thecyclist
03-04-09, 09:49 PM
how hard is mt diablo for someone who has never climbed any "real" hill before? im in good shape and have a triple
Northern California - mt diablo difficulty
Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.View Full Version : mt diablo difficulty
Beaker
03-04-09, 10:19 PM
I assume you're used to climbing some hills - whether you call them "real" or not? If you can handle a 5 to 7% grade then it's just about duration IMO. Summit Road after the junction/Ranger station is steeper and can take it out of you the first time before you reach the infamous summit wall - short but steep.
You never know what you can do until you try - good luck and let us know how it goes :thumb:
You never know what you can do until you try - good luck and let us know how it goes :thumb:
gpelpel
03-04-09, 10:20 PM
How hard? Depends on you. You may never have climbed any big ones but if you are in shape you shouldn't have any problem. Only the last 200 meters are steep.
Mt. Diablo is a not too steep 11 miles grind, the key is to start at an easy comfortable pace for you and keep on going. Enjoy the view and your time going up.
Mt. Diablo is a not too steep 11 miles grind, the key is to start at an easy comfortable pace for you and keep on going. Enjoy the view and your time going up.
johnny99
03-04-09, 10:52 PM
Mt. Diablo is not steep (except for the last 200 yards), but it will be long and tiring for someone who has not climbed bigger hills before. Don't be surprised if you have to stop and rest a few times before you get to the top. Try to do it nonstop on your next attempt.
CRSturdivant
03-04-09, 10:57 PM
I would say since I am an avid climber, mt. diablo rates a 6 out of 10 on the difficulty scale. Imagine 10 being so steep that if you lose your balance even for a few moments you will fall over (like climbing hicks road in san jose).
zephyr
03-04-09, 10:57 PM
The good thing about riding up Mt Diablo is if you get really tired or bonk, just turn around and coast back to your starting place near the bottom of the climb. Maybe on your first trip, start from either the Walnut Creek (North Gate Rd) or Danville/Alamo (South Gate Rd) side and just make your goal to pedal up to the Ranger station at the intersection of North and South Gate Roads. Take a break at the Ranger station, have a snack and refill your water bottle. If you feel OK, head on up Summit Road until you start to feel too tired. Turn around and go back. In the mid 1990s I lived in Walnut Creek and worked in San Ramon. My bike commute home a couple of times a week during the daylight savings months was San Ramon to Alamo, then up South Gate to the ranger station, and down North Gate to Walnut Creek. It's a beautiful trip.
x136
03-04-09, 11:10 PM
Maybe on your first trip, start from either the Walnut Creek (North Gate Rd) or Danville/Alamo (South Gate Rd) side and just make your goal to pedal up to the Ranger station at the intersection of North and South Gate Roads. Take a break at the Ranger station, have a snack and refill your water bottle. If you feel OK, head on up Summit Road until you start to feel too tired. Turn around and go back.Agreed. By the time you get to the ranger station, you'll know if you're up for continuing. It took me a few tries before I made it to the summit (And even then, I bonked all the way up. :lol:). Take your time, and you can do it.
(By the way, if you're heading up the North Gate side, Arbolado Park (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=arbolado+park,+walnut+creek,+ca&sll=37.918404,-122.003549&sspn=0.007736,0.010214&ie=UTF8&ll=37.919225,-122.00121&spn=0.007736,0.010214&t=h&z=17) is a good place to park.)
(By the way, if you're heading up the North Gate side, Arbolado Park (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=arbolado+park,+walnut+creek,+ca&sll=37.918404,-122.003549&sspn=0.007736,0.010214&ie=UTF8&ll=37.919225,-122.00121&spn=0.007736,0.010214&t=h&z=17) is a good place to park.)
rydaddy
03-05-09, 12:26 AM
how hard is mt diablo for someone who has never climbed any "real" hill before? im in good shape and have a triple
Diablo was my first 'real' mountain climb. It was about 6 months after getting my first road bike. The only hill I climbed before was ~500' over 3 miles. I tackled Diablo in 1:04. I was in fairly good shape, and had a triple too. Make it your mission not to stop, but do take your time. If you do stop then you have a goal for another day. And like gpelpel said, enjoy the view. :thumb:
Diablo was my first 'real' mountain climb. It was about 6 months after getting my first road bike. The only hill I climbed before was ~500' over 3 miles. I tackled Diablo in 1:04. I was in fairly good shape, and had a triple too. Make it your mission not to stop, but do take your time. If you do stop then you have a goal for another day. And like gpelpel said, enjoy the view. :thumb:
caloso
03-05-09, 12:27 AM
It's not too bad, if you take your time. If you're a damn fool who wants to break an hour, it's very, very, very hard.
Oh, and that last 200 m? It makes grown men cry.
Oh, and that last 200 m? It makes grown men cry.
Beaker
03-05-09, 12:34 AM
Diablo was my first 'real' mountain climb. It was about 6 months after getting my first road bike. The only hill I climbed before was ~500' over 3 miles. I tackled Diablo in 1:04. I was in fairly good shape, and had a triple too. Make it your mission not to stop, but do take your time. If you do stop then you have a goal for another day. And like gpelpel said, enjoy the view. :thumb:
Sheesh!
Sheesh!
rydaddy
03-05-09, 12:37 AM
Sheesh!
:lol:
Caloso said it! Breaking that hour mark is a beyotch! I'd rather take it easy than kill myself and be 4 minutes off! Haven't been there in a while though....
:lol:
Caloso said it! Breaking that hour mark is a beyotch! I'd rather take it easy than kill myself and be 4 minutes off! Haven't been there in a while though....
ROJA
03-05-09, 09:22 AM
:lol:
Caloso said it! Breaking that hour mark is a beyotch! I'd rather take it easy than kill myself and be 4 minutes off! Haven't been there in a while though....
Ha- if you can take it easy and do it in 1:04, then that is pretty impressive! My best time is 1:18 and that was riding basically all out!
Caloso said it! Breaking that hour mark is a beyotch! I'd rather take it easy than kill myself and be 4 minutes off! Haven't been there in a while though....
Ha- if you can take it easy and do it in 1:04, then that is pretty impressive! My best time is 1:18 and that was riding basically all out!
rydaddy
03-05-09, 09:30 AM
Ha- if you can take it easy and do it in 1:04, then that is pretty impressive! My best time is 1:18 and that was riding basically all out!
Oooh no! I wasn't taking it easy. I said it's better to take it easy than to kill myself trying to break an hour.
Oooh no! I wasn't taking it easy. I said it's better to take it easy than to kill myself trying to break an hour.
DiabloScott
03-05-09, 11:22 AM
You never forget your first time ;-)
It's a little intimidating of course but anyone with some riding experience and in decent shape can do it. A heart rate monitor really helps you learn to gauge your effort and learn your body's feedback.
It's a little intimidating of course but anyone with some riding experience and in decent shape can do it. A heart rate monitor really helps you learn to gauge your effort and learn your body's feedback.
cccorlew
03-05-09, 01:04 PM
I still think just doing it at all is an accomplishment.
And it is a grunt.
Don't be fooled when you think you are almost there and the tower is slightly to your left. You have farther to go than it look like. If you have a choice, start from teh south gate. I find it easier.
My advice: Go slow, relax, stop if you need to. You can always go for the hour on your second time
And it is a grunt.
Don't be fooled when you think you are almost there and the tower is slightly to your left. You have farther to go than it look like. If you have a choice, start from teh south gate. I find it easier.
My advice: Go slow, relax, stop if you need to. You can always go for the hour on your second time
khearn
03-05-09, 05:22 PM
Don't be ashamed to stop and walk on the last 200 yards, it's a 17% slope. Back when I lived in San Ramon and used to ride it every month or so, I was using toe clips & cleats. I seldom would cinch the straps down tight, so I could pull my foot out when I needed to without loosening the strap. But when I'd approach "the wall" at the top of Diablo, it was decision time. Do I leave the straps a bit loose or not? If I left them loose, there was a very real chance of pulling a foot out while standing on the climb, which would mean a very quick stop. But if I tightened the straps, I had to make it all the way up because there would be no way to get out of the pedal if I had to stop. I usually tightened them. :)
DiabloScott
03-05-09, 05:26 PM
Don't be ashamed to stop and walk on the last 200 yards, :)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/STQw7dBd0kI/AAAAAAAAEpw/F646nXvtwKQ/s800/Car%20Stoppers.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/STQw7dBd0kI/AAAAAAAAEpw/F646nXvtwKQ/s800/Car%20Stoppers.JPG
bikingshearer
03-05-09, 05:59 PM
Going up South Gate is definitely easier than going up North Gate. North Gate has one or two pitches that are steeper than anything else on the mountain, except for the infamous last 200 meters.
For your first go, park at the intersection of Blackhawk Road/Diablo Road and Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Start riding up Mt. Diablo Scenic past the Athenian School, and just keep going. (The incredibly crappy surface for the first half mile or so gets better as soon as you hit the park boundary.) Put it in a comfortably low gear and keep pedalling. Set a pace you feel you could keep up all day. There are a few steepish pitches, but they are short, and most of the road is a reasonable climb. Don't overdo here, though, because it gets steeper later on.
Your first land mark of note is the entrance station. You can get water here. You should.
Right after the entrance station, the road gets easy for a little bit as you go past Rock City - there is even a short, gentle downhill. On, and it's shady through here, as opposing to being exposed to direct sun most of the rest of the way. After a mile or less, you start up again. It's mostly easy climbing, but it pitches up noticeably about a quarter mile before the junction. You can get water at the junction, too. You should. At this point, you've gone about 6 miles or so and you have another 4.5 to the top.
After the junction, the base grade of the road is steeper than it has been to this point. It also slowly . . . gets . . . steeper. Not a lot, but enough if you are a wuss like me. :D
About 2.5 miles after the junction is the Juniper campground. You won't care about the campground itself, but there is a right-hand bend in the road with a huge shoulder/medium parking area on the left with nice views. You'll know it when you see it. It's a nice place to stop for a view if you are of a mind to, and it certainly is a nice benchmark to tell you that you are better then three-quarters of the way there.
After Juniper, uphill is always on your left, downhill is always on your right until Devil's Elbow, where the road hairpins to the left (again, you'll know it when you see it). For me, this is the hardest stretch of the climb (other than The Wall at the top). It is always longer than I think it should be, the grade is always a little harder than anything else has been to this point (unless you came up North Gate, which has a 10% pitch or two) the sun is a little hotter than it had been, and I'm always about ready for this to be over. Once around Devil's Elbow, there's a mile or so to go, the grade eases up just a little bit and you are pretty much home free - until you hit that %*%#*$%^ 200 meter Wall.
Yes, you can do this. Don't succumb ot the urge to race up it the first time. If you get to the top and have energy to spare, you go faster the next time.
For your first go, park at the intersection of Blackhawk Road/Diablo Road and Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Start riding up Mt. Diablo Scenic past the Athenian School, and just keep going. (The incredibly crappy surface for the first half mile or so gets better as soon as you hit the park boundary.) Put it in a comfortably low gear and keep pedalling. Set a pace you feel you could keep up all day. There are a few steepish pitches, but they are short, and most of the road is a reasonable climb. Don't overdo here, though, because it gets steeper later on.
Your first land mark of note is the entrance station. You can get water here. You should.
Right after the entrance station, the road gets easy for a little bit as you go past Rock City - there is even a short, gentle downhill. On, and it's shady through here, as opposing to being exposed to direct sun most of the rest of the way. After a mile or less, you start up again. It's mostly easy climbing, but it pitches up noticeably about a quarter mile before the junction. You can get water at the junction, too. You should. At this point, you've gone about 6 miles or so and you have another 4.5 to the top.
After the junction, the base grade of the road is steeper than it has been to this point. It also slowly . . . gets . . . steeper. Not a lot, but enough if you are a wuss like me. :D
About 2.5 miles after the junction is the Juniper campground. You won't care about the campground itself, but there is a right-hand bend in the road with a huge shoulder/medium parking area on the left with nice views. You'll know it when you see it. It's a nice place to stop for a view if you are of a mind to, and it certainly is a nice benchmark to tell you that you are better then three-quarters of the way there.
After Juniper, uphill is always on your left, downhill is always on your right until Devil's Elbow, where the road hairpins to the left (again, you'll know it when you see it). For me, this is the hardest stretch of the climb (other than The Wall at the top). It is always longer than I think it should be, the grade is always a little harder than anything else has been to this point (unless you came up North Gate, which has a 10% pitch or two) the sun is a little hotter than it had been, and I'm always about ready for this to be over. Once around Devil's Elbow, there's a mile or so to go, the grade eases up just a little bit and you are pretty much home free - until you hit that %*%#*$%^ 200 meter Wall.
Yes, you can do this. Don't succumb ot the urge to race up it the first time. If you get to the top and have energy to spare, you go faster the next time.
jonathanb715
03-05-09, 06:16 PM
For your first go, park at the intersection of Blackhawk Road/Diablo Road and Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Start riding up Mt. Diablo Scenic past the Athenian School, and just keep going. (The incredibly crappy surface for the first half mile or so gets better as soon as you hit the park boundary.)
Is there actually anyplace to park there (besides the school parking lot, that is)? I only live a few miles away so I always ride to the mountain, but I don't remember seeing cars parked on the street on Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Obviously during the week parking in the school parking lot is a no-no.
I've seen lots of people park a little further up towards the entrance, or just past the tire poppers. This leaves you with zero warmup before you start climbing, but the grade isn't so bad and you can just take it easy for a while to warm up. Just make sure you pick a spot where you can get your car completely off the road.
Another alternative is to park in one of the 3 shopping centers on the intersection of Blackhawk Rd and Tassajara. This gives you a few miles of rolling terrain for warm up before you start the main climb. Unfortunately, you also get that rolling terrain heading back to your car, when your legs are nicely toasted.....
JB
Is there actually anyplace to park there (besides the school parking lot, that is)? I only live a few miles away so I always ride to the mountain, but I don't remember seeing cars parked on the street on Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Obviously during the week parking in the school parking lot is a no-no.
I've seen lots of people park a little further up towards the entrance, or just past the tire poppers. This leaves you with zero warmup before you start climbing, but the grade isn't so bad and you can just take it easy for a while to warm up. Just make sure you pick a spot where you can get your car completely off the road.
Another alternative is to park in one of the 3 shopping centers on the intersection of Blackhawk Rd and Tassajara. This gives you a few miles of rolling terrain for warm up before you start the main climb. Unfortunately, you also get that rolling terrain heading back to your car, when your legs are nicely toasted.....
JB
DiabloScott
03-05-09, 06:18 PM
except for the infamous last 200 meters.
It's 300 meters!
Yes, technically there are a final 200 meters, there's even the final 10 feet, but the Summit Wall is 300 meters long. And I know because I own the Google Earth photo of it. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11272754
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/SXK8LwqCnnI/AAAAAAAAFAI/ETYCAAnGSWw/s800/P6140128.JPG
I like to count pedal strokes so I don't have to look up until I'm there.
It's 300 meters!
Yes, technically there are a final 200 meters, there's even the final 10 feet, but the Summit Wall is 300 meters long. And I know because I own the Google Earth photo of it. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11272754
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/SXK8LwqCnnI/AAAAAAAAFAI/ETYCAAnGSWw/s800/P6140128.JPG
I like to count pedal strokes so I don't have to look up until I'm there.
ROJA
03-05-09, 06:21 PM
Has anyone ever had a problem parking at the Athenian School on weekends?
ericm979
03-05-09, 06:58 PM
Has anyone ever had a problem parking at the Athenian School on weekends?
I haven't.
There is water at the ranger station at the junction, around the back of the building.
There are bathrooms near the top. They are in the large parking lot at the base of the "wall".
I haven't.
There is water at the ranger station at the junction, around the back of the building.
There are bathrooms near the top. They are in the large parking lot at the base of the "wall".
bigbossman
03-05-09, 07:50 PM
Is there actually anyplace to park there (besides the school parking lot, that is)? I only live a few miles away so I always ride to the mountain, but I don't remember seeing cars parked on the street on Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. Obviously during the week parking in the school parking lot is a no-no.
If you are approaching on Blackhawk Blvd from the Crow Canyon/Camino Tassajara intersection, there is a park on the north side where kids play soccer and stuff. You can park there, or along that road. It is at the top of a short hill, and you would descend down toward the Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd turnoff that marks the beginning of the climb. Which means that you would have to climb back up to your car afterward (as you mentioned).
Further away on Crow Canyon Road is Diablo Vista Park, which is another good place to park and get a warm-up going before the climb.
The best solution IMO is to park behind the Peet's Coffee in downtown Danville, follow Diablo Road to the Alameda Diablo split-left, scoot through the Country Club, and pop out onto Diablo Scenic Blvd through the hole in the wall. This gets you warm-up, leaves you with an all-downhill or flat run back to the car, and skirts the crappy road surface at the beginning of the climb.
If you are approaching on Blackhawk Blvd from the Crow Canyon/Camino Tassajara intersection, there is a park on the north side where kids play soccer and stuff. You can park there, or along that road. It is at the top of a short hill, and you would descend down toward the Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd turnoff that marks the beginning of the climb. Which means that you would have to climb back up to your car afterward (as you mentioned).
Further away on Crow Canyon Road is Diablo Vista Park, which is another good place to park and get a warm-up going before the climb.
The best solution IMO is to park behind the Peet's Coffee in downtown Danville, follow Diablo Road to the Alameda Diablo split-left, scoot through the Country Club, and pop out onto Diablo Scenic Blvd through the hole in the wall. This gets you warm-up, leaves you with an all-downhill or flat run back to the car, and skirts the crappy road surface at the beginning of the climb.
jonjon0nline
03-05-09, 07:50 PM
I'm with you. I feel I'm in good shape but haven't had any hill action. Although, when the weather gets a bit warmer I'm doin' it.
rydaddy
03-05-09, 08:31 PM
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/SXK8LwqCnnI/AAAAAAAAFAI/ETYCAAnGSWw/s800/P6140128.JPG
Great shot! :thumb:
Great shot! :thumb:
RoboCheme
03-05-09, 10:00 PM
I park at Monte Vista High School. It's only about two miles to the Athenian school
kjfitz
03-05-09, 10:51 PM
I park in the back of Monte Vista School (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&g=mt+diablo,+ca&ie=UTF8&ll=37.833849,-121.978101&spn=0,359.99382&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=37.833927,-121.978139&panoid=ygoLqLExVAZlguGSc-P1Ng&cbp=12,206.09375000000006,,0,8.828124999999998) and then warm up on the very quiet Alameda Diablo Road (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&g=mt+diablo,+ca&ie=UTF8&ll=37.835227,-121.967114&spn=0,359.99691&z=19&layer=c&cbll=37.835227,-121.967114&panoid=eQmnOJSl1ixChookKSQzVQ&cbp=12,101.60508716871172,,0,6.249999999999998) to a gap in the fence (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&g=mt+diablo,+ca&ie=UTF8&ll=37.841157,-121.94953&spn=0,359.975281&z=16&layer=c&cbll=37.841081,-121.949449&panoid=LLV34pPwUosJVYYSN5OyPQ&cbp=12,298.21610028722694,,0,10.539375237017364) that lets you pass up some of the really bad road into the park. Side benefit of parking where I do is there is a bathroom next to the parking lot.
Beaker
03-05-09, 11:01 PM
scoot through the Country Club, and pop out onto Diablo Scenic Blvd through the hole in the wall. This gets you warm-up, leaves you with an all-downhill or flat run back to the car, and skirts the crappy road surface at the beginning of the climb.
I found this on my last run with a friend who was a Danville native - very nice shortcut.
I also agree with bikingshearer - that part between Juniper and Devil's Elbow is the toughest part of the climb - a blend of mental and physical challenge after you're gone that far. I've started noticing that I get a bigger sense of relief when I've gone round the elbow than I do at the actual summit. Go figure.
I found this on my last run with a friend who was a Danville native - very nice shortcut.
I also agree with bikingshearer - that part between Juniper and Devil's Elbow is the toughest part of the climb - a blend of mental and physical challenge after you're gone that far. I've started noticing that I get a bigger sense of relief when I've gone round the elbow than I do at the actual summit. Go figure.
bikingshearer
03-06-09, 12:24 PM
Is there actually anyplace to park there (besides the school parking lot, that is)?
I've always been able to park on Diablo Road (the one that comes up from downtown Danville) very close to the intersection with Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. (the one that actually goes up the mountain). Weekend or weekday, I've always been able to get a spot within 100 yards of MDScenic Blvd. Probably because everyone else who rides up Diablo is less of a panty-waist than I am and actually rides to the base of the Devil Mountain from some respectable distance away. :p
I've only ever parked at Athenian for the annual Mt. Diablo Challenge in the Fall, and I'm not sure that is allowed any more.
I've always been able to park on Diablo Road (the one that comes up from downtown Danville) very close to the intersection with Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd. (the one that actually goes up the mountain). Weekend or weekday, I've always been able to get a spot within 100 yards of MDScenic Blvd. Probably because everyone else who rides up Diablo is less of a panty-waist than I am and actually rides to the base of the Devil Mountain from some respectable distance away. :p
I've only ever parked at Athenian for the annual Mt. Diablo Challenge in the Fall, and I'm not sure that is allowed any more.
thecyclist
03-07-09, 09:12 PM
by the way, it is free to go up right? do you have to pay a fee at the entrance station?
JoelS
03-07-09, 09:15 PM
I have got to climb that at some point this year.
Beaker
03-07-09, 09:20 PM
by the way, it is free to go up right? do you have to pay a fee at the entrance station?
Yup - they only charge cars.
I have got to climb that at some point this year.
Sounds like a good excuse to get lots of BF'ers together for another Diablo day.
Yup - they only charge cars.
I have got to climb that at some point this year.
Sounds like a good excuse to get lots of BF'ers together for another Diablo day.
JoelS
03-07-09, 09:21 PM
Yup - they only charge cars.
Sounds like a good excuse to get lots of BF'ers together for another Diablo day.
Only if the ride starts at 10am or later. It's a bit of a drive for me to get there.
Sounds like a good excuse to get lots of BF'ers together for another Diablo day.
Only if the ride starts at 10am or later. It's a bit of a drive for me to get there.
Beaker
03-07-09, 09:26 PM
Only if the ride starts at 10am or later. It's a bit of a drive for me to get there.
Understood. Just let the rest of the NorCal world know when you're thinking of heading down, and I'm sure you'll have some company. At Ron's post thanksgiving Diablo ride, we had a group of ~15. We were cheering people on at the top, it was epic.
Understood. Just let the rest of the NorCal world know when you're thinking of heading down, and I'm sure you'll have some company. At Ron's post thanksgiving Diablo ride, we had a group of ~15. We were cheering people on at the top, it was epic.
JoelS
03-07-09, 09:27 PM
Understood. Just let the rest of the NorCal world know when you're thinking of heading down, and I'm sure you'll have some company. At Ron's post thanksgiving Diablo ride, we had a group of ~15. We were cheering people on at the top, it was epic.
I'll do that for sure. :thumb:
I'll do that for sure. :thumb:
x136
03-07-09, 09:34 PM
Only if the ride starts at 10am or later. It's a bit of a drive for me to get there.HTFU. :P
But seriously, during the summer, you want to start as early as possible. It gets friggin' hot up there, and North Gate is pretty exposed most of the way.
But seriously, during the summer, you want to start as early as possible. It gets friggin' hot up there, and North Gate is pretty exposed most of the way.
rydaddy
03-07-09, 10:03 PM
I have got to climb that at some point this year.
Joel, you will love this climb. Get there asap so you have the rest of the year to go back. :)
Joel, you will love this climb. Get there asap so you have the rest of the year to go back. :)
save10
03-07-09, 11:14 PM
Has anyone ever had a problem parking at the Athenian School on weekends?
There was a bunch of lacrosse kids and and their parents at athenian today (sat). I ride to the mountain, but the lot seemed full. so now that its spring...they may have stuff like soccer and stuff. Another good place to park is the shopping center right off 680 on diablo road, the one with the vacant supermarket.
also if you are climbing in the morning, dont forget to bring a vest. it was like 40 degrees up there and i forgot mine. the descent sucked.
There was a bunch of lacrosse kids and and their parents at athenian today (sat). I ride to the mountain, but the lot seemed full. so now that its spring...they may have stuff like soccer and stuff. Another good place to park is the shopping center right off 680 on diablo road, the one with the vacant supermarket.
also if you are climbing in the morning, dont forget to bring a vest. it was like 40 degrees up there and i forgot mine. the descent sucked.
joker8baller
03-07-09, 11:26 PM
Haha, I want to try this climb over Spring Break, anyone willing to show a total noob the ropes?
I've... never climbed before ><
I've... never climbed before ><
cccorlew
03-07-09, 11:41 PM
by the way, it is free to go up right? do you have to pay a fee at the entrance station?
Only $25. There's no Tee shirt, but it's still worth it. Just paypal me the money, I'll get you all registered and everything. There's a lot of paperwork, and it can be intimidating for the uninitiated. I'm willing to help out.
Only $25. There's no Tee shirt, but it's still worth it. Just paypal me the money, I'll get you all registered and everything. There's a lot of paperwork, and it can be intimidating for the uninitiated. I'm willing to help out.
thecyclist
03-08-09, 07:27 PM
thanks guys, made it to the summit in 1:12min, stopped a few times along the way. almost died on summit wall but managed to ride up, great climb, have to do it again
Beaker
03-08-09, 07:33 PM
1:12 is a very respectable time - obviously you had nothing to worry about - congratulations.
That descent is one of my favourites. I assume that this was starting from the Athenian school?
That descent is one of my favourites. I assume that this was starting from the Athenian school?