The Seven Climbs of Death

This is a difficult ride of about 60 miles with nearly 6,000 feet of ascending.

Start by heading East from campus on Park Avenue. At the light at Fox Hollow Road (near Beaver Stadium), make a left.

Follow Fox Hollow to Bernel Road. Make a left on Bernel.

Bernel will take you to PA Route 550. Turn left on 550.

Follow 550 for a few miles until you reach the Julian Pike, which will turn up the hill to the right. Turn right on the Julian Pike. This is the beginning of Climb One.

Continue on the Julian Pike over the first climb and down the other side. (Note: This can be a tricky descent for those who are unfamiliar with it. Use caution.) At the bottom of the descent, you'll be in the town of Julian.

You'll have to go right along railroad tracks, then left to cross them. When you come to Route 220, go straight across. You'll begin to gradually go uphill. Eventually, this becomes Climb Two. This is the big one; it's not your imagination.

At the top of the second climb, you'll be in the Moshannon State Forest. As you make the less steep descent, you'll follow the highway and gradually be turned right. You'll pass the wetlands of Black Moshannon State Park. The road will "T." There will be a bridge to your left and a steep hill to your right. Turn right up the hill. This is Climb Three. There will be rollers as you go up, and at the top is a set of antennas that look something like a moonbase.

A short time into the descent from the third climb, there will be a freshwater spring on the left side of the road. This is good water stop, especially on a hot day.

Be alert on the descent. It is long, fast, and curvey. Don't pick up too much speed, becasue you will need to be looking left for Spotts Road. Spotts will be a sharper than 90° turn. In fact, it almost doubles back on the road you are on. Be sure to turn left on Spotts. This quickly becomes the short but steep Climb Four.

The descent from the fourth climb is particularly narrow, off-camber and tricky. Use caution.

At the bottom of descent four, you'll come to a "T." There will be a bright red building that is a Gun Club to your left. Turn left at the Gun Club. This road builds into Climb Five. This climb has some exceptionally steep sections near the end.

The descent from the fifth climb is also tricky. You should be alert for dogs. At the bottom, you'll cross an open-grate bridge. Use caution, especially if the bridge is wet. You'll then reach Route 144. Turn left onto Route 144.

You'll be on Route 144 only briefly. As soon as you turn onto it, begin looking right for Thomas Hill Road. This road will be steeply uphill. Turn right onto Thomas Hill. This is Climb Six, which is relentless.

Near the top of the sixth climb, there will be an intersection. Bear right toward Milesburg.

There are some hairpins on the sixth descent, especially near the top. As always, use caution. At the bottom, you'll have to pass over a busy, divided highway. Follow signs for Route 144 into Milesburg. Be alert for motorists changing lanes at the on and off ramps.

You'll then cross another grate bridge with overhead girders, and a Uni Mart will be on your left. This store can be a good food or water stop.

Stay on Route 144 for the roughly three miles between Milesburg and Bellefonte. Just inside Bellefonte, you'll see Tussey Mountain Outfitters, which usually has a trailer full of canoes outside, on your right. Just past that will be a traffic light. At the traffic light, there will be a fairly modern concrete bridge to your right. Go right acorss the bridge and onto Lamb Street.

You'll then cross railroad tracks and pass between an old mill building (the Gamble Mill Restaurant and Tavern) and another Uni Mart. Turn right at the Uni Mart. The road will curve around to the left and slightly uphill just ahead of you.

Around that curve, you'll see the Hansen limestone plant to your right. Make no turns. You'll cross railroad tracks and go steeply uphill. There should be signs telling you that you're in Coleville.

Stay on the main road, which will curve around to the right and contiune up hill. Soon you will come to a "Y." To your left (and not as steep) is Valley View Road. To your right (and almost vertical) is Purdue Mountain Road. Bear right onto Purdue Mountain Road. You're then well on your way on Climb Seven.

Stay on Purdue Mountain Road through its several twists and turns. After a quick dip into a hollow, the road will swing around to the left.

You will ride over several rollers along the far side of the ridge until you reach a "T" intersection (note: the roads do not meet at a 90-degree angle). Go left.

You will make a tight right curve and begin a descent. On the way down, you will come to a stop sign. Valley View Road will be coming on from your left. Go straight at the stop sign, and continue down the hill. At the bottom is PA Route 550.

Go right on Route 550. Pass the Filmore General Store (on your right). Look for a sign pointing toward the airport, Toftrees and State College. This will be Bernel Road. Go left up the hill.

Bernel goes up hill steeply, then more gradually, until you reach an intersection with Fox Hollow Road. Go right, which will take you back toward the Stadium and home.

Map came from Bicycle Path- go to website to zoom in