Mulholland Challenge Roll Call 4/10/10 (merged threads)

I'll be doing this as well the other 2 KOM most likely. Most of my training is in san diego though - let me know if anyone down here is interested.

 

Why'd you leave the part out about you training for the County Coup big time? Climbing is climbing. You're ready enough.

Maurice, what exactly is Stacy's pyramid idea?

 

My legs are sore just thinking about it. We will need to do the Seven Sisters again.

 

I think this is something that she and DZ came up with. you know how the two of them are.

Sister 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

 

A lot of days on the road...

I did the MC one year (thanks, Liz!) and the KOM the next. It really helped my head to have ridden all of the climbs on the MC but once you have that behind you, you are ready for the other two rides. They are all different but the base miles and a good attitude will get you through. The rides are spaced closely enough that I didn't loose fitness. Of course, weather can turn anything really ugly in a hurry!


Warning: The Breathless Agony fills up fast and many peoples KOM dreams were dashed by not getting an entry. Keep an eye on the calendar!

 

I suggest anyone that wants to do Breathless agony, find out when registration opens, I heard it sells out within days. Last year I think it sold out in one day. I'm already registered for it, I bumped my registration to this year from last year.

 

Can anyone recommend a route that is about 50 miles and incorporates some of the Mulholland Challenge? Since we'd be coming from the south, a PCH start would probably be the best. If there's something on Geoladders that's good can you give me the link? Thanks.

 

This follows the western portion of the route from last year. This year's route might be a bit different. Plan ahead for water or bring a camelbak.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mulholland-Challenge-West

 

I am going to try to get in, anyone know if it is full?

 

Wait a sec... I have to pay someone else for me to ride my local roads AND worry about my own water? :?: Aren't there rest stops?

 

You have to worry about water for the pre-ride. They have water on the ride (well at least they did last year but ran out the year before).

 

Here's a route for you.
Drive up PCH and park at Bluffs Park. Also known as Michael Landon park. It's on the corner of PCH and Las Virgenes.
Or you can park down on Webb Wy in the Ralphs lot.

Head south on PCH to Topanga Cyn Blvd and turn Left.
When you get in to Topanga village (past Fernwood)
Just past the Post Office you veer left and cross the bridge on to Old Topanga Cyn.
Climb that and stay on it all the way till you reach Mulholland Highway. Turn left.
Go along Mulholland and you'll climb a sharp little hill (about 8 to 10%). At the top, turn right on Dry Creek/Cold Cyn rd. This parallels Mulholland but is way more fun and scenic.
At the bottom turn Right on Mulholland again and go about 1/2 mile or less to Stunt Rd. and turn Left.
Begin a long relentless climb. Beautiful though and one of my favorites. There is a porta potty in a trail head parking lot on the right about a mile or so into the ride.
The climb starts just around the bend past the pee stop.
There is a water fountain on Stunt in a driveway on the right as you get close to the top. You'll have to look for it.
Take in the view and then head right down Schueren Rd,
Long fun downhill to Ramble Pacifica. Turn right.
Climb again and top out on Piuma. This is a technical downhill. LONG! There is a fire station with water at the bottom of Piuma. You'll see it. They have a fountain.
Take this all the way down to Las Virgenes/ Malibu Cyn Rd. There can be lots of traffic on this road depending on the weather. And a tunnel. But it is on the MC route.
Turn Left and take this road all the way back to PCH.
Then turn left or right depending on where you parked.

All these roads are and climbs are on the route at some point. :wave:

 

MTBMaven and Dirtmistress, I think you just gave me the two routes that I need. Thank you very, very much.

 

DZ also has maps of the routes we did last year in anticipation of the ride. I'm sure he kept them.

 

Is there no place along the route to fill up? No private homes even?

 

There are homes on these roads. Also some water faucets if you keep your eyes open.
On Decker there's a fire station towards the top. On PCH there are camp grounds and places to get water.
I wish I could tell you exactly where but I just know where they are, I can't describe them.
You should be OK though. Don't worry. On Mulholland Hwy & PCH there is a parking lot on the non-beach side. There is a water fountain and porta john down there.
BTW, Yerba Buena is a HORRIBLE downhill. Really bad pavemen.

 

Here's a link to some water spots...

http://socalbikeforums.com/showpost.php?p=93907&postcount=1

 

I just rode it on my new tubeless tires and it was kinda fun, in a techy singletrack kinda way.

 

Yikes! Is that part very long? Should/can I go around it?

 

It's challenging pavement for most of it if you're descending from the top of Yerba Buena to Pch. BUT..the beauty of the valley and Sandstone Peak outweighs the road condition. Just take your time, pick good lines, don't bomb the turns. For extra credit and an extreme workout you can ride up Cotherin and drop down Deer Creek. These pics are from last weekend.