In preparation for the Climb to Kaiser at the end of the month, which is a 155 mile ride with five mountain passes that gains a total of 14,000 feet, my buddy and I did the hardest day I've ever had on a bike.
All told it was 77 miles and climbed four of the five passes for a total of 11,000 feet of elevation gain.
We did Tollhouse which is a nearly 7 mile steady climb that averages ~7% but has sections as steep as 13% near the top. Then we did Big Creek which after a twisty steep descent takes you up 2000 feet in under 4 miles, average grade 10% with sections of 20+%, you know it's bad when a 10% grade is a rest. Then Kaiser, which was pretty tame 5-8% grade for five miles until you reach a snow gate, when it turns in to a 2 mile stretch of 10% with steep sections again up to and above 20%, pot holes, dirt, and melting snow leaving puddles that hide pot holes. The last climbs are Tamarack ridge 3 short bumps that only reach 6% grades but at the end of the day I can see how they could be very defeating.
Next weekend were going to do the same ride on Saturday and Sunday we will to all but Tollhouse. The Cllimb to Kaiser is Saturday June 26 so, wish me luck!
All told it was 77 miles and climbed four of the five passes for a total of 11,000 feet of elevation gain.
We did Tollhouse which is a nearly 7 mile steady climb that averages ~7% but has sections as steep as 13% near the top. Then we did Big Creek which after a twisty steep descent takes you up 2000 feet in under 4 miles, average grade 10% with sections of 20+%, you know it's bad when a 10% grade is a rest. Then Kaiser, which was pretty tame 5-8% grade for five miles until you reach a snow gate, when it turns in to a 2 mile stretch of 10% with steep sections again up to and above 20%, pot holes, dirt, and melting snow leaving puddles that hide pot holes. The last climbs are Tamarack ridge 3 short bumps that only reach 6% grades but at the end of the day I can see how they could be very defeating.
Next weekend were going to do the same ride on Saturday and Sunday we will to all but Tollhouse. The Cllimb to Kaiser is Saturday June 26 so, wish me luck!