OC Death Ride

Open in the App

Irvine, CA, US

Route Overview

Orange County Rebel Riders

Road routes in and Around Orange County, Ca

103 mi.

9,097 ft.

Orange County 16 pass Death ride devised by Marty Breen and made popular by Chuck Bramwell

Send to Device Advanced Export View Standard Route (with cuesheet)

Route Details

This ride is almost legendary in Orange County.

It was devised by Irishman Marty Breen and made popular by Chuck Bramwell and his century training group ([OC Wheelmen](http://www.ocwheelmen.org/)).  They call it "Marty Breen's 16 pass OC Death Ride".  It includes most of the tough climbs in the central and northern parts of OC.  It is a ride for those who love to climb.  This route is easily modified - you can do all of it, parts of it and also start at a different point.  When you've had enough you can scoot back to wherever you started from and save the other climbs for another day.

The standard route starts near @point[John Wayne airport](d,4.01).  You will enjoy some flat roads and an ocean view before tackling the first climb up @slice[Newport Coast and Vista Ridge](d,21128.96,26944.28).  You will then fly down @slice[Ridge Park](d,27023.33,28852.11) (taking extreme care of course on the 12% downhill), then crank up @slice[Spyglass](d,34185.62,35543.46).  Next up is @slice[Starcrest](d,46038.28,47108.43) in Irvine and then a welcome break by the @poi[Carls JR](1523141) for food and water.
You will then head over to Portola Hills to enjoy the climbs of @slice[Glenn Ranch](d,70791.32,74281.47) and Saddleback Ranch, a quick descent, then a grind up @slice[Live Oak Canyon](d,75680.55,77539.85) (~10%).  Popping out the end of the canyon you'll enjoy an up and back on @slice[Robinsons Ranch Road](d,84333.42,86603.38) (only about 6-7%).  There is an optional stop at the @poi[JITB in Rancho Santa Margarita](1523142) at mile 56.

At mile 60 you will ride a gentle climb up @slice[Melinda](d,95790.38,97260.23) which will get you back to @slice[Santiago Canyon](d,101516.2,106450.01).  A few miles of gentle climb will get you to the brutal climb of @slice[Modjeska Canyon](d,105589.03,106544.01) which peaks at 18%, but thankfully it's only about 3/4 mile to the top.  After that you will power through the canyon and have @poi[lunch at the corner](1523144) of Chapman and Jamboree roads.

If you've still not had enough (sanity escapes you), you will continue on to the climbs of @slice[Meats](d,133522.93,135652.75), @slice[Nohl Ranch](d,137975.31,139124.73) and the grand daddy - @slice[Imperial Hwy](d,138100.11,139373.57).  The latter is a constant 10% or so for about a mile.  Oxygen and new legs will be required at the top.

We're not quite done yet!

You will head across @slice[Cannon](d,141955.77,143360.87) and climb a steep little section before hitting Chapman where you will jog over to @slice[Canyon View](d,144954.33,147779.67) and the last climb of the day up to the water tower.  A "selfie" is required at this point and must be posted on your social media sites you conquered the OC Death ride!

After enjoying the final view of the day you will roll back down to @slice[Main and MacArthur](d,165643.23,166514.31) and collapse into your car.

## Tips:
* This route can be started at many different points and length varied to suit the time you have.  You won't be more than about 20 miles from the start at any time so you can cut it short if needed.
* This is a mostly urban route.  You won't be more than a few miles from food and water at any point.
* Most of the roads are relatively safe for bikes, but be careful on @slice[Live Oak Canyon](d,75680.55,81145.08) as there is little to no shoulder.

OC Death Ride

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Orange County Rebel Riders

Anny's Borrego Double Metric

Glendora Mtn Road to Mt. Baldy Village

Sign Up

Share link

Share via email

Embedded widget

Get the Ride with GPS mobile app!