In July, Alexis Berthillier gave us a cracking series of rides from the golden state of California.
Alexis’ signature sun-soaked rides are known for their blue skies, epic climbs, and stunning Californian routes.
This series features some familiar faces such as Mt Diablo and Mt. Umunhum and a few unique local rides such as Bonny Doon which cruises along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Add these to the favourites list and keep those legs turning.
Bonny Doon starts out hard from Pacific Coast Highway 1. It gains about 1000ft in 2.0 miles (9.5% average grade). It then gains another 600ft over the next 3.6 miles before the short descent and merges with poorly-named Pine Flat Rd. A relatively flat area with many ponderosa pine trees is east of this road. While not as steep as its lead in, Pine Flat continues on seemingly endlessly at a reduced 4% grade.\nApproximately 1.5 miles up Pine Flat Road is its intersection with Ice Cream Grade, which first provides relief from the climbing via a 200 foot narrow, shaded descent, but then demands full payment plus interest with a 380 foot climb to Empire Grade, which it intersects across from Felton Empire Road.
More InfoMount Diablo towers over the East Bay area with the summit altitude of 3,849ft. On a clear day, views from its summit stretch more than 200 miles. Mount Diablo has the largest view shields in the United States and second in the world (the first one is Mt. Kilimanjaro). The average grade is steeper than Mount Hamilton, and that killer section at the very end is a religious experience! The South Gate Rd climb officially starts at the altitude 800ft in Danville at Athenian School. In 2 miles, you reach intersection with North Gate, South Gate Roads and Mount Diablo Scenic Blvd ends at the ranger’s station. The grade increases from there on but the view is spectacular and more than compensates. You can even see Santa Cruz mountains on the other side of the bay. The very finish is quite steep – way over 10% and will demand some prayers!
More InfoFelter Rd (named after another early pioneer) connects Calaveras Rd in Milpitas to Sierra Rd and runs through sun-drenched and exposed Los Buellis Hills. It is a quiet road with a steady gradient, frequented by cyclists, so drivers who use them are expecting to see cyclists. It is used more frequently as a descent for those brave souls who climbed Sierra Rd on the other side.
More InfoMt. Umunhum is named after the local First People's name for hummingbird. The radars (now removed) from USAF atop the concrete cube that remains, let to contamination and the road was closed for many years. Mt Umunhum is one of the four major submits of the Bay Area with Mt TAM, Mt Diablo and Mt Hamilton. Coming from the North, Hicks road is a brutal short climb which then without anytime to catch your breath leads to the long brutal ascent of Mt Umunhum with plenty of 10-15% sections.
More InfoMount Umunhum is named after the local First People's name for hummingbird. The radars (now removed) from USAF atop the concrete cube that remains, let to contamination and the road was closed for many years. Mount Umunhum is one of the four major submits of the Bay Area with Mount TAM, Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton. Coming from the South, Hicks road is a brutal short warmup climb which then without anytime to catch your breath leads to the long brutal ascent of Mount Umunhum with plenty of 10-15% sections.
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