markg

"Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in California 2nd Edition"

gandor

wow i missed this one...i was at long beach motorcycle show last sunday. thanks!

rms13

out of curiosity, for those doing bigger climbs like GMR/Angeles what kind of gearing do you have? I have a compact crankset but only 11-25 cassette so wondering if I will die trying to climb there?

Rick@OCRR

I have a compact front (34/50) and a 10 spd. cassette 11-32. Honestly, I only use the 32 on super steep climbs (Ski-Lifts @ Baldy, Deer Creek and Decker off PCH, Descending Road, Sierra Road, top of Diablo in NorCal, etc.).

You would probably be okay on 99% of all the climbs you encounter with your 34 x 25. On that other 1% you would probably struggle. The other variable is: How strong are you?

This is a big variable, of course and one that's difficult (impossible) to measure on a forum like this. Plus, the more you climb the stronger climber (generally) you become!

Rick / OCRR

TrojanHorse

I'll pile on to Rick's comment - I have to be one of the slower climbers around on account of general burliness and I can get up GMR just fine with a compact and an 11-26 cassette. Having said that, I'll usually stick an 11-28 on for normal hills and an 11-32 for extreme hills (the aforementioned ski lifts are a good example - I specifically got my 11-32 for that road).

Most days, you'd probably be just fine with whatever gearing you have. A lower gear is just a nice safety blanket for those days when you're just not feeling great but it's certainly not mandatory. If you have to stop and admire the scenery once or twice, nobody is going to heckle you.

gandor

i have compact crankset as well with 11-28t and so far i only felt needing that 32t at some hills(13-18%) in glendale/pasadena routes...i can probably do gmr with a 25t if i really want some pain but i think its doable for me.

PhotoJoe 

"Slower" is relative. If I'm with you, you turn into a billy goat!

And I quoted the "nobody is going to heckle you" to refer back to after out next GMR ride!

I have a compact and 12-28 and would really like to have at least a 30 on GMR. However, I am not strong, and weigh 242 lbs.

TrojanHorse

I meant nobody would heckle the OP.

You, on the other hand, require the motivation. It's for your own good!

jimxyz

I defer to Rick and the other big climbers on what the best hills are - but I think the ride up Angeles Crest to Newcombs Ranch (food and drinks available) or Cloudburst is a good one, any of the canyons in Malibu area are worth a visit (generally shorter climbs than GMR, but many are way steeper). 38 to Big Bear is a real nice ride now that the road is repaved and smooth as glass - but I would start extra early as it is narrow and can have lots of cars. The return from Onyx Summit is almost too much downhill (almost! haha).

gandor

you think the angeles crest to newcombs is much easier ride than gmr to mt baldy?

jimxyz

I don't think it's easier - but I don't think it's much harder. I climb GMR more frequently than AC so I feel like GMR may actually be easier, but it's probably just because I know the route pretty well so it seems to go by a little faster. Both are good rides. I don't recommend doing AC over to Azuza Canyon and back via Route 66 as the closed section of road was pretty beat up last time I was up there and the junk miles back to Pasadena area are misery (in the summer anyway)