Today was the most fun I've had on a bike in a long time. I replaced the heavy, power-robbing suspension seatpost on my Sirrus with a normal one. What a difference! I had three more Newcastle/Auburn climbs I've never done before to ride, so today was the day. First was Bald Hill Road. This was pretty steep, with a maximum grade of 14%:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82938865

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thq7v1vkaFY


view from top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr


view from top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

This was spraypainted on the road near the top of Bald Hill Road:


'fi'zi:k' spray painted on road near top of Bald Hill Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

Next was Baxter Grade. This was the "easiest" of the three:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmClaazYzNc


my Specialized Sirrus at top of Baxter Grade by kittyz202, on Flickr

Auburn city limits at top of Mt. Vernon Road:


my Specialized Sirrus at top of Mt Vernon Road by kittyz202, on Flickr

Then I got back to downtown Auburn just in time to get video of the entire Masters race in the Auburn Criterium. This was the final race of the day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ_oTbli7_Y

After watching the race I asked someone where Linden Ave was. I read on The Hammerin' Wheels' website that it is about a 23% grade, so you know I had to climb it I measured 25%, and with my super-low climbing gears I was able to climb this in the saddle no problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxYS4xdgKRg