Southern California - PS tram time trial challenge -

Palm Springs Tram Time Trial - 3.7 m Avg Grade 10%
"Start at 500 feet elevation and finish at 2640 feet elevation in a 3.7 mile heart-pounding scenic race against the clock. Upon completion (if you dare) you will understand the true meaning of gravity"

this usually takes place in the fall. Average Gradient 10% towards the end it hits 16%. complete disaster. But fun. I have began to start training for it and it's been brutal. last week into a monster headwind (30MPH) I did it in 42:03. Which could of been much better if the wind did't kill me and I didn't do 25 miles of riding/climbing (into a headwind) beforehand. but my target is under 30 minutes,. Anyone else doing this? only a handful finish it under 30 minutes and the record is 23.42 .

anyone training for this? where abouts? have you done this event before?

please discuss.

I almost did this last year. I'm planning on doing it this year. Should be in October sometime. I'm really hoping my 34t chainring and 29t cog combination will be enough. :D As long as i make it to the top i'm good. :lol:

Hey Vic... are you the same Vic from MBworld ?

Vic,

I have climbed that mother! It is tough. You do know that the record is set by Scott at Palm Springs Cyclery. That guy is one monster on a bike! Very nice in person. I need to get my but back up that road...one of these days ;)

MBworld - yes -
yeah scott is a beast all around I hear. must be nice to be that strong. i guess working at a bike shop must certainly make you want to ride. but yeah the tram is by no means easy. I guess to finish it is good enuff for most really. well they are repaving it now to so that will help. so far half of it is repaved so tats made things better last wends.

I am glad they are repaving it. That was one bumpy descent.

I'll do it! I'll probably just ride my current gearing (53-39 double, 12-25).

there's a perfect training road for that in redlands. It's off of san timoteo canyon and it's called smiley blvd.

big nasty and super steep. I think it's like ~2.5 miles to the top. Jump through the horse gate when you get to the road blockade.


in my standard gearing i'm literally creeping up the hill half a stroke at a time out of the saddle.

yeah I roll the same setup - 53/39 175mm and 12/25 - I'm sure perhaps rolig a 12/27 would help. My buddy changed his to 12.27 last year. A compact would be nice as well.

it's a nightmare