In total self-interest (well...it is a public message board, so I suppose anyone else might find this info interesting and/or useful), I was hoping to see some nice hard climbing routes. This of course, is based off the Planet Ultra KOM thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=335255) and my goal of completing it in 2008 and MrBeanz' Getting Fit thread. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=336740). In prepping for the KOM, I definitely can use this info, and perhaps Beanz can as well. Of course, I don't plan on riding them until after January, but, I thought I'd start planning now.
So, could you post some of your favorite climbing routes? I'd like to put these into Bike Route Toaster (http://bikeroutetoaster.com/) for uploading to my Garmin. Is there any way to post them in kmz (Google Earth) or gpx (GPS/Garmin Training Center) format? I suppose they'll have to be hosted by an online server and linked to the file.
So I'll start: here's a kmz route called "Tour of the Tujungas (http://www.imageg.com/stuff/Velo/TourTujungas_WWW/Tujungas_GOOGLE.kmz)" that was posted by some fellows from my local club (Santa Clarita Velo). Looks tough to me (here's a text version (http://www.imageg.com/stuff/Velo/TourTujungas_WWW/Tujungas_ROUTE.pdf) of the directions).
EDIT
Okay here is a list of what we have so far:
Tour of the Tujungas (http://www.imageg.com/stuff/Velo/TourTujungas_WWW/Tujungas_GOOGLE.kmz)
Rte 39-Little GMR-GRR-Baldy-Lifts & Back
Oak Glen/Forest Falls Ride
Old Topanga, Piuma, Latigo, Stunt Loop (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/23818)
Big T to Newcomb's Ranch (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Big-T-Newcomb-s-Ranch)
Yerba Buena and Decker from Westlake (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Westlake-Yerba-Buena-Decker-Loop)
Las Flores loop (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Las-Flores)
Palomar and Mesa Grande to Santa Ysabel & back
Big GMR to GRR to Baldy to the Lifts & Back
Sylvan Park to Onyx Summit
Base of Angeles Crest to Dawson Saddle
Newport Blvd.
Breckenridge Rd (Bakersfield)
Cedar Grove & Hwy 180 to Grant's Grove
Newport Coast Drive to Bonita Canyon Drive to MacArthur & back to PCH
Psydotek
08-24-07, 08:53 PM
GMR. That's pretty much it for me really.
Mr. Beanz
08-24-07, 08:59 PM
I don't have the fancy 'puter stuff but somebody's gotta put up the Oakglen/Forest falls ride. FF is one steep muthah at the top! I did it on my 39/25 and thought I was going to fall over!
I can't say this is one of my usual rides, but hopefully I'll get out there and do some training for the new year!
Chucklehead
08-24-07, 09:03 PM
palomar and mesa grande to santa ysabel and back. i think we had 11k' of climbing in just over 80 miles that day. extend that route to julian and you end up with a century and somewhere near 14k'.
ronjon10
08-24-07, 09:20 PM
Old Topanga, Piuma, Latigo, Stunt loop. 8100 feet in 65 miles. Enjoy!
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/23818
You can download the gpx from bikely.
jsigone
08-24-07, 09:24 PM
Palomar South Grade for me and the DH is even better
Mr. Beanz
08-24-07, 09:27 PM
I've heared the M-Challenge is steep. What kind of grades we talking hear?
big john
08-24-07, 09:28 PM
Mark, I don't have downloads or route slips for you, but I've been doing climbing rides in our area for around 20 years, and I can tell you some nice routes. What we're doing tomorrow is one of my favorites, Angeles Crest from Red Box to Wrightwood and back, with options for more or less.
The way I do the 2 Tujungas is to start on Little T to Acton to Aliso to Angeles Forest to Big T back to Foothill.
Another good one is Encanto Park to the bottom of Angeles Crest to HWY 39 and back.
Out in Santa Clarita go up Bouquet Canyon to the end and come down Lake Hughes road, or any number of variations out there.
Take Muholland Hwy from end to end and back, that's a good ride, tons of roads out there.
Most of these rides are at least 100 feet of climbing per mile.
mkadam68
08-24-07, 09:29 PM
I don't have the fancy 'puter stuff but somebody's gotta put up the Oakglen/Forest falls ride. FF is one steep muthah at the top! I did it on my 39/25 and thought I was going to fall over!
I can't say this is one of my usual rides, but hopefully I'll get out there and do some training for the new year!
I'm hoping you and I can get out together & train for 2008. Err..and anyone else who wants to come along, of course :D
Mr. Beanz
08-24-07, 09:32 PM
I'm hoping you and I can get out together & train for 2008. Err..and anyone else who wants to come along, of course :D
That sounds good!:D
big john
08-24-07, 09:33 PM
I've heared the M-Challenge is steep. What kind of grades we talking hear? Fred, there is some 14-15% on Decker Canyon, and some stuff like that on Cotharain, but what gets you is you are climbing all day. As soon as you finish a climb and enjoy the descent, you start climbing again. I actually like the MC better than the BA.
mkadam68
08-24-07, 09:33 PM
Alright, you So-Calers are reverting back to abbreviations and fancy-dancy words this east-coaster doesn't know yet (even though I been here 5 whole years! :o)
Oakglen/Forest Falls? M-Challenge? Palomar? DH? Mesa Grande? Where are these places, people? (I know Stunt, Piuma, Mulholland, Latigo and Old Topanga are in the Santa Monica Mtns.)
Edit: Okay, M-Challenge is Mulholland Challenge. Got that one.
VanceMac
08-24-07, 09:36 PM
Not sure if any of these will help, but here are a couple random routes I've put into bikely. I have a lot of the SFVBC routes in routeslip.com, but Shai's site is place to go for those.
Big T to Newcomb's Ranch:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Big-T-Newcomb-s-Ranch
Yerba Buena and Decker from Westlake:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Westlake-Yerba-Buena-Decker-Loop
Las Flores loop:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Las-Flores
Mr. Beanz
08-24-07, 09:37 PM
Oakglen is one of the climbs on Breathless Agony. Not sure but may be the steepest grade of BA. Redlands/Calimesa area before you make your way up to Onyx Summit and Big Bear.
Forest Falls is close but heads up the opposite direction once you hit the Onyx climb. Way shorter climb but a steep muthah!
M-Challenge is cause I wasn't sure if I could spell Mulholland!:D
Mr. Beanz
08-24-07, 09:40 PM
Fred, there is some 14-15% on Decker Canyon, and some stuff like that on Cotharain, but what gets you is you are climbing all day. As soon as you finish a climb and enjoy the descent, you start climbing again. I actually like the MC better than the BA.
Thanx BigJ! I heard MC was steep but shorter climbs. If I get in shape, I'm sure I can do 'em all. I guess that's what it all boils down to!:D
mkadam68
08-24-07, 09:43 PM
Mark, I don't have downloads or route slips for you, but I've been doing climbing rides in our area for around 20 years, and I can tell you some nice routes. What we're doing tomorrow is one of my favorites, Angeles Crest from Red Box to Wrightwood and back, with options for more or less.
The way I do the 2 Tujungas is to start on Little T to Acton to Aliso to Angeles Forest to Big T back to Foothill.
Another good one is Encanto Park to the bottom of Angeles Crest to HWY 39 and back.
Out in Santa Clarita go up Bouquet Canyon to the end and come down Lake Hughes road, or any number of variations out there.
Take Muholland Hwy from end to end and back, that's a good ride, tons of roads out there.
Most of these rides are at least 100 feet of climbing per mile.
I wish I could go with you all. Never done Angeles Crest before--heard good things about it. But, scheduling conflict (eldest son graduating high school:) ).
Grumpy Pig
08-24-07, 09:43 PM
Palomar? DH? Mesa Grande? Where are these places, people? (I know Stunt, Piuma, Mulholland, Latigo and Old Topanga are in the Santa Monica Mtns.)
Palomar and Mesa Grande are in North San Diego County off of Highway 76. Some of the community borders are unclear but Mesa Grande might be in Santa Ysabel.
I think DH is downhill.
Mr. Beanz
08-24-07, 09:49 PM
I think DH is downhill.
Dame, and I thought it was 'don't hold your breath'!:D
bigdraft
08-24-07, 10:06 PM
It's a route called Mescalito on El Captian in Yosemite Natl. Park. It took us six days to get up the thing. This is looking down with about 3K feet of air beneath my feet
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/bigdraft/topmescalito.jpg
LOL oh you meant bike climbing, oh, too many to name here, but Tioga Pass comes to mind
UmneyDurak
08-24-07, 11:05 PM
Go up Page Mill road to Skyline, down on 84, then up Kings mountain, down 84 the other side, up the Old La Honda and back down on 84 towards Los Altos. Oh, did you mean in SoCal? Up and down elfing Newport blvd.
DanteB
08-24-07, 11:23 PM
Breckenridge Road east of Bakersfield 6,400' in 30 miles (part of the Spooktacluar). Or Hwy 180 out of Cedar Grove to Grant's Grove, 4,100' in 28 miles with most of it in the last 12 miles.
WhiteCarbonDude
08-25-07, 01:07 AM
Of course, I don't plan on riding them until after January, but, I thought I'd start planning now.
Why wait? If you start now those climbs won't be so hard in January and then you will be that much stronger for KOM.
Just a thought.
WhiteCarbonDude
08-25-07, 01:22 AM
My top 3 favorite SoCal climbs
1. Big GMR to GRR to Baldy to the Lifts 5900ft in 26 miles
2. Sylvan Park to Onyx Summit 7000ft in 38 miles
3. Base of Angeles Crest to Dawson Saddle 7500ft in 44 miles
McCthulhu
08-25-07, 02:57 AM
If you live in OC, Newport Coast Drive off the PCH at the South end of Crystal Cove State Park is a good climb. I do it on an MTB so I can come back down the El Moro Canyon ridge pathways. Nice doubletrack dirt road on the descent if you don't mind the stupid rattlesnakes :P It's not hugely long, but it is a steep grade so you can make multiple circuits. If you want to circuit on a road bike I'm not sure how the car traffic is if you ride farther along to Bonita Canyon Drive to MacArthur and back to the PCH to ride South and do it again but it should be doable for the skinny tires. Of course you could always just wheel back down Newport Coast Drive.
I'm from Western Canada so there really is no substitute for the Banff area here in this urban sprawl, but this is the closest thing to a real climb within biking distance from my house in Costa Mesa.
BCIpam
08-25-07, 07:15 AM
Either direction on Newport Coast (NC) is great but heres a route from my climbing class:
We start at Turtle Rock Park but you can extend it from anywhere - take Shady Hill to Summit Park turn right. Go up and over down to Turtle Ridge. Turn Left and then left again on NC. Tale NC to San Joaquin, turn right. Take SJ down to San Miguel turn right. Take it to Spyglass turn right. Take Spyglass to San Joaquin, turn left. SJ to Ridge Park turn right. Continue on RP past NC to the top and turn right on Vista Ridge. Take VR to NC turn left. Cruise down NC to Pelica Hills turn right. Up Pelican to NC turn left and then right back onto Vista Ridge. VR to Ridge Park to NC turn right. Take that to Turtle Ridge then Summit Park. Climb back up Summit Park and then turn right at Shady Hill and finish.
It's alittle over 20 miles and 4200' of climbing. An intense little ride in a short period of time. It's usually cooler near the beach and the views are spectacular!
Love this thread and hope to see it take off. I'd love to see a so cal site dedicated to the climbing routes with pertinent data, elevation profiles (I like to see where the bumps are...though I always seem to overlook the final 1/3 of them...lol), route slips if needed, etc. I think that the http://www.socalvelo.com/sub/socalclimbs.htm site has the right idea, I just wish that there were more climbing routes on that site.
MacManDude
08-25-07, 09:21 AM
Here is a link to the Sundance cycles climb chart for the Santa Monica mountains. It has distances and grades for most of the climbs there.
Anyone up for the 5 peaks challenge? 61 miles, 10.5k feet in the Santa Monica's. Ouch.
http://www.ultracyclist.com/samo.htm
mkadam68
08-25-07, 07:22 PM
Love this thread and hope to see it take off. I'd love to see a so cal site dedicated to the climbing routes with pertinent data, elevation profiles (I like to see where the bumps are...though I always seem to overlook the final 1/3 of them...lol), route slips if needed, etc. I think that the http://www.socalvelo.com/sub/socalclimbs.htm site has the right idea, I just wish that there were more climbing routes on that site.
Yeah, those are some of my ideas as well. I have seen the socalcycling site, and will try to incorporate their ideas. In the end, I'd like to have this list of training rides in prep for the KoM challenge as I get ready for it. Maybe list the rides I'm planning on doing here, and have monthly/bi-weekly BF climbing rides. Of course, seems like we already have that :D
DScott
12-09-07, 08:05 PM
bumpity bump bump.
For fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGULCXyhNes&feature=related
ronjon10
12-09-07, 09:37 PM
bumpity bump bump.
For fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGULCXyhNes&feature=related
That guy was going the wrong way. Much more peaceful and entertaining going up than down on that road :)
Entropy906
12-09-07, 09:50 PM
Valyermo to the Mountain High North parking lot on Table Mountain via Big Pines Hwy and on to Dawson Saddle on Angeles Crest is a very nice ride. Unless you start in Palmdale and have to fight the headwinds back from Valyermo.
Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Forest Hwy and on to Mill Creek and head up to the summit of Mount Gleason. There's a short dirt section that I have to walk but it's worth it.
ken cummings
12-09-07, 10:01 PM
I just head north from home into the Fountain Grove area. Some 20 miles of non-stop hills with grades of up to 20%.
vertical bob
12-10-07, 07:02 AM
Valyermo to the Mountain High North parking lot on Table Mountain via Big Pines Hwy and on to Dawson Saddle on Angeles Crest is a very nice ride. Unless you start in Palmdale and have to fight the headwinds back from Valyermo.
Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Forest Hwy and on to Mill Creek and head up to the summit of Mount Gleason. There's a short dirt section that I have to walk but it's worth it. I've wanted to climb Big Pines Hwy for years. Kinda far to drive though. We went past it on the way to Wrightwood a few times this year from Red Box. I also like Mt Gleason but do it from the other side. Up Big T to Angeles Forest. The dirt was rideable the times we did it this year. I'm thinking of watching the Tour of Cal from up there. My most favorite So Cal climb is up hwy 39 to A.C. and on up to Dawson Saddle,36 miles 7k. That's a beautiful place.:D
rooftest
12-10-07, 12:23 PM
From the list, I'll have to go with 9. Big GMR to GRR to Baldy to the Lifts & Back.
I think my new favorite is Encanto Park to Crystal Lake.
2 questions-
Where is the Newport Blvd. climb?
How did Newport Coast make it on that list?
mkadam68
12-10-07, 12:39 PM
From the list, I'll have to go with 9. Big GMR to GRR to Baldy to the Lifts & Back.
I think my new favorite is Encanto Park to Crystal Lake.
2 questions-
Where is the Newport Blvd. climb?
How did Newport Coast make it on that list?
I have no idea. I think I've only ridden perhaps 2-3 of those listed. I'm relying on everyone else to tell me good routes.
Of course, these are not necessarily the hardest, just good climbing routes. Also, there's bound to be downhills and flat sections in all of them.
WhiteCarbonDude
12-10-07, 02:20 PM
My top 3 favorite SoCal climbs
1. Big GMR to GRR to Baldy to the Lifts 5900ft in 26 miles
2. Sylvan Park to Onyx Summit 7000ft in 38 miles
3. Base of Angeles Crest to Dawson Saddle 7500ft in 44 miles
4. Intersection of Mills Rd. & Mt. Baldy Rd. to the ski lifts 4700ft in 12.7 miles do it twice for a really good workout:)
rooftest
12-10-07, 02:25 PM
Newport Coast is a decent climb, with great views, but it certainly doesn't merit listing with "big climbs" such as Onyx Summit, GRR to Baldy, etc. It is particularly tough on mile 85 of a century, however.
mkadam68
12-10-07, 03:16 PM
Newport Coast is a decent climb, with great views, but it certainly doesn't merit listing with "big climbs" such as Onyx Summit, GRR to Baldy, etc. It is particularly tough on mile 85 of a century, however.
Yeah...the list isn't meant to itemize the hardest climbs--just some good climbing routes for training purposes.
Extort
12-10-07, 03:46 PM
Yeah...the list isn't meant to itemize the hardest climbs--just some good climbing routes for training purposes.
In that case, Newport Coast is cool to include on the list, but the Vista Ridge/Ridge Park section MUST be included if you want any training for KOM.
WhiteCarbonDude
12-10-07, 04:25 PM
In that case, Newport Coast is cool to include on the list, but the Vista Ridge/Ridge Park section MUST be included if you want any training for KOM.
+1, I always add Ridge Park. From PCH to the top of Ridge Park is 3.6 miles with 900 feet with an average gradient of 4.8% with max 12%. You can compare that to the first climb on the Mulholland Challenge Topanga Cyn from PCH to Old Topanga Cyn 4.2 miles/700ft with an avg. 3.2% or the second part of the first climb Old Topanga Cyn to the top 4.3mi./800ft with an avg. 3.5%.
mateo44
12-10-07, 04:41 PM
+1, I always add Ridge Park. From PCH to the top of Ridge Park is 3.6 miles with 900 feet with an average gradient of 4.8% with max 12%. You can compare that to the first climb on the Mulholland Challenge Topanga Cyn from PCH to Old Topanga Cyn 4.2 miles/700ft with an avg. 3.2% or the second part of the first climb Old Topanga Cyn to the top 4.3mi./800ft with an avg. 3.5%.
It's 3.6 miles? Really? Seems shorter, but I'll take your word for it. We ride NC/RP all the time. Well, Melissa climbs RP more often than I do. And faster, pretty much.
Also, how about Park Ave in Laguna? That's a painful, but great, climb.
OC Roadie
12-10-07, 05:14 PM
Personal Favorites, other than just about any climb in the Sierras:
1. Oak Glen, Onyx Summit, Forest Falls
2. GMR/GRR to the Village
3. The Tour of the North OC Nasties (Route Slip attached). This ride hurts, none of the climbs are that long, but since there each fairly short, I tend to go at them pretty hard, and am usually fried at the end. I like to take this route and polish it off with a trip through Santiago/Modjeska canyons. This route slip was originally created by Chuck Bramwell, I edited it for accuracy.
mateo44
12-10-07, 05:47 PM
Thanks for the route slip. Great -- now Melissa will be hounding me to do yet more climbing.
Thanks a million. Really. :p
OC Roadie
12-10-07, 06:11 PM
Anytime, Camino de Bryant and Hidden Hills are chock full 'o fun, ;)
I think the best thing about this route is you can get a ratio of 1 mile to 100' of climbing, right here in OC, without riding up and down Newport Coast all day.
WhiteCarbonDude
12-10-07, 06:32 PM
It's 3.6 miles? Really? Seems shorter, but I'll take your word for it. We ride NC/RP all the time. Well, Melissa climbs RP more often than I do. And faster, pretty much.
Also, how about Park Ave in Laguna? That's a painful, but great, climb.
Yup, I always go to the top of Ridge Park past the stop sign of Vista Ridge to add 50 more feet and .2mi:)
I've never done Park Ave but I always wanted to add it to one of my routes.
mateo44
12-10-07, 06:48 PM
Anytime, Camino de Bryant and Hidden Hills are chock full 'o fun, ;)
I think the best thing about this route is you can get a ratio of 1 mile to 100' of climbing, right here in OC, without riding up and down Newport Coast all day.
OK, that's quite enough already. :eek:
mateo44
12-10-07, 06:49 PM
Yup, I always go to the top of Ridge Park past the stop sign of Vista Ridge to add 50 more feet and .2mi:)
I've never done Park Ave but I always wanted to add it to one of my routes.