Southern California - Planet Ultra King of the Mountains

There were A LOT of people on Mulholland Challenge riding triples and that was the only KOM event where I was wishing and praying for one! If I ever did Mulholland Double, I think that I would want a triple...they hit Decker at mile 150+ IIRC and hitting it at 60+ on the century was tough for me. In fact, I actually got off and rested for a short minute before resuming that climb, my legs were D.O.N.E. :eek: I will definitely focus more on steeper climbs before Mulholland next year.

I'm pretty sure I'll be using my ultra wimpy super granny touring bike for anything related to KOM. It may weigh 7 more pounds, but the 30 front 32 rear combo is sweeeeet when the grades are pushing 15-20%.

There were A LOT of people on Mulholland Challenge riding triples and that was the only KOM event where I was wishing and praying for one! If I ever did Mulholland Double, I think that I would want a triple...they hit Decker at mile 150+ IIRC and hitting it at 60+ on the century was tough for me. In fact, I actually got off and rested for a short minute before resuming that climb, my legs were D.O.N.E. :eek: I will definitely focus more on steeper climbs before Mulholland next year.

oooohh..do I see Fargo repeats in your future???:eek:

I think if and when I get a new bike..I will get a triple...
but I am a wimp on the hills....thats how I roll...:rolleyes:

I think if and when I get a new bike..I will get a triple...
but I am a wimp on the hills....thats how I roll...:rolleyes:

Sigh. A wimp doesn't do Wednesday Hill Hazing or La Tuna Repeats, silly. :rolleyes: I do have a triple over which I would break the arm of anyone who tried to remove it. That's just how I roll...:D

Sigh. A wimp doesn't do Wednesday Hill Hazing or La Tuna Repeats, silly. :rolleyes: I do have a triple over which I would break the arm of anyone who tried to remove it. That's just how I roll...:D

I have not done a tuna repeat...at least not yet.....if you dont roll with us tomorrow...I may , repeat may..try 1...but not the 3 mark, eddie and rob are doing...
Yeah..I have checked..there is a dura-ace and ultegra-sl triples!

Hi Herb, Brandy, Ronjon and M.E.,

Regarding "REALLY STEEP," I just wonder how much steeper the Mulholland climbs are than the Baldy Ski Lifts? Not as steep as Fargo, for sure . . .

Does anyone know the incline on Decker or Shunt? No, actually, I don't have one of those fancy bike computers!

Anyway . . . having done the Ski Lifts 3-1/2 times this year, my next goal is to do a (one) Ski-Lift repeat. I will attempt it with my compact, but should I fail, I will re-try using the bike with the triple.

The other variable is that the compact is on the Calfee (carbon) whereas the triple (Ultegra) is on the steel (Reynolds 853) GT Edge. I'll weigh both bikes when I get home this evening and (hopefully) be able to put this weight issue to rest. Both bikes are Ultegra, have the same wheels (Cane Creek Volos), so the weights should be (fairly) close.

Plus, while I am not a weight weenie, I don't want to carry more (weight) up the mountain than absolutely necessary (keeping cost considerations in mind).

Rick / OCRR

My training for KOM '07 was progressing well until I injured myself around 2/20. I was off the bike until 3/22. I rode 12 times before Mulholland but only 3 of those rides were over 21 miles. 2 of those 3 were climbing rides. The longest was 76 miles.

I went to Mulholland with doubts that i would finish. I figured that if I DNFed, I would probably cancel the other 2 rides and regroup for '08. Luckily I was able to hook up with 2 other forum riders who waited for me and didn't allow me to quit.

As others have mentioned, Decker was the toughest climb. I started cramping at the bottom and had to stop twice. I was probably off the bike for 15 minutes then.

One thing about KOM is the "misery loves company" climbing. Everybody is suffering on the climbs, not just you. You look on either side of you and there are people with their tongues hanging out just trying to make it to the top.

If I try again next year, I'll probably keep the same training plan I had this year. It would be nice to train in the Santa Monicas but the distance makes that impractical for me. I'll have to stick to Palomar, maybe Mount Laguna and maybe Mount Baldy.

Hi Herb, Brandy, Ronjon and M.E.,

Regarding "REALLY STEEP," I just wonder how much steeper the Mulholland climbs are than the Baldy Ski Lifts? Not as steep as Fargo, for sure . . .



I've not done Decker so I can't speak to it really. Otherwise, the steep parts of the ski lifts is steeper than anything on the MC. However, steep for me starts at 8%, that's about when I run out of gears on my compact crank (34-27) setup. I can certainly do steeper in the 34-27, but not for miles and miles.

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

That chart has most of the climbs. They're mostly in the 6-12% with some steeper parts on Decker.

Stunt is about 6% for 4 miles, and I mean consistently 6%, no breaks on that climb, but no spikes either.

I've not done Decker so I can't speak to it really. Otherwise, the steep parts of the ski lifts is steeper than anything on the MC. However, steep for me starts at 8%, that's about when I run out of gears on my compact crank (34-27) setup. I can certainly do steeper in the 34-27, but not for miles and miles.

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

That chart has most of the climbs. They're mostly in the 6-12% with some steeper parts on Decker.

Stunt is about 6% for 4 miles, and I mean consistently 6%, no breaks on that climb, but no spikes either.


The info on that site for Decker seems accurate if I recall correctly.

Decker Cyn Santa Monica Mtns 5.2 mi 1,650ft 6.7%avg/17%max



Decker early in a ride isn't that painful...where you hit it on MC, it takes a little more out of you. Same with Stunt...on it's own the climb isn't bad, but at mile 90-ish, it's a beyotch.

Rick,
I think it was Chuck Bramwell that sent out an email the night before Mulholland with a grade analysis of all of the hills. I can't find it or the info on the PU site but I know the info is out there somewhere.

I don't think I ever read the whole email. I didn't want to know.

http://www.caltriplecrown.com/schedule.htm#mulholland

For everyone contemplating the KOM 2008 - please remember that Breathless Agony has a rider limit and sells out pretty quickly. Beginning in January, check on their website and see when registration becomes available - then sign up as soon as it does.

2007 KOM jerseys and gear were shipped yesterday. For all who earned it, wear it proudly! New stuff for next year!
:-)

2007 KOM jerseys and gear were shipped yesterday. For all who earned it, wear it proudly! New stuff for next year!
:-)

Whoo Hooo! Can't wait to get mine!!!

2007 KOM jerseys and gear were shipped yesterday. For all who earned it, wear it proudly! New stuff for next year!
:-)

Shipped to you, or to us??? YAY...can't wait to get it!!!

MC is the most difficult with the steeper grades, but BA had the endurance built into it with the 30 mile climb...

Best bet is to slack off and not ride for a month before MC, then take another month off for HB, and then cap it off by starting to smoke cigarettes and drinking beer (but no riding!) before BA...Are there any specific brands of smokes and beer you recommend?:D

The info on that site for Decker seems accurate if I recall correctly.

Decker Cyn Santa Monica Mtns 5.2 mi 1,650ft 6.7%avg/17%max



Decker early in a ride isn't that painful...where you hit it on MC, it takes a little more out of you. Same with Stunt...on it's own the climb isn't bad, but at mile 90-ish, it's a beyotch.

Another comment on that site, Decker is "wicked steep for the first mile", my guess would be around 12-13% avg for that 1st mile. By then your legs are shot, and you are doing everything you can to recover.

Stunt, by itself is not bad, but with 100+ miles and 10,000+ ft of climbing, at that point it is a struggle :eek:, unless you climb a lot & weigh less than 150 lbs.

Hi Herb, Brandy, Ronjon and M.E.,

Regarding "REALLY STEEP," I just wonder how much steeper the Mulholland climbs are than the Baldy Ski Lifts? Not as steep as Fargo, for sure . . .

Does anyone know the incline on Decker or Shunt? No, actually, I don't have one of those fancy bike computers!

Anyway . . . having done the Ski Lifts 3-1/2 times this year, my next goal is to do a (one) Ski-Lift repeat. I will attempt it with my compact, but should I fail, I will re-try using the bike with the triple.

The other variable is that the compact is on the Calfee (carbon) whereas the triple (Ultegra) is on the steel (Reynolds 853) GT Edge. I'll weigh both bikes when I get home this evening and (hopefully) be able to put this weight issue to rest. Both bikes are Ultegra, have the same wheels (Cane Creek Volos), so the weights should be (fairly) close.

Plus, while I am not a weight weenie, I don't want to carry more (weight) up the mountain than absolutely necessary (keeping cost considerations in mind).

Rick / OCRR
Rick, people tend to forget the climb of Cotharain, before the descent of Deer Creek. To me, that section is a tough climb. Don't forget the descent of Deer Creek, many people crash there, with off-camber and decreasing radius turns, plus the surface is very rough. Be careful there!!

Rick, people tend to forget the climb of Cotharain, before the descent of Deer Creek. To me, that section is a tough climb. Don't forget the descent of Deer Creek, many people crash there, with off-camber and decreasing radius turns, plus the surface is very rough. Be careful there!!


Totally agree, I've said that to several people. Cotharin catches you off guard because you're coming off a descent with some good speed and then BAM...it's like you've hit a wall. I remember looking down at my computer and seeing 17% and thinking to myself...damn...what I would give for 10% right now. :p

For everyone contemplating the KOM 2008 - please remember that Breathless Agony has a rider limit and sells out pretty quickly. Beginning in January, check on their website and see when registration becomes available - then sign up as soon as it does.

2007 KOM jerseys and gear were shipped yesterday. For all who earned it, wear it proudly! New stuff for next year!
:-)

welcome back! how was france?

Thanks for the input everyone!

And esp. thanks whitecarbondude, for the link to the elevation chart. Several of the climbs look (almost!) vertical . . .

Yes, I will need the 30t x 27t Triple for this one!

I'm not familiar with Cotharain, John. At about what mile do we start to ride Cotharain?

Also, and this is no doubt asking for too much, but is there an elevation chart with the climbs named, i.e. what road is this? I didn't think so . . .

Rick / OCRR

Also, and this is no doubt asking for too much, but is there an elevation chart with the climbs named, i.e. what road is this? I didn't think so . . .


Not so fast my friend, this is what you seek:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=286159&highlight=mulholland+challenge

Thanks Ronjon!

That's exactly what I had in mind (but didn't think it really existed!). Good to see I was wrong! I've found that if I know what's ahead before I start, I can be much more informed regarding resource management throughout the double.

I have now printed that out so that I can study it in detail . . .

Rick / OCRR

Are there any specific brands of smokes and beer you recommend?:D

Lucky Strikes or Pall Mall unfiltered smokes and plenty of Pabst Blue Ribbon (light) or Mississippi Mud (dark)

:D

Lucky Strikes or Pall Mall unfiltered smokes and plenty of Pabst Blue Ribbon (light) or Mississippi Mud (dark)

:D

:eek: I'm shocked at you, Phil! No Arrogant *******? :p

Rick and Mark and everyone interested, we can do a partial pre-run of the course after the first of the year, or anytime it's not hot, for that matter. Vertical Bob will go and I'm sure some of the SFVBC riders will be happy to join, as well.

Shipped to you, or to us??? YAY...can't wait to get it!!!

To us... just received mine! They look nice.

No mail here yet. I want mine!!! Okay, for more reason than one...I can't recall what size I ordered and I need to know how it fits before I order my CTC jersey. :p

No mail here yet. I want mine!!! Okay, for more reason than one...I can't recall what size I ordered and I need to know how it fits before I order my CTC jersey. :p

Jersey seems to run a little small. Almost a euro fit. Definitely more of a race cut than a club cut -- which I guess makes sense for a kom kit. :)

Pics?

Pics?

+1 and good call, Joy. ;) :D

Jersey seems to run a little small. Almost a euro fit. Definitely more of a race cut than a club cut -- which I guess makes sense for a kom kit. :)


It's here!!! I walked down the street (again) to see if the postman had come yet and he was putting the junk mail in the boxes.

Me: So...umm...how long ya gonna be?
Postman: At least 20 minutes.
Me: (flips hair back) well, I'm expecting a package.
Postman: No packages today. Only envelopes.
Me: It could be in an envelope.
Postman: 20 minutes.
Me: Okay, okay, I'll be back (peers into mail truck and spies an envelope with the PU return address)
Me: THAT'S IT!!!
Postman: (rolling eyes at Brandy) Hold on a second. (grumble, grumble, grumble)
Me: THANK YOU! :p


I ordered a women's medium and it's a little baggy. If Voltaire were here he'd say "order the small"...right V? :p

Pics?

Colors seem to be pretty true to the original artwork.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/186488803-L.jpg

Colors seem to be pretty true to the original artwork.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/84155#186488803-L-LB

I see no Vance in tight jersey. Pic tease! :(

It's here!!! I walked down the street (again) to see if the postman had come yet and he was putting the junk mail in the boxes.

Me: So...umm...how long ya gonna be?
Postman: At least 20 minutes.
Me: (flips hair back) well, I'm expecting a package.
Postman: No packages today. Only envelopes.
Me: It could be in an envelope.
Postman: 20 minutes.
Me: Okay, okay, I'll be back (peers into mail truck and spies an envelope with the PU return address)
Me: THAT'S IT!!!
Postman: (rolling eyes at Brandy) Hold on a second. (grumble, grumble, grumble)
Me: THANK YOU! :p


I ordered a women's medium and it's a little baggy. If Voltaire were here he'd say "order the small"...right V? :p

Order the small.

And take pictures.

I see no Vance in tight jersey. Pic tease! :(

It would just be blurry anyway, right?

or itd look like oprah...

It would just be blurry anyway, right?

:lol: No, no. Tight jerseys are allowed. It's the Assos that get the blurries. Now stop stalling and post pic! :p

It would just be blurry anyway, right?

I look at things purely from an artistic POV. Nothing else. Oh, and ME is my assistant.

:lol: No, no. Tight jerseys are allowed. It's the Assos that get the blurries. Now stop stalling and post pic! :p

I did, above... I've just lost a lot of weight!

I wasn't going to ride today...but now I have to! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :p:p:p

Order the small.

And take pictures.

Okay...just for you. :p BTW...we need to lunch. This week?

Okay...just for you. :p BTW...we need to lunch. This week?

Yes, I'm fairly certain I will need to eat some time this week.

Yes, I'm fairly certain I will need to eat some time this week.

You should be supervised. ;)

I'm gonna do it but I'll be in much better shape and 25 lbs lighter!:D

Pass on the jersey though, I won't wear it!

Wow Beanz,

Are you sure about that . . . 25 lbs. lighter? I was hoping to ride some doubles with you in 2008, but if you lose 25 lbs. I'll never be able to keep up with you; not even ride your wheel!

How 'bout you only lose only 5 lb. instead?

Right, you shouldn't wear the jersey. Stick to the well established Beanz/Cal-Trans bright orange!

Rick / OCRR

I'm going to do it next year; my biggest problem is finding the time to train for it. I have the Baker to Vegas relay race during that time, and after missing our goal by just 14 minutes (its a 120 mile run), its become my obsession for next year.

Still I have Onyx, Hwy 18, and Oak Glen within 10 miles so I dont have any excuses on places to train.

Id try it but I doubt I can finish, this stuff is too hard

Wow Beanz,

Are you sure about that . . . 25 lbs. lighter? I was hoping to ride some doubles with you in 2008, but if you lose 25 lbs. I'll never be able to keep up with you; not even ride your wheel!

How 'bout you only lose only 5 lb. instead?

Right, you shouldn't wear the jersey. Stick to the well established Beanz/Cal-Trans bright orange!

Rick / OCRR

Yup! I was 25 lbs lighter when I did my best time on The Bear. I did BA, not as tough as I heard but I'm sure I'll take an hour off and feel more comfortable with less weight and better shape!:D

You people have an infectious disease. You should be quarantined. You got me contemplating this mess.

Same here.

Does it take a lot of effort to even make it in for the 12-hr time cutoff (for the centuries)?

Just goal-setting for next year. :D

Yup! I was 25 lbs lighter when I did my best time on The Bear. I did BA, not as tough as I heard but I'm sure I'll take an hour off and feel more comfortable with less weight and better shape!:D

Now I'm really scared :eek:. Hopefully scared enough to drop those last ten pounds that have been hanging on (seemingly no matter how much I ride or how little I eat). If I can lose those ten, then I'll be at 155 and hopefully be able to keep up with the Leaner Meaner Beanzer! At 165 I fear you'll drop me like the proverbial bad habit :D.

Rick / OCRR