202 miles with 16,200 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Mulholland Double Century - Counties Visited:
Los Angeles County and Ventura County
Mulholland Double Century - Cities/Towns Visited:
Calabasas, Malibu, Topanga, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Bardsdale, Somis, and Camarillo
Mulholland Double Century - Climbs:
Mile 18 (cat. 3), 21 (cat. 3), 27 (cat. 4), 34 (cat. 4), 40 (cat. 3), 48 (cat. 3), 56 (cat. 4), 75 (cat. 3), 81 (cat. 4), 93 (cat. 4), 112 (cat. 4), 116 (cat. 4), 125 (cat. 3), 159 (cat. 2), 178 (cat. 4), 183 (cat. 2), and 189 (cat. 4)
Mulholland Double Century - Stops:
Mile 27 (Mulholland), 50 (Little Sycamore Canyon), 62 (Deer Creek), 90 (Westlake Village), 121 (Bardsdale), 162 (Decker Canyon), 173 (Mulholland), and 191 (Stunt Road)
Mulholland Double Century - Description:
The Mulholland Double Century is a beautiful and difficult double century in the Santa Monica Mountains and some of the surrounding areas. Part of the course overlaps with the Mulholland Challenge, which is held on the same day.
The ride starts in Calabasas and descends via Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon into Malibu. After a few miles along the beach, the first climb winds up Topanga Canyon and Old Topanga Canyon. The course then continues on Mulholland, Little Sycamore Canyon, and Cotharin.
The descent on Deer Creek into Ventura County offers an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean, on a narrow road with dangerous cliffs. From here the course leads north on Pacific Coast Highway. Then it follows a big loop, visiting several cities and climbing Potrero Road, Grimes Canyon, and Balcom Canyon.
After returning on Pacific Coast Highway, the longest climb goes up Decker Canyon, which eventually turns into Mulholland. The last big climb winds up Piuma Road, followed by a descent down Stunt Road, and a few flat miles back to Calabasas.
While none of the many climbs is very long, several are extremely steep (20 percent grade) - in particular Balcom Canyon, Potrero Road, and Decker Canyon. Balcom Canyon was featured in both this year's and last year's Amgen Tour of California.
Mulholland Double Century - Pictures:
[Deer Creek]
[Balcom Canyon]
[Mulholland Rock]
Mulholland Double Century - Personal Notes:
It was good to see Jim M. from San Diego, Tony M. from Cherry Valley, and John U. from the San Clemente Renegades.
We left the host hotel in a pack, but the group soon started separating.
After about 25 miles, I had some problems with a broken spoke in the back wheel. I opened the brake caliper, and was somehow able to ride to the next rest stop. There I met Paul K. from Sunland, an experienced wheel builder, who helped me true the wheel as good as possible. Still, we had to loosen the brake, and I lost almost all braking power.
For most of the day, I was riding more or less by myself, and I was extra careful on the descents because of my rear wheel. On the way back from Balcom Canyon to Decker Canyon, I was working with Linda B. from Ventura, a strong rider and one of only few women who finished this ride.
During the last 25 miles, I encountered another challenge. Since I did not use my lights at the Solvang Spring Double Century, I thought my batteries would still be charged. This was not the case, and I had to ride with the emergency LED light instead of the bright HID light - not a problem on the ascents, but dangerous on the descents and flats.
Mulholland Double Century - Current Weather:
See also California Triple Crown.