freighttraininguphill

After several weekends in a row of rain, we finally got a break yesterday. Since I hadn't been able to do any real climbing since March 11, I made this ride a good one! I explored several roads in and around Coloma in El Dorado County.

First up was Cold Springs Road. I read that this is a steep sufferfest climb, and it definitely lived up to its reputation. It also made me live up to my username really well.

After riding to the end of that road, I checked out Gold Hill Road and Thompson Hill Road on the way back down Cold Springs. They were nice quiet roads, but the climbs weren't especially hard.

After descending Cold Springs Road back to Coloma, I climbed and descended Lotus Road, which I've ridden before so I knew what to expect from that climb-plenty of 10% grades and a nice smooth descent on the way back.

Twenty years ago I rode my mtb up Mt. Murphy Road, which I remember being a steep, rutted dirt road. I wanted to climb it again but I was on a road bike, so I figured I would ride to the end of the pavement and turn around.

When I got to the dirt section I noticed it wasn't rutted and I wasn't having any trouble maintaining traction, so I continued on. What a sufferfest! I made it all the way to the top without stopping, but my body finally gave out and I strained a muscle at the top of the back part of my right leg. This made any climbing on the return trip pretty painful.

Luckily there weren't any major climbs after Mt. Murphy Road. The pavement resumed at the top and I continued on to Marshall Road, which is a nice fun descent. It's a little bumpy in spots, but not scary.

5,171' of climbing in 44.29 miles

Some pics. Some of these are screenshots from my ContourHD helmet cam video. More pictures here.

Sign at the top of the first steep section on Cold Springs Road. Photo taken on return trip.

Cold Springs Road 13% grade sign by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

Orange stand on Cold Springs Road

'navel ornges' by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

Old pickup in old garage

old pickup in old garage (closer) by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

View from Thompson Hill Road

view from Thompson Hill Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

"Heavens Gate" sign on Lotus Road

'heavens gate' by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

"Rough steep road" warning sign at bottom of Mt. Murphy Road

'rough steep road' warning sign at bottom of Mt. Murphy Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

Yes, I rode my road bike up this.

Mt. Murphy Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

"Pavement Ends" sign at top of Mt. Murphy Road

'Pavement Ends' sign at top of Mt. Murphy Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

mocolotion

That's a lot of climbing, nice work.

Big Pete 1982

Wow! Nice work!

magohn

Nice climbing Freight - I cant help but cringe on the descents. Your are much braver than I

Juan Foote

Nice post.

freighttraininguphill

Thanks all!

Believe me, I've been thinking about your blown tire picture a lot since you posted it, magohn. The tread pattern on my tires is the same as the one you showed us, but the model is different. Mine are Specialized All Conditions, which came with the bike. I've been inspecting the tires after every ride, and so far they haven't shown any signs of failing. The slight cracking in the sidewall above the tire bead has always concerned me, but it hasn't gotten any worse. It may have been like that since the bike was new, but I'm not positive.

I'll probably replace them this season, just to be on the safe side.

magohn

I finally got my $15 (each) Nashbar bargain-bucket tires mounted. I like them! No issues so far but I only have 100 miles on them or so. I have a busy season coming up with training for the Seattle to Vancouver BC ride in August. We will see

IBOHUNT

Freight - Thanks for the motivation.

freighttraininguphill

You're very welcome. I aim to please!

funrover 

Way to go!! You have inspired me to push harder. The natural sounds make the videos more real for me, thanks for that!

vesteroid

Lol I have to turn the sound down on your videos, the wife swears I am watching porn

LAE

my Mrs just come in from the kitchen shouting "what the hell are you watching?" in a rather accusing and annoyed tone.

I cried with laughter as she said "oh my god im sorry i thought it was porn!!"

freighttraininguphill

Thanks. I am a big fan of videos with natural sound, and I seek out videos like these from other cyclists as they are very inspiring to me also. Watching another cyclist's video of a tough climb with original audio gets me all hyped up for my next climbing ride.
This is why I always put the audio warning disclaimer on all my video posts. It's like some TV shows that have the graphic content warning before the show ("COPS" comes to mind).

Vesteroid, have your wife take a look at my video. Once she sees handlebars, arms, and Sierra foothills scenery, she will know it's definitely not porn.

LAE

no harm done, besides I think she was more alarmed at me actually *ahem ahem*-ing to it....

I'm joking, only joking....or am I? No seriously I am.

Now that I have successfully lowered the tone of the thread I shall leave.

P.s. great effort, real heart showed there.

freighttraininguphill

Nooo, don't leave! I love humor in my threads!

When I'm editing these videos while still under the influence of endorphins from the ride, I laugh my ass off at what I sound like. Honestly, making these videos wouldn't be as fun without having that to laugh at.

LAE

what camera are you using to capture it? goPro hero 2?

i like the "oh my god" a couple minutes in, you did really well not to reel of a list of expletives, if it were me i'd have passed out due to swearing taking precedence over breathing.

freighttraininguphill

GoPro HD Hero 960 on the "Chesty" chest mount strap. Got the camera at REI for $149.99, as it was being discontinued. I had to go to Best Buy to get the chest strap.

LOL! Those "Oh my God" comments are common when I'm suffering on a climb. I think I did a few of those on that hill.

funrover 

LMAO!!! That porn stuff is great! Thanks for the laughs!