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What kinds of grades do you guys climb?

Old 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.
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Old 08-10-22, 01:34 PM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife

Today, I rode up a 10% grade for 3 minutes and was maxed out.
Had to switch back a few times. Fully winded and legs burning.
How much of that vodka bottle you found in that dumpster you drank before this ride?
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Old 08-10-22, 03:38 PM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
I can not fathom how people do this for several miles !!
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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Old 08-10-22, 03:40 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by Eds0123
How much of that vodka bottle you found in that dumpster you drank before this ride?
You're thinking of a different BF wacko.
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Old 08-10-22, 03:43 PM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
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.
Why do you assume that you can perform at a high level when you haven't been riding for very long?
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Old 08-10-22, 03:49 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
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.
When I was young, strong, and fit, I used to do all my local riding with a 53/39 x11-23. One of the weeknight go-fast group rides included a ton of climbing, including some 15%+ pitches. I could manage it with the 23, and ride aggressively. Nearly 20 years later, carrying 30 more lbs, and trying to regain fitness after a long time off the bike, I can barely limp through that route with a 39x29. I completely understand why, but it's definitely a kick to the ego, and a vivid reminder of how fit I used to be. Sigh...
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Old 08-10-22, 04:05 PM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
You're thinking of a different BF wacko.
Aren't they twins?
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Old 08-10-22, 05:51 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
When I was young, strong, and fit, I used to do all my local riding with a 53/30 ...
I think you meant 53/39
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Old 08-10-22, 05:54 PM
  #59  
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I remember when bikes were 52/42 and 14/24 6 speed and we rode uphill both ways
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Old 08-10-22, 06:07 PM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by dedhed
I remember when bikes were 52/42 and 14/24 6 speed and we rode uphill both ways
In the snow.
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Old 08-10-22, 06:30 PM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by dedhed
I remember when bikes were 52/42 and 14/24 6 speed and we rode uphill both ways
You had gears? You were lucky.
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Old 08-10-22, 07:21 PM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by seypat
You want me to give a grade to my climbing?

B for effort.
F for ability.
on this end:
c - for effort
f for ability
a- for finishing the assignment
a- for looking for extra credit
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Old 08-10-22, 07:25 PM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by big john
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.
sounds like a tujunga thang...
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Old 08-10-22, 07:31 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by ooga-booga
sounds like a tujunga thang...
You got it!
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Old 08-10-22, 07:34 PM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by big john
You got it!
ooohhh...little t...so awesome and underrated.
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Old 08-10-22, 08:23 PM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by dedhed
I remember when bikes were 52/42 and 14/24 6 speed and we rode uphill both ways
I feel cheated. 52/42 and only a 12-21 6 speed on my Schwinn Le Tour.
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Old 08-10-22, 08:27 PM
  #67  
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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!
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Old 08-10-22, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Fredo76
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!
some decent access to nearby climbs. do love me some nm hwy 4 westbound outta los alamos/white rock.
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Old 08-10-22, 10:03 PM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by Eric F
You're thinking of a different BF wacko.
OP's the one who brings golf club and golf balls on rides. Those things are heavy.

Not surprising it will make climbing a bit more challenging.
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Old 08-10-22, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ooga-booga
some decent access to nearby climbs. do love me some nm hwy 4 westbound outta los alamos/white rock.
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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Old 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)
.

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Old 08-11-22, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
Yes, we're getting older. But maybe using those lower gears means we're not getting weaker, but smarter.
Before Lance Armstrong discovered EPO and blood doping and whatever else he was doing - he 'discovered' spinning

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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Old 08-12-22, 06:27 AM
  #73  
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That Pittsburgh video is insanely top notch production for 2010. Mind blown. Total pro.
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Old 08-12-22, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by CheGiantForLife
That Pittsburgh video is insanely top notch production for 2010. Mind blown. Total pro.
and apparently almost everyone riding the wrong bike for the job lol, giving the 75% + crash rate on the final hill!
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Old 08-12-22, 09:46 AM
  #75  
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Originally Posted by terrymorse
You had gears? You were lucky.
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.

Otto
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