Cycling the Oakville Grade -- steepest bike climb in Napa County.
Ride 1 mile gaining 753’ to elevation 940’ at 13.2% average grade.
This is the second steepest climb in the wine country. The climb is tough throughout, but the crux of the effort is 15.8% for 4/10ths of a mile beginning just after the 1/2 mile point. This brute is in the heart of wine country, about 12.5 miles north of Napa and seven miles south of St. Helena.
Road leading to the start of the climb.
View east toward Highway 29 and the Napa Valley.
Start of climb -- Oakville Grade Road.
The “winding” isn’t the problem . . .
Ground view photo looking away from start of the climb.
Okay -- let’s rumble . . .
THE grade!
300 meters at 15% beginning at about the .6 mile mark.
But, it’s a brute the entire way!!
Last stretch . . .
Head on to Dry Creek climb to Trinity or Mt. Veeder.
Supplies: Great sandwiches, snacks, drinks, etc. are available on Highway 29 at the Oakville Grocery, a stone’s throw to the north from the intersection of Oakville Grade and Highway 29.
Roadway Surface and Traffic Report: The roadway is in excellent condition with a good bike lane the entire climb. Riding in Napa County is a treat as the roads here are maintained very well, and more often than not offer ample bike lanes.
TOUR OF CALIFORNIA: OAKVILLE GRADE
Levi Leipheimer, Lance Armstrong, Chris Horner
Oakville Grade, Stage 2 of the 2010 Tour of California
Photo: Scott Walnofer Blog
The Oakville Grade has been featured once in the Tour of California:
That’s a wrap!!