Road Ride Report Seven Sisters

Discussion in 'The Roadie Hangout' started by rustin, Dec 5, 2009.

  1. rustin

    rustin _

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    I love climbing on my mountain bike, so, when I was looking to do a road ride, I thought that the seven sisters would be perfect. I started bright and early by myself with Highlands which is pretty easy. Pacific Island Drive forced me to establish my motto of the day: “Slow and steady completes the race” After finishing the first three sisters I was feeling just a bit confident. Nye’s Place quickly disabused me of the notion that this ride would be anything but nonstop pain. I think it was the unexpected 20% grade that did this. Being completely unprepared for it (not that expecting it would make much of a difference for me), I started zigzagging a little before the 20% sign. And I’m not talking about in one lane; I’m talking about from one side of the road to the other. At first I thought that the road would flatten out after the curve, but if it did that would be a little bit too easy and convenient. At this point I was down to 3 mph and unsure of whether or not I could make it. The flat area around Balboa really saved me. At the top, I opted to let gravity take care of unclipping for me. Nye’s Place is the most insane road I’ve ever seen.

    Summit Drive wasn’t terrible, except around the switchback portion where I really started getting tired. Temple Hills Drive was a welcome rest. Sure it was long, but I found it to be less stressful. Coming down Temple Hills I felt totally in sync with my bike. When I was going fast, I felt like I was flying. When I started slowing down, I felt like time was slowing down. It was a really great, hard to describe feeling.

    And now for Park. Park had beaten me many times on my mountain bike, so I had really built it up in my mind as being extremely difficult. But I found it to be easy compared to Nye’s place, especially after the switchback portion. This descent was probably the best of the day. Where the other Laguna Beach sisters were steep, they were also windy.

    I did all of the climbs nonstop on 39/27, but I will admit I did take some nice, long breaks at the top the last 4 sisters.

    My Stats:
    Time (w/o breaks): 3:41:11
    Average Speed: 11.3 mph
    Max Speed: 46.0 mph

    Overall Slope (my calculations):

    Nyes Pl 15.6% 8.9°
    Park Ave (from Wendt) 11.5% 6.6°
    Summit Dr 11.4% 6.5°
    Pacific Island Dr (Alicia) 9.3% 5.3°
    Pacific Island Dr (Crown Valley) 8.7% 5°
    Temple Hills Dr 8.3% 4.7°
    Highlands 7.7% 4.4°
     
  2. Pain Freak

    Pain Freak Dead or Alive

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    Very impressive time. I started to ride them one day but a friend I was with got hurt and we had to go back. Next time I tried it my pedal/cleat broke. And right now I'm not in climbing shape but I'm working on it. I plan on getting back over there in Dec.
     
  3. GeorgiaOfTheJungle

    GeorgiaOfTheJungle THE Penultimate Mtb'er

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    Ummm, isn't that the point of the ride?

    Congrats on conquering the sisters. Always a good time (for masochists)
     
  4. Bergsteiger

    Bergsteiger Mr. Krisztian

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    Let me know when you do it. I'll ride with you.
     
  5. Zebulon

    Zebulon Member

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    Interesting that you had so much trouble with Nyes. I find that after the first steep section the grade is at a point where you can get it in to a somewhat comfortable pace.

    Now Summit, I find that to be the killer. It goes for a longer distance at a steep grade and requires the full road zig zaging.
     
  6. rustin

    rustin _

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    I forgot to mention that some work is going to be done on PCH in that area from 10 - 3 Mondays - Fridays and a lane is going to be closed. I don't know when this ends. The sign is a little bit North of the Crown Valley intersection.
     
  7. chanson

    chanson doepicshit.

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    great ride. I know some people have been scouting out ideas to add 1 or 2 more sisters to this route. Not sure which ones yet...
     
  8. rustin

    rustin _

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    If anyone else is up for it, I'd like to do the 7 sisters again with the addition of Niguel , Clubhouse , Skyline, and Westwing.
     
  9. obie

    obie New Member

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    Add Sea Island (pass through the gates) then down PID and back up Crown Valley and do PID from north side.
     
  10. Byron B

    Byron B Born to Ride

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    You guys like Challenges?!?! (your ears probably just went up!)

    Here you go, THE ORANGE COUNTY CENTURY CHALLENGE "NO PAIN, NO GAIN CENTURY" (incl... all 7 sisters)

    *** Self Supported(survival training)

    The course: PERFECT, SAFE(bike lanes on Major Roads)...

    [​IMG]
    GPS Ride Evaluation: http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=31330
     
  11. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    byron... ur insane
     
  12. DISCO

    DISCO Banned

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    Gonna tandem ALL these climbs this year.

    He is insane, the best stuff is in OPA/Tustin/Anaheim foothills; there is like 20 good miles of misery (Canyon view, cannon, Skyline, lemon heights, and imperial) missing from that route:lol:.
    [​IMG]

    Save your tears, that is such a waste of good suffering.](*,)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 4, 2010
  13. Byron B

    Byron B Born to Ride

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    :-k .... Disco, I think we might have to redo the route..

    Chewyeti, you're coming too.. Shoot lets all go, I'll supply the keg at the finish line!
     
  14. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    MMMMmmm i like the imperial and cannon climbs...

    (you guys are nucking futz.... LOL)
     
  15. chanson

    chanson doepicshit.

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    AMAZING! Count me in!! :bang::bang::bang:
     
  16. Bergsteiger

    Bergsteiger Mr. Krisztian

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    Awesome. I must ride this 10K Orange County century.
    How come I didn't think of this? Great Job Byron...
     
  17. obie

    obie New Member

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    E. Canyon Rim Rd. is a good one.
     
  18. MohammedInABearSuit

    MohammedInABearSuit Sticks and Stones...

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    So, was this more or less work than the climb to the Peak on Saturday?
     
  19. danielle

    danielle New Member

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    I'm in for that! When we riding?


     
  20. Byron B

    Byron B Born to Ride

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    It sounds like I got some tails wagging...

    Your wife/ husband will be happy when you mention the EVENT FEE!!! $ 0.00 "self supported.." Who ever stops at those dang tents anyways, I'm busy riding.. There's like 10 thousand fast food spots anyway, we don't live in Arkansas.. haha jk...

    Get ready Troopers, were gonna make this happen this year..
     

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