Nate Harrison Grade

[Nerius Landys]

I was wondering if going up Nate Harrison Road (up Mt. Palomar) is doable on a road bike.  Anyone done it?  I'd like to try it when I get in better shape.

[Karl Rudnick]

I wouldn't recommend it on a road bike. This is a great ride on a mountain bike or cross bike. Starting at Pauma Valley school on Cole Grade, you'll climb 5,000 ft in 10 miles - yes that is an average 10% grade. I do believe Pete Penseyres has done it on a road bike, but it would be a struggle - just borrow an MTB if you don't have one. You definitely won't want to descend on a road bike as the ruts, etc., will grab the narrow tires.

[robert#5639]

If you can fit 28mm tires and have low gearing, it's not unheard of. People do it, though during these summer months you will get cooked. It's very exposed. I've done some moderate off road trails on a road bike with 28mm Pasela tires, so why not. However, I'm told that you should avoid going down Nate Harrison, unless you are an experienced MTB rider on a full suspension rig. YMMV.

[kellyjay]

Hi Nerius,
Yes, I've gone up the grade on a road bike. I squeezed in some 700 x 28 tires. It's not so much about the bike as the gears,tire size, and traction.  Some of those corners get "softened" up by SUV's. That's why Karl recommends a MTB bike. Those wide tires make it a more enjoyable and safer climb.

You might try the dirt road just a few miles away first. It goes from Ramona up to Mesa Grande(Lake Henshaw). It's called Black Canyon.
That one is quite doable on your road bike with smaller tires. There are a few soft spots. No traffic there and a few jumbo rattlers mid-morning to keep you alert!

have a nice ride,
kellyjay

[Nerius Landys]

Wow, I found Black Canyon Rd. on Google maps and it looks very inviting!

[Karl Rudnick]

We did Black Canyon about 4 years ago on a Sunday ride, Nerius. Mixed reviews, so we haven't been out since (I thought it grand). We also descended it, so going up it would be better. Most everyone (except Larry Deysher) didn't have special tires. Kelly is spot-on. The key is tires and low gears. No need for a MTB frame, although if you really do Nate's grade as Steve Jones and I did last year, a full suspension MTB is what you want if you turn around and come back down (btw, at the top, make a hard right and go up to Boucher Lookout). Anyway, I had full suspension and Steve had a hard tail - I think he lost several fillings on the way down  . It took us 2 hrs to get up, half hour to get down!

[andybar]

yes! road bike have limited ability to rough road, Tried it once, doing downhill when I was my teenage .result=== :'(3days @ Hospiital