Penny Lane 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 Penny Lane climb?

2.5 miles (4.0 km) at 5.3% on average, climbing 682 ft (208 m) from 413 ft to 1,096 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 10.2%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 34.7522, -120.37089, and tops out on the road at 34.72758, -120.39143.

Is Penny Lane 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.

• Harris Grade Road near LompocCat 3 · 2.8 mi at 4.4% · 646 ft · starts 3.2 mi away
• Santa Rita Road from Route 135Cat 3 · 4.3 mi at 4.5% · 1,024 ft · starts 3.8 mi away
• Cat Canyon RoadCat 3 · 4.3 mi at 3.1% · 699 ft · starts 4.1 mi away
• Drum Canyon Road from Centennial StreetCat 3 · 2.8 mi at 5.3% · 797 ft · starts 5.3 mi away
• Santa Rita Road near BuelltonCat 3 · 3.0 mi at 5.8% · 932 ft · starts 6.0 mi away
• Santa Rita Road from Campbell RoadCat 3 · 2.2 mi at 6.4% · 748 ft · starts 6.5 mi away
• Harris Grade Road from Cabrillo HighwayCat 3 · 4.5 mi at 3.2% · 774 ft · starts 7.0 mi away
• West Lompoc Casmalia RoadCat 3 · 3.5 mi at 3.2% · 597 ft · starts 9.3 mi away