Road Cycling California

The great road rides of California, from the Bay Area's proving grounds to the highest paved passes in the state. Mt. Hamilton, Mt. Diablo, Old La Honda, Tunitas Creek and Hawk Hill are the climbs local riders measure themselves on; King Ridge and Coleman Valley run the Sonoma coast ridges, and the Silverado Trail and Alexander Valley roll the wine country. The Sierra crossings are the big days: Tioga, Sonora, Ebbetts, Monitor and Carson passes, the five-pass Death Ride, and the east-side walls of Onion Valley, Horseshoe Meadows and Whitney Portal, which climb 5,000 to 6,000 feet in one uninterrupted effort. White Mountain Road tops out near 10,000 feet in the bristlecones. Big Sur and 17-Mile Drive carry the coast; Gibraltar, Figueroa, Baldy, Latigo, Angeles Crest, Palomar and Montezuma Grade carry the south.