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From: bhilden@druxj.UUCP (HildenbrandBE)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Steepest grade inthe West
Message-ID: <902@druxj.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 16-Nov-84 16:27:45 EST
Article-I.D.: druxj.902
Posted: Fri Nov 16 16:27:45 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Nov-84 03:29:31 EST
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 55

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