Pennsylvania Avenue 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 Pennsylvania Avenue climb?

2.1 miles (3.5 km) at 6.7% on average, climbing 764 ft (233 m) from 1,365 ft to 2,129 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 9.1%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 34.21934, -118.24873, where Pennsylvania Avenue leaves Mills Avenue, and tops out at Markridge Road at 34.24145, -118.24154.

Is Pennsylvania Avenue 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.

• New York AvenueCat 3 · 2.2 mi at 6.9% · 817 ft · starts 0.3 mi away
• Dunsmore AvenueCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 8.5% · 709 ft · starts 0.6 mi away
• Ramsdell AvenueCat 3 · 2.4 mi at 7.4% · 925 ft · starts 0.7 mi away
• Boston AvenueCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 8.8% · 745 ft · starts 1.0 mi away
• Lauderdale AvenueCat 3 · 1.3 mi at 9.1% · 604 ft · starts 1.0 mi away
• Briggs AvenueCat 3 · 1.9 mi at 7.8% · 781 ft · starts 1.1 mi away
• Oakmont View DriveCat 3 · 0.8 mi at 12.4% · 548 ft · starts 1.1 mi away
• Rosemont AvenueCat 3 · 2.1 mi at 6.7% · 725 ft · starts 1.1 mi away