner and 20+ for most riders.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

I don't think anyone will break 18. Most it will take 24 hours +

@zzzwillzzz

11 ай бұрын

@@GravelBikeCalifornia that's true, you're right i was thinking in terms of a road double century and rounding up a bit but with 220+ miles and the elevation and dirt most will be well over 24 hours

@zzzwillzzz

11 ай бұрын

@@GravelBikeCalifornia a midnight start would probably make a lot of sense. at about 80 miles starting the climb to baldy at sunrise would make sense to me. someone might be able to finish before dark. would seem to be safest way.

start time has to change 8 am is a no go leaving @ 4-5am the earliest in my opinion

Wow Outstanding video. Thank you for the time and effort that went into this. Met a young man on the trail last night 8-23-23 on sulvans rige fire road . Who is planning on doing this race. Thanks again. 😊

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Definitely going to be monumental

Rincon from 39 to Redbox is perfect right now. Couple water spots you did not mention. One of them is at the Ranger station on the 39 at the Off Road area (just before rincon) has a hose bib to get water. I use all the time. If you have a filter you can also get water at west fork camp off of rincon. You should be fine with 3 bottles from 39 to redbox. Side note. They moved the water at camp williams. Its behind the white fence next to the tables. Sort of hidden. Good luck

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Great notes. I've never been a filter guy, but that may change for this.

@dougsilcock9730

11 ай бұрын

@GravelBikeCalifornia new note on rincon, and please share it. PSA: poodle dog bush on rincon. Specifically near the momrovia/sawpit cutoff. It's hanging over onto the road. I got into it last weekend, and now I am covered in its rash. Not fun!! Also, there is lots of oak on the edges, so watch where you rest...

Great video, thanks, helpful! I've only ridden Strawberry Peak out of everything on the route. It's great mountain biking- but I agree with your comment about how it will hopefully force people to dial it back at that point in the race. I'll be walking the exposed sections bc they can be really off camber and washed out, but those sections are short- I'd hope everyone would do the same at that point of fatigue/night. Slow and steady on that trail, and anywhere risky.. When we rode Strawberry last spring, we came across a rider walking back toward us on trail without a bike. He'd lost it over the edge and caught a tree branch and didn't go over himself. He was pretty beat up but walking, no chance of recovering his bike- and we never saw it.. So yeah. Walk sections and enjoy finishing the ride!

@GravelBikeCalifornia

10 ай бұрын

Wow. Someone's got to find that bike!!

@speedmeow400

10 ай бұрын

Right?? Wonder how many are down there 😬

Oh this is so cool ! I'd love to get from France to ride that ! September is not possible (will be at Badlands early September) but let's talk for a nice ride during the winter !!

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

A tough ride to commit to from out there.

Looking forward to see everyone at the San Fernando Road/Hubbard area😀

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

#zombieemoji

i tried strawberry peak the other direction in January. the trail was gone right near the saddle. Had to turn around right away. But this seems like an amazing ride. Think I would consider it as a 2-3 day bikepacking trip.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

That might be a better way of looking at it.

Looking forward to riding this. Only issue is the bike I will be riding is a bit large and the gearing isn't that great but I think I can push through (I'm a broke student who can't afford upgrades lol). Will probably be using a running vest to hold extra water and food as I prefer it over the bike bags. I'll see you all over there!

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Best of luck out there.

Amazing recon on this looks insane but I have the right rig for it

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Do it!!

The ride is on my plans. Always wanted to see the backside of Baldy past the pavement end climb from Rancho Cucamonga up to Lytle canyon then to the notch will 1 to 2 hours of uphill from about 1200 to the top about 6800 ft higher. In process of finalizing the bike set up. A lot of local roads for me on eastern half of route. Baldy notch will be fireworks as it is SoCal’s Col de Tourmalet close to 8,000 ft at the top of pass so air is getting thin on that climb. If rincon ridge/ Monrovia peak is out. Then West Fork service rd in the canyon off hwy 39 just past rincon turnoff is a option. Long gradual false flat grade to dam about 8mi in. Steep climb from the dam base to ridge dirt road. Never ridden at night like this so have no idea for lights. Know basic more be seen on pavement will not do for light. So need good lights.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

And multiple lights...

An earlier start would be good. My main concern is single track at night, I'd think most riders would be concerned. GBC you should do a video just on single track recon. Unfortunately with my family events and my training for #HooDoo500 I don't have time for recon. I really appreciate the recon you do and the resulting videos.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

I've gotten a lot of comments about the earlier start, but I know the shop is juggling a lot to put this on. In either case, Strawberry Peak will be in the dark when most people reach it, but yes, not as fun when you're tired. I view this section like some on the Rock Cobbler, where it forces you to dial it back, so that's a good thing.

Redbox is PRIMO right now. No issues once it’s considered open!

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Oooh. Good to know.

GBC crew where are you guys thinking about sleeping/resting? What's the logical place to stop after a long day 1 in your eyes? Thx.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Kinda depends on your progress. I was thinking at Camp 16 and snoozing for a couple of hours so I don't have to carry too much. I think in the middle of Rincon might be a good spot if you're bringing gear.

This is so hilarious

@GravelBikeCalifornia

3 ай бұрын

...and improbable.

Yeah I'm thinking of looking for a place to sleep before attacking the hardest part of the entire route at 1 am.

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Maybe at the West Fork Campground. www.google.com/maps/place/West+Fork+Campground/@34.2455563,-118.0478017,16.72z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x80c2e76437599d71:0xd97e3d3f33849d9f!8m2!3d34.2462867!4d-118.0490372!16s%2Fg%2F11c70ctzt2?entry=ttu

absolutely psychotic

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Speaking in absolutes...yes.

What could go wrong 😂

@GravelBikeCalifornia

11 ай бұрын

Other than everything....

I think I could win this ..