Sierra Rd
 

I rode Sierra Rd today for the first time. I made it up without stopping, but man, it was a serious workout.

It started to rain about a mile from the top, but no way I was going to give up all that work. The descent (on carbon clinchers no less) was not that fun.

How's Welch Creek compare? On paper, it looks quite a bit harder. To date, Mix Canyon Rd in Vacaville has been the hardest...probably because it's so lopsided. Relatively easy first mile but a really insane last mile.

For Mix or Welch Creek, I'll probably run my EA70s so that I can run my Swiss Stop greens.

Bob

Welch Creek is quite a bit longer but its steepest parts aren't as steep as Sierra. Do both in one fun loop!

BTW, the next Lowkey Hillclimb is Sierra.

My recollection is opposite to that of ibis_ti as I found Welch harder - I posted the garmin profile including grade vs distance for both in this 2009 ramble when I first climbed both.

I've climbed Sierra several times since, but need to revisit Welch.

Thanks, Beaker. I'm hoping to try Welch next week as long as the weather and work don't screw it up.

I was pretty spent after climbing Sierra. I can't imagine doing Sierra and Welch Creek in the same day.

Bob

I guess I was wrong about the length...it's only a little longer and has steeper peak sections than Sierra:
http://lowkey.djconnel.com/2010/week6/
http://lowkey.djconnel.com/2011/week2/

I agree about it being harder. It's actually a great climb because it's so secluded....you feel like you're in your own little world.

Both are doable....Caleveras is mostly flat except for that turn off of Felter so you get to rest. Then there is the corner rest stop after the 680 junction to refuel.

Done both, Welch Creek is harder in my opinion.But, hey if you survived Mix Canyon you'll be fine.

Wait...what? I agree with your do both in one loop. Makes for a fun day.

You know how this goes: Ask 3 cyclists get 5 opinions.
That is just the way it goes in our sport and I love it.
So without further ado..

I have climbed all 3 more than once.
For my money Mix Canyon is the hardest. That last 300 meters or so is insane.
Sierra is 2nd
Welch is 3rd

I'm fairly sure the the correct answer is "None of the above"! :eek:

As in, I want to climb "None of the above!"

The best way to find out is to ride them both. Sierra first, then descend the backside on Felter, hang a right on Calaveras up the wall, do rollies till you get to Welch Creek, then climb that.

I personally think Welch Creek is tougher ... no way I'll be able to ride to Mix Canyon after doing Sierra and Welch Creek ...

And for extra credit, before you start on Sierra and finish on Welch Creek, maybe you can do Quimby just a few miles south as an "appetizer" :)

Quimby and Sierra are sister climbs - they are almost the same length (Sierra being a tad longer, but Quimby climbing just a tad more). The main difference is, Sierra has all the steep stuff on the lower half, and Quimby has all the steep stuff in the upper half.

With all due respect, Ron, that's a pretty long ways to ride to get to Mix after doing Sierra + Welch Creek! ;)

That's why I say there's no way I'll be able to do Mix Canyon after doing Sierra/Welch Creek ... :p

I think Sierra is part of the DMD. Am I correct? Looks like a butt kicker and it comes at mile 155. I'm trying to wrap my head around another triple and DMD seems like a likely candidate. Thought the WMD was tough, but I think it pales in comparison the DMD. Opinions?

I rode Sierra Rd only once, as part of DMD. I did not find it harder than Hamilton backside. I think DMD is hard partly because it's early in the season, and sometimes the rainy weather gets in the way of training.