'nother

Whew! Just got back from this one today, kind of on a whim. Was out on Pierce->Mt Eden->Stevens Canyon and thought, "ehh, what the heck, let's see what all the fuss is about", and rode on out. MAN, there are some steep parts to that sucker! Good thing it's short! At the steepest part (around 18% allegedly, didn't seem quite that bad, though), my cadence must've been about 30 and I couldn't have been going more than 1mph in 39/32.

But, it was over in a flash . . . and the ride out Stevens Canyon to get to it was fantastic; the creek is flowing wonderfully from the recent rains; everything's green, peaceful and pleasant. I will do that again.

SteveE

Redwood Gulch is one one the reasons I have triple!

It's only about 6 miles from my house. I use it as a shortcut on the way to Saratoga Gap. It has less total climbing and is 3 miles shorter than going via Mt. Eden, Pierce, and Hwy 9. If I'm riding with a group of good climbers, I will take this route and reach the summit ahead of them.

I don't recommend it in wet weather, though. It's easy for your rear wheel to slip. I used to ride it on a 30-inch gear but am working on getting up in a 34-inch gear. After climbing Redwood Gulch it sorta makes the rest of the climb up to Saratoga Gap seem pretty easy.

travis200

Yea it is a pretty nice short cut to get to 9. Easier IMO to go up then down it. I mash up it in my 39/23. Going down is not fun especially when the road is damp.

'nother

I was definitely considering the merits of triples! But dug deep and somehow made it up, I got to 9 and I was like, "hmmph, that's it?"

Indeed, going down sucked considerably and I was again thankful it was short -- and I agree, as much of a challenge (for me) as it was going up, that was the better end. I was cursing myself for not choosing to go down 9. But definitely, the ride along Stevens Canyon was definitely worth it -- so nice out there today. Thinking about loading the kids up in the trailer and getting the wife out and go to the park later this week if we don't get more rain.

Craig C

I'm planning on making that ride this weekend on my new (yesterday - Specialized Roubaix Comp) bike. I was thinking of going the other direction (up 9, down Redwood Gulch), but I think you have have talked me out of it. I guess I'll go up Stevens Canyon (which I love). That way I'll get to enjoy it more (at the slower speed) anyway.

Was it really moss, or just still damp?

I can't wait to hit it Saturday.

terrymorse 

Stevens Canyon is my usual recovery day ride. I ride there from Palo Alto, go past the Gulch and continue along Stevens Canyon until the closed gate. It's a quiet, low stress ride, and it's pretty this time of year. The creek was at flood level the other day, that was pretty cool to see.

Redwood Gulch? Two steep bumps and you're done. I prefer my climbs longer with a more sensible grade, so you can get up to speed and keep it there.

SteveE

Mostly, it's just damp. You should plan on climbing up to Saratoga Gap and heading back to Los Altos via Skyline to Page Mill or Hwy 84 rather than descending Hwy 9 from Redwood Gulch. Much more enjoyable IMO.

coolcamden

I hate the cement trucks going to the excavation, as I am going up Stevens Canyon. THE TRUCKS, THE TRUCKS!!! I HATE THEM.

SteveE

Ya' gotta go on the weekends!

coolcamden

Stevie, What's you're up to??

SteveE

Working, actually. And it's sort of cut into my riding time. So I have no choice but to ride that way on the weekends.

SteveE

terrymorse 

Ah, they're not so bad. And they're great to draft when you're heading in the other direction. Just the other day, I was coasting behind one of them at 37 mph. I actually had to brake. Whee!

'nother

I plan to hit the rest of Stevens Canyon soon. How much further from the Gulch turnoff to the end of Stevens Canyon?

I agree the Gulch does not compare quality-wise to other local options but I was mostly just curious; never been up there and had heard several horror stories. While it is steep, it's not such killer (can't be, if *I* can make it up!). Does sound like a good shortcut going up to Saratoga Gap as SteveE says, though one would need to be careful not to get too blown out.

'nother

I don't know what your full route is or where you're starting from, but you could start up Pierce (from De Anza/Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd), go right on Mt Eden (which is a decent bump itself), left on Stevens Canyon, left on Redwood Gulch, and right on 9 and go the rest of the way up 9, then back down 9. It's all pretty nice on a weekend.

Craig C

Actually, I'm coming from Foothill (Los Altos), so I'll just continue on to Stevens Canyon. I was planning to go back down 9, Pierce and Mt. Eden. I'll consider 9 to Skyline to Page Mill. Thanks for the tips.

'nother

Ah, of course, in that case yeah, just keep on truckin' right down Foothill. The route you describe is really nice, not a ton of climbing.

I've done 9 -> Skyline -> Page Mill a couple of times . . . don't really like descending Page Mill, but have gotten the hang of it. I think Terry has mentioned elsewhere that he's had a tangle with it. Be careful if you haven't done it before!

I went down 84 the other day. That was really nice, but perhaps a bit out of your way.

BTW: do all the climbers on here know about KLIMB?

sorebutt

I have attempted to climb it a few weeks ago... never mind!
My my story is that the was the road was wet and lots of leaves on the road, and I'm sticking to it! but it is a killer road to climb up or come down..

Last weekend I climbed Alpine for the first time.. (up OLH, down OLH to 84, to Pascadero rd. up alpine, down page mill) Easier then going up Page mill.. was a fun ride..

mnutini

I do, but I didn't know that version 3.0 is available. Yeah!!

sorebutt

COOL! it is nicer... it has a 3D route profile and I figured out (I'm not sure this is new) how combine regions (Peninsula and South Bay) to a single map.. Thanks!

P.S. need to remember to send Keith a few paypal bucks..

SteveE

I'm a KLIMB user, too. But I didn't know about 3.0. Sounds like I need to download it.

'nother

Yeah, definitely check out v3 -- just came out . . . he's added some cool new stuff, like you can zoom in on nodes and get the satellite (terraserver) view of it, or topo (if available), etc. Also the 3D thing is pretty neat. For those of us lacking HAC4s it's pretty good for terrain profiles

dno

Klimb is very cool - I use to plan out "epic" rides for the weekends etc and also to track distances for training etc.

coolcamden

Good for you.

For me, I hate their noise, their polution, their dust, their weight, their purpose, their service to be part of breaking down a mountain....

For me, it's more than drafting off something.

coolcamden

Hey, the magic word. Working.

SteveE

Well, how about you? As I recall, the last time we communicated, you were looking for work, too.

SteveE

P.S. PM me if you're interested in joining our Saturday ride.