Southern California - Questions about the Molholland route

Does anyone have a route slip from last years Mulholland century? Here is an elevation profile of the Century route that I pulled from somebody’s Motion Based activity.

http://www.theburgessclan.com/mullholland_elevationprofile.jpg

I am trying to get a sense for the route. Looks like there are 10 to 12 climbs throughout the day – with 4 pretty significant climbs. I have marked these major climbs in red above. Any info about the length, severity and the type of climbs would be appreciated. Do I have these climbs named correctly?

# 1 – Topanga Canyon
# 4 – Mulholland
# 7 - Decker
# 8 - Stunt

Looking at some posts from last year, here is what I have learned so far:


Topanga (#1) is the first long climb, but not that steep.
The decent down Deer Creek (#6 of the elevation profile) is steep with a number of switchbacks and the road is in poor shape.
The climb up Decker (#7) is brutal. Long and some really steep stretches.
Stunt (#8) is a really rough climb, mainly because it starts at the 90+ mile mark.


I would love to hear some feedback from fellow BF’ers who have ridden these climbs before. Also, any other points about other sections of the route would be appreciated.

Cheers.

I didn't think Decker was that bad. :o Of course, we did it 26 miles into our ride on Saturday and on MC, it will be 68 miles in, so I'm prepared to eat those words next weekend. :p It's definitely not as horrible as I thought it would be.

The Deer Creek descent sucked. Enough said.

Topanga is a nice climb, enjoy it.

We were on Deer Creek a week ago and it is in lousy shape. Be cautious. Some fairly tight turns at the end of
fast straight sections. Usually a few crashes.

Take is easy on the first 1/2 mile of Decker, that's the steepest bit, it flattens (a little) as you go higher.

Stunt is only 5k long. The last 1k is hardest in the afternoon because of the inevitable onshore breeze
that hooks over the ridgeline. Just save a little for the last 1k and you're fine.

Believe everything you have heard about Deer Creek, it is VERY steep. After next weekend I have NO desire to ever do it again, but I would like to climb it.
Take it easy going down and you will be fine.
Decker isn't to bad, just pace yourself...as there are sections where the grade gets up to 15%.
But as Cassave stated, it does flatten out where you are able to add a gear or two.
Also the roads before we descend Deer Creek are quite rough..Little Sycamore and Yerba Buena, so be prepared for that.
Stunt is just hard because it is at the end of the ride, but the climb itself isn't bad.

Karen

Post up the motionbased link if you can, I know the area well, but I'm not sure how the route goes. Of the four climbs you mention, Decker is the worst. Topanga has a steep part (mile 17-19 or so) before it gets to 'town' , otherwise it's pretty tame.

No rest for the weary on Stunt, it's about 3-4 miles of 5-6%, and it doesn't really let up til the very end. However, it doesn't spike up much either, so if you find a good spinning gear, it should take you to the top.

Is the Rock Store climb on this route? If so, have fun with that one... :)

Post up the motionbased link if you can, I know the area well, but I'm not sure how the route goes. Of the four climbs you mention, Decker is the worst. Topanga has a steep part (mile 17-19 or so) before it gets to 'town' , otherwise it's pretty tame.

No rest for the weary on Stunt, it's about 3-4 miles of 5-6%, and it doesn't really let up til the very end. However, it doesn't spike up much either, so if you find a good spinning gear, it should take you to the top.

Is the Rock Store climb on this route? If so, have fun with that one... :)

I just did a search for “Mulholland” on the MotionBased site and found a few people that uploaded their activity after last year’s event. Here is the activity that I got the elevation profile from:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/650250

I believe that the Rock store climb is # 3 above, but I am not sure. Another steep climb???

I just did a search for “Mulholland” on the MotionBased site and found a few people that uploaded their activity after last year’s event. Here is the activity that I got the elevation profile from:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/650250

I believe that the Rock store climb is # 3 above, but I am not sure. Another steep climb???

In my opionion, Rock Store isn't bad at all, as far as climbs go.
The steepest it gets is about 8%. It it about 3 or 4 miles long.

I think it's the first part of climb #4? 8% sounds about right, but is it that long of a climb?

I think it's the first part of climb #4? 8% sounds about right, but is it that long of a climb?

I think is is 3 miles....maybe a tad under.

The beginning of Decker is the steepest of all the climbs, it's the first mile that gets to you. Stunt hurts because it is late in the ride and is about 4 miles at an average grade of 6%. The Rock Store climb on Mulholland, with its avg grade of 7% for 2 miles, is not as tough because it is early in the ride. The climbs just get tougher as you get more miles and climbing in your legs.

Here is a link to a database of the climbs in the Santa Monica Mountains:

http://www.birthdaychallenge.com/links/notesonclimbs.html

I think is is 3 miles....maybe a tad under.

Just looked up the rock store..it is only 2.3 miles long!
Here is a reference to all the climbs in the area.

http://www.cvcbike.org/routes/hills.html

Just looked up the rock store..it is only 2.3 miles long!
Here is a reference to all the climbs in the area.

http://www.cvcbike.org/routes/hills.html

Karen,

Great minds think alike. Your post was a minute after mine. Same info, different databases.

Hi,

You people are scaring me! :eek:

Thanks for the link. Yeah, the Rock Store defintely isn't as bad as Decker. It's shorter and really not as steep, but for some reason it always hits me hard; probably because it's out of my extended climbing comfort zone (currently 5-6%) and it always comes far into my rides. All these are reasons I'm not doing the MC :) It's on my list for next year though. Much training to be done!

Hi,

You people are scaring me! :eek:
Oh come on, it's not like they're sending you up Las Flores with it's avg grade of 8% and max of 21% over four miles :)

Karen,

Great minds think alike. Your post was a minute after mine. Same info, different databases.

I saw that! I like yours, it has SOO many more climbs, I will need to keep it as a reference!

Hi,

You people are scaring me! :eek:

You SHOULD be scared!! Just KIDDING!!
Now you know what to expect!
You will LOVE this ride...the area has some of the best riding around!
Of course I am biased as it is my neighborhood!

I agree...it's gorgeous up there and I'm jealous and hating all of you that live close enough to ride there regularly! :mad: ;) :p

You SHOULD be scared!! Just KIDDING!!
Now you know what to expect!
You will LOVE this ride...the area has some of the best riding around!
Of course I am biased as it is my neighborhood!
Hi Karen,

I've ridden most of those climbs over the years but not so many of them in one day. :rolleyes:

Let's just say that I'll be pacing myself carefully especially since my lowest gear is 39 X 25. But heck, you only live once. I guess that you only die once too. :)

that graph is the reason i used to ride my motorcycle up there.

That graph is the reason why I do easy things like triathlon.

That graph is the reason I'm not registered for the M.C.

That graph is the reason why I AM registered for the MC!!!
Bring ON the climbing :) :) :)

That graph is the reason why I AM registered for the MC!!!
Bring ON the climbing :) :) :)

You animal!...:D

That graph is the reason why I AM registered for the MC!!!
Bring ON the climbing :) :) :)

+1. If people are not weeping at the finish line then it was too easy ;)

That graph is the reason why I AM registered for the MC!!!
Bring ON the climbing :) :) :)

+1...right on Karen!!!

Dares crazee peoples here....

I climbed Rock Store twice this afternoon. Went up once, then down. I love that decent. The climbed it again and took Mulholland to Decker and into Westlake Village.

I am an average climber and I would say Rock Store is not too bad.

I find that most climbs are not too bad once you have ridden them enough to know them well so that your mind doesn't start to play tricks with you.

Yerba Buena sucks. The road condition and lack of road width makes for a interesting ride.

Descending Deer Creek is a white knuckle experience for sure. My advice is to make sure you have adequate brake pad life left and that your pads are adjusted for maximum coverage on your rims braking surface.

Descending Deer Creek is a white knuckle experience for sure. My advice is to make sure you have adequate brake pad life left and that your pads are adjusted for maximum coverage on your rims braking surface.

...and descend in the drops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...and descend in the drops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am still way to chicken to do this! It feels like I'm going to go headfirst over the front wheel! :eek:

I am still way to chicken to do this! It feels like I'm going to go headfirst over the front wheel! :eek:

oh come on...with that new ride..you will just float down...

oh come on...with that new ride..you will just float down...

yeah... on the top of my head! :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: hey herb, maybe we should do mulholland next year????? :p

It feels like I'm going to go headfirst over the front wheel! :eek:
I know that feeling.
But your center of gravity is slighty higher when you're on the hoods. Actually, there's less likely chance you'll go over the bars when you're down lower in the drops. :)

oh come on...with that new ride..you will just float down...

hey herb... are you able to do your downhills in the drops ?????? I guess I'll have to practice this, I hardly use my drops as it is though, it hurts my right wrist!

I know that feeling.
But your center of gravity is slighty higher when you're on the hoods. Actually, there's less likely chance you'll go over the bars when you're down lower in the drops. :)

I guess that does make sense, I just get weirded out having my face as the first point of contact going forward :p I was even nervous on that nice long downhill at JT... I did it anyway, but I was skeered :eek:

hey herb... are you able to do your downhills in the drops ?????? I guess I'll have to practice this, I hardly use my drops as it is though, it hurts my right wrist!

Maybe I am missing something, but I am a wuss on descents and have always felt safer in the drops, with my hands clutching the bars in a death grip. :rolleyes: Virtually no chance of losing my grip. For me, fast descents on the hoods is a more recent thing as I attempt to take the advice to let the bike do its thing and loosen up.

Of course, riding in the drops makes me go faster downhill, which is generally not my goal. I am wondering where to get a seatbag-deployed drogue chute. :D

I am still way to chicken to do this! It feels like I'm going to go headfirst over the front wheel! :eek:

Trac'...I am still not totally comfortable with the idea of descending in the drops, but George is constantly telling me how much safer it is and I was lectured by several people recently on this. I was talking to another rider after I did Deer Creek and he really stressed how unsafe it can be to descend on the hoods, all it takes is hitting one rock or rough patch on the road and you lose your handle on the brakes. I had never thought of it that way, but it makes a lot of sense...especially after riding on some of the rough roads that are going to be on the Mulholland Challenge.

Back to Deer Creek...I tried descending it on the hoods and you can ask Tony and Karen how many times I had to stop because I felt like I was going to lose my grip. That descent requires you to be on the brakes the whole way down and it gets tiring very quickly. That is what terrified me...the very real possibility that I wouldn't have a handle on the brakes, not to mention that I just can't get the kind of grip needed for that descent, when I'm on the hoods. I was aching so badly (not to mention totally petrified) and I finally said **** it and took the last section in the drops and I felt so much more stable. It was a mental hurdle, especially on a hill that steep, to be that low on the bike, but my thinking has been totally turned around now and I do believe that it is much safer to descend that way.

Trac'...I am still not totally comfortable with the idea of descending in the drops, but George is constantly telling me how much safer it is and I was lectured by several people recently on this.

You're taking safety advice from Mr No Helmet? :p It is safer though. The descent on Fernwood Pacific is steep, windy, and shady. The contrast of sun and shade does a masterful job at camoflauging bumps in the road. My hands got bounced off the hoods a couple times my first time down. The next time I perfected my "One hand in drops, One hand on hoods, and hold on for dear life" technique for descending steep roads.

Trac'...I am still not totally comfortable with the idea of descending in the drops, but George is constantly telling me how much safer it is and I was lectured by several people recently on this. I was talking to another rider after I did Deer Creek and he really stressed how unsafe it can be to descend on the hoods, all it takes is hitting one rock or rough patch on the road and you lose your handle on the brakes. I had never thought of it that way, but it makes a lot of sense...especially after riding on some of the rough roads that are going to be on the Mulholland Challenge.

Back to Deer Creek...I tried descending it on the hoods and you can ask Tony and Karen how many times I had to stop because I felt like I was going to lose my grip. That descent requires you to be on the brakes the whole way down and it gets tiring very quickly. That is what terrified me...the very real possibility that I wouldn't have a handle on the brakes, not to mention that I just can't get the kind of grip needed for that descent, when I'm on the hoods. I was aching so badly (not to mention totally petrified) and I finally said **** it and took the last section in the drops and I felt so much more stable. It was a mental hurdle, especially on a hill that steep, to be that low on the bike, but my thinking has been totally turned around now and I do believe that it is much safer to descend that way.

Point well taken.... Yeah, I don't know if you remember but the first time I did a long decent after I got my cast off... I rode down w/my hands on the hoods and I literally had to stop on the downhill...several times... just what you were saying... especially since my arm was still so weak from being casted....

hey herb... are you able to do your downhills in the drops ?????? I guess I'll have to practice this, I hardly use my drops as it is though, it hurts my right wrist!


Yup...and I have worked on my tuck for those really smooth roads where you can fly down em!
Scary but fun!

Yup...and I have worked on my tuck for those really smooth roads where you can fly down em!
Scary but fun!

okay, guess I'm gonna have to get going on this! Otherwise I'll never get close to you on the downhills!!! :p

1 is Topanga; 2 is Old Topanga; 3 is Mulholland just west of Las Virgines; 4 is Rock Store; 5 is Yerba Buena; 6 is Catharin; 7 is Decker; 8 is Stunt; 9 is Piuma; 10 is Cold Canyon.

Don't underestimate Catharin. It gets to 15% in the beginning and has some bite to it. Think of it as a preview to Decker. For Deer Creek, it is imperitive to descend in the drops or face certain death. For Catharin and Decker, maintain comfortable rhythm when out of saddle climbing here.

Good luck everyone! See you out there.

1 is Topanga; 2 is Old Topanga; 3 is Mulholland just west of Las Virgines; 4 is Rock Store; 5 is Yerba Buena; 6 is Catharin; 7 is Decker; 8 is Stunt; 9 is Piuma; 10 is Cold Canyon.

Don't underestimate Catharin. It gets to 15% in the beginning and has some bite to it. Think of it as a preview to Decker. For Deer Creek, it is imperitive to descend in the drops or face certain death. For Catharin and Decker, maintain comfortable rhythm when out of saddle climbing here.

Good luck everyone! See you out there.

L.A.....generally I agree with your number identification but have made a few comments, the ones bolded...

1 Is the top of Old Topanga. That flat spot near the 20 mile mark is the Center, where you turn from Topanga to Old Topanga

2. Is 7 minute Hill, well that is what we used to call it. It is a stretch on Mulholland just prior to Stunt Rd.

3. Mulholland just past Las Virgenes

4. Is where Mulholland splits to the right side of the fork (left side to Encinal)., The top of the rock store climb is that little blip around mile 42.

5. Top of Yerba Buena

6. Cotharain. Agree with you that it is steep but it is very short (1 mile)

7. Is on Mulholland. The blip down near mile 72 is the top of Decker. Then you get a short climb on Mulholland, that is where 7 is.

8. Top of Stunt

9. Top of Piuma

10. Top of Cold Canyon

For Deer Creek, it is imperitive to descend in the drops or face certain death. .

I'm glad to see comments like this so I know that I'm not just being a wimp and over exaggerating the scariness of this descent.

I'm glad to see comments like this so I know that I'm not just being a wimp and over exaggerating the scariness of this descent.

A couple of weeks ago I went down Deer creek ( in my drops I might add) and I begin to smell something burning , I looked around for a car, house or even a brush fire. Nothing , it was my wheels heating up! I stopped and let them cool off , I even stopped again near the bottom. My advice is stop at least once , shake the hands out and let the wheels cool off. I feel no shame stopping on a scary hill to look at the
scenery ( yeah that's it).

A couple of weeks ago I went down Deer creek ( in my drops I might add) and I begin to smell something burning , I looked around for a car, house or even a brush fire. Nothing , it was my wheels heating up! I stopped and let them cool off , I even stopped again near the bottom. My advice is stop at least once , shake the hands out and let the wheels cool off. I feel no shame stopping on a scary hill to look at the
scenery ( yeah that's it).

Nice idea, there is a perfect spot to do this, a little turnout with a nice ocean view.

I would also like to remind people there is a hairpin to beat all hairpins near the bottom. Extra caution there might be prudent.

That graph is the reason why I AM registered for the MC!!!
Bring ON the climbing :) :) :)

+1

A couple of weeks ago I went down Deer creek ( in my drops I might add) and I begin to smell something burning , I looked around for a car, house or even a brush fire. Nothing , it was my wheels heating up! I stopped and let them cool off , I even stopped again near the bottom. My advice is stop at least once , shake the hands out and let the wheels cool off. I feel no shame stopping on a scary hill to look at the
scenery ( yeah that's it).

So, we need a compact triple and disk brakes, maybe I should put street tires on my MTB!

A couple of weeks ago I went down Deer creek ( in my drops I might add) and I begin to smell something burning , I looked around for a car, house or even a brush fire. Nothing , it was my wheels heating up! I stopped and let them cool off , I even stopped again near the bottom. My advice is stop at least once , shake the hands out and let the wheels cool off. I feel no shame stopping on a scary hill to look at the
scenery ( yeah that's it).Good idea V.C. on Sunday I was descending from Mulholland Dr.down to Encino feathering my brakes as usual and right at the bottom ,BANG, the front tire blew. The tube ripped open at the seam and I rode to a stop on the rim. Whew, the rim was really hot, even though I was tapping them off and on. I've heard that could happen but its a first for me and it wasn't even a hot day. Maybe another reason to run a lower psi like 100. As far as descending in the drops, watch the pro's. They never descend in any other position, hell, they climb in the drops. It's too easy to have your hands knocked off the bars on the hoods + your hand has much more gripping strength squeezing in the drops. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is to stay way back on your seat. That keeps the rear wheel from coming off the ground and we don't want that do we? Remember Pantani descending so far back on his saddle that it was almost on his chest, that was cool. I tried it once, never again. I was in a pack of racers years ago descending Mulholland around Cold Creek and at 40mph the guy in front of me reached back and grabbed the back of his seat with both hands. He pulled away and I freaked out, amazing. There is no substitute for bike handling skills. See you guys out there on Saturday

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is to stay way back on your seat. That keeps the rear wheel from coming off the ground and we don't want that do we? Remember Pantani descending so far back on his saddle that it was almost on his chest, that was cool. I tried it once, never again. I was in a pack of racers years ago descending Mulholland around Cold Creek and at 40mph the guy in front of me reached back and grabbed the back of his seat with both hands. He pulled away and I freaked out, amazing. There is no substitute for bike handling skills. See you guys out there on Saturday

1+ on getting back on the seat, puts the weight back so there is no chance of going over the handlebars.