spingineer

Since the Berkeley Death Ride has been pushed back till end of August, and I can't do Mt. Tam / Marin Century, I figure I'd offer this up ... I guess we can call it the Almaden Death Ride. It only features Bohlman, On Orbit, and Hicks. For safety reasons, not going up Mt. Umunhum, at least until they clean up, and don't want to get beaten by that white albino.

Anyhow, here are the details:

When: 8/8/2009, 10 am start time
Where: Peet's or Starbucks (whichever you prefer) at Homestead and Foothill in Cupertino/Los Altos
Distance: 60 miles, about 6100 feet climbing
Route: https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...Camelback-Ride

uspspro

redundant

starvingdavid

ugh...you have chosen some truly wretched climbs, I like it. For kicks, you could add in climbing Bear Creek rd and descending via Old Santa Cruz highway and around Lexington.

wait...never mind I just checked the route, I noticed your planning on heading back down Bohlman instead of connecting via the short dirt path to Montevina.

uspspro

Should have signed up for Patterson Pass RR earlier.. it's sold out!

So for this ride, I am in (with Ruth) to kill Bohlman with our new tandem.

spingineer

You mean fun climbs, right?

mellum76

In.

silentben

Redwood Gulch appears to be missing from that route

Nice job throwing in Toll Gate at the end, that's always a fun one

Also you can always do Umunhum up to the first no trespassing sign. That's perfectly legit.

kyle16

Damn, you beat me to it. That was the first thing I thought of also.

uspspro

Speaking of heading down south... I would be down for a Henry Coe Ride again, sometime soon

spingineer

I didn't want to go through the stop light on Hwy 9, even though it is downhill.

spingineer

I was thinking of that too ... We'll have to do that too a little later.

silentben

One other thought .. this route goes within 9 miles of Metcalf road Still not sure how my schedule will look for the weekend in question but I'll definitely try and make it if possible

Beaker

Tempting. Might need to see if I can swing this, but currently 50:50.

jeffy1021

How steep are these climbs compared to say, Tunnel Road?

Beaker

Significantly steeper from what I can see. Never ridden them, but profiles I've seen would suggest that if you ride, say, Hiller at the bottom of tunnel (20-25% albeit a shortish climb), or perhaps El Toyonal/Lomas Cantadas (prolonged >15%), that'd probably be a better approximation-- anyone else ridden both sets of climbs?

kyle16

I am afraid of Bohlman on Orbit. I think I will cry if I were to try it. It has quite the reputation. At least you all will get to laugh at a grown man crying.

I think I am in though.

spingineer

Kyle, if I can do it, you can definitely do it. It'll be ... "fun".

But Hicks can kick you in the butt if you are not careful. It's not a cakewalk either.

spingineer

According to Ascent, and the last time I did it, the steepest grade was 19.7%, but most of it averaged from 10-16%, and the climb up to the top is about 2.5 miles.

Ygduf

Bohlman was the only hill I ever quit on.



It was my first ride back after being off the bike for months with knee issues.

Beaker

Don't try that one at home kids

starvingdavid

But then it wouldn't be the Almaden death ride


Whew...I am soooo glad that I already signed up for the Dammit run in Los Gatos for the same day, can't do it.

SesameCrunch

Ron:

I'm motivated and interested in this suffer-fest. Won't be able to commit until time gets closer, though. It's been a while since I've been able to join you guys for a ride. Sure would like to get out there again.

Dion Rides

Have fun, guys. I'm still working on Hicks. (I live in Almaden).

spingineer

You should come join us along the route ... whenever that is.

spingineer

I need some company ... I'll be climbing from the back, and you can join me (unless I'm too slow )