blue_nose

Does anyone have a route slip from last years Mulholland century? Here is an elevation profile of the Century route that I pulled from somebody’s Motion Based activity.



I am trying to get a sense for the route. Looks like there are 10 to 12 climbs throughout the day – with 4 pretty significant climbs. I have marked these major climbs in red above. Any info about the length, severity and the type of climbs would be appreciated. Do I have these climbs named correctly?

# 1 – Topanga Canyon
# 4 – Mulholland
# 7 - Decker
# 8 - Stunt

Looking at some posts from last year, here is what I have learned so far:

• Topanga (#1) is the first long climb, but not that steep.
• The decent down Deer Creek (#6 of the elevation profile) is steep with a number of switchbacks and the road is in poor shape.
• The climb up Decker (#7) is brutal. Long and some really steep stretches.
• Stunt (#8) is a really rough climb, mainly because it starts at the 90+ mile mark.

I would love to hear some feedback from fellow BF’ers who have ridden these climbs before. Also, any other points about other sections of the route would be appreciated.

Cheers.

Brandy

I didn't think Decker was that bad. Of course, we did it 26 miles into our ride on Saturday and on MC, it will be 68 miles in, so I'm prepared to eat those words next weekend. It's definitely not as horrible as I thought it would be.

The Deer Creek descent sucked. Enough said.

Cassave

Topanga is a nice climb, enjoy it.

We were on Deer Creek a week ago and it is in lousy shape. Be cautious. Some fairly tight turns at the end of
fast straight sections. Usually a few crashes.

Take is easy on the first 1/2 mile of Decker, that's the steepest bit, it flattens (a little) as you go higher.

Stunt is only 5k long. The last 1k is hardest in the afternoon because of the inevitable onshore breeze
that hooks over the ridgeline. Just save a little for the last 1k and you're fine.

Kar3368

Believe everything you have heard about Deer Creek, it is VERY steep. After next weekend I have NO desire to ever do it again, but I would like to climb it.
Take it easy going down and you will be fine.
Decker isn't to bad, just pace yourself...as there are sections where the grade gets up to 15%.
But as Cassave stated, it does flatten out where you are able to add a gear or two.
Also the roads before we descend Deer Creek are quite rough..Little Sycamore and Yerba Buena, so be prepared for that.
Stunt is just hard because it is at the end of the ride, but the climb itself isn't bad.

Karen

ronjon10

Post up the motionbased link if you can, I know the area well, but I'm not sure how the route goes. Of the four climbs you mention, Decker is the worst. Topanga has a steep part (mile 17-19 or so) before it gets to 'town' , otherwise it's pretty tame.

No rest for the weary on Stunt, it's about 3-4 miles of 5-6%, and it doesn't really let up til the very end. However, it doesn't spike up much either, so if you find a good spinning gear, it should take you to the top.

Is the Rock Store climb on this route? If so, have fun with that one...

blue_nose

I just did a search for “Mulholland” on the MotionBased site and found a few people that uploaded their activity after last year’s event. Here is the activity that I got the elevation profile from:

https://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/650250

I believe that the Rock store climb is # 3 above, but I am not sure. Another steep climb???

Kar3368

In my opionion, Rock Store isn't bad at all, as far as climbs go.
The steepest it gets is about 8%. It it about 3 or 4 miles long.

Blastinbob

I think it's the first part of climb #4? 8% sounds about right, but is it that long of a climb?

Kar3368

I think is is 3 miles....maybe a tad under.

scvroadie

The beginning of Decker is the steepest of all the climbs, it's the first mile that gets to you. Stunt hurts because it is late in the ride and is about 4 miles at an average grade of 6%. The Rock Store climb on Mulholland, with its avg grade of 7% for 2 miles, is not as tough because it is early in the ride. The climbs just get tougher as you get more miles and climbing in your legs.

Here is a link to a database of the climbs in the Santa Monica Mountains:

https://www.birthdaychallenge.com/lin...sonclimbs.html

Kar3368

Just looked up the rock store..it is only 2.3 miles long!
Here is a reference to all the climbs in the area.

https://www.cvcbike.org/routes/hills.html

scvroadie

Karen,

Great minds think alike. Your post was a minute after mine. Same info, different databases.

Cleave

Hi,

You people are scaring me!

ronjon10

Thanks for the link. Yeah, the Rock Store defintely isn't as bad as Decker. It's shorter and really not as steep, but for some reason it always hits me hard; probably because it's out of my extended climbing comfort zone (currently 5-6%) and it always comes far into my rides. All these are reasons I'm not doing the MC It's on my list for next year though. Much training to be done!

ronjon10

Oh come on, it's not like they're sending you up Las Flores with it's avg grade of 8% and max of 21% over four miles

Kar3368

I saw that! I like yours, it has SOO many more climbs, I will need to keep it as a reference!

Kar3368

You SHOULD be scared!! Just KIDDING!!
Now you know what to expect!
You will LOVE this ride...the area has some of the best riding around!
Of course I am biased as it is my neighborhood!

Brandy

I agree...it's gorgeous up there and I'm jealous and hating all of you that live close enough to ride there regularly!

Cleave

Hi Karen,

I've ridden most of those climbs over the years but not so many of them in one day.

Let's just say that I'll be pacing myself carefully especially since my lowest gear is 39 X 25. But heck, you only live once. I guess that you only die once too.

I am The Edge

that graph is the reason i used to ride my motorcycle up there.

Happytime

That graph is the reason why I do easy things like triathlon.

roadfix

That graph is the reason I'm not registered for the M.C.

Kar3368

That graph is the reason why I AM registered for the MC!!!
Bring ON the climbing

roadfix

You animal!...

blue_nose

+1. If people are not weeping at the finish line then it was too easy