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-   -   Camino San Rafael in Glendale (https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-california/406150-camino-san-rafael-glendale.html)

MTBMaven 04-09-08 10:28 PM

Camino San Rafael in Glendale
 
Holly Mary Mother of God this ride kicked my butt. I went on my normal after work ride and decided to try something new. After taking La Loma, Ave 64, Patrician Way, Glen Oaks, Linda Vista, Lida, to Chevy I went left at Chevy down to almost the 134. I normally just climb back up Chevy and climb either St. Katherine or St. Augustine. Just before going under the 2 on Chevy Chase is a small street named Sloway St., which quickly turns into Ridge. The first pitch up Ridge approaches 20%. There are some great views of downtown around this area. A bit further along grades hit a solid 20% on a long steady climb. After a quick jog left then right onto Foxkirk Rd. there is a short and steep downhill to Camino San Rafael.

Camino San Rafael is surprisingly busy street, filled with very expensive cars, passing by big expensive homes. I felt like I was getting looks from nearly every driver like I didn't belong in their neighborhood, which made me want to be there even more. CSR has several long ups with a few short downs. After the first pass the area opens to a more natural environment with great vistas.

Finally I reached Emerald Isle Dr, which took me back to Chevy, where I took a left to get to Fig. I had the bright idea of trying to climb St Augustine, which has grades close to 20%. My knees were screaming at me so badly I had to bail. Fig back to Lida to the Bowl was all I had left in me.

Once my knee heals I'm going to do this route again. Great training loop for sure.

Total Distance 21 miles
Total Ascent: 2,677 ft

huboon 04-10-08 10:41 AM

The last time I went up CSR, I was on the last climb before the top and had the steepest section in my sights. At that point, a bobcat crossed the road about 25 yards ahead of me. The resulting adrenaline rush helped propel me the rest of the way up the hill. Thanks, cat.

As you go up that section, there is a gated road off to the right. It's some sort of service road that goes down to Sheridan Road. Take a look down there sometime. It's about a 35% grade with a hairpin turn near the bottom. Insane!

anon_cyclist 04-10-08 09:19 PM

Camino San Rafael: Your tax dollars at work
 
Considering the $2.2 million Federal grant (PDF) the City of Glendale received to repair Camino San Rafael after the slope failure caused by the 2005 storms, you shouldn't hesitate to ride on it as much as you please.

On a road bike, I prefer to approach it from the East via Emerald Isle Drive.

magicant 04-10-08 10:10 PM

Have to give it a try. It's pretty much my backyard.

Thanks for the post!

huboon 04-11-08 09:34 AM

(never mind, it's been repaved)

TJKnight 04-11-08 10:55 AM


Originally Posted by anon_cyclist (Post 6499446)

On a road bike, I prefer to approach it from the East via Emerald Isle Drive.

Me, too.

MTBMaven, let me know when you do your next weeknight training ride, if you still want company.

dolophonic 04-11-08 10:07 PM

Isnt this Mountain if you come up from Verdugo ? Thats the way i go.. a tuff climb.

grrlyrida 04-12-08 01:03 PM

fav monthly ride
 
Hey Maven.Thanks for the info on the grades. I thought ridge was more than 10%. I had to ride up it diagonally. Routeslip posted a similar ride to yours http://www.routeslip.com/routes/57949.It was so hard that I stopped doing la tuna canyon and now plan to do this one monthly.:eek:


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