What is the steepest % grade you have ridden?
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What is the steepest % grade you have ridden?
Since we have the, it’s ok to walk thread, how about a pure climbing thread, strictly speaking on the bike? (Let the grumps chime in on Mine is bigger than yours, or who cares, but this is a cycling forum after all)
And where did you ride that hill, the grades and distance? I know we have some amazing people here so let’s hear.
Today I did a half mile climb with grades ranging from 10 to 14% with a 30 second reprieve at 5% which felt like a relief on Uplands Way in North Bend outside Seattle climbing up to Rattlesnake Lake.
In that same area I did a short 12-14 17% but it just about killed me.
The longest ascents were 37 miles climbing 2900’ at an average 7.87% to Snoqualmie Pass
Longmire to Paradise at Mt Rainer 10.5 miles climbing 2700’ @ 5%.
I was able to find the specifics on the climbs using Flatestroute.com
And where did you ride that hill, the grades and distance? I know we have some amazing people here so let’s hear.
Today I did a half mile climb with grades ranging from 10 to 14% with a 30 second reprieve at 5% which felt like a relief on Uplands Way in North Bend outside Seattle climbing up to Rattlesnake Lake.
In that same area I did a short 12-14 17% but it just about killed me.
The longest ascents were 37 miles climbing 2900’ at an average 7.87% to Snoqualmie Pass
Longmire to Paradise at Mt Rainer 10.5 miles climbing 2700’ @ 5%.
I was able to find the specifics on the climbs using Flatestroute.com
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#3
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In my normal ride there is a long ascent on a rail trail that I really enjoy. It is slightly challenging and goes for what feels like a mile. I don't know the grade except it is formed on what I think was a former rail track so likely it is very gradual.
On that same ride there is a short yet steep hill which I dread every time. I would say it is 25-30%.
On that same ride there is a short yet steep hill which I dread every time. I would say it is 25-30%.
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Longest somewhat steep at times climb I've done is probably Gresham to Timberline Lodge.
Steepest two miles I've done is in Rock Springs, WY. just about 1100':
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41191479
Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 10-12-22 at 01:36 AM.
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This was nasty on a loaded touring bike:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41192597
What made it even harder was the segment on U.S. 20 leading up to Quarry Rd. It was also an ascent, although not as steep.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41192597
What made it even harder was the segment on U.S. 20 leading up to Quarry Rd. It was also an ascent, although not as steep.
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#7
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What's a hill?
Shanghai is one of the flattest places imaginable. The only 'hills' here are going up onto bridges. I think the steepest I do on a regular basis is about 4% grade, and that's only a few hundred metres long at most. My metric centuries end up with less than 300m climbing overall.
Shanghai is one of the flattest places imaginable. The only 'hills' here are going up onto bridges. I think the steepest I do on a regular basis is about 4% grade, and that's only a few hundred metres long at most. My metric centuries end up with less than 300m climbing overall.
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I'm guessing the three major climbs I rode in France in 2004 were my steepest and longest. Alpe d'Huez, which I rode twice (13.9km long and bridges 1118 vertical meters with an average gradient of 8%), Col de la Madeleine (20km / 12.4mi average gradient: 7.8% Start point: La Chambre Elevation at top: 2,000m / 6,562. The Madeleine is an Hors Categorie climb. 27 hairpin bends to reach the summit – 6 more than Alpe d’Huez),and La Mongie (19.0 km / 11.8 mi long, climbing1,404 m /4,606 ft at an average of 7.4% with a maximum of 10.2% near the summit).
I can't remember climbing anything here in the states more difficult. Steeper grade maybe, but nowhere near as long.
I can't remember climbing anything here in the states more difficult. Steeper grade maybe, but nowhere near as long.
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Yeah, well, I live in Flatahoma, where the land is so flat the ascents actually go downhill .... (polishes swelling e-peen ....)
There are a couple shorts sections which might hit around 5 % but that is the highest grade ..... the average might be half that, and the whole "climb" might only be a hundred yards .... lots of "really hard" 1% climbs that stretch on forever .... like, 300 yards ..... so far I have not had to walk. <flex>
There are a couple shorts sections which might hit around 5 % but that is the highest grade ..... the average might be half that, and the whole "climb" might only be a hundred yards .... lots of "really hard" 1% climbs that stretch on forever .... like, 300 yards ..... so far I have not had to walk. <flex>
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East Burke Mountain in VT 12.3% grade over 3.3 miles with a few parts north of 20%.
https://pjammcycling.com/climb/234.Burke%2520Mountain
There are nastier climbs out there but there is no break on that 3.3 miles on E. Burke Mountain.
Here in the Midwest where I live, I have to go to the driftless region to find some tough hills and you will find them there. Here locally in central IA, 10% is as good as it gets.
https://pjammcycling.com/climb/234.Burke%2520Mountain
There are nastier climbs out there but there is no break on that 3.3 miles on E. Burke Mountain.
Here in the Midwest where I live, I have to go to the driftless region to find some tough hills and you will find them there. Here locally in central IA, 10% is as good as it gets.
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37%.
Last edited by Koyote; 10-12-22 at 06:21 AM.
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Our driveway reaches about 24% and we have lots of hills with short stretches steeper than that. Hopefully I've had sense enough to walk or avoid anything much over 30% The plus side is that we don’t have big elevations here, so steep hills are fairly short. The really tough ones are steep gravel, where you want to stand for leverage but then you lose the rear wheel grip.
Back in the 70s as a teen, I used clips, straps and cleats, so you either made it up or fell. Now I run platforms and flat running shoes, so getting off to walk or jog is no big deal, particularly now that I run more than I bike.
Otto
Back in the 70s as a teen, I used clips, straps and cleats, so you either made it up or fell. Now I run platforms and flat running shoes, so getting off to walk or jog is no big deal, particularly now that I run more than I bike.
Otto
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I don't mind these steep ascents like in the 15-37% range, I just don't like going down them. Probably wound never go down that canton road, view from top is dizzying.
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I had an inclinometer on my bike for a few years. It went to 20%, and I climbed a few hills in town like that.
The worst part is that the city built most of those roads out of concrete, and then did something to the surface to roughen them up -- I guess so there's something for a tire to grab when it ices. Most of those are close to unrideable either way because of the roughness; maybe I'll borrow a fat bike with low gears sometime and attack one.
Took the inclinometer off after a few years and without the reminder of the steepness, I made some of those slopes!
The worst part is that the city built most of those roads out of concrete, and then did something to the surface to roughen them up -- I guess so there's something for a tire to grab when it ices. Most of those are close to unrideable either way because of the roughness; maybe I'll borrow a fat bike with low gears sometime and attack one.
Took the inclinometer off after a few years and without the reminder of the steepness, I made some of those slopes!
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East Burke Mountain in VT 12.3% grade over 3.3 miles with a few parts north of 20%.
https://pjammcycling.com/climb/234.Burke%2520Mountain
There are nastier climbs out there but there is no break on that 3.3 miles on E. Burke Mountain.
https://pjammcycling.com/climb/234.Burke%2520Mountain
There are nastier climbs out there but there is no break on that 3.3 miles on E. Burke Mountain.
I did Rochester Gap east to west (unloaded) back in 2010. That was nasty. Someone said the ruling grade was 22%. Don't know if that's true.
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The N. Cascades Highway from Colonial Creek Campground is 32 miles long (not 32 miles of climbing):
Bike Route Planner - Ride with GPS
Talk about a long day, especially when riding loaded. One thing that really sucked was that you leave camp and hit the steepest part very quickly. A few of actually did laps in the campground to get a warmup. And there are no service whatsoever. The first time it started raining before Rainy Pass. At some point the rain turned to snow, but it was not sticking to the road surface. Did it again the following year. The weather cooperated that time. IIRC, both times entailed about 4.25 hrs. of pedaling.
Bike Route Planner - Ride with GPS
Talk about a long day, especially when riding loaded. One thing that really sucked was that you leave camp and hit the steepest part very quickly. A few of actually did laps in the campground to get a warmup. And there are no service whatsoever. The first time it started raining before Rainy Pass. At some point the rain turned to snow, but it was not sticking to the road surface. Did it again the following year. The weather cooperated that time. IIRC, both times entailed about 4.25 hrs. of pedaling.
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Talk about a long day, especially when riding loaded. One thing that really sucked was that you leave camp and hit the steepest part very quickly. A few of actually did laps in the campground to get a warmup. And there are no service whatsoever. The first time it started raining before Rainy Pass. At some point the rain turned to snow, but it was not sticking to the road surface. Did it again the following year. The weather cooperated that time. IIRC, both times entailed about 4.25 hrs. of pedaling.
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Yeah. The snow made it "interesting." It was only the 6th day of a93 day ride from Seattle to Bar Harbor, ME. I'm an easterner and had never ridden in mountains (or weather) like that. I took this from near the second summit. After that, it was another 16 miles to the next town and then 16 more miles to camp. At least it was pretty much all downhill to one degree or another. The campground sold $0.99 beers. It tasted like the best beer ever. We all went out for pizza instead of cooking that night and had a well-deserved rest day the next day.
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My longest hard grade was 20% the last 200 meters to the top of Mount Diablo. And one is pretty tired after the 3400 foot climb.
The hardest climb was Mont Ventoux, France via Bedoin: Bédoin-Mont Ventoux is 21.3 km long, it climbs 1,579 m, and its average gradient is 7.4% with the steepest section being the middle section of 4 miles with the average gradient of 10%. The final moonscape section to the top had an easier gradient but by then fatigue made the final section very hard.
The hardest climb was Mont Ventoux, France via Bedoin: Bédoin-Mont Ventoux is 21.3 km long, it climbs 1,579 m, and its average gradient is 7.4% with the steepest section being the middle section of 4 miles with the average gradient of 10%. The final moonscape section to the top had an easier gradient but by then fatigue made the final section very hard.
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There is a street in L.A. called Fargo street. It's a few blocks of 33% and there is an event every year where people try to climb it. You are not allowed to try and descend it. I've never tried it but a friend climbed it with a 42x23 road bike. That was more than 30 years ago. Now, people build bikes just to ride that hill. People do it on Eliptigos, mtbs, etc. It's a freak show.
There is a short 23% section on a road near here which I have climbed 3 times during road rides. Had a triple road bike but only a 30x25. Did not enjoy it.
Doing short, ridiculously steep climbs like that is very different from doing long climbing rides. I've done some 10,000 foot centuries, it's a bit much. In 2006 I did a ride with 12,000 feet in the first 75 miles. Way too much for a Clydesdale. I've climbed up to 10,000 foot elevation in the Sierra Nevada range. That was hard,, too.
I've gone up to Mount Baldy ski lift area a few times. It gains 2000 feet in the last 4 miles with several sections of 15%. What makes it tough is you already have over 5000 feet in your legs when you get to that part.
There is a short 23% section on a road near here which I have climbed 3 times during road rides. Had a triple road bike but only a 30x25. Did not enjoy it.
Doing short, ridiculously steep climbs like that is very different from doing long climbing rides. I've done some 10,000 foot centuries, it's a bit much. In 2006 I did a ride with 12,000 feet in the first 75 miles. Way too much for a Clydesdale. I've climbed up to 10,000 foot elevation in the Sierra Nevada range. That was hard,, too.
I've gone up to Mount Baldy ski lift area a few times. It gains 2000 feet in the last 4 miles with several sections of 15%. What makes it tough is you already have over 5000 feet in your legs when you get to that part.
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I did some climbing on roads after snow had been plowed. This day I climbed to 7000 feet and when I turned around the little streams flowing across the road had frozen. I thought I brought enough layers but I was wrong Got very cold descending.
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Big_John I climbed GMR but bailed out of the climb to the top.
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Big_John I climbed GMR but bailed out of the climb to the top.