Mandeville Canyon Road Cycling Challenge

It’s the «Santa Monica Stairs» for Cyclists and a great challenge of your climbing ability on the road bike.
For many years, Cyclists have come from all around for the 5 mile climb on a paved road to the top of Mandeville Canyon Road, turn around, and you barely need to pedal for the first 3.5 miles of 5 miles back down to the start. It’s known as the Mandeville Canyon Ride. It’s 10 miles total round-​trip. It takes approximately 25 to 45 minutes up depending on your bike and your condition and 10 minutes back down.
This ride, which can be done anytime you like and any day of the week, (dark not recommended), starts at Mandeville Canyon Road and Sunset, and ends on Mandeville Canyon Road, just past Sky Valley Road. The last ¼ mile is the steepest so don’t stop until you reach the gate at the end of the road and don’t turn off Mandeville. You can’t get lost because it’s Mandeville all the way up and back down.
1.5 miles up is the last of 4 stop signs on Mandeville and then for the next 3.5 miles its all you – try not to stop and put your foot down until you reach the gate.
I have met many a cyclist over the years along the way up and at the top. Some people just turn around at the top and others hang a bit to chat. It’s all ages here – go and blow the build-​up out of your arteries from sitting at your desk all week. Build up your climbing legs for the next big ride.
Tips:
1. This is primarily a Road Bike Ride – you will see many going up and down, but Mountain Bikes are OK too – you will just be a bit slower. Not appropriate for beach cruisers or children.
2. Make sure that your bike is in good condition, good chain, tires, and brakes very important coming down – there are no services on the road – just residential. Bring a full bottle of water – there is no where to re-​fill.
3. If riding with a friend, ride only single file – you are on a road for cars, no bike lanes, and minimal and sometimes no shoulder. It’s one lane in each direction and residents will get annoyed if you are riding 2 abreast. It’s dangerous to other cyclists to ride 2 abreast also because it makes cars swerve into the other lane and possibly hit a cyclist coming the other direction.
4. Be alert to cars passing and stay right as much as you can. Let cars pass you! I wave them on sometimes when it seems safe.
5. In my years on the street, most motorist have been courteous, and they are very used to cyclists – but always be alert.
6. Challenge yourself by not stopping after you pass the last stop sign and try to make it to the gate without putting your foot down. That is the challenge! Keep track of your time up and try to beat it the next time.
7. Safest way to access Mandeville from Sunset is via San Vicente and 26^th Street to Sunset, turn right at Sunset to Mandeville and start your climb OR 26^th Street and Rockingham to Sunset, make a left on Sunset (careful here – clear all traffic) to Mandeville and start your climb.
If you do it, please post your Accurate 5 mile climb times on Unilocal so we can all challenge ourselves, as well as any interesting stories from Mandeville.
Good Luck!