Tour of California

As far as epic rides, the route taken by Stage 7 of the Tour of California has to be in the top five toughest I've ever attempted.  With over 10,000 feet of climbing in 78 miles, it's equivalent to many of the mountain-top stages in the Grand Tours.  Yesterday, I started from home (adding another 10 or so miles) and tried to ride it, and except for the section of 39 through Azusa Canyon (Saturday traffic from a host of alcohol-guided vehicles chased me to the safety of the support car for 15-20 miles of relative flat road with no shoulder), I finished...although not without a great deal of difficulty.

The climb starts up Euclid and quickly gets steep as it climbs up the Mt. Baldy road, topping out after 4000 feet of grinding on Glendora Ridge.

What follows is one of the most enjoyable pavement descents I've ever ridden, 20 miles of twisty asphalt that doesn't require over-braking.

After jumping in the car and shuttling to Glendora Mountain Road, Part 2 of the climb began.  6000 feet of total climbing, with about the last 2500 feet scrunched into the final 3.5 miles.  If not for the support and encouragement of my family, I probably would have abandoned...

Yeah...that's what it felt like.  This was my favorite view: