Northern California - Mt. Diablo Hill Climb

Race up the Northgate side to just shy of the junction:

https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/Item.aspx?id=2564

Anyone entering?

JB

I think I'll go up early and take photos of everybody!

I was thinking about doing this but I just looked at my calendar. Alas, I'm supposed to be working in Santa Cruz :mad:

ooooo.. sounds like fun!

I have only ever ridden down to the Northgate. Seems like a fun climb. I reckon I will do this one. Will be good training for the Climb To Kaiser the week after :)

If I can do a couple of test rides up Diablo I may actually try this one.

How does this differ from the Mt. Diablo Challenge in October?

How does this differ from the Mt. Diablo Challenge in October?

I think that one goes up the south side to the summit.

I think that one goes up the south side to the summit.

Plus it's not a mass start.
I was planning on doing it, but I think I will do the crit in Napa instead.

How does this differ from the Mt. Diablo Challenge in October?

My description from last year:

You park and register at North Gate High, about a mile and a half from the North Gate Kiosk.
This is a santioned race, must have a license, 1-days available at check in.
They have a starting ramp and a holder - about 2 feet of elevation drop to get you started.
It's a 10km course so the finish is near the Ranger House, about 1/4 mile short of the Junction. (Gate to Junction is 6.55 miles, 10km is 6.21 miles)

HERE (http://picasaweb.google.com/DiabloScottsBikeBlog/NorthGateTimeTrial) are some photos.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/DiabloScottsBikeBlog/RpkksGD-Z8I/AAAAAAAABG8/j4hAa8ij7gc/s800/2007-07-14%20037.jpg

Hey DiabloScott, what's a good time on this route for a non-racer who climbs Diablo (Athenian to Summit) in about 65-70 minutes?

Hey DiabloScott, what's a good time on this route for a non-racer who climbs Diablo (Athenian to Summit) in about 65-70 minutes?


I'd guess you'd do between 30 and 35 minutes on this race. There's usually not much wind in the morning in July.

Here's a link to last year's results.
http://www.c4racing.org/www/results/diablo7.html

(I'd be pretty near the bottom of that list right now)

So that means the final 17% pitch is not part of this????

Race up the Northgate side to just shy of the junction:

https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/Item.aspx?id=2564

Anyone entering?

JB

I've entered.

I did this 2 years ago, but hope to be a little faster this time.

So that means the final 17% pitch is not part of this????

Correct. First mile is pretty flat, a couple of dips. Real climbing starts about mile 2. Section of 10% at mile 3 (The Bump). Then about 6% for almost the rest of the way with a half mile of flattish section after Chainbuster hairpin.

(Flat means ~3 or 4%)

Purple route:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/DiabloScottsBikeBlog/Ry-0L7Nj27I/AAAAAAAAByM/urvcjiMdSjw/s800/Diablo%20Profile.jpg

My description from last year:

You park and register at North Gate High, about a mile and a half from the North Gate Kiosk.
This is a santioned race, must have a license, 1-days available at check in.
They have a starting ramp and a holder - about 2 feet of elevation drop to get you started.
It's a 10km course so the finish is near the Ranger House, about 1/4 mile short of the Junction. (Gate to Junction is 6.55 miles, 10km is 6.21 miles)

HERE (http://http://picasaweb.google.com/DiabloScottsBikeBlog/NorthGateTimeTrial) are some photos.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/DiabloScottsBikeBlog/RpkksGD-Z8I/AAAAAAAABG8/j4hAa8ij7gc/s800/2007-07-14%20037.jpg

Thanks for the great information! That is a totally cool start - got my adrenalin going. I have already registered.

Thanks for the great information! That is a totally cool start - got my adrenalin going. I have already registered.

Sassy is signed up. I am thinking about it...get my cast off on Tuesday.

Sassy is signed up. I am thinking about it...get my cast off on Tuesday.

That is fantastic that Sassy has signed up! She will do well! Look forward to seeing you there - and great news about the cast - recover well.

That is fantastic that Sassy has signed up! She will do well! Look forward to seeing you there - and great news about the cast - recover well.

I'm in, too. This promises to be not just a great ride, but a chance to catch up with BF friends as well. :)

I'm in.

I think I will sign up... Cat 5.

Diablo challenge is from which side?? South? or North?

Challenge -- South.
Hillclimb (this event) -- North.

So that means the final 17% pitch is not part of this????

This is up the North side to just below the Junction. 10km/6.2 miles

I'm in, dunno why. I should pre-ride that probably.

Well I am doing it with my new shorter cast on. Not exactly in race shape, but that won't keep me from going anerobic!!

Velodiva, Red, USPSPRO-wanna tandem after?? We could do a social 30-40 miler and get something to eat :)

I will be racing 35+ master cat 5. Wearing the green and white Sport and Spine kit. C U all there.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk108/ReeseBucket/Gordon/P1020155-1.jpg

Well I am doing it with my new shorter cast on. Not exactly in race shape, but that won't keep me from going anerobic!!

Velodiva, Red, USPSPRO-wanna tandem after?? We could do a social 30-40 miler and get something to eat :)

I will be racing 35+ master cat 5. Wearing the green and white Sport and Spine kit. C U all there.


Cool! Glad to see you're back.

Unfortunately I am not doing this race. I came down with this bad cold. I am better now, but the remnants are still there. My lungs get pretty clogged up with the "lung butter" whenever I get sick. So, no racing for me.

However,we are doing this ride up Mt. Tam on Sunday (on the tandem) --> http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=430387

Since you're back in action, maybe we'll see you on the July "wheelsucker/tandem" ride?

Yeah, Gordon! We need you on the Tandem Rally ride!!!

Party afterwards...

Depends on my knee surgery. Meeting with the Doc tomorrow to get a second oppinion. Keep you posted.

Well I am doing it with my new shorter cast on. Not exactly in race shape, but that won't keep me from going anerobic!!

Velodiva, Red, USPSPRO-wanna tandem after?? We could do a social 30-40 miler and get something to eat :)

I will be racing 35+ master cat 5. Wearing the green and white Sport and Spine kit. C U all there.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk108/ReeseBucket/Gordon/P1020155-1.jpg

Hi Gordon: Glad your back with fresh legs;)...yes, we are up for a tandem ride after the hill climb. I registered as an Elite M Cat 5 so I would finish close to Velodiva. Holy moly, I will have to bring three bikes and two trainers. Both Velodiva and I are doing the Canada ITT on Saturday morning. See you then and we can work out the logistics later.:)

Ok Rich. You can park your tandem at Michelle's, let's plan an early meeting.

C U then

Both Velodiva and I are doing the Canada ITT on Saturday morning.

I just registered for this. I usually wouldn't take a water bottle, but I am thinking that my sore throat might dry out a little easier. So I will take one bottle of Heed.

Is anyone planning on doing the hill climb TT on a TT rig?

I'm using my regular road bike, but will put on a pair of mini clip on TT bars.

They weigh about 400g, which will cost about 8-10 seconds in a climb of this length, but hopefully the improved aerodynamics over the first 1.5 mile rolling section will save me more than that.

Next question, regular helmet ot TT helmet?

Ullrich did it in 04 at the Alpe d'Huez TT. He did pretty good. (No helmet though ;) )

TT Helmet has no ventilation, so something to think about. It would probably grab you a handful of seconds though.

http://velonews.com/files/images/6631.8566.jpg

Chris and Deb are going to make the tandem ride after the TT :)

Awesome!!

Is anyone planning on doing the hill climb TT on a TT rig?

I'm using my regular road bike, but will put on a pair of mini clip on TT bars.

They weigh about 400g, which will cost about 8-10 seconds in a climb of this length, but hopefully the improved aerodynamics over the first 1.5 mile rolling section will save me more than that.

Next question, regular helmet ot TT helmet?

both depend on the direction of the wind. the first 1.5 are not flat either, the gradient is between 0% (start line) and 2.4%. Basically, it's 0% - 2.4% - 1.1% - 2.2% and then it goes up to 6.5% within next 1/2 mile :)

I'll be using regular bike w/o any TT equipment and regular helmet. I don't think TT equipment will play any significant role on this course.

Registered for it, but I think I'll be carrying at least extra 2 pounds. :( Free lunch today had three ice Ben * Jerries ice cream bars, burger, chicken burger, with chicken on a side, potatoe salad, small hot chocloate (with fat free milk lol ). There is another free lunch tomorrow. :twitchy:

That is fantastic that Sassy has signed up! She will do well! Look forward to seeing you there - and great news about the cast - recover well.


both depend on the direction of the wind. the first 1.5 are not flat either, the gradient is between 0% (start line) and 2.4%. Basically, it's 0% - 2.4% - 1.1% - 2.2% and then it goes up to 6.5% within next 1/2 mile :)

I'll be using regular bike w/o any TT equipment and regular helmet. I don't think TT equipment will play any significant role on this course.

I concur.

Last call. Register now :D

I concur.

I don't know... the mini clip-ons may help on the parts above 15 mph or so

Registered for it, but I think I'll be carrying at least extra 2 pounds. :( Free lunch today had three ice Ben * Jerries ice cream bars, burger, chicken burger, with chicken on a side, potatoe salad, small hot chocloate (with fat free milk lol ). There is another free lunch tomorrow. :twitchy:

Welcome to the corporate world man... Free lunches, team-building stuff while getting paid, etc.. ;)

Registration is closed :( See you guys on Sunday :thumb:

The real fast guys will be averaging 18.8 ish mph.

I don't know... the mini clip-ons may help on the parts above 15 mph or so

:roflmao2::roflmao2: Given how I climbed it two weeks ago, everyone will be flying by me. :(

Maybe I should just stay home and chill.

I rode up from the Blackhawk Side and dropped down to the kiosk on the Northside to try out tomorrows course for the first time. I reckon its a harder climb than the South gate. It was very warm even at 9am in the morning and I was stupid enough to only take one bottle with me. I reckon I will be taking a small bottle tomorrow if its supposed to be this warm. My start time is after 10am.

I dont know what possessed me to enter this !

Heh finished 15th in CAT4 field. I suck at TTing, could have pushed my self a bit harder and gained few places. Oh well.

I didn't wait for my results (missus asked me to go back home and give her a hand with some stuff) :(
But the ride wasn't good for me either :(

out of curiosity, what was your time (approximately)?

I didn't wait for my results (missus asked me to go back home and give her a hand with some stuff) :(
But the ride wasn't good for me either :(

out of curiosity, what was your time (approximately)?

31m 22 seconds. A granny with a basket on a beach cruiser can smoke me up the hills. :roflmao2:

Oh yeah fun fact. Went for a kool down on the other side, and on the way down was almost taken out by a !@$$@ black SUV. Dip **** was passing two cyclists on a corner. I almost had to ride on a shoulder. Should have reported him to rangers or ride up and beat the **** out of him.

Finished 30th in Master 35+ 4/5. I dont think I pushed myself hard enough as I had a lot left at the end but thats a lack of racing in my legs. At least it was much cooler than yesterday.

http://www.zensurweb.com/bikes/diabloHC.jpg

31m 22 seconds. A granny with a basket on a beach cruiser can smoke me up the hills. :roflmao2:

Oh yeah fun fact. Went for a kool down on the other side, and on the way down was almost taken out by a !@$$@ black SUV. Dip **** was passing two cyclists on a corner. I almost had to ride on a shoulder. Should have reported him to rangers or ride up and beat the **** out of him.

I'm somewhere in the same range. I have only an estimate of my time, somewhere between 30 and 32 minutes (very broad range, but I still didn't move my computer to new bike). so, I'll wait for them to publish the results online :)

Pfffft! I'd've given my eye-teeth for that time!

Velodiva told me that my time was 37 and change. Had a strong start and finish, had so little left that when I tried to pedal going back down my legs were stiff and full of lactic.

Ah, good times, good times...;)