San Jose, CA: Quimby Hill Climb

San Jose, CA: Quimby Hill Climb

San Jose cyclists measure their fitness on this 22-mile climbing loop. Ratchet down the intensity and this ride is still challenging, but more scenic.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	18 Mar 2008 8:50:49 AM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	22.53 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 4865 ft Total Loss: 4859 ft Net Change: 7 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
Tags:	San Jose, California
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Local cyclists race up and around this loop to test their fitness, but rides like these tend to lose their scenic quality when tunnel vision sets in--feel free to ride at your own pace. After a mile warm-up, the time-trial clock starts at the turn onto Mt. Hamilton Road. From there, the road climbs for nearly six miles (with a brief mid-hill respite) as fantastic views of Joseph D Grant County Park stretch out to the southeast. The ensuing downhill is short and sweet, and immediately followed by a mile-long 800-foot ascent of Quimby Road. After a screaming descent down Quimby, a 3.3 mile climb up Clayton Avenue remains before the final downhill stretch. Power it home or just spin out your legs; either way, you’ve earned your dinner.

-Mapped by: Russ Stevens

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 22.53 mi	Points: 393	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Linda Vista School on Kirk Ave	Then go 0.20 mi
0.20 mi	Turn Left	Alum Rock Ave	Then go 0.62 mi
0.82 mi	Turn Right	Mt. Hamilton Rd	Then go 7.33 mi
8.15 mi	Turn Right	Quimby Rd	Then go 4.32 mi
12.47 mi	Turn Right	Murillo Ave	Then go 0.55 mi
13.01 mi	Turn Right	Mt. Pleasant Rd	Then go 0.82 mi
13.83 mi	Bear Left	On Mt. Pleasant Rd	Then go 0.89 mi
14.72 mi	Turn Right	Mt. Pleasant Rd	Then go 0.45 mi
15.17 mi	Turn Right	Marten Ave	Then go 0.29 mi
15.46 mi	Turn Right	Clayton Ave	Then go 3.87 mi
19.33 mi	Turn Left	Mt. Hamilton Rd	Then go 2.41 mi
21.74 mi	Turn Left	Alum Rock Ave	Then go 0.63 mi
22.37 mi	Turn Right	Kirk Ave	Then go 0.16 mi
22.53 mi	Stop	Linda Vista School

Points of Interest

The Start

Location: 37.377524°, -121.824131°
Relaxing before the ride (and the panting) begins. Start this ride from Linda Vista Scool on Kirk Avenue.

The Local TT Standard

Location: 37.384105°, -121.816063°
Local cyclists time trial the Quimby loop starting and ending at this turn onto Mt. Hamilton Road. Start the timer here if you want to measure yourself against the rest, or just ride at your own pace and enjoy the view. If you can pull this one off in less than an hour and a half, the locals might tip their hats.

If you're not riding so hard that your vision is blurring, the view on Mt. Hamilton Road is quite fantastic.

Location: 37.373431°, -121.772976°

The climb levels off

Location: 37.363097°, -121.759887°
This first section of relief from climbing is a short one: the grade kicks up again soon.

Another fantastic view from Mt. Hamilton Road

Location: 37.358697°, -121.752720°

Mt. Hamilton downhill

Location: 37.351260°, -121.732464°
If you're time-trialing, you'll want to gear down and push it on this brief downhill stretch. Otherwise, take a coasting break before the climbing kicks up again after the next turn.