Northern California - A newb wants to climb... slowly

Hey NorCal/SacTown!

So I've been doing a ride about once per week, usually around 50 miles, but mostly flat. As I build up my time on the bike, working on longer distances, I am also eager to climb (though not something ridiculous to start :o )... climb slowly :) The only "pseudo-climb" I've done is the end of the American River Bike Trail up to Folsom Lake.

I'm curious what other "learning climbs" or softer-paced climbs your recommend close to the Sacramento area (say within about 30 minutes by car if possible) that I could either try solo or in small groups? Loops are awesome and, personally, the less I have to use the car, the better ;)

Cheers!
-Nico

Unfortunately, there are no hills in Sacto. So that means you either ride east or west towards the hills or drive the 30 minutes to get to them.

That being said, jump in, the water is fine. Hill climbing takes practice and more practice and then more practice. The more you do it, the better you will become.

At this time of the summer, my routine is flat rides during the week and hills during the weekend. Earlier it was hills twice during the week and a lot of them on the weekends. I'm sure if I lived where hills where abundant, then it would be different.

Auburn has some great area's to get started. As does Forresthill. And there are hills in between Rocklin and Auburn that you can start on.

Consider joining BikeHikers (http://www.bikehikers.com/). I hear they are a nice group. They have a plethora of rides.

Good luck.

BR

I've been itching to go out and ride Cantelow again.

Might do it on Monday (Labor Day). I'll make a post if I do. Room in my truck on the way out.

@BenRidin: Yeah, I see that driving is a must to reach some of the climbs (unless I want to make a very long round trip). Thanks for the recommendations on the areas and BikeHikers, definitely will check them out!

@JoelS: Just researched Cantelow some, seems cool but I can't do it Monday... I'm hoping for Saturday :) ... I looked up the route of the Davis Laid-Back ride II, looks cool and like a decent challenge for a newb like me. I think I may steal your Cantelow climb idea for another forum thread to see if you and others might be up for it on Saturday morning :-P .

I look forward to other recommendations around here!
-Nico

A good climb that wasn't too terribly hard, but was long and would get ya strong, is Salmon Falls Road. Ride it from Folsom, across the bridge at the Salmon Falls trailhead and then start the big hill. It was about four miles long, a real nice challenge, but a real nice climb as well.

Check out the following website for lots of ride ideas in the region.

http://centralcaliforniacycling.com/

The 55 mile North Bay Valley route is a real good ride, and is the heart of the Foxy Fall Classic Century.
http://centralcaliforniacycling.com/NBV.html

Ride it after the boat traffic to Lake Berryessa has died down (mid September on, or on a weekday). And I prefer to start in Winters instead of Fairfield.

Nico, what's your schedule like during the week? If you don't have a day job, I wouldn't mind some company on my morning rides.

Nico, what's your schedule like during the week? If you don't have a day job, I wouldn't mind some company on my morning rides.

Total day job... and unfortunately, for a few months, I have to be working at 7am :rolleyes:

Thanks all for the recommendations thus far, I'm eager to check them out.