Finally conquered Sierra Rd and Welch Creek
08-07-09, 11:49 PM
#1
moth -----> flame
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 5,916
Bikes: 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Finally conquered Sierra Rd and Welch Creek
I posted this write up in the Road forum, as I don't receive enough internet abuse in my life.
Ron - as I can't make your painfest tomorrow, I submit this offering in its place. For some reason, I found Sierra somewhat easier than I was expecting. I think it might be that much of the climb is sub 15% or so. It was also the first climb of the day. Welch Creek ended up as advertised. Climbing El Toyonal/Lomas in Orinda has really helped stamina for steep stuff, but this one just didn't stop. I thought I might run out of steam, but managed to seal the deal.
Great solo ride, very enjoyable, and bizarrely good weather for this time of year.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...09#post9443909
Ron - as I can't make your painfest tomorrow, I submit this offering in its place. For some reason, I found Sierra somewhat easier than I was expecting. I think it might be that much of the climb is sub 15% or so. It was also the first climb of the day. Welch Creek ended up as advertised. Climbing El Toyonal/Lomas in Orinda has really helped stamina for steep stuff, but this one just didn't stop. I thought I might run out of steam, but managed to seal the deal.
Great solo ride, very enjoyable, and bizarrely good weather for this time of year.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...09#post9443909
__________________
BF, in a nutshell
BF, in a nutshell
Last edited by Beaker; 08-08-09 at 12:10 AM.
08-08-09, 12:24 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NorCal
Posts: 1,695
Bikes: Kestrel Talon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow! That's an impressive ride!
Every time I've done Sierra Road, it's hurt - and this year my back went out trying to climb that stupid hill. Welch Creek is something I haven't even gotten around to trying yet.
JB
Every time I've done Sierra Road, it's hurt - and this year my back went out trying to climb that stupid hill. Welch Creek is something I haven't even gotten around to trying yet.
JB
08-08-09, 12:35 AM
#3
Ooohh, shiny things!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Campbell, CA
Posts: 252
Bikes: 2005 Raleigh Competition
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
nice writeup. Now I know I will not be doing Welch at very least for a while, though it is not helping that I am doing the ride tomorrow.
Cheers!
Cheers!
08-08-09, 12:35 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Posts: 888
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale Synapse carbon 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Welch Creek left me more traumatized than any other climb I've ever done. Nice job getting up it!
08-08-09, 01:05 AM
#5
moth -----> flame
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 5,916
Bikes: 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Thanks guys - Ben, I found that the altimeter trick was a nice mind game to play on myself up to a point. I had it in my head that the climbed topped out at 2000ft. Every time I clicked by another 100ft, it was a small victory. At 1000ft I was thinking "great, only 900 and something to go". Similarly 1500ft was a motivational boost as that meant only 400 and something. I was so gutted when that ticked over to 2001ft and there was clearly more to come.
I just didn't even want to look at grade, speed, cadence or HR.
I just didn't even want to look at grade, speed, cadence or HR.
__________________
BF, in a nutshell
BF, in a nutshell
08-08-09, 08:23 AM
#6
Wheres my snuggie?
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 3,068
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Nice report Richard!
__________________
Blame It On The Dog Blog
Blame It On The Dog Blog
08-08-09, 09:03 AM
#7
Spinning like a gerbel
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 7,960
Bikes: Seven
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
Read your report on the Road Cycling forum ... you weren't bashed at all. A little disappointed? lol
I haven't done Welch Creek yet ... haven't had the urge to. I'd be interested to see how you compare this to Bohlman, On Orbit.
I haven't done Welch Creek yet ... haven't had the urge to. I'd be interested to see how you compare this to Bohlman, On Orbit.
08-08-09, 11:11 AM
#10
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Gatos
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Welch Creek
I do Sierra at lunch sometimes and you had me stumped with this "Welch Creek" thing; I'd never heard of it. I was hoping it was a good little add-on for my lunchtime ride. It took me a while to find it and realized this would make for a pretty extravagant lunch. What a great training ride this would make! Great riding and documentation.
08-08-09, 11:43 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Posts: 92
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
*respect*
Sierra kicks my butt.
i haven't heard of Welch Creek before either, but it sounds like a good way to die. i will have to try it.
Sierra kicks my butt.
i haven't heard of Welch Creek before either, but it sounds like a good way to die. i will have to try it.
08-08-09, 06:18 PM
#13
back of the autobus
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 743
Bikes: Lynskey R230, Rivendell Bleriot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well done. 
My main issue with Welch Creek (er, besides the fact that it's stupid-steep) is that the descent is tricky. It's a narrow road with some blind curves and not particularly good visibility heading down. Princess Zippy once almost got too close and personal with a truck that was heading up. And grazing cows can wander across the road at inopportune moments.
I figure if I'm going to work that hard going up a hill I'd just as soon be rewarded with a fun descent.
My main issue with Welch Creek (er, besides the fact that it's stupid-steep) is that the descent is tricky. It's a narrow road with some blind curves and not particularly good visibility heading down. Princess Zippy once almost got too close and personal with a truck that was heading up. And grazing cows can wander across the road at inopportune moments.
I figure if I'm going to work that hard going up a hill I'd just as soon be rewarded with a fun descent.
Last edited by jobob; 08-08-09 at 06:22 PM.
08-08-09, 06:21 PM
#14
back of the autobus
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 743
Bikes: Lynskey R230, Rivendell Bleriot
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
08-08-09, 07:57 PM
#15
Come on, it'll be fun
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Doing Hard Time in Stocktontucky
Posts: 718
Bikes: I have a few
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Eee Paaa!
Welcome to the club. Pulling off that double hurts, but it's only temporary. The memory is forever.
Nice write up.
BR
Welcome to the club. Pulling off that double hurts, but it's only temporary. The memory is forever.
Nice write up.
BR
08-08-09, 07:59 PM
#16
moth -----> flame
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 5,916
Bikes: 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Sierra as a lunchtime ride must be nice - I have San Bruno Mtn for that.
Jobob - quite agree about the descent.
Ron, I've yet to try Bohlman/On Orbit. I've got to give that a go. From the profiles, it looks like Bohlman is a steadier climb than Welch, but comparing them sounds like asking someone what method of torture they'd like to be subjected to - at some point, it's all suffering.
Jobob - quite agree about the descent.
Ron, I've yet to try Bohlman/On Orbit. I've got to give that a go. From the profiles, it looks like Bohlman is a steadier climb than Welch, but comparing them sounds like asking someone what method of torture they'd like to be subjected to - at some point, it's all suffering.
__________________
BF, in a nutshell
BF, in a nutshell
08-09-09, 11:00 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 212
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ron, I've yet to try Bohlman/On Orbit. I've got to give that a go. From the profiles, it looks like Bohlman is a steadier climb than Welch, but comparing them sounds like asking someone what method of torture they'd like to be subjected to - at some point, it's all suffering.
I just did Bohlman/On Orbit for the first time yesterday and am pretty sure Welch Creek is worst. B/OO is hard cause you climb then it hits you with the steep part at the end. Welch Creek is just as steep and even though there are a couple flat (8% flat) spots to rest, the middle and the last section are much longer than the last part of On Orbit.
Beaker, time to try the triple play - Quimby/Sierra/Welch Creek.
