Lexington Reservoir KOM Challenge

Do you like to suffer? Looking to take on a new challenge? Does a huge climbing day sound fun?

The Lexington Reservoir KOM Challenge is the ride for you!

Unofficial, unorganized, self-supported, free of charge!

5 climbs, 9,000ft of climbing, all packed into 50 miles!

Bear Creek Rd. 3.0mi, 1,260ft
Black Rd. 4.5 mi, 1,760ft
Montevina Rd. 3.5mi, 1,670ft
Soda Springs Rd. 5.4mi, 2,380ft
Old Santa Cruz Hwy. 4.2mi, 1,000ft
Bonus: Gist Rd. (from Black Rd.) 1.2mi, 670ft

A climbing paradise, five of the area’s toughest climbs start within one square-mile at Lexington Reservoir. For some, completing all the climbs will be challenging enough, but if you are looking to push your limits even further, ride for your best time on each of the climbs. Upload your ride to Strava and, at the end of the day, the riders with the lowest total time on all five segments combined are the Lexington KOM/QOM champions! Links to the segments that will be used are with the climb descriptions at the bottom of this page.

Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/13329553
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/624128644597938

Feel free to do the climbs in any order. Make sure to consider traffic and, if it’s a warm day, you may want to do the exposed climbs (Montevina and Soda Springs) on the early side. There are no public water sources at Lexington Reservoir. We will have water and snacks available in the pullout near the Bear Creek/Old Santa Cruz intersection. Please bring a small cash donation to help pay for the supplies.

We will meet near the Bear Creek/Old Santa Cruz intersection at 8am to start!

There is limited free parking available in dirt pull-outs along Old Santa Cruz Highway. Lexington Reservoir parking lots along Alma Bridge Road are also a good option for $6. See attached picture for parking map.

In the spirit of the Ball Mauler and Low Key Hill Climbs, this ride is open to all two-wheeled gravity defiers. Bear Creek Road tends to have more traffic than the other climbs - ride this one first before too many people are on the road. Take special care on descents as cars may be passing uphill cyclists. Many of the roads on this route have only one lane - keep this in mind and stick to the right while climbing and descending. While it is legal to ride Highway 17 northbound between Bear Creek and Alma Bridge, it is NOT recommended. Instead, use the dirt trail that parallels the highway - it is hard-packed and easily navigated on a road bike.

This is not an "official" ride or "organized" ride - you are responsible for your own safety and must comply with California traffic laws.

The Hills:

Bear Creek
Distance: 3.0mi
Elevation Gain: 1,260ft
Average Grade: 8%
Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/629647
This windy mountain road wastes no time getting up to Summit. Do this one early to avoid higher levels of traffic that may be present later in the day

Black
Distance: 4.5 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,760ft
Average Grade: 7%
Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/268865
Don’t be fooled by the average gradient of 7%, this number is skewed by 1.5 miles of false flat that are sandwiched between two brutal sections of 10%. Recover in the flats if you need to, but if you really want a good segment time, it will have to be full-gas all the way. Dense redwood forest on the upper slopes provides much needed respite from the sun. If you feel like this whole ride is too short for you, descend only half of Black and then take Gist Rd. back up to Summit. 1.2 miles at over 10% - Gist features some of the gnarliest switchbacks in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Montevina
Distance: 3.5mi
Elevation Gain: 1,670ft
Average Grade: 9%
Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/299849
This ridgetop climb could be really painful, but hopefully you will be too distracted by the views to notice. Make sure to occasionally check the road as you will be tempted to look over your shoulder at the beautiful reservoir views whenever possible. The smooth surface on this road makes it a fun descent, but be careful to stay to the right for your safety and the safety of other road users.

Soda Springs
Distance: 5.4mi
Elevation Gain: 2,380ft
Average Grade: 8%
Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/2714617
This is the big one! The zenith for the day, Soda Springs winds along this gorgeous side-valley to top out at over 3,000ft on the backside of Mt. Umunhum.

Old Santa Cruz
Distance: 4.2mi
Elevation Gain: 1,000ft
Average Grade: 4%
Strava Segment: https://www.strava.com/segments/2731386
Prior to the opening of Highway 17, this was the main road between Santa Cruz and Los Gatos. Before that, it was a stagecoach route, which is why the average grade is less than 4%. You can thank the horses for that. Do this climb with others who have similar climbing abilities for a good time. It is very draftable. Alternatively, you could take advantage of the mellow gradient and rest your tired legs.

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• Nick Wallace
  Organizer
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