What kinds of grades do you guys climb?
08-10-22, 01:07 PM
#51
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My weekday after-work rides ara 21-25 miles with about 1000-1200 feet of climbing, mostly in the 1-3% range but there is a 0.2 mile bit that's 8%.
Sundays are 55-70 miles with 3500-5000 feet of climbing. Shorter rides the longest serious gradients are a couple half mile segments of 6%, while the longer ones often contain a 3 mile climb that averages 7.7%. For that, I just get in my lowest gears and keep my HR below aerobic threshold as long as I can.
Sundays are 55-70 miles with 3500-5000 feet of climbing. Shorter rides the longest serious gradients are a couple half mile segments of 6%, while the longer ones often contain a 3 mile climb that averages 7.7%. For that, I just get in my lowest gears and keep my HR below aerobic threshold as long as I can.
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08-10-22, 01:34 PM
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08-10-22, 03:38 PM
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How? Training. No one jumps on a bike for the first time and rides at a world-class level. The human body has a fantastic ability to adapt to training, but it doesn't happen overnight.
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08-10-22, 03:40 PM
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08-10-22, 03:43 PM
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What blows my mind is the sustained grade for miles.
I was able to climb 10% for 3 minutes and was tapped out
But, after coasting on flats for a minute, I was able to keep biking.
It is ALL about the rest intervals, for me.
But can not imagine cranking away for miles (30 min.
I was able to climb 10% for 3 minutes and was tapped out
But, after coasting on flats for a minute, I was able to keep biking.
It is ALL about the rest intervals, for me.
But can not imagine cranking away for miles (30 min.
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08-10-22, 03:49 PM
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Yes, we're getting older. But maybe using those lower gears means we're not getting weaker, but smarter.
I've been working to get back in shape since the beginning of last month, and my favorite training ride is Mt. Hamilton, with extended sections of 5-7%.
20+ years ago, I would do most of that ride on a 19 rear cog, dropping down to a 21 cog in the steeper spots.
Recently, I'm spending most of the time in the 21 cog, dropping down to 24 when I feel the need.
But here's the fun part: I'm not substantially slower, I'm just spinning a higher cadence. And my legs feel less spent at the end of the ride.
Seems smarter to me.
I've been working to get back in shape since the beginning of last month, and my favorite training ride is Mt. Hamilton, with extended sections of 5-7%.
20+ years ago, I would do most of that ride on a 19 rear cog, dropping down to a 21 cog in the steeper spots.
Recently, I'm spending most of the time in the 21 cog, dropping down to 24 when I feel the need.
But here's the fun part: I'm not substantially slower, I'm just spinning a higher cadence. And my legs feel less spent at the end of the ride.
Seems smarter to me.
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Last edited by Eric F; 08-11-22 at 09:37 AM.
08-10-22, 04:05 PM
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08-10-22, 05:51 PM
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08-10-22, 05:54 PM
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I remember when bikes were 52/42 and 14/24 6 speed and we rode uphill both ways
08-10-22, 06:07 PM
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08-10-22, 06:30 PM
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08-10-22, 07:21 PM
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08-10-22, 07:25 PM
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There is a canyon here which is 12 miles with a descent in the middle. The second part of the climbing is steeper than the first. I climbed it with a woman I have ridden with a lot. On the first climb I can stay with her and maybe go ahead a little. On the second, steeper section she pulls away with her 34x34 gear. I don't have trouble climbing it but I can't spin up it like she does. It makes me wonder if I could climb it faster with a lower gear. Of course, she's 10 years younger and at least 50 pounds lighter than I am.
The best climbing woman I know is a masher. She runs a standard double but I don't know what her cassette is. Her watts per kilo must be very high, she grinds those big gears and drops a lot of people. She finished 3rd woman and 36th overall in the Circle of Doom race, which is 9500 feet in 75 miles. She's going to be 50 next year, I wonder if she will consider a gear change.
The best climbing woman I know is a masher. She runs a standard double but I don't know what her cassette is. Her watts per kilo must be very high, she grinds those big gears and drops a lot of people. She finished 3rd woman and 36th overall in the Circle of Doom race, which is 9500 feet in 75 miles. She's going to be 50 next year, I wonder if she will consider a gear change.
08-10-22, 07:31 PM
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08-10-22, 07:34 PM
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08-10-22, 08:27 PM
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The hill up to my health clinic is about a mile and a half at 4% average, with steeper parts maybe more. It never gets much easier, and I don't go much faster. 
I estimate this overpass hill at 11% for about 1000 ft.
11% grade to overpass
At my age and fitness, my lungs max out way before my legs. I need lower gears just for pacing now. Clem has a 26/34, Fredo a 28/28.
All hail the wheezing geezer!
I estimate this overpass hill at 11% for about 1000 ft.
11% grade to overpass
At my age and fitness, my lungs max out way before my legs. I need lower gears just for pacing now. Clem has a 26/34, Fredo a 28/28.
All hail the wheezing geezer!
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08-10-22, 08:36 PM
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The hill up to my health clinic is about a mile and a half at 4% average, with steeper parts maybe more. It never gets much easier, and I don't go much faster.
I estimate this overpass hill at 11% for about 1000 ft.
11% grade to overpass
At my age and fitness, my lungs max out way before my legs. I need lower gears just for pacing now. Clem has a 26/34, Fredo a 28/28.
All hail the wheezing geezer!
I estimate this overpass hill at 11% for about 1000 ft.
11% grade to overpass
At my age and fitness, my lungs max out way before my legs. I need lower gears just for pacing now. Clem has a 26/34, Fredo a 28/28.
All hail the wheezing geezer!
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08-10-22, 10:03 PM
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08-10-22, 10:11 PM
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Thanks. I'm hoping the Santa Clara pueblo opens up the Puye cliff dwellings again. The road up that way has almost no traffic, but it's still closed, along with the rest of the pueblo, due to Covid.
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08-11-22, 07:50 PM
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live in western PA north of Pittsburgh
hills are the norm - near the city and in the surrounding rural areas
most relatively short - not too many longer than 1/2 mile - 1 mile ... although I recall some around 2 miles or so (?)
but many are steep - mountain bike steep ... 10-20 % grade fairly common ... some of the ridiculous hills are around 30 % grade (and over)
Dirty Dozen - 13 hills in Pittsburgh area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_...le_competition)
( there are additional videos - including one long video (25+ minutes ?) produced by WQED
these hills are well known in the area - but many in the surrounding rural areas are significantly longer and as challenging (or more)
.
hills are the norm - near the city and in the surrounding rural areas
most relatively short - not too many longer than 1/2 mile - 1 mile ... although I recall some around 2 miles or so (?)
but many are steep - mountain bike steep ... 10-20 % grade fairly common ... some of the ridiculous hills are around 30 % grade (and over)
Dirty Dozen - 13 hills in Pittsburgh area
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_...le_competition)
( there are additional videos - including one long video (25+ minutes ?) produced by WQED
these hills are well known in the area - but many in the surrounding rural areas are significantly longer and as challenging (or more)
.
Last edited by t2p; 08-11-22 at 08:12 PM.
08-11-22, 08:26 PM
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I checked out the Motorola team bikes at a couple of races in the 90's - races that featured challenging climbs - most or all of the team riders were using big cogs on the back
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08-12-22, 09:46 AM
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In a sense, single speed makes things easier and simpler. If I’m on a route with a steep hill or two, like 25% or 30%, I know I will just get off and walk or jog up that portion. With platform pedals and running/walking shoes, it actually works well. And with SS, there is no shame in walking up a 30% grade, it’s just a necessary part of the route.
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