2011 GMR - Death of the Kraken

ONE WEEK BEFORE

“Release the Kraken” delared Cap’t “Zeus” Thomas...

Those words had echoed loudly a year ago, and the battle fought in that day on the GMR mountain was great. The mighty Kraken Beast had crushed all mortals, and the sense of utterly helplessness had ravaged in all minds except those of “Kraken” Fed-Ex on that day. With GMR, this mighty climber had seized the VeloViet’s 2010 KoM award, and defeated all other contenders with a crushing blow!

Time had slowly erased the pain, and peace had settle on these roads to the sky. Memories of GMR had lost its impact in the minds of the VeloViets, as other challenges had dominated the minds of the Viets.

With the aniversary date approaches, the VeloViets once again stood up, and seek those few who dare to challenge the Kraken Beast. Rumors of increase training on the mountains have surfaced these fast few weeks, as contenders and pretenders get ready for the VeloViet’s 2011 KOM battle.

There are new riders among the VeloViet pack. They will feel real pain on a true high catagorie GMR mountain. They will feel the power of a world class climber. Will they be brave enough to try to climb her? Or dare to attack Fed-Ex?

THREE DAYS BEFORE

The Kraken surged hard against the chains that are shackled to its body. The mighty effort only resulted in a tightening of the secure chain, which is made of tungsten carbide and is the strongest and heaviest metal known to mortal man. The Kraken howled its frustration loudly!

Locked in a dungeon deep in a cavern high in the GMR mountains, Cap’t “Zeus” Thomas had secured the Kraken Beast since releasing it on the last GMR assault. The Beast though can sense something new approaches. In the thin air high above sea level, the Beast can smell the fear on some of the approaching riders, and know that it will again feast on these weaker riders to the full.

The impeding gloom approaches the peaceful GMR Mountains. With it comes a mighty army that is 60 riders strong. 4 other cycling teams have been invited, and we will see who is brave enough to show!

ONE DAY BEFORE

I sat stunned and in silent as I heard the news... The Kraken is dead.

The Kraken is dead? I asked myself again. The Kraken is dead! as it finally dawn on me the significant of these words. I was told by Ironman that a mighty warrior had stood his ground and battle this monster the day prior. Taken out by a true arrow, shot by The Archer Kazu, piercing the very center of the Kraken's heart. The monster that we all feared this past year is gone suddenly in a blink of the eye.

Jolted from the deep silence, I finally realized... What will happen now on GMR?

THE RIDE

Twisting and turning from the beautiful city of Glendora, GMR rises with an average grade of around 6% on the first leg, around 8% on the second leg, and the optional third leg of the ride that see a maximum of 15% gradient. The third leg, the most ferocious of the three, is a torture test of mind and body and takes riders up to the start of the ski lifts to the Baldy Mountain.

GMR is also long in distance. Approximately 25 miles total distance, the GMR Mountain Gods will punish even the most endured and hardiest of riders. But supporting these GMR Warriors is the best SAG team that the VeloViets have EVER put together for an epic ride. Champion by the mighty Veloviet Cap't Thomas, this team included Billy D, Long, David M, and Greg. Photography and moral support were delivered from our two gorgeous ladies Co and Lisa. Strategically placed will be three cars carrying food, drinks, and bike repair components following the GMR riders.

At the start was a mass of riders of about 60 total riders ready to brave the fight on GMR. About 45 riders showed up at the parking lot, with the remaining 15 or so riders joining us along the way. There were about 25 riders from VeloViet, 5 riders from Buena Park, 5 riders from Broadcom, 10 riders from RiverVelo led by their Cap't Bong, a rider from VozCycling, and San Diego Bike Club's Tim. The remaining 15 or so riders were friends and guests who wanted to do this challenging ride with us. A quick picture session and we are off!

Photo - Broadcom Team Ready for GMR Hunt

Photo - RiverVelo Team Lounging in the Shade

Photo - Team Baldwin Park

Photo - Voz's Rider Jose Surrounded by His Climbing Friends

Photo - San Diego Tim, The Animal Scott, and Two Guests

At the start, it was one massive party on wheels. Everyone was chatting away and I was doing the sprint-n-shoot technique. If you have never rode in a group ride, with 60 of your close cycling friends and newfound friends, you have got to try it. It was a blast! Here are some photos below of the start.

Photo - VeloViets Scott and Kristy Ready to Lead Off the Epic Ride

Photo - Toan in the Zone Preparing Mentally for the Ride

Photo - Riders Rolling Out at the Start

Photo - VeloViet Rock Racing Crew Stick Close to Each Other at the Start

The drama immediately begins at the parking lot. Report from Long that in the excitement of the GMR launch, The Gear Tuan generated so much power from his legs that he snapped one of his shoe buckle! Ironman did the same but snapped his chain! Man, good thing we had three SAG cars to support us. A quick repair using duct tape on the shoe and an extra chain link and Tuan and Ironman were off chasing the pack.

Photo - Duct Tape on Tuan's Shoe to Fix the Broken Buckle Strap

Photo - VeloViets Working on Repairing Ironman's Broken Chain

Photo - Tuan Leading the Chase Back to the Pack After the Repair

Report from Cap’t Thomas indicated that the attacks began almost as soon as we left the parking lot. The VeloViets team knew that for one of their own to succeed, the large pack must be reduced in size. The Animal Scott sacrificed himself and went to the front and drove a hard pace on this initial portion of the steep start. His massive pull immediately broke up the pack into 2 or 3 separate groups. Next in line was VeloViet Postal Ngoc, who took over and drove the front pack deeper into the mountain and into the start of the twisting climbs. The climbers and GMR contenders though still marked each other closely and did not allow anyone to get too far ahead.

Photo - The Animal Softening the Climbers A Little Before the Climb

Photo - VeloViet Ngoc Taking Over the Front to Drive the Pace

As the first turn up the first curve loomed up, The Beast Luke cranked up the pace and stood up dancing on his pedals. If the Kraken was alive, even he would have had a hard time matching Luke’s ferocity as he quickly elevated his heart rate to 180 bpm in these initial curves. All the strong climbers were getting a quick warm up going up these first ascents. In second place was Veloviet Steve and followed by The Archer Kazu. The high temperature quickly got to Luke though, and he dialed it down as there are long roads still to climb.

Photo - Luke Took Over The Front with Steve and Kazu Following Behind

As soon as Luke sat down on the saddle, The Archer took over in the front. Kazu maintained a steady seated pace at 95 rpm climbing in his 25 gear. Kazu was alone for a while and then Broadcom Noah closed the gap. These two held this position and also rotated to sustain this high pace. The Beast Luke was now on the chase, always had sight of the front duo, and was about 100 yards back from these two riders.

Photo - Kazu About to Make His Move Around Luke

Photo - Broadcom Noah and Kazu Alone on the Front of the First Leg

Two thirds up to the intersection, The Beast was about 30 seconds back but started to get out of his saddle more trying to get the pace up. Reports from the SAG car indicated Luke slowly pulls back the front two. The 30 seconds became 20 seconds, then 15 seconds. Luke was now more than above his comfort zone as he worked hard. Luke reported that he was extremely light-headed from the exertion on this part of the climb.

As if declaring himself to be the new Master of the GMR slope, The Beast let out a mighty roar and charged up the remaining quarter of a mile of this first leg of GMR, and blew past the front duo as if they stood still. His suffering was so great, and the agony was so deep, that pain etched on Luke’s face and sweats poured from every pores of his body. Luke was drenched as if the sunny sky were pouring heavy rain. Luke reached the Edison Building first.

Photo - Luke About to Catch Up Broadcom Noah and Kazu

Photo - The Beast Went KOMikaze and pass the Two Front Riders

The Archer Kazu here showed us his inner strength that was required to slay the Kraken days before. Stepping even more out of his comfort zone, Kazu knew that this was the “do-or-die” moment, and he too went absolutely kamikaze to push as hard as he could. Kazu blew by Luke, who was gasping for air trying to draw in as much oxygen as possible, and captured the first rest point.

It was no rest for this mighty warrior though, as Cap’t Thomas, remaking from his 2010 moment, release this new “beast” and urges Kazu on for the Baldy Village glory. Kazu took off! Luke and Noah stop to take on more water and waited for more climbers to show.

Rider Phong was somewhere in the middle of this large pack, missing the action in the front and the suffering in the back. Phong still was doing his yo-yo techniques taking pictures on the slopes, but soon had to put away his camera as he had to focus on the climb. He remembers around him were young Donovan, the Rock Racing team, Toan, and Yahoo girl Kristy.

Kristy was going at a constant speed regardless of the gradient, and seemed like she was out on a leisure ride around the park with friends. Can, Phong, and Toan were struggling behind her. Close behind were the remaining Rock Racers brothers, ready to sacrifice for the elder if needed. After a little breather, Phong moved out and did some hunting of his own. He caught up with the PBK pack and this group climbed to the rest stop together.

Photo - The Middle Pack Climbing the Mountain

Photo - Kristy Pacing Rock Racer Can Up the Slope

Photo - VeloViets Sticking Together on the Steep Climb

Behind, Toan had a mechanical and stop, while Kristy and Can continued on. The two RR brothers caught up to Toan and then they also took off to join with big brother Can. This group made it up to the SAG stop, then Toan. Shortly after Danny, Loc, and Randy rolled in. The rest were still struggling mightily on the slope. Around here too, I was told that the first sacrifice to the Mountain Gods was made, as young Donovan went too hard way too soon and had to turn around after 6 miles into the ascent.

Photo - Sang, The Animal Scott, and Yahoo! Kristy

Photo - First SAG Stop

Photo - The Two Gorgeous Lady Riders of GMR

The mechanical drama continues right after the first rest stop. Eric, a guest from Las Vegas who came down to ride with us, broke his rear spokes broke. The GMR Mountain Gods were doing what they can to stop the VeloViet and their friends for conquering this mountain. Eric was deeply disappointed and devastated not being able to ride, but instead made up by riding in the SAG truck and cheering everyone on. Eric did get to borrow a wheel from one of the other SAG car and use that later on the descent.

Another one miles or so from the SAG, Alan from the River Velo team had a problem with his right knee. Alan joined Eric in the SAG car and they motivated other riders from the trucks bed. 3 miles later, with enough rest and advice from Eric, Alan was ready to challenge himself once again to finish the event.

Back to the action in the front, Kazu soloed all the way to Baldy Village, with Luke, Steve, Arnel, Gerardo, and the Broadcom team chasing in the back having spent 5 to 10 minutes at the SAG. The Archer was in the zone, mechanical in his rhythm, and pounded away when the slope steepens. He flew up these hills like a straight arrow that pierced the Kraken’s heart. As he pounded away on the slope, it was as if Kazu took a hammer and drove the arrow deeper and deeper into this beast of GMR. Kazu captured Baldy Village and arrived at the time of 9:37 AM, approximately 1-1/2 hour after the start. Luke captured second, approximately 5 to 8 minutes back of Kazu. The young 125 lbs lightweight Gerardo captured third. The remaining group slowly rolled in.

Photo - Luke, Steve, Phong, Sang, and Two Guests at Baldy Village

Photo - Randy, Can, Toan, Kristy, Loi, An, Thang, and Danny

After a short rest stop, VeloViet Luke, Steve, and Arnel decided to continue on to the summit while Kazu waited for his friend Ironman. As they settled into a groove, the strong VeloViets slowly overtake those other riders who had passed them during their stop at Baldy Village. The GMR Gods were extremely upset at this invasion, and had cranked up the steepness in these switchbacks, reaching as high as 15% gradient. This trio continues to dance on their pedals and pound away at the climb. They caught up to the strong Broadcom team. Broadcom rider Noah marked The Beast and these two rode in the front of this pack.

Luke then showed us why he is nickname “The Beast”. The last 400 ft were the most painful and hardest of the climb! The climb gets really steep, but is deceptively doesn’t look steep, and makes a rider thinks he or she is almost there but then it seemed to go on forever. The Beast gritted his teeth, and went into another zone on this stretch and almost passed out from this physical exertion. He had built up a small lead but wanted to make sure that he would capture this magnificent crown. The ski lift appears in view, and Luke perseverance was rewarded with the glory of being the first to the Baldy ski lift! The rest of the front riders pulled in.

Phong was among the next group struggling on this hell of a climb. He too did not spend any time at the SAG in Baldy Village, choosing instead to continue on with Sang and his friend Tony. Tony took off solo and it was just him and Sang at around the Ice House canyon. Then Sang solo off on these steepest parts as Phong struggled by himself. He discovered places on his body that he never knew existed, as these parts were screaming in pain. Phong made a mental note for a compact crank for next year, and noted that he should quit being a hero and trying this climb on a standard crank. This trio made it to around Manker Flats before joining the front team descending the mountain.

On the way down, Phong spotted Gerardo by the side of the road with a flat. These two quickly change the inner tube and started pumping up the tire. Luckily Cap’t drove up and brought out the floor pump. Billy D also gave Phong a bottle of water which he was grateful for as he had totally ran dry climbing this beast. Several quick pumps and Phong and Gerardo were off again in the descent. Cap’t and Billy continue up to look for more riders.

We regrouped at Baldy Village. Here the team of Luke, Arnel, Sang, Steve, Gerardo, and Phong discovered that the first group had left Baldy Village a while ago. They quickly took on some fig newtons and took off in the chase. It was going to be a kamikaze of a descent though to chase the front pack.

The final mechanical setback was discovered right before Baldy Saddle. Sitting on the side of the road in the shade was Steve C. Steve, suffering from a flat, was the only one riding a tubular it seemed in today’s ride. We all had only tools to support for a clincher tire so had to leave him to wait for the SAG car. Lucky for Steve, Long eventually found him and took him down the mountain on his truck.

Photo - SAG Car Hard at Work Bussing Riders Down the Mountain

Photo - Steve and Guest Getting a Ride Down from the Mountain

At the parking lot, we share some great stories of the climb. The Broadcom guys were lounging in the shade and offered us some nice brew. They shared some of the drama in the high mountains with me while I sipped some Samuel Adams. They are a strong crew, and very nice guys, and we hoped they will joined us for more GMR action next year.

The RiverVelo crew was getting ready to ride back to their car. They had parked a little further off to get in some warm up miles before the climb. I shook hand with Cap’t Bong and he thanked us for inviting them out. I told him that I noted how he attacked right before the first SAG and could not follow. Cap’t Bong smiled at my story.

The final two riders finally arrived, PBK Hoa and his friend Tim. Tim was so excited to climb the beast, and he was thanking Cap’t Thomas for inviting him out. Sounds like Tim had a great time and can’t wait for next year.

Photo - The Last Two Riders Hoa and Tim Down From the Mountain

The VeloViet team grouped together and recounted the numerous stories of this epic ride. Kristy was working hard on her phone to capture a few texts to send to Haldane of this great moment. The guys were just mellowing out and chatting away. It is these small bonding moments after a ride that I treasure the most.

Photo - VeloViets Swapping Stories of the Epic Ride

Photo - Broadcom Enjoying a Brew After a Hard Ride

Photo - John, Toan, Danny, Thang, Ngoc, and Guest Lounging Around

Photo - Can, Kristy, An, and Loi Looking Sharp in Black

This ride could not have been pulled off successfully without the BEST SAG crew ever! The team of Billy D, Long, Co, Lisa, David, and Greg, led by Cap’t Thomas, worked hard as early as several weeks ago to make sure that this ride is safe, and that the VeloViet riders, their friends and guests, will have the best support as possible. We thanked them greatly for their tremendous support in this epic conquest.

Photo - SAG Crew Long, Lisa, Billy, Cap't, and Co

Photo - SAG Team Greg and David Surrounding 125 lbs Climber Gerardo

In the end, it was an unknown archer named Kazu who would dominate the climb to Baldy Village. His arrow was burning bright as he lit up the slopes and slays all in his way.

The overall ski lift prize though was seized by none other than Luke “The Beast”. Luke’s beastly tenacity and determination earned him not only top placing on the highest GMR ski slope, but put him as the front runner for the VeloViet’s 2011 King of the Mountain award.

Congratulations Kazu and Luke!

Photo - The Beast Luke and The Archer Kazu at Baldy Village

But now... there are others watching... Luke will be hounded and hunted as others will try to seize this KoM glory away from this mountain man. Stay tune... Lady Palomar awaits!

Photo - The Author Looking Forward to Lady Palomar

Out,
Phong