Hey kids,

So I'm new to riding. Live in simi and have been commuting into the simi train station to head off to work. When I moved from the west end of simi to the east, I decided to start commuting over the pass to the chatsworth train station.

Right now it takes me about 25-30 minutes, doing about 8-9 up, and about 30 down. I'm still chicken and go alot slower through the turns than I should need to.

I'm just curious if anyone else rides this road, and what type of speeds an "Average" road cyclist makes over the pass?

Thanks =)

- James

Averages mean nothing. I've been up that pass with racers who averaged over 23 going up! No way I'll ever do that. As long as you are comfy with your effort, that's fine. See if you can improve a little bit each time and just measure progress against yourself. And 30 going down is pretty good!

Sheldon

coming from sfv I can probably do 12ish-14 ?

I'm not really sure I dont time myself but i can stay in 42/21 for 95% of that ride and stand up and hammer the last portion.

The other side coming from simi is another story, that part is longgggggg. I dont know 10mph average?

I dont keep averages, I just ride hehe. Once I feel like I am about to blow up I downshift and maintain the cadence.

so the sfv to simi route is easier? good. I get to do that for the first time in about 2 hours ;\

-- James

so the sfv to simi route is easier? good. I get to do that for the first time in about 2 hours ;\

-- James

yea the sfv to simi route is MUCH MUCH easier.

The other way is LONG and steepr at least I'm pretty sure it's steeper. I can usually have a high cadence in the middle ring most of the way from sfv to simi, not so much is the case on the other side. you'll easily make it over that pas sin 2 hours

The SFVBC Monday ride does Santa Sue (both directions) every week, so I've become more familiar with it than I would like. While I agree with Ovo that the eastbound direction seems longer, this is one of the many psychological games that SS plays on you. :) It is actually a touch shorter, and a hair steeper. In fact, my time going eastbound (starting all the way back from the traffic light at Smith Rd before the RR tracks) is usually a few seconds faster than westbound. This may be partially due to the tendency to push more at the end of a ride than the beginning, but regardless, I think you will find the time to be almost identical in each direction.

I agree with Vance on the similarities. (although if starting from Smith, you would be going eastbound, but I am just nit picking).

I have a different measure for you on how they are similar. When I first did it, I would have to stop 4 times to catch my breath no matter which direction I was going. I kept at it until I only had to stop 3. etc. The two directions seemed to keep pace in terms of how many stops I needed. To give an idea how bad of shape I was in, my first stop going east was at the bridge over the railroad tracks.

So, from my point of view, you are off to a tremendous start.

er, I meant in 2 hours I'll be getting off the train to do it. I should hope I can make it 6.5 miles in under 2 hours ;) I'm anticipating 30-40 minutes.

-- James

I agree with Vance on the similarities. (although if starting from Smith, you would be going eastbound, but I am just nit picking).

I have a different measure for you on how they are similar. When I first did it, I would have to stop 4 times to catch my breath no matter which direction I was going. I kept at it until I only had to stop 3. etc. The two directions seemed to keep pace in terms of how many stops I needed. To give an idea how bad of shape I was in, my first stop going east was at the bridge over the railroad tracks.

So, from my point of view, you are off to a tremendous start.

How long ago was that? can you do it straight through now?

I'm able to make it without stopping, but I'm still slow. I figgure once this is not a problem, then I'll be able to start looking at real rides. In the mean time 13 miles a day should make for a good enough base for me. I'm still amazed at the people I talk to who are doing 20+ miles each direction as their bicycle commute.

-- James

How long ago was that? can you do it straight through now?

I'm able to make it without stopping, but I'm still slow. I figgure once this is not a problem, then I'll be able to start looking at real rides. In the mean time 13 miles a day should make for a good enough base for me. I'm still amazed at the people I talk to who are doing 20+ miles each direction as their bicycle commute.

-- James

James, you are doing fantastic. You will improve quickly.

For me, it was 1987 and I was just off a 4-pack-a-day cigarette habit. I didn't have much lung capacity.

Out of curiosity, where do you work?

no way that other side has to be steeper and longer....
seriously last time I did it hurt really bad and I was mostly in the triple(I didnt have any water at the rest stop and didnt get food cause the crappy Gelsons guy closed or some crap on the line and I refused to buy anything). The other way I can mostly go in the middle ring and feel pretty good when I get to the top.

I dont know...

For me, it was 1987 and I was just off a 4-pack-a-day cigarette habit. I didn't have much lung capacity.


WHAaa 4 pack a day? Holy crap!
Damn Thomson, are you sure its not 4 cigs a day?

no way that other side has to be steeper and longer....

Well, it is steeper, but not by much. And they are virtually identical distance (if anything, eastbound is actually shorter), depending on where you consider the starting points.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/13966
(Click on "show" and "elevation profile")

WHAaa 4 pack a day? Holy crap!
Damn Thomson, are you sure its not 4 cigs a day?

Well, I used to buy 3 cartons each weekend. back then a carton was only $10. Still it adds up.

For me, it was 1987 and I was just off a 4-pack-a-day cigarette habit. I didn't have much lung capacity.

Out of curiosity, where do you work?
I work in downtown LA, but take metrolink to the redline.

I was riding to the train station in simi, but I moved from erringer to kuehener, and the 2.5 miles each way downhill just wasn't as challenging as I wanted it to be. So a while back I rode over the pass, but ended up taking my bike on the train and getting off in simi that night.

Today was my first round trip. New high speed 35.5 indicated coming down the simi side (I REALLY need to get a better headlight)

The Simi to SFV route seems more consistent on the uphill. Coming back it seemed like some parts were ok, punctuated by small bits that were a little steeper. Of course, being at the end of the day, tired and starting by riding up topanga probably didn't help.

Either way, I made it back in 28 minutes. My overall average speed was 13.5 according to my el-cheapo computer (not sure how acurate those things are.

I figgure once I can do this day in and day out without really thinking about it, then I'll see about trying to tag along on some of the local groups "easy" 25-30 mile "beginner" rides. ;)

-- James

I work in downtown LA, but take metrolink to the redline.

I was riding to the train station in simi, but I moved from erringer to kuehener, and the 2.5 miles each way downhill just wasn't as challenging as I wanted it to be. So a while back I rode over the pass, but ended up taking my bike on the train and getting off in simi that night.

Today was my first round trip. New high speed 35.5 indicated coming down the simi side (I REALLY need to get a better headlight)

The Simi to SFV route seems more consistent on the uphill. Coming back it seemed like some parts were ok, punctuated by small bits that were a little steeper. Of course, being at the end of the day, tired and starting by riding up topanga probably didn't help.

Either way, I made it back in 28 minutes. My overall average speed was 13.5 according to my el-cheapo computer (not sure how acurate those things are.

I figgure once I can do this day in and day out without really thinking about it, then I'll see about trying to tag along on some of the local groups "easy" 25-30 mile "beginner" rides. ;)

-- James

Sounds terrific. Pretty soon, going over the pass will be routine, either direction.

I am sure your computer is as accurate as your settings. The expensive ones are not intrinsically more accurate than the cheap ones.

Another thing to factor in with Santa Su is the wind. You'll generally have no wind in the morning
and a sometimes nasty headwind in the evening. The last few days the breeze has been out of the east, very unusual.
The prevailing afternoon breeze is a westerly, right on your nose going home.

You'll learn to love it ;)

Nothing like climbing eastward on a hot day, after a long ride. When you get to Box Canyon, it's like an oven. I've gone over that thing for 20 years, and it never gets to the point where I don't have to think about it.

oh man, the wind this morning was insane. I was having a hard time maintaining 6mph up the hill in full tuck. passed some poor guy on a mountainbike :(

but going down topanga canyon I hit 42.5 indicated =)

-- James