Drive: Glendora Mountain Road/Glendora Ridge Road

by Michael Satterfield

Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) and Glendora Ridge Road (GRR) make up an epic strip of pavement here in Southern California. The main road Glendora Mountain Road is legendary for illegal races and deadly crashes. It connects to Glendora Ridge Road which is a single lane, undivided road with two way traffic making it dangerous at points (especially when cyclists decide that to ride around blind corners six wide). But if you happen to get a clear road ahead of you it can be some of the most fun you can have behind the wheel.

Glendora Ridge Road snakes its way across the top of the mountain

Where is GMR?

Google Map

When to go?

Later in the afternoons or early evenings during the week are the best times, weekend mornings find the road clogged with arrogant and dangerous cyclists that believe that sharing the road means they get to block you as they pedal uphill at 5 MPH six wide. Be prepared to be yelled at for being a dangerous driver when they come flying around blind corners on the wrong side of the road in the middle of your lane. Also, the weekend brings out the skateboarders and other extreme-sports people who also believe that the yellow line in the road only applies to cars. You may also find yourself stuck behind antique car clubs on Sunday mornings out for a cruise.

You can see the elevation changes and banked corners

What not to do?

Don’t cross the yellow line.
Don’t drive recklessly, the CHP is on GMR and will bust you.
Don’t push yourself beyond your limits, some parts of GMR and GRR have no phone service and little traffic so if you end up in an accident you might be on your own.
Don’t think that you are the only one up there, especially on GRR.

What do do?

Obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
Do make sure you have good lighting on your car if you are going up in the evening.
Do check your brakes, tires, and general condition of your car. You can easily cook your brakes on the downhill.
Do drive safely and respect the yellow line, on GRR be extra careful on the blind corners.