Northern California - Thursday after work ride - Montebello

People - it's too nice not to get out today. Me and some of the lads are meeting at Chain Reaction Los Altos at 5:45 for a Montebello climb. Green Webcor kit, Seven Axiom. Pace delicate to the base then "on your own" to the top. Come one come all.

People - it's too nice not to get out today. Me and some of the lads are meeting at Chain Reaction Los Altos at 5:45 for a Montebello climb. Green Webcor kit, Seven Axiom. Pace delicate to the base then "on your own" to the top. Come one come all.

Damn, I was out there yesterday, but I could tell my climbing was suffering. I made it just before the flat section of Montebello began. My legs just didn't have it yesterday. Plus, I have meetings today at 6 pm, so I won't be able to make it.

hmmm I might have to come out and give it a shot-- what's the climb like?

-- what's the climb like?

2 miles of ~7-8% avg, w/ some shade, 1 mile of flattish recovery, shaded, and finally another 2 miles of ~6-7% w/ a spike or two, no shade. Bring water. Drink lots. Have fun.

http://graphics.stanford.edu/~lucasp/grade/montebello.html

The bottom part is the steepest sustained part but very nice and no traffic. After 2 miles there is a flat mile - if you are suffering use this to recover. The top part is less steep but still a grinder, then at the end there are a few stair step tough sections. Once you see the big American flag you know you have it whipped.

I'll try to join you. Another Webcor kit, Specialized S-Works.
Need to get my legs open before Pesky :)

excellent, smithers, excellent...

I'll try to make it if I get home from work early enough... though I'll probably regret it and get by but kicked. Not sure what I'll be wearing but I ride a silver specialized allez elite (and a green mazda protege with it on top)

I was going to do this ride on saturday.. or at least attempt it. Let us know how it was.

I'll give it another shot tomorrow. Maybe I'll actually make it past the school this time. :p

the climb is pretty good. it was a bit hot, but two bottles of water were enough for me.
general advice for those who never rode it: don't kill yourself during the first 2 miles (unless you are racing up that hill) and combine sitting and standing "intervals" (3-4 minutes sited, then shift 1 or 2 cogs up and go for 30-60 seconds standing, the downshift if you need to, sit back and repeat). another thing that I found useful: engage core muscles. this will help unload quads and you'll recover a bit.

Report and summit pictures on my blog

sub20olh.blogspot.com

I did this today. The air quality is not too bad, but you don't get a really good view once you climb it. Maybe after all the fires are out, and the smoke clears, there may be a better view.

It took me 1 hour to get to the top from the bottom off of Steven's Creek. I stopped twice ... once because my chain dropped as I was shifting to my granny gear, and another to take a quick pic.

Yeah, I'm a bit slow on the climbs. I'm going to try and do this more often after work (one of the benefits of doing the east coast shift, 6 am - 3 pm).