Northern California - Folsom/EDH climbing?

So I had the day off and the chance to put the bike on the rack for a little climbing. Time was short (had to be back in Sactown by 5 to make the kids' t-ball practice) so I just parked in the Costco parking lot off Iron Pt. Road and then over to Beatty Rd. for some repeats.

Does anyone know what the grade of Beatty is? Seemed pretty danged steep for this flatlander.

And can anyone recommend some more decent climbing near Hwy 50, with somewhere convenient to park?

Thanks!

If I picked the right road, 9%-12% (variable), with a tiny 16% down at the end.

Beatty hits 16%. There are some short hills a little farther up the ridge that are 18%.

There's Iron Point, Beatty, Serrano, Wilson. Those are all right off 50 up in that area. There's a park on El Dorado Hills Blvd that is convenient for all of these.

These hills are all part of regular rides that I do.

Wow. Thanks! So I wasn't imagining it. It was steep. Thankfully, I had my 27t cassette on. There's no way I could have done it with a 25.

Next time I get a chance, I think I'll go the next exit up and do Serrano. It looks similar to Iron Point but longer. Does that sound right?

Wow. Thanks! So I wasn't imagining it. It was steep. Thankfully, I had my 27t cassette on. There's no way I could have done it with a 25.

Next time I get a chance, I think I'll go the next exit up and do Serrano. It looks similar to Iron Point but longer. Does that sound right?

Yup.

Or do what I did last week. Iron Point, Beatty, right on EDH Blvd. Right on Wilson (another good one, hits 14%), turn around and go down. Right on EDH Blvd. Left on Serrano and do both hills. Left on Bass Lake, Left on Green Valley, and work your way back to start. 5 hills. Lots of steep. Good stuff!

Joel and I rode the first 8 hills ride (Costco, Beatty, Alexander, Powers, Wilson, Wilson, Serrano1&2. #7 is another steep little sucker after Serrano 2 (Aberdeen). You go out the North Serrano gate to get to it. The final one (#8) is Mormon Trail. Look at this link
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/fair-oaks/699509870336.
Enjoy
VG

Joel and I rode the first 8 hills ride (Costco, Beatty, Alexander, Powers, Wilson, Wilson, Serrano1&2. #7 is another steep little sucker after Serrano 2 (Aberdeen). You go out the North Serrano gate to get to it. The final one (#8) is Mormon Trail. Look at this link
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/fair-oaks/699509870336.
Enjoy
VG

Thanks! Very helpful!

If you wanted to get some additional mileage and climbing in, this is a good route.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/7553251

Under 55 miles and over 6K feet of climbing!

It looks like I should have continued south on Ridgeview after I got to the top of Beatty. That would have gotten me down to ED Parkway and Serrano, it appears.

It looks like I should have continued south on Ridgeview after I got to the top of Beatty. That would have gotten me down to ED Parkway and Serrano, it appears.

Yes, that's correct. There's a turn you have to take to drop down the ridge. Gillette to Olson I think.

Whoops, Wilson. That's what you want.

If you continue south on Beatty, then a left on Katie, and then a right on Powers(this will crest the ridge and finish the climb you started at the bottom of Beatty), follow that until you get back to Ridgeview then go right and it will take you to Wilson(fun descent, smooth wide road), and then to EDH blvd. to Serrano Parkway.

Thanks for posting the two route maps -- Looks like some nice rides.

I usually ride on the other side of folsom lake/american river, but I'll have to check these out especially now that the new bridge is open. How's the vehicle traffic during the weekdays?

Parts of Green Valley Road is probably the only place where there might be some traffic and only during commute times. There is a bike lane though so it's not really a problem.