Which side of Diablo is easier?

[Veronica]

Here's my data - let's hope it's accurate.

North Gate - Arbolado to the Junction is 7.7 miles, average grade is 4.8%
South Gate - Train Museum to the Junction is 10.1 miles, average grade is 3.9%.

V.

[SadieKate]

My legs agree with the numbers. South Gate was more friendly.

[SadieKate]

Veronica, I just looked at the distances on our compooters. We measure round trip from Arbolado at 24.63 miles and 29.78 from the train museum. That would mean one way from the train museum is 2.57 miles longer, not .4 miles.

[Veronica]

Yep, you're right. I didn't start my HRM until 2 miles into it. Let's see if I can still edit my post.

V.

[aka_kim]

How about data for the "traditional" start of each climb, the Athenian School from the south, and the park gate from the north?

I'm one of the few (Thom may be another) who, despite the numbers, thinks they're about the same in difficulty. The north side has those two steep sections, but I always find the first few miles of the south side tough.

[Veronica]

Cool avatar Kim! I'm not a traditionalist. I'll try to remember next time I ride to click my HRM at those spots.

V.

[SadieKate]

Cool avatar Kim!.

Ditto!

V, could you then click your HRM at the Hole in the Wall, then again at the kiosk, then . . .

[Veronica]

I can click it wherever you tell me to - every other light that is amber when we hit the intersection?

V.

[cindysue]

Never ascended from South Gate - but the descent seems faster down North gate, so it would seem North Gate is the steeper ascent.

I plan on taking my boyfriend up to the junction from Southgate, with a trailer, in preparation for our ride to Santa Barbara/L.A. Now he wants to go all the way to L.A. We'll see how we feel after 5 days of riding almost 400 miles to SB. Maybe we'll join you all on the 8th (depends on if I do the Wine Country Century on the 7th).

anybody know how I can rent a bike trailer (i.e, the Yak BOB)?
Edit: Never mind- I just bought one online

[jobob]

if you like visuals ...

go to http://www.actc.org/profiles/index.php and locate "Mt. Diablo North" and "Mt. Diablo South" in the drop-down menus. You can view the profiles and compare the two.



While the scale is different for the 2 climbs, and they are offset, it gives you an idea of the relative grades. Bear in mind past about the halfway point the North and South routes converge (at Summit Dr.)

[SadieKate]

That is just the coolest little tool. I guess we're going to have to put Mt. Hamilton on our list of must-dos. Geez, what have you girls done to me. I used to only climb hills on the dirt.

It did remind me that I need to reschedule our Mt. Tam dirt ride. Hmm, it's tough living in California.

[jobob]

I like Mt. Hamilton (hah, the voice of experience here, I've ridden it all of 1 and 3/4 times ), it's a longer climb but for the most part it's not as steep as Diablo. At least it didn't seem that way to me.