Northern California - Toughest Bay Area climbs

I'm pretty new at this, so my definition of "tough" is probably not the same as yours. I'm basing my list on a combination of how steep the road is plus how long it is. Please add to the list. I'm always down for trying out something new!

1. Mix Canyon Rd in Vacaville (nothing can even touch this beast)
2. Geysers Rd in Cloverdale (difficult combination of grade and length)
3. Cambridge Dr in Benicia (think the last 200 yds of Mt Diablo times 2)
4. Mt Diablo from Danville (not super steep but really forces you to manage your pace)
5. Calaveras-Felter Rd in Fremont (the back side of Sierra Rd)
6. Livermore side of Morgan Territory Rd (Livermore)

My to do list:
1. Sierra Rd in Fremont
2. Mt Hamilton in San Jose
3. Mt Tam

Bob

4. Mt Diablo from Danville <--- The easy side
Bob

I vote for Alba Rd in Boulder Creek.

Lots of Silicon Valley hills rated here: http://www.westernwheelers.org/main/resources/BA_Climbs.html

Oakville Grade (the east side) has to get at least an Honorable Mention. A solid mile of no-rest-for-the-wicked nastiness exposed to the sun the whole way, where the easy stretches in which you hope to recuperate are 14%. The rest of the climb is somewhere between 16% and death. For some of you (and here I cast a fish-eyed glance at LanceOldstrong), a mile of this is a workout. For this climbing-challenged Clydesdale, it one of the rings of Hell.

The east side of Patterson Pass also deserves at least an Honorable Mention. I don't recall the total length (5 miles? 6?), but it starts gentle and keeps increasing with a 13% or so pitch to what has to be The Mother Of All False Summits. I am not exaggerating. You slog up that, feeling good about yourself, knowing to a moral certainty that this (gasp) has (wheeze) to be (barf) the top (choke). Then you see it, the remaining half-mile or so of nasty stair-steps (16%-20% ramps separated by 8%-10% "flats") -- even if you did this ride just a week ago, it is very hard not to get tricked by the false summit. And don't forget that it, too, is completely exposed to the sun.

If proximity adds value, then Gates Canyon deserves some mention. It's right next to Mix Canyon. It's a bit shorter and less steep, kind of like a troublesome kid brother.

Ink Grade on the east side of Angwin is not really steep or long, but it is impossible to get a good rhythm going while climbing it.
Not in the immediate bay area, but the toughest climb I have ever done is the east side of Mt Rose. You need to start from -395 on the south side of Reno, and do it on a day when the temps are 85-90.

Pine Flat tops all of these. Both peaks together are almost easy compared to Pine Flat. I know a seldom-ridden road in Santa Rosa that is even tougher than Pine Flat. The steepest Pine Flat sustains is 18 or 19 percent. The climb up Bald Mountain has many pitches in the mid 20 percent range. Some hard packed gravel and a dead end road. Poor condition and blocked to auto traffic. Goes up 2400 feet to 2700, panoramic view at the top. I've taken pictures up there and it was put in a magazine. On a clear day you can see Shasta, 190 miles away.

I did Jameson Creek once, down in the Santa Cruz Mtns. Once was enough.

Hicks down south of San Jose was fun, too.

Great info! Thanks.

I didn't mention Gates Canyon (which is almost as insane as Mix Canyon) because sections of it are dirt. I also didn't know that the Danville side of Mt Diablo was the easy side. I've been riding that side because I descended down Northgate Rd once and the pavement wasn't as nice as Southgate.

Bob

Is this the Pine Flat mentioned above?

http://www.sonic.net/~douglasi/bike/pineflat.html

It looks tough, but not as bad as some of the others?

Mix Canyon Rd:
Elevation Gain: 2178 ft
Length: 4.0 miles
Average Grade: 10.3%
Steepest Mile: 15.8%
Steepest 3 Miles: 11.8%
Steepest Mile in California at 15.8%. Second place goes to Old Priest Grade at 15.0%.
3rd Steepest 1/2 Mile in California at 16.2%. First place goes to Marin Avenue (18.1%) and second place goes to Mattole Road South 2 (17.5%).

Bob

I vote for Alba Rd in Boulder Creek.

Alba is pretty tough, average 10% over ~3 miles.

I hear On-Orbit is tougher, though I've never tried it.

Mix Canyon Rd:
Elevation Gain: 2178 ft
Length: 4.0 miles
Average Grade: 10.3%
Steepest Mile: 15.8%
Steepest 3 Miles: 11.8%
Steepest Mile in California at 15.8%. Second place goes to Old Priest Grade at 15.0%.
3rd Steepest 1/2 Mile in California at 16.2%. First place goes to Marin Avenue (18.1%) and second place goes to Mattole Road South 2 (17.5%).

Bob

I remember this road well.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x-E-Mep-dDA/TE0tmeRFSKI/AAAAAAAACLA/-jLX6QMsnNg/s400/IMG_1308.JPG

Wasn't too bad, short and sweet.

Jameson Creek is pretty tough but Welch Creek gets my monster of the Bay Area vote.

http://lowkey.djconnel.com/2010/week6/

unless you bring off road into the equations then there are some absolutely brutal fire roads out there......

Yes, as a whole if you take averages it is not so bad. It is fine until mile marker 39-41, those are hard miles then you get some downhill, but then you get miles 43-45, those are the ones that kill. One 1/4 mile section averages 18-19 percent and the rest you see might not look like steep, but the other 1 3/4 miles are ramps up to around 20 percent then a little section of flat. It is completely expose to the sun and I've never seen wind there so it gets hot quickly.
What I think we should do is ride all these roads and see what we think, no?

Is this the Pine Flat mentioned above?

http://www.sonic.net/~douglasi/bike/pineflat.html

It looks tough, but not as bad as some of the others?

Mix Canyon Rd:
Elevation Gain: 2178 ft
Length: 4.0 miles
Average Grade: 10.3%
Steepest Mile: 15.8%
Steepest 3 Miles: 11.8%
Steepest Mile in California at 15.8%. Second place goes to Old Priest Grade at 15.0%.
3rd Steepest 1/2 Mile in California at 16.2%. First place goes to Marin Avenue (18.1%) and second place goes to Mattole Road South 2 (17.5%).

Bob

What I think we should do is ride all these roads and see what we think, no?

Definitely. Build a list and start checking them off. :)

Bob

No one mentions Marin Ave in Berkeley?

No one mentions Marin Ave in Berkeley?

That one has to be the toughest!

hicks-a-hum is not what people usually refer to as easy. ~5 mi ~10%

http://app.strava.com/segments/611999

Jameson Creek is pretty tough but Welch Creek gets my monster of the Bay Area vote.

http://lowkey.djconnel.com/2010/week6/

unless you bring off road into the equations then there are some absolutely brutal fire roads out there......


No one mentions Marin Ave in Berkeley?

My top two

Wow...this is nasty. Can't wait to try it out. :) Is the road open every day to the public? Ie, no gate at the bottom?

http://lowkey.djconnel.com/2010/week6/profile.png

Bob

Yes Welch Creek is an open/public road. There are houses along the way. The only thing to note (other than the unrelenting nature of its steep pitches) is that it's pretty narrow, so watch out for traffic coming up when you descend back down. It's actually a really picturesque climb. Not that you'll be enjoying the scenery though...;)

welch creek is also not easy


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0RlkSmHDGg

Cat Hill climb. You start to notice after few laps. :lol:

Diablo to the junction is easy on both sides if you pace yourself. But it's the summit that kills me!

hicks-a-hum is not what people usually refer to as easy. ~5 mi ~10%

http://app.strava.com/segments/611999

Nice KOM BTW

Alba is pretty tough, average 10% over ~3 miles.

I hear On-Orbit is tougher, though I've never tried it.

On-Orbit is a great climb! It's only about 3.5 mi long, but the last 1/2 mile or so, and the very end, go over 20%, just when you're hurting most. Still, it's overall not a horrendously awful climb because it's relatively short (but still takes me a long friggin' time to get up it!)

hicks-a-hum is not what people usually refer to as easy. ~5 mi ~10%

http://app.strava.com/segments/611999

I grew up in Almaden and did this ride a bunch of times. Thanks for posting this as now I know it was a true killer ride up. Smoking brakes going back down.

Nice KOM BTW

i was hoping someone would notice ;)

After yesterday's ride I submit Ft Ross Road for your consideration. Doesn't quite displace Welch Creek from my mind, but it's a bugger nonetheless.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn384/RDW5980/2011_07_02_KingRidge-FtRoss-ColemanValley/FtRossRd.jpg

Just ride in SF. Filbert is 30% across Hyde, neighboring streets are similar :)

So do they make compact doubles that take a 32t granny ring? ;)

I think you would have to be high on drugs to hit some of these more than once.

So do they make compact doubles that take a 32t granny ring? ;)

I think you would have to be high on drugs to hit some of these more than once.

Here you go: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/cranksets/vo-compact-double-crankset-34x48t.html Stock is with a 34, but they seperately sell 28 and 30 tooth chainrings that work with this crankset.

The Almaden Cycle Touring Club has rated almost all the climbs mentioned on this thread and more on their infamous Billy Goat list: http://www.actc.org/routes/bg/index.php

While I don't always agree with the relative ranking of some of these climbs (Sierra Road is only a 5 on their 6 point scale, but Redwood Gulch is a 6? The much longer but slightly less steep Sierra always hurts me worse), if it's rated 5 or 6 you know it will hurt. Heck, a lot of the 4's will make most of us suffer pretty miserably, too.

JB

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/531606

Rode Mix Canyon Rd today. 4.7 miles from the turnoff to the point (off of Pleasants Valley Rd) where it turns to gravel at the top. The first 3.5 miles weren't too bad. In fact, the first 2 miles were deceptively easy given that the top is ~2500 ft up. This had me thinking first, "This ain't so bad!" followed by the more realistic "I will surely pay for this later!". It was mostly moderately steep with a few sections in the mid teens that didn't last too long followed by some easing up. That last 1.2 miles though...insanity! Unrelentingly steep.

Set two personal records today: Most amount of standing I've ever had to do on a climb and most amount of sweat I've ever produced.

It was fun in a masochistic sort of way. Looking forward to trying others. I wore a Camelbak which was great because reaching down for a bottle wasn't doable in many places. Next time I'll wear a cap or something to keep the sweat out of my eyes.

Bob

I think Marin Ave tops out around 30% also.

I've done all those.

I have to tell you though, the foothills buy the bay to shame. If you're ready for a great weekend ride, check out the hammering wheels out of Roseville CA. The Aurburn / foresthill, Ione area is amazing.

I have to tell you though, the foothills buy the bay to shame. If you're ready for a great weekend ride, check out the hammering wheels out of Roseville CA. The Aurburn / foresthill, Ione area is amazing.
Yup, Iowa Hill Road and Snows Road are the two most difficult climbs in the Placer/El Dorado County areas.

Tomorrow I'm going to ride up both sides of Mosquito Road for the first time. It's another steep climb in the Placerville area. Should be fun! :D

These are my Southbay faves... Bohlman, Quimby, Hicks, Sierra... They're all pretty short, but really steep. Also, for a more scientific look at climbs and comparing climbs, I like this page from ACTC: http://www.actc.org/profiles/

No one mentions Marin Ave in Berkeley?

Correct, and for the same reason no one says the name "Voldemort" in Harry Potter.

Diablo to the junction is easy on both sides if you pace yourself. But it's the summit that kills me!

Yes... that last stretch before the parking lot is like a practical joke or something!

On the way home from work yesterday, I drove up Welch Creek Rd. It seemed steep in my car (particularly the descent). Riding up it will be interesting. ;)

Bob

I generally do Diablo every weekend. I think it's finally time to try Tam or Hamilton. Which do you guys suggest?

Mt. Tam is not really that hard. I would go with Mt. Hamilton.

No one's mentioned Metcalf (San Jose). How does that rank among the rest?

Tomorrow's the Alpe d'Huez stage - it's "a little" tougher than Diablo.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CANiFn5WBDg/TWXvNB0InaI/AAAAAAAAKTI/iN-Ak5TdCCE/s640/Diablo%252520vs%252520Huez.JPG

No one's mentioned Metcalf (San Jose). How does that rank among the rest?

i've never actually considered getting off the bike going up metcalf.

I agree with Pine Flat rd up in Sonoma County and actually the top is over 20% in places! All the Pro teams that come out in the early winter months use this route often. There is a great video somewhere on youtube of Astana with Levi and Contadope blasting up it.

i've never actually considered getting off the bike going up metcalf.

blackberry.

12% average, including 2 descents in the middle.

http://app.strava.com/segments/374491