Valks Ride 
The Glendora Ridge Road

August 18

 

We Thank Joe Berk for the use of  His Pictures and Ride Article.

He's a great writer and a wonderful photographer.    

Check out His Website, and Take a Look at His New Book - Police and Military Motorcycles
(Published by Paladin Press)

 

Click Here for SoCal Ride Pics 

 

 

 

The Glendora Ridge Road is is one of the best kept secrets in southern California:  22 miles of paved, well-maintained, twisting, low-traffic road nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains just north of the first mountain ridge that runs parallel to the San Bernardino and 210 Freeways.  The thing that is striking about this road is its simultaneous desolation and nearness to the Pomona Valley.  This road is literally in our back yard.  It is about 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles.

 

We will be meeting at the Mt. Baldy Lodge for lunch at 1100.  Join Up with  your bros at Rally Points, and ride up together.  Post your Rally Points on the Board.

 After lunch, we will ride down in a group (or a couple of groups for those who want to take another route down).

   

On the way up to the Glendora Ridge Road.  If you're the first to correctly identify the bike pictured on the right (no it's not the 2002 Interstate), your lunch is on us (one guess per member/void where prohibited).  

Getting there is simple.  Take the Mountain Avenue
Exit off of the 10 Freeway near Upland, go north, and follow the   signs to Mt. Baldy. 

This is the road on the way up to Mt. Baldy. 

25 mph. 

Yeah, right

 

 

 

Another shot on the way up to
 Mt. Baldy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as you enter Mt. Baldy Village, this sign for the Glendora Ridge Road appears on the left.  Go past it ...

 

This is the Mt. Baldy lodge, about 200 yards past the turn 
for the Glendora Ridge Road.  It's a cool place to stop for a 
burger, a coffee, and fries.   We meet there for lunch at 1100
(which is when it opens).

There are usually a bunch of bikes parked out front belonging  to riders who just ran the Glendora Ridge Road, or who are about to.  The Mt. Baldy Lodge interior is rustic mountain decor...no phony restaurant theme gimmicks...just the real thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch, or breakfast, or whatever, we will turn around and go south about 200 yards (back the way you came) until we hit the turn off for the Glendora Ridge Road (which will now be on our right). 

We'll only go about a half-mile before we hit Cow Canyon Saddle.  It's a neat place to stop to get a feel for the length and breadth of the valley skirted by the Glendora Ridge Road.

Here's a shot looking west.  The valley runs east and west.  The Glendora Ridge Road skirts the mountains on the left (or south) side of the valley.  There's a dirt road that skirts the valley on the north side, but it's not open to the public (the dirt road runs about eight miles to an abandoned tungsten mine).

This is a typical view at a stopping point along the Glendora Ridge Road.  This is looking north, at a wash a mile or two down in the valley.

The road collects sand, silt, and rocks that come down off the mountains, and you have to pay attention to the road surface or you will be buyin new chrome and pickin grit outta your hide.  There are few things in life as unsettling as a 700-pound motorcycle in a two-wheel drift on a mountain road (kinda like havin your Dr. say "Oops" during a procedure).  

After running about 22 miles, we will arrive at an intersection.  If you go straight, the Glendora Ridge Road meanders down into Glendora.  If you turn left (to take the East Fork Road), it continues on to Highway 39 above Azusa.  Your Choice.

As you travel on the East Fork, you will go through a slightly-more developed area, and then make a left turn onto Highway 39 to head back into Azusa.

There's a huge reservoir in this area, which Highway 39 parallels.

 The Glendora Ridge Road is about a two -three hour ride, including time for stops and a cup of coffee or two.  It can get cold up there in the morning, even in the summer.  You might see wildlife (as in DEER), too. 

In the morning, it is best to take it west from Mt. Baldy to either Glendora or Azusa (to keep the sun out of your eyes).  In the afternoon, it is best to take it east from Azusa (just exit Azusa Avenue from the 210 Freeway and go north) to Mt. Baldy. 

Artcle and Photos by
Joe Berk

 

Haven't been on a group ride in awhile (or before), then check this out and become more
 comfortable riding with your Bros.  Been doin this for years and think you have it down 
pat, then check this out to make sure we got it right....

We depend on You!

Riding in a Group

 

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