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05-20-04, 04:28 PM
and rode up the infamous Bohlman Road in Saratoga, CA.
This is a local killer climb of 2,050 ft. in 4.3 miles. The average grade is 8.9% but the lower section, after an easy first quarter mile, pitches up to a sustained 11-12% for the next 2.5 miles or so. Some of the switchbacks are 22-24% on the inside of the turns. Needless to say, I took the outside of these turns where the grade was only 16-18%. After that there is a mix of ups and downs until you reach the end of the pavement. Supposedly there is a way to go down a mile of dirt road to pick up a paved road that takes you down to the Lexington Reservoir where you can catch a bike path into Los Gatos.
I evidently missed the turn and wandered around on some fire roads before I reached a chain-link fence where I could see paved road on the other side. Fortunately, there was a well-worn track to my left and I was able to walk the bike around the fence and get back on the road. I did not see another cyclist (in either direction) on either the climb or during my wanderings in the wilderness.
I wimped out and decided not to do the optional On-Orbit Rd. section that is even steeper with a stretch of 3/10ths of a mile at 18-20%! :eek:
This is a local killer climb of 2,050 ft. in 4.3 miles. The average grade is 8.9% but the lower section, after an easy first quarter mile, pitches up to a sustained 11-12% for the next 2.5 miles or so. Some of the switchbacks are 22-24% on the inside of the turns. Needless to say, I took the outside of these turns where the grade was only 16-18%. After that there is a mix of ups and downs until you reach the end of the pavement. Supposedly there is a way to go down a mile of dirt road to pick up a paved road that takes you down to the Lexington Reservoir where you can catch a bike path into Los Gatos.
I evidently missed the turn and wandered around on some fire roads before I reached a chain-link fence where I could see paved road on the other side. Fortunately, there was a well-worn track to my left and I was able to walk the bike around the fence and get back on the road. I did not see another cyclist (in either direction) on either the climb or during my wanderings in the wilderness.
I wimped out and decided not to do the optional On-Orbit Rd. section that is even steeper with a stretch of 3/10ths of a mile at 18-20%! :eek: