Comments for Tough Ascent http://www.toughascent.com/blog Cycling uphill. For fun. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:16:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Vacaville – The Diabolical Duo – Mix Canyon & Gates Canyon (Super Steep) Hill Climbing by rallison http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=224&cpage=1#comment-3073 rallison Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:16:38 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=224#comment-3073 Hi Deborah, Thanks for the info on the towers - I almost went up the road to them but decided not to since the signs said no trespassing. If I ever make it back to Vacaville I will have to add that in. The mountain bike ride connecting the two climbs via Blue Ridge Road would be fun. It looks like the views along the ridge would be beautiful. And yes, decent gearing really helps on a climb like this. My low gear is 30x25..and I still wished for a lower gear! Thanks for the compliment on conquering both climbs! I'll let you know when I am in Vacaville next (could be a long time though, sadly). Hi Deborah,

Thanks for the info on the towers – I almost went up the road to them but decided not to since the signs said no trespassing. If I ever make it back to Vacaville I will have to add that in.

The mountain bike ride connecting the two climbs via Blue Ridge Road would be fun. It looks like the views along the ridge would be beautiful.

And yes, decent gearing really helps on a climb like this. My low gear is 30×25..and I still wished for a lower gear!

Thanks for the compliment on conquering both climbs! I’ll let you know when I am in Vacaville next (could be a long time though, sadly).

]]> Comment on Vacaville – The Diabolical Duo – Mix Canyon & Gates Canyon (Super Steep) Hill Climbing by Deborah http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=224&cpage=1#comment-3072 Deborah Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:16:17 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=224#comment-3072 At the top of Mix, if you bear left, will take you to those towers you referenced in the Gates Cyn. portion. My husband and his friends have flown their hang gliders from there. There's a popular mtn. bike ride that goes up on cyn. and down the other. I have not done this; I am a roadie and cannot bring myself to ride mtn. However, they say those climbs are more approachable w/mtn. gears than with road gears. I figure I need to HTFU and work on those climbs with my Diva until I nail them. Thanks for a great ride report & pics. Well done on scaling both climbs! BTW, next time you're in the area, holler and we'll try to keep up with you. (c; debster50atgamail.com At the top of Mix, if you bear left, will take you to those towers you referenced in the Gates Cyn. portion. My husband and his friends have flown their hang gliders from there.

There’s a popular mtn. bike ride that goes up on cyn. and down the other. I have not done this; I am a roadie and cannot bring myself to ride mtn. However, they say those climbs are more approachable w/mtn. gears than with road gears. I figure I need to HTFU and work on those climbs with my Diva until I nail them.

Thanks for a great ride report & pics. Well done on scaling both climbs!

BTW, next time you’re in the area, holler and we’ll try to keep up with you. (c; debster50atgamail.com

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains – Deer Creek, Yerba Buena, Decker (& Decker Edison), Encinal (aka lots of steep climbing) by rallison http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=3&cpage=1#comment-3054 rallison Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:57:57 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=3#comment-3054 Sorry for the delay in responding - I've been up in the Bay Area and just got back to Long Beach today. Deer Creek is a brutal little climb. As for the 13% in Summerson's book? Remember that his definition of max grade is a section of grade that extends across the road and lasts for at least 10 feet. As such, Deer Creek probably has pitches that get steeper than 13%. With that said, Deer Creek is relentless and tough. The one saving grace is that it is relatively short. I think I would still classify Tuna as tougher...but, I have not climbed Deer Creek for a long time, so I can't say for sure. And yeah, Las Flores is always a walk in the park ;) Sorry for the delay in responding – I’ve been up in the Bay Area and just got back to Long Beach today.

Deer Creek is a brutal little climb. As for the 13% in Summerson’s book? Remember that his definition of max grade is a section of grade that extends across the road and lasts for at least 10 feet. As such, Deer Creek probably has pitches that get steeper than 13%. With that said, Deer Creek is relentless and tough. The one saving grace is that it is relatively short. I think I would still classify Tuna as tougher…but, I have not climbed Deer Creek for a long time, so I can’t say for sure. And yeah, Las Flores is always a walk in the park ;)

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains – Deer Creek, Yerba Buena, Decker (& Decker Edison), Encinal (aka lots of steep climbing) by Paul http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=3&cpage=1#comment-2742 Paul Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:41:44 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=3#comment-2742 Back again. Been meaning to do Deer Creek for a long time, if only to be fair , as I've descended it a few times. The book(Summerson) says max 13% but I thought one or two pitches went past that. Then again I was tired from Monday evening. It really does keep going doesn't it? A brief, 30 yard, respite about 1/3rd of the way up but then back to the grindstone. Seemed harder than Tuna but I didn't need any extended standing. It's just that lack of a break that gets you and having to sit down on 12% to wipe the sweat from your eyes. I'll try my old adversary Las Flores on Thursday, should be a walk in the park:) Back again.
Been meaning to do Deer Creek for a long time, if only to be fair , as I’ve descended it a few times.
The book(Summerson) says max 13% but I thought one or two pitches went past that. Then again I was tired from Monday evening.
It really does keep going doesn’t it? A brief, 30 yard, respite about 1/3rd of the way up but then back to the grindstone. Seemed harder than Tuna but I didn’t need any extended standing. It’s just that lack of a break that gets you and having to sit down on 12% to wipe the sweat from your eyes.
I’ll try my old adversary Las Flores on Thursday, should be a walk in the park:)

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains Leg Burner – Tuna Canyon, Fernwood & Corral Canyon by rallison http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144&cpage=1#comment-2702 rallison Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:09:52 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144#comment-2702 Nicely done with the 39/25. Grades like that are very much a matter of balance - both to keep from toppling over and to keep from lifting the front wheel. Screw it up and you may go sliding backwards for a bit! Nicely done with the 39/25. Grades like that are very much a matter of balance – both to keep from toppling over and to keep from lifting the front wheel. Screw it up and you may go sliding backwards for a bit!

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains Leg Burner – Tuna Canyon, Fernwood & Corral Canyon by Paul http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144&cpage=1#comment-2699 Paul Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:12:22 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144#comment-2699 On to Grand View. Hoofta! Not for the weak hearted. If you find the approach difficult, better come back another day. At the cadence I could sustain in 39/25 it was almost more a question of balance than leg strength and even arm strength became a factor. Also technical for the arms, had to pull backwards rather than up to prevent front wheel lift off. Could be a difficult dismount wearing bike shoes. On to Grand View. Hoofta!
Not for the weak hearted. If you find the approach difficult, better come back another day. At the cadence I could sustain in 39/25 it was almost more a question of balance than leg strength and even arm strength became a factor. Also technical for the arms, had to pull backwards rather than up to prevent front wheel lift off.
Could be a difficult dismount wearing bike shoes.

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains Leg Burner – Tuna Canyon, Fernwood & Corral Canyon by rallison http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144&cpage=1#comment-2613 rallison Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:05:19 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144#comment-2613 Ah, I see. I didn't descend Tuna, but I can believe that it is a rather brake-heavy descent. As for Corral - the dirt portion appears to eventually connect to Latigo according to Google Maps Satellite View..but that is assuming none of the road is closed off or private of course. You could always do recon in a car first. If you ever try it, let me know how if it works and if a standard road bike would be good enough to climb the dirt section. Also, with regard to descending Tuna on the hoods - next time try descending in the drops. You should have greater control and strength over your braking. And, glad you like the blog and glad that it has pushed you to try some tougher climbs! There is nothing better than that feeling of accomplishment when you conquer a tough climb. Ah, I see. I didn’t descend Tuna, but I can believe that it is a rather brake-heavy descent. As for Corral – the dirt portion appears to eventually connect to Latigo according to Google Maps Satellite View..but that is assuming none of the road is closed off or private of course. You could always do recon in a car first. If you ever try it, let me know how if it works and if a standard road bike would be good enough to climb the dirt section. Also, with regard to descending Tuna on the hoods – next time try descending in the drops. You should have greater control and strength over your braking.

And, glad you like the blog and glad that it has pushed you to try some tougher climbs! There is nothing better than that feeling of accomplishment when you conquer a tough climb.

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains Leg Burner – Tuna Canyon, Fernwood & Corral Canyon by Paul http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144&cpage=1#comment-2595 Paul Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:16:25 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144#comment-2595 No, I came back down Tuna, just to do it legally. Very hard braking from the hoods. I had no choice on Coral, it's a dead end, though one day I might continue past the end of the maintained road, it looks like it might connect to Latigo, a far easier descent(and climb, for that matter). I really appreciate your blog. Got me off the easier climbs, doing some real work. No, I came back down Tuna, just to do it legally. Very hard braking from the hoods.
I had no choice on Coral, it’s a dead end, though one day I might continue past the end of the maintained road, it looks like it might connect to Latigo, a far easier descent(and climb, for that matter).
I really appreciate your blog. Got me off the easier climbs, doing some real work.

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains Leg Burner – Tuna Canyon, Fernwood & Corral Canyon by rallison http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144&cpage=1#comment-2589 rallison Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:48:44 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144#comment-2589 Thanks for detailed comment! Yeah, that wall on Grand View is ridiculous. One of the steepest bits of road I've seen anywhere (and this is coming from someone who aggressively seeks out such roads!). Congrats on climbing Tuna - that is not an easy feat with 39/25 gearing. It is hard enough climbing it in my 30/25! As for the turning your arms to jelly, did you descend down Las Flores? If that is what you are talking about, I can definitely understand - Las Flores is a steep road for descending. Good idea on Fernwood to Topanga. Corral is pretty tough up to the housing area. I didn't even get to go much beyond it due to time, but it sounds like it is pretty nasty above there as well. As for prettier...I'll trust you since the whole area was completely fogged in when I climbed it! Guess I need to go and climb it again...during clear skies and all the way to the end. Also, with the climbs you are doing, you'll be physically up for both in the same ride sooner than you might think. Keep on riding. Thanks for detailed comment!

Yeah, that wall on Grand View is ridiculous. One of the steepest bits of road I’ve seen anywhere (and this is coming from someone who aggressively seeks out such roads!).

Congrats on climbing Tuna – that is not an easy feat with 39/25 gearing. It is hard enough climbing it in my 30/25! As for the turning your arms to jelly, did you descend down Las Flores? If that is what you are talking about, I can definitely understand – Las Flores is a steep road for descending. Good idea on Fernwood to Topanga.

Corral is pretty tough up to the housing area. I didn’t even get to go much beyond it due to time, but it sounds like it is pretty nasty above there as well. As for prettier…I’ll trust you since the whole area was completely fogged in when I climbed it! Guess I need to go and climb it again…during clear skies and all the way to the end.

Also, with the climbs you are doing, you’ll be physically up for both in the same ride sooner than you might think. Keep on riding.

]]> Comment on Santa Monica Mountains Leg Burner – Tuna Canyon, Fernwood & Corral Canyon by Paul http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144&cpage=1#comment-2576 Paul Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:06:22 +0000 http://www.toughascent.com/blog/?p=144#comment-2576 I've been stuck in Woodland Hills the past few months, enduring the heat on Fernwood, Stunt, Topanga and Mullholland. Once, I used Grand View as a warm up for intervals on Fernwood. Used it, that is, until I reached the wall in your picture. Then I realized it might negatively impact my repeats, so I ducked the challenge. Next time. I read your blog and decided to go out and try the infamous Tuna and yesterday evening, the equally infamous Coral. By paying great attention to pacing I succesfully climbed Tuna last week. It's hard, very hard. Had me standing a lot with my 39/25. It's amazing how thin the air can get 1000' above sea level. Very nice finish, the 9% seemed flat by comparison. I've done Fernwood many times and, if you have the time, would strongly recommend descending it and Topanga rather than returning the way you came, which turned my arms to jelly. The best thing about Tuna, is that when it's over, it's over. The same cannot be said about Coral, you pace yourself up similarly steep grades for slightly less time and then get a break from 0-5% among the first houses. Then it ramps up again, not all the way, but with short hard rolling pitches and then a sustained period 8-10%, or possibly higher. By then it feels a lot harder of course. At last, after 3 miles, it really is over, gently rising the for last 2 miles until you reach the end of maintained pavement. Another arm breaking descent follows, smooth at first, but then nasty and jarring, as you return to sea level. Don't know what the altitude was at the end, looked like 1500+, that's in just over 5 miles. Definitely found Coral the harder of the 2 and prettier, some of those perched houses have views forever. Don't think I could do both in the same ride yet though. I plan on doing them every week this summer. I’ve been stuck in Woodland Hills the past few months, enduring the heat on Fernwood, Stunt, Topanga and Mullholland. Once, I used Grand View as a warm up for intervals on Fernwood. Used it, that is, until I reached the wall in your picture. Then I realized it might negatively impact my repeats, so I ducked the challenge. Next time.
I read your blog and decided to go out and try the infamous Tuna and yesterday evening, the equally infamous Coral.
By paying great attention to pacing I succesfully climbed Tuna last week. It’s hard, very hard. Had me standing a lot with my 39/25. It’s amazing how thin the air can get 1000′ above sea level. Very nice finish, the 9% seemed flat by comparison. I’ve done Fernwood many times and, if you have the time, would strongly recommend descending it and Topanga rather than returning the way you came, which turned my arms to jelly.
The best thing about Tuna, is that when it’s over, it’s over.
The same cannot be said about Coral, you pace yourself up similarly steep grades for slightly less time and then get a break from 0-5% among the first houses. Then it ramps up again, not all the way, but with short hard rolling pitches and then a sustained period 8-10%, or possibly higher. By then it feels a lot harder of course. At last, after 3 miles, it really is over, gently rising the for last 2 miles until you reach the end of maintained pavement. Another arm breaking descent follows, smooth at first, but then nasty and jarring, as you return to sea level. Don’t know what the altitude was at the end, looked like 1500+, that’s in just over 5 miles.
Definitely found Coral the harder of the 2 and prettier, some of those perched houses have views forever.
Don’t think I could do both in the same ride yet though.
I plan on doing them every week this summer.

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