Originally Posted by
Calsun
In California grades of up to 26% are legal and something one encounters even in hilly coastal areas. I learned quickly that I needed to turn wider than usual on a steep grade as the inside corner on a right turn could be at 75 degrees or more at the edge of the pavement which can quickly stop you in your tracks.
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I would say a 26% grade would be extremely rare in Southern California, except Fargo Street and other short residential street. On the open roads the steepest thing around me is Balcom Canyon which has a section of 23%. There is a bit of 20% on Las Flores climbing from PCH. Maybe some on Deer Creek, too. Most of the climbing we do is between 5 and 8% with some 10 or 15 here and there.
You know that 45 degrees is 100%, right? So 75 degrees would figure out to 373%, or so.