Northern California - Does anyone have a list/ranking of the toughest climbs in the Bay Area?

After hearing on the TOC about "categorized" climbs, I was wondering if anyone had made or seen a list of the hardest climbs in the Bay Area. Some are short and steep, some are long but not too steep, others are long AND steep. I don't think there is an objective way to rank them, but it would be cool to have a big list that we could use to see which ones we have checked off and which ones we still need to do.

If there is no such list, I would say that we make one! Perhaps we could start with the LKHC routes and the KOM routes (sticky thread above)?

Thanks.

EDIT: Just found this list, which is quite good: http://www.westernwheelers.org/main/resources/BA_Climbs.html

Also check out http://cycling.stanford.edu/

ACTC has a nice list with ratings, etc.

http://www.actc.org/billygoats/index.php

-Glenn

Although this subject crops up a lot and there is significant attraction in trying to find very steep roads to climb, you dont have to go very far to find monster climbs that will dwarf anything on that list all over the Bay area. You just have to be prepared to hit some fire roads and single track :)

There is at least one fire road near me that I have never been able to get up on my mountain bike. There could be an awesome Off Road Low Key Hill climb series if the Parks People would allow it.

I think the ToC had to be a little creative with the climb rankings because the coastal hills are mostly not very tall.

Tour de France climb categories are based mostly on elevation gain, with the top ranking going to climbs of over 1500 meters (5000 feet) feet non-stop:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part1/section-22.html

Dude - I've definitely got to drag you up Lomas Cantadas now...

Anyone want to do a group ride in San Diego? Palomar is waiting ...

I always bring this one up since it gets no respect. Maybe because everyone is on the Peninsula or in the East Bay. Anyway, this is a 75 mile round trip from Davis, the middle of the Valley to the top of the Coastal Range... very scenic. Mix Canyon Rd (http://daviswiki.org/Bicycle_Rides#head-fd7391b6720b809c7c41ed50cf63fdc87dac6b9d) in rural Vacaville. I guarantee it would be a top 5 if it was considered "Bay Area"

I'll lead a ride to the top whenever you all are ready. :p

EDit: My attachment wasn't coming out. See the route below....

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/-vacaville/414988607392

I always bring this one up since it gets no respect. Maybe because everyone is on the Peninsula or in the East Bay. Anyway, this is a 75 mile round trip from Davis, the middle of the Valley to the top of the Coastal Range... very scenic. Mix Canyon Rd (http://daviswiki.org/Bicycle_Rides#head-fd7391b6720b809c7c41ed50cf63fdc87dac6b9d) in rural Vacaville. I guarantee it would be a top 5 if it was considered "Bay Area"

I'll lead a ride to the top whenever you all are ready. :p

I'm definitely interested. I'm not the best climber, but I am a little bit nuts. :thumb:

I always bring this one up since it gets no respect. Maybe because everyone is on the Peninsula or in the East Bay. Anyway, this is a 75 mile round trip from Davis, the middle of the Valley to the top of the Coastal Range... very scenic. Mix Canyon Rd (http://daviswiki.org/Bicycle_Rides#head-fd7391b6720b809c7c41ed50cf63fdc87dac6b9d) in rural Vacaville. I guarantee it would be a top 5 if it was considered "Bay Area"

I'll lead a ride to the top whenever you all are ready. :p

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/-vacaville/414988607392

I'd love to try that ride sometime.

I'm definitely interested. I'm not the best climber, but I am a little bit nuts. :thumb:

A little bit (or maybe a LOT) of nuttiness is all that's required. And maybe some favorable gearing. ;)

I'd love to try that ride sometime.

Sweet! You can lead us to the top then! :lol:

Maybe once the racing season settles down we can do this. Or if there is interest sometime this month even. I'm in hill climb mode now with Devil Mountain around the corner.

i always bring this one up since it gets no respect. Maybe because everyone is on the peninsula or in the east bay. Anyway, this is a 75 mile round trip from davis, the middle of the valley to the top of the coastal range... Very scenic. mix canyon rd (http://daviswiki.org/bicycle_rides#head-fd7391b6720b809c7c41ed50cf63fdc87dac6b9d) in rural vacaville. I guarantee it would be a top 5 if it was considered "bay area"




+1

Scotty said there is a unleashed dog on mix...have you ever had to deal with the dog?

Anyone want to do a group ride in San Diego? Palomar is waiting ...

Road trip!

Scotty said there is a unleashed dog on mix...have you ever had to deal with the dog?

Oh yes. See my first ride report up Mix....
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=5242080&postcount=630

Yeah, I don't like dogs. My in-laws live in Vacaville, so I do get out there to ride every so often...but the dog has kept me off Mix...I'll wait until it works out for a group.

Anyone want to do a group ride in San Diego? Palomar is waiting ...Get the Partridge Family bus going, and I'll hop on. :P

Mix is on my list to do someday, it goes quite near the Solano County Highpoint for maximum geekiness. Maybe on one of my Napa trips I'll slide over there.

Mix Canyon and Old Priest Grade are both on my to do list :)

Lomas Contados and Centennial.

Yeah, I don't like dogs. My in-laws live in Vacaville, so I do get out there to ride every so often...but the dog has kept me off Mix...I'll wait until it works out for a group.


I understand how you feel. I'm comfortable around dogs and a little reverse psychology is all it takes. I chased after him! :roflmao2:

I was up there 2 weekends ago and the dog stayed behind the fence. I think there was a opening somewhere and it's been repaired. The house with the dog is beyond the paved portion of the road (technically the climb is over here). If you want a spectacular view North, South, East and West then you'll have to ride past the house with the dog, on the gravel road. It's so worth it on a clear day. :thumb:

Heh heh. If I'm off I'm in. I haven't been up in a little while, so I've forgotten the pain. One caution: Do not attempt in the rain. I've had dangerous wheelspin due to the steepness. The descent will require stops to cool your brakes. Oh man, now I want to do it today. How wet is it outside?

So, uhhh, Scotty... when's your next day off? :innocent:

Mix Canyon and Old Priest Grade are both on my to do list :)

Is Old Priest out towards Yosemite?

Is Old Priest out towards Yosemite?

Yup, near 120 and 49.

Since we're venturing a little past the Bay... might I suggest Sonora Pass (http://chainreaction.com/sonora_pass.htm)? :eek:

I have 2 retaining wall projects up near the summit. Next field trip (after the snow melts) I am there. :)

Yeah it's on the way to Yosemite from here.

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/mocassin/322943267178

It'd be fun to descend the new road afterward too :)

Lomas Contados and Centennial.

Both are good climbs. Also, both are part of the "Berkeley Hills Death Ride." (http://felixwong.com/2002/08/berkeley-death-ride/) It's actually not as bad as it sounds, but it does include some tough, steep climbs (Marin comes to mind).

I might try to organize a BF version of this ride later this Spring.

Anyone up for it?

Both are good climbs. Also, both are part of the "Berkeley Hills Death Ride." (http://felixwong.com/2002/08/berkeley-death-ride/) It's actually not as bad as it sounds, but it does include some tough, steep climbs (Marin comes to mind).

I might try to organize a BF version of this ride later this Spring.

Anyone up for it?

Yup - it's on my to do list this year. I've not done Marin before but I know most of the other climbs pretty well. I know that Bostic has been contemplating this for a while...

I've been erm, waiting for the weather to warm up a bit...?

I'm in for any ride containing "death" in the name :)

Traffic on old Priests Grade can be troublesome but it is an awesome climb.

I would be up for rydaddy's ride and for the Berk Hills Death Ride!

BTW, Justin - you might want to add in the low key link for reference

http://www.lowkeyhillclimbs.com/2008/