Todd Toughs it Out!

By Todd Goodell

Wanatee Park to Rosedale - Hilly Road Route

If you're preparing for the hills of Ragbrai or the mountains of Colorado, this route is a pretty good local challenge.  It offers 1,600 feet of climb in just over 20 miles.  It starts and ends in Wanatee Park which is a nice location for its access to parking, bathrooms, and water.  As you can see on the map, most of the route is outside the park.  Connecting to 31st street can be done via three different worn paths through the tree line at the top of the hill in the back southwest corner after riding through the parking lot.  The route features many nice homes, and you'll likely see some wildlife.  Traffic tends to be light. If you want more, it's easy to repeat some of the loops without feeling like you're riding in circles. 

Notes of caution - A couple of the steeper downhills (in Wanatee and on Aspen Circle) have tight turns at the bottom of the hill.  There may also be some sand and/or loose gravel.  Best to pump the brakes and stay in control until you get more familiar.  The Rosedale Rd. hill (pictured) offers the biggest challenge.  This "Bad Boy" has a 16% grade for about a quarter mile.  Personally, I choose to not clip in.  Turning the pedals over at the top can be a challenge and if I tip, I want my feet free to catch myself.  At the time of this printing, the bridge south (Rosedale Rd Bridge) of this hill was being worked on, but the hill can still be accessed from the north.

Choosing which loops to do is always an option, depending on how much burn you want to feel in your legs.  Enjoy :-)