At the risk of earning the dumbest post of the week distinction. I am trying to get a working definition of hilly. I used routeslip to map out a 20 mile training loop I have done a few times in my neighborhood. According to routeslip this is 1342 ft of climbing. I know this is a good workout for me at my current level of fitness, so I guess that makes it hilly. Especially the part leading up to mile 19 kicks my butt but I can finish it without getting off and walking, albeit at a snail's pace.
You should be able to see the elevation profile at the following link.
http://www.routeslip.com/routes/70148
So is this hilly, or do I just need to stop whining and spend more quality time on my trainer?
Is there some working definition of level of difficulty based on amount of climbing compared to distance covered? I know this is going to be highly individual, but if I am thinking about signing up for a group ride, or metric century, or even doing some touring I am trying to understand how to judge in advance if I am biting off more than I can chew.
Thanks
bfromcolo
CliftonGK1
02-12-08, 01:38 PM
It's hilly if you think it is.
Hilly is a relative judgement, and everyone's going to have their definition of it.
My old commute had one hill: 0.8mi long and 300' gain. I used to think it was tough.
My new commute has around 1350' in 10.6 miles if I take the "hilly" route.
Caincando1
02-12-08, 01:44 PM
That looks pretty flat to me. I'd call it a gentle roll. Unless my calculations are off which I've been known to do.
mkadam68
02-12-08, 02:45 PM
+1 Most of the ascents look to be about 100' for each mile. Not too bad. I would consider slightly hilly about 200-250 feet per mile. Very hilly would be like 400 feet or more.
But, as Clifton said...it's hilly if it is to you. End of discussion.
Tex_Arcana
02-12-08, 04:41 PM
Wow! That sure looks hilly to me.
(Psst, hey guys should I tell 'em I live in Houston where the closest thing to a hill I've climbed is the Westpark train overpass at Wild Indigo? Hilly to me is the Brays Bayou MUP where it goes under the street bridges and comes back up.)
jaxgtr
02-12-08, 05:00 PM
So is this hilly, or do I just need to stop whining and spend more quality time on my trainer?
Thanks
bfromcolo
It is compared to where I lived: here is my elevation _________________________________________
cyccommute
02-12-08, 05:05 PM
At the risk of earning the dumbest post of the week distinction. I am trying to get a working definition of hilly. I used routeslip to map out a 20 mile training loop I have done a few times in my neighborhood. According to routeslip this is 1342 ft of climbing. I know this is a good workout for me at my current level of fitness, so I guess that makes it hilly. Especially the part leading up to mile 19 kicks my butt but I can finish it without getting off and walking, albeit at a snail's pace.
You should be able to see the elevation profile at the following link.
http://www.routeslip.com/routes/70148
So is this hilly, or do I just need to stop whining and spend more quality time on my trainer?
Is there some working definition of level of difficulty based on amount of climbing compared to distance covered? I know this is going to be highly individual, but if I am thinking about signing up for a group ride, or metric century, or even doing some touring I am trying to understand how to judge in advance if I am biting off more than I can chew.
Thanks
bfromcolo
I'd say you need to get off the trainer and get out on the road;) But I hate traniers.
You are climbing the Palmer Divide out there. Baptist Road is kind of the low point and you are riding a fair way up towards the top of the Divide with a little kicker at the end. It's hilly enough. If you think you need more, go up Mt. Herman road;)
tabnlu
02-12-08, 06:24 PM
It is compared to where I lived: here is my elevation _________________________________________
ditto.
crtreedude
02-12-08, 06:29 PM
Well, it isn't hilly if you lived here - but if it makes you sweat, it is hilly for you. Just realize you should be able to get really good on those rollers.
My "hill" in 6 miles goes up 3,000 feet. What is worse, it is a mix of mud, rock and gravel. If it wasn't for the German Bakery on the other side of the hill I wouldn't bother... :D
bfromcolo
02-12-08, 07:06 PM
I'd say you need to get off the trainer and get out on the road;) But I hate traniers.
You are climbing the Palmer Divide out there. Baptist Road is kind of the low point and you are riding a fair way up towards the top of the Divide with a little kicker at the end. It's hilly enough. If you think you need more, go up Mt. Herman road;)
No I don't need more hills at the moment, just need the snow to melt so I can ride around again. It is almost there, but another blast on the way tomorrow night.
The kids and I mountain bike and hike around the Mt Herman area quite a bit, but biking up the road to the top is out of my league. Although I have seen loaded tourers headed up.
DanteB
02-12-08, 07:30 PM
If you were doing a century on that course it would be almost 5,400' of climbing for the century, that's a pretty good day.
DanteB
02-12-08, 07:31 PM
It is compared to where I lived: here is my elevation _________________________________________
Come on now, you do have some freeway overpasses don't you?:D
jaxgtr
02-12-08, 08:14 PM
Come on now, you do have some freeway overpasses don't you?:D
Yea I have those and a couple of bridges, but when you average it out it makes it like this
-------------------------------- take out the bridges then it's like this _______________________ :p
The Historian
02-12-08, 08:43 PM
At the risk of earning the dumbest post of the week distinction. I am trying to get a working definition of hilly. I used routeslip to map out a 20 mile training loop I have done a few times in my neighborhood. According to routeslip this is 1342 ft of climbing. I know this is a good workout for me at my current level of fitness, so I guess that makes it hilly. Especially the part leading up to mile 19 kicks my butt but I can finish it without getting off and walking, albeit at a snail's pace.
You should be able to see the elevation profile at the following link.
http://www.routeslip.com/routes/70148
So is this hilly, or do I just need to stop whining and spend more quality time on my trainer?
Is there some working definition of level of difficulty based on amount of climbing compared to distance covered? I know this is going to be highly individual, but if I am thinking about signing up for a group ride, or metric century, or even doing some touring I am trying to understand how to judge in advance if I am biting off more than I can chew.
Thanks
bfromcolo
The definition of hilly depends on the rider. The mountain-goat Clydes and Athenas won't consider something like this hilly, but I do:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/81448
As for being concerned about taking on a tougher ride than you can handle, I suggest doing just that. You need to know what your limits are to overcome them. And you will be surprised at just what you can handle. (Personal experience talking here.)
cyccommute
02-13-08, 08:31 AM
No I don't need more hills at the moment, just need the snow to melt so I can ride around again. It is almost there, but another blast on the way tomorrow night.
The kids and I mountain bike and hike around the Mt Herman area quite a bit, but biking up the road to the top is out of my league. Although I have seen loaded tourers headed up.
One thing I might suggest is to start at the low point on your route...that looks like Northgate Rd... and ride the route in the normal counterclockwise direction. That way you hit the bad hill while you are still relatively fresh. See if that makes a difference.
Plus you have a great downhill to the end. This holds with Stuart's Principle of Most Excellent Bike Rides: Always end on a downhill;)
bfromcolo
02-13-08, 08:45 AM
One thing I might suggest is to start at the low point on your route...that looks like Northgate Rd... and ride the route in the normal counterclockwise direction. That way you hit the bad hill while you are still relatively fresh. See if that makes a difference.
Plus you have a great downhill to the end. This holds with Stuart's Principle of Most Excellent Bike Rides: Always end on a downhill;)
I like to start and end from my home when possible, I just rather not start by driving to a bike ride. I also note that that route spends the first half descending and the second half climbing back up again, so its probably not all that steep, but its pretty relentless. I have lots of choices for routes, I am going to try to work out one of similar length and climbing that has more shorter climbs.
Riding it in reverse makes sense too.
The maps in these route planning programs are at least a year or two behind in terms of knowing the local streets for my neighborhood, and the Google satellite stuff is closer to 5 years old or older. It's a shame since it's the newer roads that have wide shoulder and sometimes *gasp* bike lanes.
cyccommute
02-13-08, 08:55 AM
I like to start and end from my home when possible, I just rather not start by driving to a bike ride. I also note that that route spends the first half descending and the second half climbing back up again, so its probably not all that steep, but its pretty relentless. I have lots of choices for routes, I am going to try to work out one of similar length and climbing that has more shorter climbs.
Riding it in reverse makes sense too.
The maps in these route planning programs are at least a year or two behind in terms of knowing the local streets for my neighborhood, and the Google satellite stuff is closer to 5 years old or older. It's a shame since it's the newer roads that have wide shoulder and sometimes *gasp* bike lanes.
Okay. So you what to save the planet! Jeez!;)
How about a route that goes north first? Go up and over the divide to County Line Rd, then over to Palmer Lake and back down. Still a good big hill in the middle and a nice downhill coming back. For more mileage, go east first.
troutbreath
02-16-08, 06:20 PM
Never been to that RouteSlip site before. Pretty cool -- and it's given me some ideas on where to ride.
MikeR
02-18-08, 03:47 PM
So is this hilly, or do I just need to stop whining and spend more quality time on my trainer? A while back I ran across this 'Official' classification of terrain - I forgot where it came from so I guess it's not official any more. But it's as good as any.
Classification______Average Grade______Climb (ft. per mile)______Steepest Climb (1/4 mile minimum)
Flat _________________1%______________< 50 ft._______________< 4%
Rolling________________2% _____________ < 65 ft.______________ < 7%
Hilly__________________2% ______________< 80 ft. ______________< 11%
Very Hilly _____________ 3%______________< 100 ft. _____________< 13%
Mountainous___________4% or more _______> 100 ft. _____________Unlimited
Using this classification, your ride would be Rolling.