Top 5 steep climbs in Boulder - Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf Climb

How to get there
Ø From Boulder, take Canyon Blvd west
Ø Keep going west along the Canyon creek
Ø Pass the turn for Four Mile Canyon
Ø Pass the B&B Alps on your right
Ø Pass the Red Lion Restaurant on your left
Ø Go through a short 200 meters tunnel
Ø Pass the sign and the turn for Magnolia on your left
Ø Few hundred meters after you see the sign Sugarloaf drive
Ø Take a right turn on Sugarloaf drive.

Climb details
Ø The entire climb is 7.7 km or 4.8 miles long: from the turn off on Canyon to the top, before the descend starts towards hwy 72.
Ø The first 2.6 km is not very hard : the first km (0.5 mile) is around 7%; then there is over 1 mile (1.7 km) almost rolling with the uphill parts between 4-6%
Ø Then there are 2 km (1.6 miles) steady around 6-8% grade
Ø The last 3 km (exactly 2 miles) are the steepest 10-14%, but the real tough part, where with my 39*28 , my cadence went down to 38-40ish rpm, is 1 mile long, it starts just a little before the 3 mile marker and ends at 4 mile marker. The last 1 mile is more around 10%, it’s steep but you can turn the pedals at a decent cadence and apply power on the pedal.
Ø The top is soon after the right turn-off for Switzerland MTB trail.

Add a challenge
Ø On the way back down on Canyon, take left turn and climb Four mile canyon at your Tempo. It’s much less steep climb and it will feel good after Sugarloaf.
Ø Descend as you came, take lft turn on Canyon and cruise down to town.
Ø To make 3 passes: take left on Pearl, left on 4th, and left on Mapleton and climb Sunshine canyon. This is much steeper than Four mile canyon, so you just climb at the rhythm that what’s left in your legs allows.
To make a loop
Ø After the top, keep descending on the dirt part all the way until your cross Peak to Peak hwy.
Ø Turn right towards Ward. There are 2-3 steep rolling
Ø Take right at the Ward sign
Ø Go back down to Boulder from Ward along Lefthand canyon

Cycling Climbing Tips n 3 - Gearing

Cycling Climbing Tips: Gearing

1. For longer steady climb with regular grade: Use an easier gear and keep higher cadence to favor good blood flow to the leg muscles and consequently good oxygen delivery. Higher cadence will cause a higher HR, a more intense cardio-vascular effort but less muscle tension and fatigue in the legs. Towards the end, last 2-5 km to the top, insert one harder gear and push harder. If you do repeats on climb, do the first reps (1-2) with easier gear and use one harder gear for the following reps.
2. For more beginners riders: do not spin while you climb, you will never gain strength. Try not to emulate your cycling heroes when you cannot produce even 1/3 of their power. They are able to climb at 80-90 rpm, but they also produce around 400 w when they climb. So, look at yourself and try to improve according to your abilities. When you climb, every pedal stroke counts. During the down stroke you need to feel the muscle tension, you need to apply that force on the pedal rather than just turning your legs around. Sometimes not expert climbers, spin because they are afraid to fall off and thing that if they spin they can make the hill faster and easier. All wrong!
3. So, start alternating, pushing1 harder gear at lower cadence you are used to, for 1.5-2 min and then shift to 1 easier gear and increase the cadence back up a little. Do this until you reach the top. In few times, you will get used to push one harder gear, pushing on the pedal and produce that force on the pedals.
4. Also alternate position: when you push the harder hear at lower cadence, slide back on the saddle and engage more your hips and glut's muscles to extend your legs. When you shift up to an easier gear and increase cadence, slide forward and engage more your quads muscles.

Next it will be on rolling hills

Climbing tip n 2

• Climbing Tip n 2 -
  
  Hands on top of the handlebar (when grade is steeper than 4-6%)



• Up-right position to open up your chest



• It has been proved by research study that for a grade above 6%) the upright position wit hands on top of the HB is the most efficient in terms of VO2 cost and time (it's faster)



• Do not squeeze the handlebar rather pull on the handlebar with the hand of the same side of the leg you are extending.