Fully exposed climbs in the Bay Area
02-19-20, 08:50 AM
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Fully exposed climbs in the Bay Area
Hi folks
i’m training for a hot weather ride and need to find an uninterrupted climb that’s at least 1500ft and fully exposed in the blazing sun.
My plan is to go to Diablo, but do you have any recommendations in Marin? Could be tarmac or off road
Thanks!
i’m training for a hot weather ride and need to find an uninterrupted climb that’s at least 1500ft and fully exposed in the blazing sun.
My plan is to go to Diablo, but do you have any recommendations in Marin? Could be tarmac or off road
Thanks!
02-19-20, 05:42 PM
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did you see this thread ?
Mt Diablo first timer
https://www.bikeforums.net/northern-...rst-timer.html
02-19-20, 09:36 PM
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Mount Tam on the Fairfax-Bolinas Road then turning south on Ridgecrest then left again on Panoramic to the summit is pretty exposed but with some shady parts. Not as exposed as Diablo though.
Mount Hamilton from the east is an epic and very exposed road. However, it's a very long ride. I generally start at Pleasanton BART and ride Mines Road to The Junction and then west on San Antonio Valley Road. Once you get to the top, it's a great descent into San Jose, then you have to either continue back to Pleasanton (over 100 mile loop) or catch BART from Warm Springs (still about a 70 mile ride). This is a hard ride, any way you slice it.
Mount Hamilton from the east is an epic and very exposed road. However, it's a very long ride. I generally start at Pleasanton BART and ride Mines Road to The Junction and then west on San Antonio Valley Road. Once you get to the top, it's a great descent into San Jose, then you have to either continue back to Pleasanton (over 100 mile loop) or catch BART from Warm Springs (still about a 70 mile ride). This is a hard ride, any way you slice it.
02-19-20, 10:58 PM
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02-20-20, 03:49 AM
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If you're willing to go to Marin, Cavedale in Sonoma is a tough one. 1,900ft, and very exposed.
https://www.strava.com/segments/954038
If you continue over the top and descend Trinity Road into Napa, there's climbs like Mt Veeder and Oakville Grade too. Veeder is shaded, but Oakville Grade westbound is shortish, very steep, with no tree cover. The Sonoma side of Trinity is pretty exposed too.
https://www.strava.com/segments/954038
If you continue over the top and descend Trinity Road into Napa, there's climbs like Mt Veeder and Oakville Grade too. Veeder is shaded, but Oakville Grade westbound is shortish, very steep, with no tree cover. The Sonoma side of Trinity is pretty exposed too.
02-20-20, 11:27 AM
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And when it's hot, it's hot, full sun or not...it's going to be a while before that happens though...
Bonus: The poppies are blooming!
02-21-20, 04:22 PM
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South Gate Road has a lot more shade than North - Summit Road has a few longer shady sections like in the Blue Oak area. I advise North Gate repeats in the late afternoons.
And when it's hot, it's hot, full sun or not...it's going to be a while before that happens though...
Bonus: The poppies are blooming!
And when it's hot, it's hot, full sun or not...it's going to be a while before that happens though...
Bonus: The poppies are blooming!
02-21-20, 05:44 PM
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I went up North Gate one afternoon last summer and it was brutal.
02-23-20, 10:21 AM
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The climb up Morgan Territory Rd from the south is exposed and a wee bit steep. Very challenging in the heat. An alternative to Hamilton would be an up and over and back again from the west side.
02-24-20, 11:24 AM
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I don't know enough about the routes in and around Tam, but I'm sure you can put together quite a ride that is exposed, and a mix of pavement and gravel. Won't necessarily be hot though.
