Great Lakes - Pierce Stocking climb?

How hard is this climb, really? Looking at teh ride profile in Cary Nogan's book and comparing it to the Inspiration Point (around Glen Lake) climb Mrs. Road Fan and I just did without too much problem last weekend, it really doesn't look a lot harder. Am I just being cocky, or is the Pierce really a lot tougher?

Road Fan

I've never done it on a bicycle, but as I recall it's an impressive grade when going up by car or motorcycle. Very worthwhile to get to the views at the top, and much of the climb is heavily wooded, so shady (if memory serves me -- it's been a while).

Tip: When at the top, do NOT climb down to the beach at the bottom, no matter how inviting it looks. The climb back up by foot in the sand will make the bicycle climb on the road look easy! Those of you who have ever climbed the Lake Michigan dunes will know what I mean.

It's not bad, there's a couple of steep sections in there but not too bad. The steep sections are relatively short, maybe on par with inspiration when you climb the steep side combined with the extra distance on that hill. I climbed it just fine with a 23 on the rear cassette

I've never done it on a bicycle, but as I recall it's an impressive grade when going up by car or motorcycle. Very worthwhile to get to the views at the top, and much of the climb is heavily wooded, so shady (if memory serves me -- it's been a while).

Tip: When at the top, do NOT climb down to the beach at the bottom, no matter how inviting it looks. The climb back up by foot in the sand will make the bicycle climb on the road look easy! Those of you who have ever climbed the Lake Michigan dunes will know what I mean.
Thanks!

It's not bad, there's a couple of steep sections in there but not too bad. The steep sections are relatively short, maybe on par with inspiration when you climb the steep side combined with the extra distance on that hill. I climbed it just fine with a 23 on the rear cassette

My bike has a 39-29 and my wife's bike has a 34-27 - we're not great mashers, but it sounds like we're suitably equipped.

We approached Inspiration from the west, after crossing the land bridge separating the lakes. I think that was the steep one. There was significant speed on the eastbound downslope, however!

if you're coming from the bridge, that's the easy side, coming back the other way, once you get around the sharp corner with the house right on the outside, it gets a bit steeper.

With that gearing, you'll be fine on the hills in there. If you have a year park pass for your car bring that, they won't let you in there on a bike without either having a pass already or buying one and paying the full car price :(

if you're coming from the bridge, that's the easy side, coming back the other way, once you get around the sharp corner with the house right on the outside, it gets a bit steeper.

With that gearing, you'll be fine on the hills in there. If you have a year park pass for your car bring that, they won't let you in there on a bike without either having a pass already or buying one and paying the full car price :(


I think we're gonna try it on Sunday, park in Glen Arbor and head west to Pierce Stocking, then Inspiration and around the lake back to Glen Arbor.

Road Fan