Once you get to Skyline after a lot of swearing and gasping for breath on OLH, you have a few options: you can go either north or south on Skyline to complete a loop back, or you can continue straight as OLH descends west and eventually connects with highway 84. From there you can go to the ocean, or enjoy a gradual climb back up to Skyline.
The last time I attempted this climb was when I was on my hi-ten Nishiki Custom Sport Mixte. I was a student and knew next to nothing about bikes, and the climb destroyed me. I don't even think I made it to the top. There was a lot of profanity.
Today I tried again for the first time in years, with much better luck. I had to stop twice to wait for my arrhythmia to settle down, and even though I was slow I maintained a decent pace and made it to the top despite the fact I was pretty sure I was dying. It was tough, but gorgeous, and descending down the other side of Skyline was totally worth the crazy climb.
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At the bottom of OLH, off 84, about to climb back to Skyline. |
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It's quite dark winding through the forest, so lights are a must! |