Road Ride Report Latigo/Decker Climbs

When I found out I had to work on my birthday, I decided I'd bring my road bike to work so I can get a ride in the morning when I got off work.

I've mapped out some routes around the Santa Monica's. One of which is 106+ miles. I split the route in 2 so I don't get over my head with 1 being 63+ miles and the other about 44. Today I did the 44 mile route. Here's what it looks like:



When I got off work at 5:30am, it was really foggy and drizzly but I knew it would burn off at some point.

I parked along Kanan Dume near PCH. Then headed to Latigo Canyon Rd for the 1st climb. As you can see, it still had a good marine layer out along PCH.



Once I started up Latigo, I came out of the marine layer to some sunshine.


Looking back at sections of Latigo Canyon Rd.


The grade isn't that bad, but still a long way to go here.


Looking back once again.


Here's a good look at sections of Latigo Canyon Rd.



Seems to go forever, but eventually you'll come out at Kanan Rd



Once on Kanan, go right and then left onto Mulholland. Lots of nice places to take a break or grab some food and maybe even do a little wine tasting.


Malibu Wines looks like a really nice place to stop.


It has a very nice setting. The cost for wine tasting is about $10-12 depending on "flight".



You can sit up here which overlooks Mulholland Hwy.


I plan on coming back for some wine tasting for sure. Here's a link to their website: http://malibuwines.com/


Along Mulholland, you'll see some critters.




As you continue along Mulholland, the road has flat, ups, downs, so you're getting a nice variety. Plus the views are always spectacular!




Continued...,

 

You can see Mulholland there on the right of the pic.


A little closer view.


Time for some descending. At this point, I was ready for a steady descent.




As I get closer to PCH, the marine layer gets thicker.


Not much sun for these beach goers.


Decker Canyon Rd. #-o


Decker starts out with a steady 11-13% grade, but mellows out to an average 6-7% near the top.




Looking back.


Here you'll recognized if you've done Backbone from Encinal.




A little retro pic.


Climbing back this section of Mulholland.



Almost to Kanan here.


Kanan Dume Tunnel. It all downhill from here. :bang:


Really love riding in the Santa Monica's whether it's road or dirt.

I plan on doing the the second portion of my route which is 63 miles. It includes climbs such as Topanga, Stunt. Here's what that route looks like:


Combined for both would make it over 106 miles.



Final stats for this leg:

Miles: 46.5
Elevation gain: 5,363 ft.

Here's the Geoladders links:

http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=46299

http://www.geoladders.com/enlarge.php?route=46299#roller

 

Nice Gene. There's another climb in the area legendary for its steepness - Deer Creek. I rode it this week (hot day!) combining it with a dirt ride from Encinal.
Down Yerba Buena, up Deer Creek - Cotharin ...

http://app.strava.com/rides/508471

 

ugg...decker...

 

Beautiful pictures, I recongnize a few of those from the conejo ride, and my old car club runs.

 

Great pics. Latigo and Yerba Buena are my favorite climbs out that way!

 

Thanks for taking the time to stop and taking all the photos Gene! Good stuff!

 

Thanks Binh. Ya like my dirt RR's, if it motivates others who have never ridden in these areas before to get out of their comfort zone and go out and ride someplace new, then it's worth it for me to stop once in a while..., even on the descents. ;-)

 

Beautiful!!

 

Good choice of routes. you passed third tunnel single trace twice (on Latigo and Kanan @ tunnel 1). You also crossed backbone-Kanan twice. Most climbers hit Latigo and Deer creek because they are the roads less traveled (Deer creek because its insane). We of course encourage you to ride Potereo Wall, Las Flores to Schueren, 23 south, Piuma. Your an animal with the proposed "ROCK"store finish. Welcome to the West
Happy Trails

 

YAY!!! (da big hills, indeed!)

Don't forget about Encinal. My first 'century' (94 mi. in Levis and hi-tops on a Diamondback MTB) was roughly 818->Topanga->Beach->Encinal->Mulholland->Calabasas->818. Thought for sure Encinal would be the death of me. That's when I started harshly cussing out my riding bud, who was about 2 mi. ahead of me on that climb. When I caught up to him, I candidly said "You don't EVEN wanna know what I've been saying about you these past 5 miles!"

 

No love for Stunt?

I'd rank it as a touch better of a climb than Decker. Both are rocking good hauls.

 

I've done the Rock Store climb before. Here is my RR with pics: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/roadie-hangout/52150-malibu-canyon-rd-mulholland-pch.html

I have Stunt, Schueren, Piuma Rd and Topanga on this route:



Description: Start off Mulholland/Kanan Dume and head south on Mulholland towards Stunt Rd and begin climb. Continue onto Schueren and the Piuma Rd. Left on Malibu Canyon Rd and down to PCH, turn left toward Topanga Canyon Rd and begin climb. Veer left onto Old Topanga and continue to Mulholland and back to start point.