Southern California - Decker Canyon Road

A friend and I are planning on riding Decker canyon road from PCH as part of a 80 mile ride one of these next few weekends. We'll be starting the climb after about 35 miles on the flat/coast. This would be one of the longer rides we have done so far this season but we regularly ride 60-70 miles when we head out.

Anyone ridden this lately? Doable for std crankset & 11x25 cogs or will we need to change the drivetrain to mtn gears and a compact? I drove the route yesterday and it looks a bit steep(ish).

Also, does the fire station have a hose bib where we can get water if we need it?

If you're strong enough to do it on a 39x25, then yes, it's doable.
Why don't you just go up a different canyon if you're concerned about it?

I think the first mile and half are out-of-the-saddle-steep ( for me ). After that it's not so bad. Encinal is more gentle ( but longer ) and ends up at the same place.

I think the first mile and half are out-of-the-saddle-steep ( for me ).
The three times I've done it I had the same experience. I was using 34/27.

34x27 and standing sounds like it's too steep for me. I do have some problems with Casitas pass on my 34x25 although my friend easily drops me with his 39x25 on that climb. Decker looks to be less of a gradient than Casitas but . . .

Encinal sounds like a workable option since we're really just trying to increase our mileage on the long weekly rides anyway.

I ride Decker with a 30t x 27t, sitting and standing and yes, the first mile and a half are brutal. After that it mellows out to merely extremely difficult.

Quite do-able, but it will get your attention!

Rick / OCRR

On the plus side, you can find out how slow you can go without tipping over.

34x27 and standing sounds like it's too steep for me. I do have some problems with Casitas pass on my 34x25 although my friend easily drops me with his 39x25 on that climb. Decker looks to be less of a gradient than Casitas but . . .

Encinal sounds like a workable option since we're really just trying to increase our mileage on the long weekly rides anyway.

If Casitas is a problem, you're not going to enjoy Decker.

Anyone know what the actual grade is?

If Casitas is a problem, you're not going to enjoy Decker.

I do not exactly "enjoy" hills anyway. ESPECIALLY when it's hot. Too much walrus (think blubber) in my extended family tree I think.

Anyone know what the actual grade is?

There are some 17-18% sections.. Average grade overall is about 6%

Decker also has no shade for those brutal first few miles, so heat this time of year is definitely an issue. If you want to read some more about Decker, here is a ride report (http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=3) I wrote up about it (and Deer Creek). If you end up finding Decker to be easier than expected, you can always add on some more climbing with Decker Edison.

Here's a gradient profile of the first 1.8 miles, courtesy of MapMyRide.com
Looks like fun :rolleyes:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/deckerprofile.jpg

If Casitas is a problem, you're not going to enjoy Decker.+1


34x27 and standing sounds like it's too steep for me. I do have some problems with Casitas pass on my 34x25 although my friend easily drops me with his 39x25 on that climb. Decker looks to be less of a gradient than Casitas but . . .

Encinal sounds like a workable option since we're really just trying to increase our mileage on the long weekly rides anyway.The bottom 1-1/2 miles of Decker is much more steep than Casitas. After that, they're comparable. But, I dislike Decker much more just because that steep pitch takes the strength right out of me. I rode it on a 39x27. I made it, but it hurt.

wow.....


Here's a gradient profile of the first 1.8 miles, courtesy of MapMyRide.com
Looks like fun :rolleyes:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/deckerprofile.jpg

re gearing, if you are planning on a 25 you'll need some power; looking at a powertap file of mine the first 1.4 miles (the hard section) doing it in a 25 with a cadence around 65-70 I average 360 watts and about 9 mph on that section (I weigh about 165). There are a few nearby alternatives - Encinal meets back up with Decker at the top (or Mulholland, which is longer around but ends up about the same place). There's a water stop just past the intersection of Encinal/Decker and Mulholland (the first house on the left past the stop sign has a spigot for cyclists in the driveway).

If you're really up for a challenge, try Deer Creek!

Here's a gradient profile of the first 1.8 miles, courtesy of MapMyRide.com
Looks like fun :rolleyes:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/deckerprofile.jpg

HOLY HILLMOLY! If I tried that, I'd be rolling backwards before half a mile.:backpedal:

You may also want to consider Mulholland, Yerba Buena and the previously mentioned Encinal Canyons since you are going to be in that area of PCH. Yerba Buena is the longest climb. None of these are as steep as Decker.

Isn't Decker the climb the sick bastards made us climb at the end of Mullholland Challenge ?. I did it with a 34/27, out of the saddle for the first mile..

If Casitas is a problem, you're not going to enjoy Decker.

Casitas is a false flat compared to Decker.

I'm heading up Decker tomorrow morning. Marking it off my list. Start will probably be PCH and Topanga, bounce up Decker, then head east along Mulholland for a spell, then maybe up Stunt. Maybe wimp out and head down Las Virgenes back to PCH.

*sigh*

I hate all of you who can climb. I mean it too.

I did Round Mountain in Bakersfield over the weekend (had to be out of town there). This ride (No, I didn't post this one) with a few extra miles on it through town to total only 49.55 miles (As I said, I had to be there for other reasons than riding).

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/bakersfield/493582219

Note the elevations (click the "show elevations" box in the upper right corner). See how EASY it is? I got passed and DROPPED on the first hill (5% gradient) by several people including a couple of girls. I was passed by a PACELINE on the second hill. The 49 miles took me 3 hours almost exactly.

I just can't climb. It is sooo embarassing.

So, I hate all you good climbers enough that I'm looking into sending the flat tire fairy your way. Many, many, many times.