My recollection of Highway 32 out of Chico and all the way to Highway 89 is that it was a pretty steady grade, a rhythm climb, not a power climb. The further you get away from Chico, the prettier it gets. I don't recall much in the way of traffic and I don't recall problems with the road surface or width.
Of course, the only time I did it was 42 years ago, so my memory may be foggy and things may have changed since then.
