Northern California - Torture Sunday

Did a nice ride with a few mt bike buddies, on road bikes. We started on Berryessa Rd and climbed up Sierra Rd, took Felter down the back side to Calaveras. We followed Calaveras to Welch Creek. Ouch, what a climb. The good part is that the road is brand new asphalt. No bumps, no gravel, and beautiful views on this steep canyon climb. Did I mention steep? :eek: I was able to make it to the top without stopping, but it was very slow at times, like 3.5 mph slow. We got to the top and took a short break before heading back to the cars, via more climbing.:eek:My legs are toast, matter of fact I cant feel my legs!;) 6600ft in 45 miles. Here is the motion based chart from todays ride. 2 of the bay area's toughest climbs in the same day= lots of pain!

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=4507079

Wow. That's a flippin' ride.
I see you hit 47 on the way down. Yikes!

Welch Creek is one of those I'll never do.

What is your lowest gear? That hill is next on the to do list for me. I rode up Bohlman On Orbit for the first time on Wednesday. It's definitely a tough climb and I slugged it out at 3.5-4mph but did not feel any more destroyed at the top than going up Quimby or Redwood Gulch. I'm not 'spinning' at all in the lowest gear of 34-25 and am planning on getting a 13-29 cassette for the steep hill rides.

Nice - although you could have done the same amount of climbing in a similar distance by just going up and down Mt. D. a couple of times:rolleyes:

JB

I have a 34x27. However we really hammered to the base of the climb so my legs were already worked. I have climbed over 13,000ft in the last 4 days plus doing weight lifting. So my legs are really tired. I think its a great climb. I actually enjoyed this climb more then Tunitas. The road surface is perfect, and the scenery and views are great. My guess is if I ride it with fresher legs(no weight lifting) it would be far easier, but still tough. Take Hicks Rd and make it 4 miles(back side) and you have Welch.;)

Here is a few pics

Sierra Rd
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/BigSean_02/SierraRd.jpg

Welch Creek
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/BigSean_02/WelchCreek1.jpg
and how Welch made me feel
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/BigSean_02/WelchCreek.jpg

This is just after the 21% section.

From the graph, Welch looks like Sierra overall. Is this an accurate assessment?

From the graph, Welch looks like Sierra overall. Is this an accurate assessment?

No, Welch made Sierra seem easy. There is some recovery, but much steeper also.

I rode Welch Creek back in June. Much of the climb reminded me of the last quarter mile of Diablo - long stretches of 15+ %.

Veronica

Thats a good ride you got sean. I ran into your racing team on arastradero this morning.

I was just looking at the details of the graph, either your 305 freaked for a minute, or you tac'd out your heart rate at 215!!! <--:eek:

Thats a route I would like to "attempt" one day, but I'm not sure I'm strong enough right now.

Thats a good ride you got sean. I ran into your racing team on arastradero this morning.

I was just looking at the details of the graph, either your 305 freaked for a minute, or you tac'd out your heart rate at 215!!! <--:eek:

Thats a route I would like to "attempt" one day, but I'm not sure I'm strong enough right now.

The HR monitor has been doing that on decents lately, I guess from the wind getting in my shirt.

Either that or BigSean hasn't been very truthful about his strength. :eek:

Either that or BigSean hasn't been very truthful about his strength. :eek:

I have no strength. Ive been blasting my legs in the gym, and they are just jello on the bike right now. The highest I hit climbing was 187.

WOW! What a ride Sean! You are awesome ~ Well done!!!! :D

Here is a few pics

Sierra Rd
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/BigSean_02/SierraRd.jpg


This pic really shows why you're BigSean :)

This pic really shows why you're BigSean :)

Ain't that the truth! When I looked at it at first, i thought, "Why is that guy riding with 24" wheels?" Then I realized they were 700s.... :eek: