Northern California - Climbs in the Sacramento area

I'm new to Sacramento, where can I find some decent climbs? I have riden the American River Bike trail several times, are there any climbs that I can access from a point on the trail? I live in Natomas so my area is pretty flat, but I am wiling to put in 30-40 miles to get to a good climb, there has got to be something within 40 miles of Natomas.

Thanks for any help.

Come west to Vacaville. We've got the climbs you're looking for!

Cardiac Hill, anyone? :D

To answer your question: I know of no hills in Sacramento. Sorry.

I'm new to Sacramento, where can I find some decent climbs? I have riden the American River Bike trail several times, are there any climbs that I can access from a point on the trail? I live in Natomas so my area is pretty flat, but I am wiling to put in 30-40 miles to get to a good climb, there has got to be something within 40 miles of Natomas.

Thanks for any help.


Look at routeslip.com and you can figure out or search some routes. I would think if you head east you will be climbing

Can you ride up toward Auburn?

I'm in Auburn...plenty of climbing here....I ride from here to Folsom to Old Sacramento...

I'm new to Sacramento, where can I find some decent climbs? I have riden the American River Bike trail several times, are there any climbs that I can access from a point on the trail? I live in Natomas so my area is pretty flat, but I am wiling to put in 30-40 miles to get to a good climb, there has got to be something within 40 miles of Natomas.

Thanks for any help.

There is definitely some nice hill climbs but nothing super close to where you are. I live out in Folsom and there is tons of climbing out this way. It really depends on what your really looking for? Are you looking for some 5-6% or 8-15% climbs? You can find both out this way. One of my favorite rides is the Folsom Lake loop as it has 5500 ft over 55 to 60 miles. If you want more, than you can do what I call the Georgetown loop which has 9,000 ft over 60 miles with room to add another 1,000-2,000 feet. The Georgetown ride includes marshall grade/Prospector(a very nice 10%+ grade over 2 miles). If you would like some specific maps of these rides, don't hesitate to email me at kent@johnsonorthodonticlab.com. I ride with a garmin so I can get you specific routes, elevation etc etc.

I'm looking for both, the 5-6% long climbs and the 8+% climbs. I have been riding to folsom on the ARBT but I have been turning around near Lake Natoma. I would be wiling to drive to Folsom to ride those loops that you mentioned. I will email you as I would love to have a map of the loop.

I just got a garmin myself, I love it.

Thanks

Hi, jbull13. I have to echo the other comments: you have to get out past Folsom to do any climbing. I've done the Folsom loop, you'll probably get 100 miles if you ride it from your house and back.

Or you can do what I sometimes do. Before work I hit the downtown parking garages. I'll go up and down until it gets too crowded or the security guard chases me out and then move on to the next one.

I'll go up and down until it gets too crowded or the security guard chases me out and then move on to the next one.that's an awesome way to do some hill training. (although his garmin probably won't get a signal in there :))

that's an awesome way to do some hill training. (although his garmin probably won't get a signal in there :))

Yeah, you have to get creative. I'll usually ride my fixie to increase the work. The other thing I've done is to put the twins in the trailer and push a big gear into a headwind. Fun for all.

my luck they would give me a ticket

Check this website out. Richard has done a great job describing rides in our area, some of which sound like what you're looking for.

http://home.att.net/~rfzipf/BikeRides.htm

Come west to Vacaville. We've got the climbs you're looking for!

Cardiac Hill, anyone? :D

To answer your question: I know of no hills in Sacramento. Sorry.

Cardiac.... where exactly is that? Mix Canyon just off Pleasants Valley road will give you all the hills you need for 35 to 45 minutes of pain. Great views from the top and a forearm trashing descent for a reward. Some sections are in the 20% range and you'll end up at the very top of the 2000ft ridge thats to the East of Vacaville as you drive from SF to Sac, where the little radio towers are.

There's a dog in the house halfway down that is just "asking" for the ultimate cyclists revenge! He never seems to be up for a chase when you're on the way up - but on the way down you better be ready for sharp corners at warp speed. Don't worry though, he don't bite. :D

After that there's a nice ride around Berryessa if you like....

Cardiac Hill is that long, long pull up from the Markley Cove store...or the long pull from the other direction. Either way, it's part of the Lake Loop.

I ride Cantelow repeaters but I have yet to tackle Mix Cyn. I hear it's quite humbling. You're right, though, the views from the top are worth the effort.

Cardiac Hill is that long, long pull up from the Markley Cove store...or the long pull from the other direction. Either way, it's part of the Lake Loop.

I ride Cantelow repeaters but I have yet to tackle Mix Cyn. I hear it's quite humbling. You're right, though, the views from the top are worth the effort.
The one time I rode Mix I got 2/3 of the way up and rounded a bend. It was so steep I laughed and fell over, killing my momentum...

Mix Canyon is a really hard climb because it just keeps getting steeper. You could do an out and back from Sac and it would be just about 100 miles. Or park in Davis, or Winters if you want to get right to it.

Auburn is a great starting point for all sorts of climbing. There is Iowa Hill Road outside of Colfax, which is just brutal, 13% or more for two miles, and then more at an easier grade.

Does anybody know the pitch of Mix Canyon and Cardiac Hill?

Mix gains 2300 feet in about 4.3 miles, so that makes it about 10% on average, but that's deceptive because most of the climbing is in the second half. There are sections above 20% right near the top. Cardiac, I don't know the average, but no part of it is above 8% or so.

There are sections above 20% right near the top.

!Ay Chihuahua!

Does anybody know the pitch of Mix Canyon and Cardiac Hill?
The Davis Wiki reports Cardiac as 6% and 1.7 miles long, with Mix 5 miles long and 9% average, topping out at 23%. Both sound about right.

http://daviswiki.org/Bicycle_Rides#head-76ec115a00b7205fecab3b450cc1b57e2f8246bd

Thanks for all the info, sounds like a lot of good (painful) climbing. I would like to try Mix Canyon sometime soon. One question, I currently hava a straight block cogset (21 tooth is my largest cog) with a standard double chainring up front. Is mix possible with that gearing or do I need to use a cogset with larger cogs? I tend to push big gears at low rpms (I know, I know... I should be spinning) so I am used to grinding.

23% with a 39x21? I surely couldn't do it. Not without a tow-rope.

It all depends on your power and weight.

WHEN I used to race I weighed 145lbs and used to go up (as they say in England) 1 in 4 (or 25%) hills in 39x23 without resorting to the 50 rpm "grind of death" On a sobering though, Chris Boardman of Olympic, World Hour Record and Tour de France prologue fame used to race the local clubs Hill Climb (the 1 in 3 or the 33% Ramsbottom Rake) on a 42x19 fixed gear. Ouch.

Aye, them were t' days when men were men and a bike under 20lbs was the relm of only those who rode The Tour.

Now I'm pudgy and weak in comparison. I love my triple chainset, carbon bits and bobs and a bike that weight 5lbs less than the steel stead that I used to ride much much faster. LOL

I guess there is one way to find out, I'll ride up until I can ride no more. If I don't make it to the top I know I need bigger cogs.

By the way, I'm 170-175lbs...so I have gearing and weight working against me (in addition to the grade and gravity).

All the best on your endevours in 39 (or 42) x 21. LOL

The first half is not hugely difficult, but there's a short steep section at around 1.5 to 2 miles that'll test your sense of humour, but just dig in and keep the gear rolling as it eases off quite a lot shortly after.

The easy way to think about Mix Canyon when you're not a Lance Armstrong, Pantani or Robert Millar is this... When you're surrounded by the shade of the trees life is good. When you get to the fun part, quite cruely the shade dissapears and you're left to fry on the 20% never ending grade... and when you get to the top and your legs, back and arms are screaming in pain, there's no respite on the way down. Those 25% twisty sections give the forearms a second working over of the day.

Anyone any idea how steep Cantelow is (from Pleasants Valley)?

Cantelow from Pleasant Valley is STEEP, but you can coast down the other side at 35+ to catch your breath. i do it every once in a while. I almost resort to Swampy's "Grind of Death" on the steepest section going up that way.

I won't say it can't be done, but if you can climb Mix with a 21, you should think about going pro. Good luck...

We figured it to be 7.6% average for the approx. 1 mile ride to the top. The first 1/2 mi. is fairly easy, a warm-up for what's to come. The last sharp right turn before the run to the top is the worst --maybe 10%. I had a "come to Jesus moment" there once last year, while suffering with Grey Goose flu. It was a painful finish.

Now we do repeaters on our hill training days. Once is empowering, twice is crazy, three times makes you question your sanity. (Hill training days include Cantelow repeaters, Vine St. & Steiger. We don't do them often.) I won't say I haven't tasted bile on some of those repeaters. But I like how fierce I feel when I'm finished.

I forget what forum I saw this: "It's a hill. Get over it." My new motto!

We figured it to be 7.6% average for the approx. 1 mile ride to the top. The first 1/2 mi. is fairly easy, a warm-up for what's to come. The last sharp right turn before the run to the top is the worst --maybe 10%. I had a "come to Jesus moment" there once last year, while suffering with Grey Goose flu. It was a painful finish.

Now we do repeaters on our hill training days. Once is empowering, twice is crazy, three times makes you question your sanity. (Hill training days include Cantelow repeaters, Vine St. & Steiger. We don't do them often.) I won't say I haven't tasted bile on some of those repeaters. But I like how fierce I feel when I'm finished.

I forget what forum I saw this: "It's a hill. Get over it." My new motto!
Ever do Wykoff? I had to run it for high school soccer-that was tough. If I can get in shape this season, I might tackle it.

I did Wykoff once, on a dare. Someone should haves shot me. What a climb!! Oy!!

I may be old but I'm not stupid. No more Wykoff for me!

I won't say it can't be done, but if you can climb Mix with a 21, you should think about going pro. Good luck...

Uh oh, that does not make me feel good about my chances.

Where is a good place to park for Mix or Cardiac?

Where is a good place to park for Mix or Cardiac?
Start in Winters at the Rotary Park, right near Steady Eddie's Coffee shop. Head south on Railroad, west on Putah Creek Road. That ends on Pleasants Valley Road. Head south to Mix (about 7 miles) or Cantelow (about 5 miles). This gives you a little warmup on one of the best roads in the area for riding.

From Vacaville, you can park on Alamo Drive near Foothill and take Foothill out to Pleasants Valley Road, then north to Mix or Cantelow.

Where is a good place to park for Mix or Cardiac?

Winters has a big public parking lot "downtown." From there, you can ride up 128 to Cardiac, or take Putah Creek Road south, then left on Pleasants Valley Road to both Cantelow and Mix Canyon. Or, you could park at Pena Adobe west of Vacaville on i-80, and ride north on Pleasants Valley.

Note, Cardiac is no fun on weekend afternoons due to the many yahoos towing powerboats.

Winters has a big public parking lot "downtown." From there, you can ride up 128 to Cardiac, or take Putah Creek Road south, then left on Pleasants Valley Road to both Cantelow and Mix Canyon. Or, you could park at Pena Adobe west of Vacaville on i-80, and ride north on Pleasants Valley.

Note, Cardiac is no fun on weekend afternoons due to the many yahoos towing powerboats.

Good point. I may have to take a sick day. *cough*

Now we do repeaters on our hill training days. Once is empowering, twice is crazy, three times makes you question your sanity. (Hill training days include Cantelow repeaters, Vine St. & Steiger.

I sometimes see a bunch of folk massing down the "otherside" of Cantelow - towards Steigers not Pleasants Valley. Is that the side y'all do hill sprints from?

Thankfully, when I lose another 20lbs (lost 50lb in the last 18 months) and get some of my old power back, then the straight side of Steigers (past the horses/farm) will be big ring fun. :D I miss climbing fast....

.... I need to get some wider handlebars too. I'm still old school - riding a set of 3ttt's Forma SL's from 1995 that were great for crits - but at 42cm outside to outside, they're a little constricting for climbs. Are there any bike shops in the area that stock lots of bars?

I sometimes see a bunch of folk massing down the "otherside" of Cantelow - towards Steigers not Pleasants Valley. Is that the side y'all do hill sprints from?

.... I need to get some wider handlebars too. I'm still old school - riding a set of 3ttt's Forma SL's from 1995 that were great for crits - but at 42cm outside to outside, they're a little constricting for climbs. Are there any bike shops in the area that stock lots of bars?

We live just off Browns Valley Rd., near the Millenium Sports Club, so I generally start from that side of the Cantelow. I sprint along there every chance I get. That stretch before the last switchback is the steepest part -- once around that corner I can shift up a gear and push to the top. On a clear day the view is worth the pain.

Have you tried Ray's Cycle shop for bars? Or Precision Bikes? One of them might have what you need,

how's the wind over in Vacaville? It always seems windy when I am there.

I'm following you, dauphin. hee hee

silly, high kicking, crazy girl!

We live just off Browns Valley Rd., near the Millenium Sports Club, so I generally start from that side of the Cantelow. I sprint along there every chance I get. That stretch before the last switchback is the steepest part -- once around that corner I can shift up a gear and push to the top. On a clear day the view is worth the pain.

Have you tried Ray's Cycle shop for bars? Or Precision Bikes? One of them might have what you need,
Do you ride an Orbea Orca, and your husband a Trek? I might have appraised your house a couple of years ago...

I sometimes see a bunch of folk massing down the "otherside" of Cantelow - towards Steigers not Pleasants Valley. Is that the side y'all do hill sprints from?

Thankfully, when I lose another 20lbs (lost 50lb in the last 18 months) and get some of my old power back, then the straight side of Steigers (past the horses/farm) will be big ring fun. :D I miss climbing fast....

.... I need to get some wider handlebars too. I'm still old school - riding a set of 3ttt's Forma SL's from 1995 that were great for crits - but at 42cm outside to outside, they're a little constricting for climbs. Are there any bike shops in the area that stock lots of bars?
If Ray's can't help, there's four shops in a 5 block radius in Davis. I've been very happy with Davis Wheelworks.

how's the wind over in Vacaville? It always seems windy when I am there.
The wind's usually better up Pleasants Valley Road as it's pretty sheltered.

In my dreams I ride an Orbea diva! No, that wasn't us; we're the original owners & have only refied once.

I'm a Realtor, so perhaps our paths have crossed sometime?

Red Rider,

Were you out on Steigers Hill early this afternoon? I spotted a couple on a tandem heading towards Gibson Canyon.

Got some new bars (46cm!). T'was feelin' the love going up Steigers in the big ring. Life was good....

Red Rider,

Were you out on Steigers Hill early this afternoon? I spotted a couple on a tandem heading towards Gibson Canyon.

Got some new bars (46cm!). T'was feelin' the love going up Steigers in the big ring. Life was good....

No, that wasn't us. :( I rode early in the morning, a Winters loop.

Glad you had a great ride. Gotta love it!

Red Rider, was that you and your husband in the blue Monticello kits leading out the Lake Loop Saturday? I wish I could get my wife on a tandem with me. It looked like a lot of fun. At least I got the climb to the dam and Cardiac before I wrecked. I hope to be back on the Lake Loop ride in a couple of weeks.

I hear that a section of the American River Bike trail is closed (Mile 3.5 to mile 6) due to the tresel fire. Anyone know if this is going to be long term (until they rebulid the bridge) or was it just while the thing was still burning? If it's long term can anyone suggest a good route around the closed section?

Thanks

Josh

haven't heard a thing about that section of the ARBT.

I was in the Costco/REI parking lot (right by the mile 4 marker, I believe) this weekend, and I saw a lot of bikes going by up on the levee. I haven't actually been on the trail since the fire, but it didn't look like people were being turned back, so I guess it's still open, in a way.

Considering what an important stretch of railway the fire has cut off, I don't expect it'll take long to rebuild. :)