I have been googling cycling in California and doing those big climbs like Sonora Pass and Tiago and it fascinates me the flatlander. I am generally a strong cyclist but wondered if these can be done just on a whim. I have done some climbs visiting and I do struggle with but never have had to walk up anything yet. Around these parts I run an 11-23 or 11-25 compact and the biggest climbs I have dealt with are maybe 1 mile at 6-7% grade. Doable but not just simply easy. I thinking of doing a vacation and trying ride some of these climbs and wonder if mortals can do them just on ordinary training. I ride about 100 miles a week but also run long distance since I am runner first of all. if I am not running I ride 200-260 mpw. I thinking with a 12-32 ( 50-34 Big) I could do the Sonora Pass and make it without too much struggle, but I am lost. If I do a 70 mile ride like yesterday I managed only 1700 ft of climbing on my Garmin 910. That is nothing compared to what I see on Strava for some rides. Now I certainly average a good pace in comparison 18-19.5 mph but again seems nothing in comparison.