Pinehurst is the signature finishing climb of many Yellowjacket rides (Arlington, Three Bears, etc.) and will be featured again in this weekend's Dublin Grade ride. For some, the climb is a fitness test. For others it is a nightmare. It is avoided, dreaded, and feared. But it need not be that way. So let's take a closer look at the climb, dissect it into individual sections, and see how tough it really is (or isn't).
If you start counting the climb when you make the right turn on Pinehurst Road from Canyon Road (assuming you're coming from Moraga), you will ascend 659 feet in a 3.8 miles which gives an average grade of 3.28%*--not particularly daunting. However, as we all know, the pain in "Painhurst" is all back-loaded at the top.
The First Section of the climb, most of its length, is roughly 2.7 miles from Canyon Road to the first hairpin which changes direction from Northwest to Southeast. This lovely stretch of winding road rolls through stately redwoods past the Canyon School and the little post office while gradually rising only 295 ft for an average grade of just over 2% (2.07%). Most riders should be able to handle this leg at a conversational pace.
The Second Section of the climb takes you from the first hairpin at the 2.7 mile mark and winds higher into the hills until the road turns back on itself at the second hairpin. The perception is that this section is significantly harder, but, this is mostly because of the steepness of the hairpin turn. Once past the turn, the road flatens out considerably, only rising 118 feet in .8 miles for an average grade that is just slightly higher than the First Section at 2.79% The main obstacles here are dodging cars in the narrow part of road near the stop sign, avoiding potholes, rocks and other debris that have fallen in the road and girding yourself for the final push to the top.
The real climb starts in the Final Section as you make the 180 degree turn from Northeast to Southwest, .4 miles below the summit at Skyline. In 2112 feet, the final leg ascends 246 ft for an average grade of 11.64%, a half mile of supreme effort, particularly so as the climb comes at the end of the most rides and often at the hottest part of the day.
There are two very steep sections of this last leg. The first is right after the hairpin which is close to 16%. The second is just beneath the summit where you'll do 151 feet of climbing in .16 miles, a thigh-burning 17.1% grade.
Granted, the top of the climb is tough and, depending on your gear setup, you'll likely need to get out of the saddle a few times to power yourself up to the top (not if you have a triple though). But if you can conserve most of your effort until after the final hairpin, you'll have a much easier time grinding your way up to Skyline. Just tell yourself you can do it, keep pushing and you will make it to the top.
It doesn't matter if you're doing Pinehurst for the first time or you're a veteran of many ascents, arrving at Skyline knowing that it's all downhill to Lake Merritt is a sweet, sweet victory.
Road Type: Two Lane Country RoadCharacteristic: Winding
Road Condition: Good to Poor
Length: 3.9 miles
Ascent: 659 feet
Elevation at Bottom: 598 feet
Elevation at Top: 1257 feet
Average Grade: 3.28%
Maximum Grade: 17.1%
*Grade measurements made with Path Profiler and Google Maps