Northeast - Hills around Boston

I'm going to be biking across the country this summer, so I could definitely use some practice climbing. Can anyone recommend some good hills in the Boston area to train on?

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From the Boston check-in thread...



The best local hill ride I do during the week includes the Arnold Arboretum. I ride down to Jamaica pond, up a bit of Perkins St. over Prince St (no traffic) over to the Arboretum. I then do the hill in the main part of the Arboretum (Bussey Hill) and exit South to the Peter hill part. I loop around Peter Hill 4-5 times (this is pretty tough). Do Bussey hill again and return to Perkins St. The Perkins St hill is a pretty nice challenge after the other hills. I then cycle over to the Beaver School via Newton St and come back down (and up) Heath and go by the Country Club. I end back on Walnut St where I live. This is about 20 miles of pretty hilly terrain, in town, with only 2 traffic lights!

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If you are looking for a real challenge, try biking up the Blue Hills Access Road: http://davefoley.com/bikeracing/bigblue.html

It's only .86 miles long, but it's an average of a 9% gradient and there is a section near the top that, for 300 meters, is a 13% gradient.

Thanks for all the responses! I'll be sure to check out some of these routes

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http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/rangerpete.pdf - Says it is paved.

The blue hill road is paved, and steep. It's fun to climb, but painful to descend - the road is so steep and twisty that you have to ride the brakes *hard* to keep from hitting hikers, or flying off into the trees. Nice view from the top, though - it's the highest point in the Boston area.

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wachuseet mountain?

7 mile loop in Blue Hills Reservation (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/milton/612907577), including 5%/.75mi on Unquity Road. This is also the route of the Blue Hills Classic (http://www.bluehillscycling.com/Blue_Hills_Classic.html) road race on 5/4. Great Blue Hill access road (described by JoesInBoston above) is the spur coming off at the intersection of 138 and Canton St. It's about .7 mile at 10% average, with short sections at steep grades.

"East side" Blue Hills Reservation loop (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/milton/38224353) that picks up short but fun hills on Wampatuck and Chickatabut Rd

If you want anything longer than 6 or 7 minutes to climb, you'll need to go out to Wachusett or into the Berkshires, or north to VT/NH. See Doug Jansen's excellent compendium of New England climbs (http://dsjansen0.tripod.com/) for reference.

Have fun,

JLS

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If you want to take a trip north Uncunoonuc or Pack Manadnock are great climbs. People training for Mt Washington can be found there.....
Check Doug's hill climb sight.

I admit my mashed-up loops is starting to get a little ridiculous for training, but it would kick you into shape for your big ride: how many miles a day are you planning on doing anyway?

We'll be averaging 70 miles a day, but it's fully supported (SAG wagon).

I've had other people tell me to avoid Rte 9 when riding around here. Why is that? Is it because it's very hilly, or is it a dangerous road to be riding on?

I've had other people tell me to avoid Rte 9 when riding around here. Why is that? Is it because it's very hilly, or is it a dangerous road to be riding on?

More the latter. Rte. 9 between Brookline and Wellesley is mildly unpleasant,and it becomes increasingly terrible as you head further west. There's a lot of high speed auto traffic and the narrow shoulders are filled with debris. Terrain wise, it's unexceptional. Slight rollers with a bit of ascent into Wellesley but not much else to recommend it. If you have to head out west in that direction, Rt. 16 and Rt. 30 are much nicer options.

I haven't ridden Rt. 9 west past Framingham, and can't comment on when or where it gets better, but I've heard that Rt. 9 does become bikable once you're west of Worcester.

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If you are looking for a real challenge, try biking up the Blue Hills Access Road: http://davefoley.com/bikeracing/bigblue.html

It's only .86 miles long, but it's an average of a 9% gradient and there is a section near the top that, for 300 meters, is a 13% gradient.

+1.

killer.

takes me 6+ minutes averaging over 410 watts. best climb until you reach the Mt. Wachusset area.

I love summit ave in Brookline also. unrelenting 200ft climb at 8-9%...at least.

also, prospect park in Waltham is nice. It has the most fun descent, too!

-L

I've had other people tell me to avoid Rte 9 when riding around here. Why is that? Is it because it's very hilly, or is it a dangerous road to be riding on?

route 9 just gets worse and worse for a while- mostly due to traffic and the number of car dealerships and strip malls that line it. After Worcester I use it portions of it and Route 20, which can go from really nice to pretty awful as well, on my cross state rides but the eastern portions of both roads can be pretty bad and Route 20 before and through Springfield can be dicey.

bill hills is a nice climb with a nice view, you just have to watch out for all the pine needles on the way down...nice and slippery for you!!

this summer i plan to ride route 2 from the intersection of rt 2 and 91 out to north adams, ma. that road has alot of climbs and many sections with longer climbs with varying grades. i dont know off the top of my head what the longest climb is but i think i remember seeing a downhill warning sign for trucks next 5 miles. i know this is nowhere close to boston but im sure you will enjoy all the climbing :).

+1.

killer.

takes me 6+ minutes averaging over 410 watts. best climb until you reach the Mt. Wachusset area.

I love summit ave in Brookline also. unrelenting 200ft climb at 8-9%...at least.

also, prospect park in Waltham is nice. It has the most fun descent, too!

-L

Prospect park as in the business complex? Where do you ride to? Mapmyfitness.com link possibly?

bill hills is a nice climb with a nice view, you just have to watch out for all the pine needles on the way down...nice and slippery for you!!

Blue Hill is an awesome climb - especially great on a Mountain Bike, you can zigzag back down on twisty singletrack.

Belmont Hill is a good climb as well. You can come from Belmont, Arlington or down by the park on Eastern Ave for a steeper climb. There are also quite a few good climbs around Winchester. I often warm up with 6 or 7 hills along a loop to Lexington. Go to Bikely and look up "uber loop" for some of the hills. There's also the Col in Bedford on Grove st.

Next week I'll ride from Sherborn to N. Grafton. About 50 miles with great hills, views and not much traffic

I know it's a longer ways away for you, but the west side of Quabbin Reservoir is a very hilly ride. Rt. 202 between Rt. 2 and Belchertown, and you can ride it either way because it's up and down. Halfway along the length of it, there is a nasty side road up-and-back climb up into the town of Shutesbury.

I discoverd Commom St in Belmont for a nice 5 minute lung buster. The wednesday night Cycle loft ride course might also be a good place to look at..

http://www.northeastbicycleclub.org/home/article

blue hills owns, entrance is right down the street from me over by Granite Links Golf Club.

how do you guys know what the gradient is for certain parts of the roads, topigraphical maps?