The Low-Key Hill Climb series in the San Francisco Bay area started Sept. 29 and run through November 22. Number 2 in the series of 7 was Kings Mountain on October 6. I decided to go for it! After all, "low-key", right? The registration and staging was about 6.5 miles from the start. This was a sea of testosterone: 11 women registered and 75 men. We started out in groups of 10 - 20. I started out in about the fourth group - figured I would rather pass people than get passed. The biggest problem was that the segment from staging to the start was mostly downhill so no time to warm up. Starting with a cold engine, it took a few minutes for my breathing and heart rate to settle in. Statistics for the climb are as follows:

Max. grade: 14% (16% on switchbacks)
Avg. grade: 6.8%
Length: 4.31 miles
Elev. gain: 1540 feet

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Kings Mountain climbs through the redwoods and it was a gorgeous day.

I felt great and the grade wasn't too bad. I pushed myself but certainly not at race pace. I surprised myself and finished in third place for the women (out of 11 women) with a time of 32:42. That was good enough to contribute to my Webcor/Alto Velo team score.

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Hermes and Velodiva at the staging area

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The Climb on my Orbea Orca

Next week is Mount Diablo - 11.28 miles and 3220 feet of climbing - gotta love those hills.

No wonder you did so well, the Orbea looks FAST.
Everyone is moving to white handlebar tape, must be the aerodynamics.
Congrats on your result.

Great ride and results!! And I agree you look pretty fast in the profile picture! If you'd be willing to take 25-30 lbs from me I could probably climb that fast as well!!!

Great results! Congratulations.