fogrider

last year friend and I head towards santa cruz...we started at skyline and highway 9. We took 9 west and went flying downhill for miles and miles...we flew in and out of little towns like Boulder Creek and Felton...it was great! But then I realized...there is going to be a long climb back! I think the climb back was over 30 miles! It wasn't steep, but it was long, and we were tired...we stoped twice before we reached the mountain market on the way back on the old San Jose road. So what's the longest climb you've done? and what kind of gearing did you use? I had my 34x25 compact and by the end of the climbing, I was glad to have it.

LordOpie

well, if climb > flat, then ~40 miles from Boulder (Colorado) to Lyons to Ward. But for a noticeable grade, Lyons to Ward, 25 miles 5-6% grade.

I always climb first ever since I hiked in the Grand Canyon

BigFloppyLlama

I did mount hamilton in my big ring with a 12-23. I don't remember being in the 23 that much either. 18 miles and 4000' or so I think? Not that steep of a climb, but a bit boring.

pearcem

the longest climb i have done is 16 miles on highway 215 in NC from 64 to the blue ridge parkway. i hadn't been riding long, and i had my triple, so it wasn't bad on my legs, but my cardio had a hard time. if you take 215 from 64 all the way to waynesville and then take 276 back to brevard and then take 64 back to where you started, it's like a 75 mile ride, more than half of it climbing in some beautiful mountains! that's one of my goals for this summer

SDS

Mount Evans from Idaho Springs to the parking lot at the top is the longest concentrated climb in the country. The elevation difference is about 7000', but there is a little bit of an up and down here and there, and if you break it down, it's actually 7500' over the 28 miles.

Cottonwood Pass from Buena Vista is about 5000' over 20 miles.

Rocky Mountain National Park High Point from Estes Park is about 5000' over 23 miles?

Flagstaff Mountain Road out of Boulder is supposed to be very nice, but the elevation change is not that much. Still, anybody who wants to ride around Ward should do that too.....

LordOpie

Mt. Evans from Bergen Park is ~5 miles longer. Any way you go, the views are AMAZING!

superstar4410

climbs where? all flat land here on the eastern shore

Shifty

Lefthand canyon, don't fail to mention the awesome scenery, lack of traffic and the grunts and moaning you have to make as you approach Ward.
Hey LO, whats up?

Coppi51

I climbed Mount Halekala (sp?) ...the Volcano...on the Island of Maui in Hawaii.

The climb basically starts at sea level...and brings you to over 10,000 feet. It was pretty insane...On some travel brochures it has pics of the switchbacks...maybe not as many as L'Alpe D'huez...but way longer.

You start where you can see the ocean...climb up through the clouds...pop out on top...and keep going into the sky. It was EPIC! I think in total it was 30 miles.

LordOpie

shush! too many people moving here already! Tell everyone about the awesome riding in Oregon! What's a typical sweet climb for you Oregonites (Oregonians?)?

But yes, that's an awesome ride with the creek flowing and a good rhythm and it becomes a meditative trance. After Lefthand Canyon, you have to have a Left Hand beer

The_Convert

I think he is actually talking about S. Saint Vrain road out of Lyons, not Lefthand. Either way, very fun.

A few weeks ago I did from Boulder to Lyons, Lyons to 1/2 way to Estes Park, Back down to Lyons, Up S. Saint Vrain to Ward, then, right as I got to Ward, it got dark (being the idiot I am I thought I could've finished the ride in time). I then had to ride 12 miles from Ward to Nederland on peak to peak highway in the pitch black and snow flurries with black ice on the road. IT SUCKED!!
I can't wait to do a day where I get to finish the loop back down Canyon to Boulder.


Lord Opie, I am on the ride from Boulder to Lyons at least twice a week. What kind of bike do you have I will keep an eye out for you. I'm on the trek, and soon, full Vitamin Cottage kit.

My 3 favorite climbs (no order)

Flagstaff Road (boulder)
Gibraltar (Santa Barbara)
Mount Equinox (Vermont)

I can't wait to do Toll Ridge Road and Mount Evans come summer.

Shifty

OK, unless you have a tire blow, then you can have a Flat Tire Amber Ale.

For us Oregonians it could be Old McKenzie pass, about 19 miles and 4000 ft. from the west. Great lava flows at top and views of the Three Sisters.

SteveE

Yeah, I guess it does get a bit boring while you're riding b yourself. Just you and the wild pigs and coyotes to keep you company.

livestrong91

Man, that sounds awesome!

55/Rad

TREE HUGGERS is the term. Oregonians indeed....sheesh.

Nothing to add other than I'm hoping to do some exploration on and around Mt. Hood this year and also the RAMROD.

https://www.redmondcyclingclub.org/RAMROD/

55/Rad

LordOpie

Team Sponsor?
.
(I won't ride 36 until it warms up. I'm being a wuss and staying in Denver with the occassional Lookout Mt. ride.) I'm on a blue and silver Fuji Finest... the key thing to notice as you ride up to me is the two water bottles on the seat post, but you'll pass me too quickly and not recognize my bike
.
TRR is awesome! The views are amazing. I've only done ME to Echo Lake, so that's this summer.
.
That sounds sweet! Never seen lava flows.

LordOpie

you guys have so many cool rides up there. While RAMROD -- he's a super trooper! -- sounds appealing, I think i'd do S2P first.

Shifty

Hows about a road trip LO, we'll show you a good time, eh RAD? You won't beleive how nice July and August can be.

55/Rad

There's a ride up here called S2S - Seattle to Spokane. 1 day, 275 miles, 12,000 feet of climbing. And another called Cannonball - same as S2S but takes a flatter course. Too much for me....

Come on up - we can be good hosts.

55/Rad

BikeWNC

The loop would be better if you went down 276 to Bethel and then up 215 to the Parkway. 276 is a busier road than 215. And the climb back up on 215 is much more scenic than going up 276. Great ride though. I do it from my house for a 110 mile ride each summer.

LordOpie

In a heartbeat! But I've got this disease called work. It's like reverse herpes and goes away only a few days a month

Seriously, if I can find a way to get off work for a week, the PNW would be where I'd head first.

The_Convert

[QUOTE=LordOpie]Team Sponsor?

Ya, just got on the Cat 3 - 4 team

It's sooooo toasty on that road!

Good winter ride is Boulder to Estes Park (weekdays are better)

Shifty

Non stop flight from DIA to Eugene (Portland too) 7 days a week on UAL. See what you can swing.

terrymorse 

Big Pine, CA to Schulman Grove, Bristlecone Pine Forest. About 20 miles and 6,000 feet. Gears? Probably a 42/27.

I've done several climbs with more miles, but none with that much vertical in that short a distance.

Today, I did Mt. Hamilton with two friends. 39 miles, 4961 feet round trip. What a beautiful day for it.

my58vw

onestly my longest climb was only about 8 miles at 4- 6 % grade at times. I remember climbing and climbing...