This is a bona-fide climb with about 9 switchbacks (depending on your definition of switchbacks). The ride starts at Veterans Park and heads west towards Keno for 13 easy miles. It’s a good idea to stop in Keno at one of the stores to take a quick break and fill up water if needed. The climb starts just as you leave town and it was mostly repaved in the fall of 2012 and sees very little traffic. Thus the pavement is in excellent shape. This is a difficult climb (about 2800 ft in 8 miles) but the distance on the ride is manageable. Cut it short by simply turning around when you’ve had enough.