We try and take a warm weather vacation every year and this year, we did the easy thing and went to Palm Springs.

We live near the coast in SoCal, so it's a much easier drive than Las Vegas or other places we could go. There's good food, good strolling, nice pools, and of course ... a lot of heat. Forget the idiocy of leaving the coast (pleasant 80F weather) for a rocky 110F desert.

So of course, I decided to bring the bike.

There is a climb out there ... the Palm Springs Tramway. Its right out of town, and it's a b*tch. I did repeats on it a few years ago, so I thought it would be nice to do it again. A good way to maximize the suffering in the minimum time.

Statistically:

• 2nd steepest climb in southern California at a 9.5% average grade
• #1 climb with the greatest length of > 10% grade in southern California (1.6 miles long)
• Length: 3.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1910 ft
• Average Grade: 9.5%
• Last 1.2 miles: 12%
• Last 1/2 mile: 14.3%

But what is really tough about it is that all the time you're on it ... it looks for all the world like you are climbing an easy 5-6% grade. That's because it goes straight up a big long alluvial fan ... my least favorite kind of climb (I'm more a fan of switchbacky climbs and descents).

What surprised me is how many people were out there, first thing in the AM, walking up the grade. Most of them didn't have the look of athletes ... they looked like ordinary older folks (some with families) out for a morning walk. Whoa.

Anyway, the climb starts steeply at the start and keeps going from there. There are spots were the grade lessens a bit, but they are ridiculously short. For the most part, it goes up-up-up at a steepening grade. And all the time, you're doing it, it looks like you're barely climbing. I bailed out into my small chainring immediately.

It seemed so much easier the last time I did this. In retrospect, that was 8 years ago, and I am older now. But I've actually been climbing stronger as of late. One of the problems is that my cyclometer is acting oddly, and the gradient readings were waaay off. I had forgotten that most of this road is 10%+.

It goes up from there too. It goes to 11 ... 12 ... 14.

I got to the gate. There was a sign saying there were no bikes permitted past that point. I didn't know if that was a relief or not. What is the point of going all that way and not go to the top? It would be 2 hours or so before the tramway itself would open, and there was no one at the gate.

I kept going.

Now the road keeps going up up up ... And at the very top, 19%.

I did that seated. I dunno why. But getting to the top, I was winded to say the least. A couple waiting for a bus stared incredulously at me as I puffed past.

I didn't rest long ... just enough for a few pix. And did the short, steep descent to the bottom. Supposedly, this is the fastest descent in SoCal. That may be, but I don't have the nerve for that. I feathered my brakes liberally all the way down, stopping for a few pix.

In the end, it was a nice climb, and a good eye opener before breakfast. I'm doing it again tomorrow.

"Steep Grade Turn Off Air Conditioner"
Great pic!
Good job on the climb!

First did it on my Firestone Beach Cruuser when I was 16. Still loving that ride and its stark beauty. Like climbing stairs at the end. If you look there are deer and mountain goats to be spotted on most every ride. I focus on breathing and four counts. Used to speed skate down the lower section. Quit that just in time. Palm Springs is truly a playground for bicycles. Just far enough away to be special.

OMG ... beach cruiser?!?

I did it again this morning. It actually felt easier this time ... probably a matter of knowing where to push and where to let up. Beautiful flippin morning!

Sitting here sipping coffee at the Starbucks in town, I just had a nice chat with some local bike club members out for their morning ride. Life is good!

At 16 there seemed to be no gravitational drag. High Jump, Long Jump, 100 Yard Dash. Unbelievable. Hill repeats up Noel Ranch Road. SART was brand new and perfect. Still hit it every year on my Cannondale SS 29er spinning a 48x20. Tune up for Tour de Palm Springs.

That road is a private road, two lanes. Coming down you get to see the entire Coachella Valley and Palm Springs is just one dot of it.

Coming down, the winds started to pick up and the cars started to come up in bunches. Winds threw me around and I had to be careful of the oncoming traffic on the other lane.

First time, and I never made it to the top. Way too much work. The Tour of California had one of their stages at the top. It was a hot day on that stage.

Watch this finish and how the riders had to be helped to prevent falling off at the top

way to go, Biker395! Would you ever consider Everesting?

You mean doing it again and again until I get to 30,000 feet? Omg ... I don't think I have the mental fortitude for that!

Some friends are planning an Everesting soirée in PV in a few weeks. Riding up the same steep coast climb NINETY-ONE times.

I thing they're nucking futs!

BTW ... I did the climb again this morning and got desert thundershowered in the process on the way down. Waaaay cool.

All those repeats would drive you crazy. I am not used to that much 8-10% grades. When we finished the GT in June, I met George Vargas and Lori Heochlin (sp). She did 13 (approx) repeats of Alpe de Huez to Everest. I read that in Bicycling mag.