Climbing & elevation grade % for NYC bridges?
#26
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Fortunately the QB bridge's expansion joints are much easier on bikes than those on the various suspension bridges.
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For example, some smaller sections of the 59th street bridge climb (going from Manhattan to Queens) are listed at 4 or 5%, while the section for the "full climb" actually shows -2%, which is simply impossible. The data must somehow be confusing itself with riders going the other way (descending) or perhaps the regular roadway for automobile traffic?
#30
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I've been meaning to download Strava for a while, so this finally gave me the motivation to do it. It's a neat little app, although I can see that it's far from perfect.
For example, some smaller sections of the 59th street bridge climb (going from Manhattan to Queens) are listed at 4 or 5%, while the section for the "full climb" actually shows -2%, which is simply impossible. The data must somehow be confusing itself with riders going the other way (descending) or perhaps the regular roadway for automobile traffic?
For example, some smaller sections of the 59th street bridge climb (going from Manhattan to Queens) are listed at 4 or 5%, while the section for the "full climb" actually shows -2%, which is simply impossible. The data must somehow be confusing itself with riders going the other way (descending) or perhaps the regular roadway for automobile traffic?
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These devices aren't terribly accurate on grade. They are slow to react to changes. I'll be halfway up the Manhattan Bridge before it shows the change in grade. I thought Strava used geographic data though. I did a long ride up Mt. Haleakala in Maui a few years ago with a Garmin watch that didn't have a grade sensor but Strava still showed it.
But I also see that several people are either riding on the regular roadway for cars, or keeping their Strava turned on while in the car (some of the record times/speeds are pretty laughable), so maybe it causes confusion because the roadways are slightly lower than the bike path?
I have to say the App is still a lot of fun despite these issues, as it's super interesting to compare my own commuting times and speeds based on the conditions and the bike I'm using.
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Thread might be old, but its still one of the first hits off of google. I looked back at some biking data and took averages over two rides on the 59th st QB bridge on a garmin + altimeter watch.
Manhattan turnaround to crest - 81' climb over 0.61mi (3221') - 2.5% grade
crest to Queens turnaround - 115' climb over 0.73mi(3854') - 3.0% grade
Manhattan turnaround to crest - 81' climb over 0.61mi (3221') - 2.5% grade
crest to Queens turnaround - 115' climb over 0.73mi(3854') - 3.0% grade
#33
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I guess it depends on where you measure, but I get 4% grade from Manhattan to where it flattens out, but I think I'm shortening the distance so I only include the steepest part. It is pretty steady in the area I measure.
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Hey, it's an old thread - but these are old bridges! I know things shift over time, but probably not enough to materially change the gradients of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridge bike paths - unless the paths get re-worked / re-aligned. I posted those measurements with rudimentary tools back in 2009; if anyone wants to measure the gradients with more sophisticated instruments and post the results here, please do!
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It would be great if posters got an error message when reviving a long dormant thread, saying something like... "No one has posted in this thread for over a year. Proceed anyway?"
That said, for what it's worth, the steepest part of the Queensborough Bridge is at the Manhattan end, and according to my Strava records, it reaches 8 percent grade for a short while I often see people walking their bikes there.
That said, for what it's worth, the steepest part of the Queensborough Bridge is at the Manhattan end, and according to my Strava records, it reaches 8 percent grade for a short while I often see people walking their bikes there.
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I just measured the steep incline at the beginning of the bridge today (from Manhatten into Queensboro).
As that section usually gives me a good work out.
I was surprised to find the gradient at 5% or 3 degrees.
I used the inclinometer app on Android.
As that section usually gives me a good work out.
I was surprised to find the gradient at 5% or 3 degrees.
I used the inclinometer app on Android.