I live just an easy ride to the base of Rock Store....I like it early in the morning before the moto and car clubs. Sometimes I'll ride it after work in the summer. Latigo is okay but the bottom pavement is horrible. I really like the descent on Mulholland to Leo and the climb back via Encinal. Old Topanga is beautiful. Love Stunt for the big canyon walls surrounding it.

I refuse to go down it. The first time I rode Soledad, I went up SMR, and was going to go down VC, but decided I didn't want to die so I turned around and came down the same way I went up. As I was going back up, a lady with a SS beach cruiser with a coaster brake was going down VC.

via capri is a challenging ascent but yah, the top half of the descent just bites with the obnoxious pavement quality and the brake clenching.

methinx it's time for another bike forums ride. be nice if it were in sd county this time.

Well this weekend is kind of soon and next weekend is the super bowl and the following weekend is the Tour de Palm Springs.

I never knew the name of that road, but I already knew which one you were talking about. At least they put up little boingy-poles and a clearly marked bikelane at the 15+% corner. It's a lot less anxious riding up that way now.

I'm on board for a forum ride too, and it doesn't have to be North SD County, (though we do have some sweet roads here.)

I'm going to stand up for my central coast roots as much as I'm allowed:

Old San Marcos Rd / Painted Cave / El Camino Cielo to La Cumbre Peak 10 mi, 3,500 ft and a beautiful view of the Channel Islands

Jim

I'm definitely in. And even more so if it's SD and not North County. I like the idea of City of San Diego.

a metro sd ride is cool but lacks the fluidity of a no co ride because
of the concentration of stop lights/signs/traffic. a lot more open
stretches in no co. but then again, i may be the only one that stops
at red lights and stop signs. ; )

personally think any semi-close sd co forum ride should include something semi-newish. i propose an ascent of viejas grade (dunno how many of you have done it??) starting from alpine into descanso, along with a north to south ride along japatul rd/lyons valley rd (great western divide area) with a descent of lyons valley rd to jamul rd and an ascent of harbinson canyon back into alpine. approx 4,500 ft gained and 45-50 miles. best part is finishing next to alpine brewing co. *hint hint.*

Mt. Wilson.
Always Mt. Wilson rd. I live between ACH and the Santa Monica mountains, but getting to the 2 is way less hassle free.

Two long climbs up the 2 to Redbox then up the rugged road to either Mt. Wilson itself, or Mt. Disappointment for broken road action with a steep climb bonus.

I've done all that ride but not as one continuous ride because of the gravel on the Viejas Grade - did the grade last spring on my hard tail, minimum front suspension mountain bike with 1.75" 60 psi tires that have a very light tread section. I rode up the grade -from Alpine thru Descanso and out Boulder Creek and back to Alpine going back down Viejas Grade. Would not want to be coming down in that loose gravel and dirt on any smaller tires.

First, and so far only, time I did Soledad I went up SMR and down Capri. True, Via Capri is not a pleasant decent, however I would (probably will) do it again. I ride down there from Oceanside, and going back down SMR adds just too many miles. Besides, I like going up La Jolla Shores.

Of course I could drop another 30 lb and go up Capri.

yes TacomaSailor, viejas grade is best done as a climb but you can descend it on a road bike with 23's if you have to.

gotta add decker to my list. just did it. hard but not insane. nice views here and there. pretty decent road quality. also did encinal but didn't really do anything for me. did have a super-consistent grade tho which seems to be a rarity in those parts. descended latigo but should have ascended it as well.
next time.

Maybe I didn't look hard enough to see if it is mentioned but there is this climb in Anaheim/Orange. Not an hours long, pace yourself climb, it is more of a blast and survive. I call it Double Cannon. It is Imperial Highway South of the 91 to Chapman Ave. Big climb, lots of horn honking and cheering from the locals, Nice little drop to warm up the brakes and then you get to do it again with your flabbergasted legs complaining all the way. I go at it Sprint-like, at least in my mind.I can do the first but the second always ends up in a stand up slog on the SS. On the Roadie I just spin into a dreamlike state. That is why it is called the Flogging Machine. Not real long but absolutely brutal if you make it so.

Yes, that's a good climb esp. with Imperial at a consistent 12% grade. We do it as part of the 16 Pass Orange County Death Ride and it hits with about 90 miles on our legs so it does get some attention!

After than we have the Chapman/Canyon View climb to Outrider and the Water Tower climb as the 16th pass.

Rick / OCRR

Very fun rides

If you think thats steep, try Crownview in Palos Verdes, you'll puke your guts out at the top

offtopic, I did a ride a few months back going up Fernwood and some older guy(must've been at least 40) in a 53x11 jersey was coming up on me quick. I jumped on his wheel and stayed on it for about 15mins until the right turn where he started hammering so hard I blew up. I hope that wasn't you, cause you hurt my feelings :)

I've never ridden out in Palos Verdes, I should go there sometime!

Not steep? I don't have a app or program but Newport Coast Drive around Pelican Hill is definitely steeper than Laguna Canyon Road past the 73. In sort of the same area, Laguna Beach is littered with steep climbs from Third Street to Top of the World.

Do people still use the phrase "da bomb" for realsies? Both the climb/descent from Del Mar and Torrey Pines are nice.

Climbing in and out of the Arroyo growing up was always fun. Most of the good routes are on that side of Pasadena.

Other votes are for Peters Canyon (Tustin to Newport) and Aliso Creek (Silverado/Lake Forest to Aliso).

palos verdes peninsula has a few "fun" climbs. among them but not limited to: via la cuesta, ganado,
silver arrow and crownview.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/708/img3397s.jpg
Hill repeats this morning at the end of Point Loma.

Truth. I wish I cloud live closer to the PCH. I punched out Corral Canyon and Las Flores recently and it hurt so good. I will get my first taste of Mt. Wilson next month and get to see what all the hype is about.

That's a great climb! have you done SunnyRidge Rd. and East Vale those are good steep roads also and Ganado.
We hit all these up when we want steep LOL.