Big Spring Drive Climb

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and roads people like to ride draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: no bike crashes were reported along the climb from 2021–2025.

How long and steep is the Big Spring Drive climb?

2.3 miles (3.6 km) at 4.6% on average, climbing 554 ft (169 m) from 696 ft to 1,250 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 8.9%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 39.07331, -121.23144, and tops out on the road at 39.06221, -121.2184.

Is Big Spring Drive paved?

Yes, by its OpenStreetMap tags.

How is the category worked out?

From the climb's shape only: length in metres × average grade (%) of 16,000 or more for Cat 3, 32,000 for Cat 2, 64,000 for Cat 1 and 80,000 for HC. It describes how hard the climb is, not traffic or crashes.

Where does this data come from?

The climb is found from OpenStreetMap roads and USGS 3DEP elevation (every climb, not a list of famous ones). Access is from OpenStreetMap tags; gates and closures change, so obey posted signs. Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted where their map location is within 100 ft of the climb. The forecast is from the National Weather Service.

• Perimeter RoadCat 3 · 2.8 mi at 5.2% · 755 ft · starts 1.9 mi away
• Big Hill Road from Garden Bar RoadCat 3 · 3.1 mi at 5.1% · 840 ft · starts 5.6 mi away
• McCourtney RoadCat 3 · 4.4 mi at 3.7% · 866 ft · starts 5.9 mi away
• Country Club Lane near AuburnCat 3 · 1.2 mi at 8% · 525 ft · starts 6.7 mi away
• Country Club Lane near AuburnCat 3 · 2.0 mi at 5.2% · 551 ft · starts 7.9 mi away
• Eric Rood Memorial ExpresswayCat 3 · 4.8 mi at 4.1% · 1,043 ft · starts 9.6 mi away
• Rough and Ready HighwayCat 2 · 5.2 mi at 4.2% · 1,175 ft · starts 10.0 mi away
• Wolf Creek Road from Brewer RoadCat 3 · 2.6 mi at 4.4% · 600 ft · starts 10 mi away