bhilden@druxj.UUCP (HildenbrandBE) (11/17/84)
Having ridden in a few areas of the US, here are my picks: Wisconsin- the road up to Gibraltar Rock is only about 1/2 mile long but at about an 18% grade. Also, there is killer hill outside of La Crosse(you get a trophy if you make it up without walking). California- I've done almost all the biggies in the South Bay and Mt. Um Hum(sp) is the one of the toughest. You get there by going up Guadalupe Resevoir Road and turn right at the top. There is about 1/2 mile of ~14% then it kicks back for the next 1000-1500' climb to the top. Also, there is the sneeky shortcut to hiway 9(Saratoga Gap road) that climbs about 700' in 1 mile, I burn my brakes on the descent all the time. Everyone knows about the wall on Page Mill Road in Palo Alto which is about 10-11% for 3/4 mile. As far as the longer climbs go there are two which stick out. The back side of Alpine Road climbs at an average grade of about 8-9% for 7 miles as does Bonny Doone Road off of hiway 1 north of Santa Cruz. Ah, but who could forget Alba road off of hiway 9 in Bear Creek -- 1700 feet in 3-1/2 miles, This is the King. There is a pretty steep climb in the Woodside area that is long, tough and scenic, not to mention private so no names here. Concerning Mount Hamilton, the only thing going for it is length as it climbs about 5000' total over 18 miles(a few ups and downs). The last 5 miles or so are probably 6-8%. Colorado: The climbs here are much mellower than in the Bay Area most gain 3-4000ft. in 10-20 miles so you can cruise. In the Boulder area there are several toughies. By far the toughest is Magnolia Road which has just been paved(8/84) to the summit. We're talking ~2000 ft. in ~4 miles, Oh Boy. Sugurloaf Road was the old champ, it has a section where you gain 600' in about a mile(total climbing is about 1900' in 5.5 miles). My ALLTIME PERSONAL FAVORITE CLIMB is Mount Evans. If you start in Golden and head up hiway 40 to Bergen Park then take hiway 103 to Echo Lake then up to the top you have just done 10,000 feet of climbing in 48 miles not to mention that you are at 14,200 feet above sea level. On return, the masochists are advised to go back through Idaho Spring so that you can tackle Floyd Hill in tip top condition. The total trip is 100 miles and on quality paved roads the whole way. I've ridden a lot of centuries but this is by far the best for any reason you can think of. I mean we got lots of climbing, lots of beautiful scenery, HIGH altitude(read no oxygen), committment(it can snow on top in August), Bike handling -- you name it. I would encourage everyone to attempt this ride however, for obvious reasons acclimitization is a near must. Bruce Hildenbrand ihnp4!druxj!bhilden p.s. - maybe we should have a "My Favorite Century" topic
dak@ihuxn.UUCP (Dave Krunnfusz) (11/19/84)
<> Just so no one comes to Wisconsin solely to bike up Gibraltor rock, it is no longer open to the public. I don't know why.
miller@nlm-mcs.ARPA (Nancy Miller) (11/27/84)
> <> > Just so no one comes to Wisconsin solely to bike up > Gibraltor rock, it is no longer open to the > public. I don't know why. Gibraltar rock was closed because kids left there beer cans and trash up there. It was a great view, and that is what attracted them to party up there. As you know, there are not many places to go out on weekend nights over there. Nancy Miller (miller@nlm-mcs.arpa) -- ________________________________________________________________________________ __ __ <> <> | `-' Nancy Miller (miller@nlm-mcs.arpa)