Northeast - New Jersey hills 2009

I got free yesterday and drove out west to the Montana / Fiddlers Elbow area. Saw four other guys riding the long descent from the top of the Fiddlers climb to the bottom of Wester + Decker. I'm not sure if they were trying to follow the Hillier Than Thou course or what

Then later I say two other riders stopped at a convenience store by the Musconetcong climbs. Seeing people in the middle of the week out riding mountains made me feel like I was in Europe.

Myself I couldn't do it. I tried some moderate warmup climbs, and some things around my right knee were hurting in a funny way. Maybe not recovered yet from the full-long-day ride Sharon and I did on Sunday. Since I'd invested in driving all the way out there, I tried completely stopping to rest for 15 minutes, then more warmup, but the pains came back. So I decided this was not the week I was going to attack the upper "wall" on Fiddlers.
Two deer sightings: one jumping out into the road, one just standing in the middle.Last week I'd raised my steepness range, to handling Adamic Hill and Shire over on the Musconetcong ridge -- I think that western end of the ridge is called "Mount Joy" -- great name for a place with two climbs 50% steeper than the famous Alpe d'Huez.
(the bridge at the bottom of Mt Joy was closed and blocked off for construction)Also rode further east, did the unpaved alternate to rt 519 south of Warren Glen, and rt 579 south of Bloomsbury. Then drove to Asbury and took on Ludlow and Iron Bridge -- and was happy to make it up both, but with a substantial amount of standing.

So I had reason to hope that I was ready for Fiddlers, but it was not to be.

Ken

Warrenville Rd -- I noticed they've cut grooves into the asphalt of the downhill lane in the upper section.
Didn't affect me climbing up, but made the first section of my descents a bit bumpy and definitely less fun.

Thanks for the report, Ken. Several guys I ride with do Wed. rides. I've only been able to join in one of them, but we did a fairly hilly (7100') century around Swartswood Lake from the Oldwick Park & Ride at Rt. 78. Here's the route : http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=49081

Thankds -- seeing that route gives me some ideas for some roads to try.

From a "hills" perspective, looks to me like that route has lots of hills, but it tries to avoid the steeper ones.

Ken

Thanks for the report, Ken. Several guys I ride with do Wed. rides. I've only been able to join in one of them, but we did a fairly hilly (7100') century around Swartswood Lake from the Oldwick Park & Ride at Rt. 78. Here's the route : http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=49081

How's this route on a weekday? Trafficky? Quiet? I will be in Jersey July 20-25 and would love to do a hilly century.

How's this route on a weekday? Trafficky? Quiet? I will be in Jersey July 20-25 and would love to do a hilly century.

It would be great on a weekday. You'd probably get more tourist traffic on a weekend. Not too much traffic up there.

Post a note on bikewjw.org or pm me if you're interested in a riding partner or partners. Several guys in our club like to do weekday rides.

Finally made it up Fiddlers first time this year - (accompanied part of the way by two little dogs yapping).

Started by parking over near Asbury and "warming up" on Ludlow Station + Iron Bridge - (both roads in good shape, except Ludlow had a little mud flowed onto it from the side in the midst of the steep section). But those climbs are steep enough so that I first did some "warmups for the warmups" nearby on Buttermilk Bridge (climbed both sides, some erosion of the road surface) and also the county road next west from Buttermilk (better surface, more sustained climbing than Buttermilk, also more motor traffic).

Three laps of Roxburg Hill and Fiddlers Elbow -- so I felt rewarded for having backed off last week when I felt a funny pain during warmup and did not try it even once. Did lots of pedaling standing (not my usual style on lesser hills). After surviving the first time, I went a little faster the second time, and the third time I tried to go even harder standing pedaling up the "wall" -- and pulled my right foot out of the pedal.

Surface in good shape, though the asphalt tends have coarser stone in the steeper sections -- more rolling resistance, requires more strength, just what we want from a great test-piece (Right?)

animals:

* deer standing off road on Buttermilk Bridge

* full-grown fox in the middle of the road in a steep section of Iron Bridge. (so then a woman driving an SUV pulls alongside while I'm sweating climbing thru the steeps and doing my best to just stay in control -- and tells me she thinks the fox is sick, has been acting strange.

* two little dogs at the base of the "wall" on Fiddlers Elbow. Came out to yap at me all three times climbing up. No contact with me, no biting, no running in front of my wheel - (maybe in future workous on Fiddlers I will come to think of them as like some of the over-eager fans along the roads of the Tour de France.)
This could be a good reason not to ride down Fiddlers, since one of those dogs getting under a wheel could easily take you down. Or at least climb up it first, in hope of getting a better idea of where those dogs are most likely to come onto the road. (And those are not the only dogs I have ever seen loose on the main Fiddlers hill, though I haven't seen others out recently.)

Ken

I got up to try the steep + interesting climbs up north around Vernon for the first time this year, like on this map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115487569681665383360.000458dcb1d58027d57a5&ll=41.217662,-74.464645&spn=0.123702,0.22625&z=12).

Good news is that Barry Drive (north from Highland Lakes to across the New York border) has been repaved -- actually the New Jersey section has been repaved -- which includes all the steepest sections. When going back down, I knew I had reached New York when I hit the bumpy surface near the bottom. This is a big improvement, hope it will keep Barry Dr in good shape for lots more years -- I find it a rather interesting climb. (The bottom section in New York connecting to rt 94 is called "Barrett Rd")

Surface on the other road climbs on the map was mostly pretty good.
Canal Rd: One of the roads which I used to connect between the Iron Bridge climb in the north (by Warwick NY) to Lounsberry Hollow: Canal Rd has a long grass / dirt / gravel section, which I found very ridable on my road-bike tires (before it rained anyway) -- except for a bridge over a creek which was designed to force riders to dismount and walk.I was glad to find out I could still get up the Breakneck and Hidden Valley climbs.

Hope I can get back up there again this summer.

Ken

Ken, what kind of gearing are you running up these monsters?

I'm tempted to drive out there & check 'em out, but would rather not get in over my head. From your descriptions of Breakneck & Fiddlers, I'm guessing I better stay away with my 39 x 27...

From your descriptions of Breakneck & Fiddlers, I'm guessing I better stay away with my 39 x 27...
There's such a wide range of hill-climbing strength among riders . . . 39x27 gearing might be impossibly hard for some people and laughably easy for others.

For me around 39x27 works because that way I cannot get up the steepest hills early in the season. But then after lots of serious practice, later I can get up them.

I own another bike with lower gears which probably would enable me to make it up the steeper hillls in early season, but that would be a different game.

Or I think it's more interesting to start with hills closer to home (could try this list (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/u/nj/hills/bycounty/index.htm)), develop to being able to make up those using several gears higher than my lowest, then drive out to the big ones -- hoping that I'm ready for the challenge -- but not being sure.

Like the first time I went out west to the Montana climbs (NJ) this year, I just didn't have it to finish Fiddlers, so I got off and walked. Then went back again a month or so later and succeeded.

Ken

I ride down lots of steep hills, so I got thinking, What would happen to me if my front brake cable broke?

So I tried riding down steeper hills, testing to see if only my rear brake could stop me.

Valley Dr, then Warrenville Rd on one day (with dry road surface).
Worked OK, rear brake only not as fast as front brake only (which I also tried). Warrenville (sections around 13% grade) took some getting used to with that grooved surface now this year, but I could make four hard stops with my rear brake.
(first time I've seen a deer on Valley Dr -- too bad because I'd wish to feel free to take that descent faster)Then out west in the Mt Musconetcong + Montana area on a dry day:
Ludlow Station Rd + Iron Bridge Rd (sections 15-16%)
Fiddlers Elbow (section over 20% grade)
Again I could make multiple hard stops using my rear brake only, and again definitely not as quick a stop as with my front brake.

When I go down a steep hill, I usually move my hips back behind the seat, so I can make a sudden hard stop with my front brake without getting thrown forward. And I guess having my weight back over the rear wheel also helps in stops with my rear brake.

I think doing focused practice with each single brake helped improve my confidence and feel for hard braking.

Now that I've tested the redundancy of my brakes, I'm back to thinking that the big risk to worry about (on a dry day) is unexpected moves by deer, dogs, groundhogs.

Ken

I tried some different climbs in Sussex county: Holland Mountain Rd (south of Stockholm) and Crigger Rd (west of Beemerville). Both had interesting variations in steepness, and made me wish they were overall longer. I'd do one of them again if it was near some other good steep climbs, but it's not.

Breakneck -- the "full" climb has gotten a little taller with new paving on the side roads at the top. I finished with Right on Tahama, Right on Abricada, Right on Accomac and a last Left to the top of the asphalt. I do love the main climb -- sustained yet varying, intimidating in steepness around curves + motor traffic. I did it three times.

Bears on the Hidden Valley climb (ski resort by Breakneck Rd + Vernon) -- three of them crossed the road ahead of me while I was climbing. I stopped and waited. The two smaller ones did a little wrestling match in the middle of the road, then finished crossing, and one climbed a tree next to the road. I rode past them. Didn't see them when I was coming back down.

Kain Rd (up in New York off rt 17A) -- Lots of fresh gravel. Good for our long-term riding, but I decided to wait at least a month before trying it this year.
I think it's an "honorary" New Jersey climb. Since it's steepness is in the same league with the great NJ climbs, and the steep climbs near to it are in New Jersey.

Ken

Ken, where are these places?

Do you ride alone or with a partner or group? Could I come along? I took a ride in Sussex county a few years ago, and it was splendid though very hard.

I rode up Lake Pochung Road last weekend starting at 517 from the east. Part of a 73 mile one way trip to Stokes Forest. That road made my legs cry. Starts so steep. Ever try Apshawa Road in Butler off to the north of 23? I've only gone down it but it looks like a hard road to go up, very steep from the start, skinny, bumpy, possibly soul-crushing?

I rode up Lake Pochung Road last weekend starting at 517 from the east. That road made my legs cry. Starts so steep.
Yes and I tend not to favor climbs like that -- so after doing Lake Pochung once or twice, I've instead been doing other climbs neaby (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115487569681665383360.000458dcb1d58027d57a5&ll=41.217662,-74.464645&spn=0.123702,0.22625&z=12) when I'm visiting that area.


Ever try Apshawa Road in Butler off to the north of 23? I've only gone down it but it looks like a hard road to go up, very steep from the start, skinny, bumpy, possibly soul-crushing?
Looks like Apshawa Cross Rd has about 160 vertical feet with steepness around 13-15% grade, based on some topo software. Too bad it's not longer.
Is it asphalt or dirt?
Smooth - or rough - or potholes + ruts?

Ken

Do you ride alone or with a partner or group? Could I come along?
I like riding with other people, but my strategy + style tends not to fit. For several reasons:

* for people who like riding steep hills, I'm kinda slow, like 80% of climbers climb faster than me. (so be prepared to wait at the top, or do the upper section again if get bored).

* I decide on very short notice when and where to climb hills, based on when I can get free mid-week, what the weather is, how my legs feel.

* On weekends I only ride with Sharon on our tandem, and then we don't do super-steep hills, and almost nobody who rides as long distance as we do would be willing to go as slow as us.

But if you want to try for something on short notice mid-week, send me a private message with email + phone number.

One idea would be to get together and do some of the short steep hills around Maplewood. (If you're seeking out steep hills in other parts of NJ, I assume you're comfortable doing repeats on Mountain Av.)


where are these places?
Usually I can find them just by doing a search on Google Maps. Sometimes just give the name of the road followed by the state, like Search Maps on "Holland Mountain Rd, NJ" or "Kain Rd, NY" Sometimes have to give the town also, like "Breakneck Rd, Vernon, NJ". Or sometimes a nearby road (which I often give in a description).

this page of New Jersey hills (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/u/nj/hills)
has some links to maps of climbs.

best "gangs" of climbs . . .

* around Vernon (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115487569681665383360.000458dcb1d58027d57a5&ll=41.217662,-74.464645&spn=0.123702,0.22625&z=12)

* Montana + Musconetcong Mt around Washington (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=40.723844,-75.06546&spn=0.263833,0.391388&z=11&msid=115487569681665383360.00044ee5b6b712f717722)

* links to maps of more climbs (with connecting roads) on Musconetcong Mt (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/u/09b/index.htm#Beyond_Hillier_Than_09jun)

Ken

beyond "Hiller Than" -- I rode a longer sequence of steep climbs in west NJ around Washington + Phillipsburg (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=104855209764401583780.00046f765a9a1b6520a2b&ll=40.714997,-75.051727&spn=0.526697,0.944824&z=10).

There's lots more info and links to some
detailed route maps (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/u/09b/#Beyond_Hillier_Than_09jun) on Bikely.com which could be used to generate GPS tracks and cue sheets.

It includes more steep climbing (in sections averaging over 12% grade) than I've done before: about 6000 vertical feet. I haven't heard of any other place in the world where I could do this much climbing over 12% grade, on public asphalt roads, without repeating any uphill section.

The total climbing (including less steep) was about 15400 vertical feet, more than I've ever done before (? or ever again ?). It includes 7 out of the 10 toughest climbs in New Jersey (or 14 out of 21). That sequence has so much more steep climbing than the Hillier Than Thou event that I'm calling it "Beyond Hillier Than".

The route maps can also be used to make shorter sequences of climbs, totalling like 10500 feet or 13000 vertical feet.

The riding is not only challenging, but also varied and pretty and interesting, with much on quiet roads. Even if I never again do all of at once, I'll be doing lots of parts of it.

Ken

Ken,

I recently used Fiddlers combined with Colemans Hill/Bickel to train for the Mt Ascutney Hill Climb TT in Vermont ... I have also combined Fiddlers/Colemans Hill/Asbury (from rt. 57)/Ludlow Station/Jugtown Mtn. (from Pattenburg) as a single ride. Pushing myself up those climbs is a good loop.

They were the closest climbs to the Ascutney climb around NJ. Ascutney is 3.7 mile long, at 15% averege, with long sections hitting19% ... no flat sections.

Your list of climbs was very helpful. While I used to live in Washington/P'burg area years ago, and climbed all over Hunterdon and Warren most of my life, you reminded me of climbs I hadn't done in years.

BTW, I am 245 lbs. I was the heaviest rider in the TT by far. I was in the Clydesdale division. I finished in 1:01:29 ... 3rd from last place. Fastest finisher was around 00:26:00 ... no doubt he weighed about 150 (or less). My goal was to finish ... I did, and look forward to next year. AND ... I had a heart attack 30 months ago ... to me, just finishing was like gaining a polka-dot jersey. I'll be riding Newtons Revenge up Mt. Washington next year as well.

I'd love to meet up with you sometime ... I frequently ride mid-week. I may not be able to stay on your wheel, but I'll make every climb ... :D

We did Adamic and Fox Farm in Hunterdon on Saturday as part of our ride. 65 mi. and 5k ft. climbing. The whole Fox Farm stretch is really a nice area to ride.

Ken (or anyone else who cares to reply),

I am a newly addicted hill-climber living in Bridgewater, Somerset County. I'm hoping for some advice on what hill(s) I should tackle next.

My hardest regular climbs in Bridgeater are Chimney Rock Road (south from the brook to Mountaintop Road) and Timberline Road (snaking northward from Washington Valley Road to the cul-de-sac). I'm not sure I've calculated them right, but I have both pegged as being climbs of 8-9% and 200-220 vertical feet.

At the beginning of the year I had to tack to get up either of these, but now I can do them straight up. This morning, I did both climbs in the same ride for the first time (using every bit of my 28/32 set-up!). I will continue to work on getting up these climbs with taller gears, but I'm also looking for the next I-can't-quite-do-it challenge.

I drive up Warrenville Road and Mt. Horeb Road with some regularity, but they both look to be a bit too much (especially considering the traffic and blind corners). Any advice on other safer options that are a slight upgrade from what I'm already doing?

Thanks in advance.

Ken (or anyone else who cares to reply),...Any advice on other safer options that are a slight upgrade from what I'm already doing?

Thanks in advance.

Have you looked at njbikemap? It doesn't show gradient, but shows length of climb. You can check gradient on one of the mapping programs like http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

You may want to drive to an area that has good climbs and less traffic.

This thread is great. I'm going to New Paltz with a friend in a few weeks and I see at least three climbs within 5 miles of the town linked here.

At the beginning of the year I had to tack to get up either of these, but now I can do them straight up. This morning, I did both climbs in the same ride for the first time (using every bit of my 28/32 set-up!). I will continue to work on getting up these climbs with taller gears, but I'm also looking for the next I-can't-quite-do-it challenge.
Sounds like a good progression: tacking to straight, lower gears to higher. Nice thing about hills is that you can see the progress clearly.

Unfortunately I don't know those two hills.
Some which I do know which are sorta near there are Valley Drive and Hill Hollow, which go up from Valley Road (which I guess is sort of a continuation of Washington Valley?) a little ways northeast from Warrenville Rd. Not sure if they're steeper than yours, but at least they're a different challenge. (Warrenville Rd itseld is significantly steeper than other of those, with lots more motor traffic).

But if you want bigger hills -- and if you're into hills I think you should want them -- you have to go west like to Hunterdon county (here's a list of climbs (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/u/nj/hills/bycounty/index.htm#Hunterdon_county)).
Not sure how far you want to drive. There's a few around Lebanon + Califon (not necessarily steeper than around Bridgewater, but maybe a little longer)
Further west, I-78 goes over Musconetcong Mountain, and there's interesting climbs on that mountain to both sides of 78 (including Adamic Hill and Fox Farm, like Terex said). rt 173 goes parallel to 78 over the mountain (west side of 173 is steeper than east). A longer climb close to I-78 is to go north off 173 by way of Strotz Rd to Fox Farm Rd.

Farther from where 78 goes over the mountain are longer and steeper climbs on Musconetcong Mt. For yet longer climbs you can drive a ways north into Warren county.

Lots to look forward to.

Ken

I recently used Fiddlers combined with Colemans Hill/Bickel to train for the Mt Ascutney Hill Climb TT in Vermont ... I have also combined Fiddlers/Colemans Hill/Asbury (from rt. 57)/Ludlow Station/Jugtown Mtn. (from Pattenburg) as a single ride. Pushing myself up those climbs is a good loop.
Climbing Mt Ascutney is very impressive. I've never done any of those tough climbs up in Vermont.

Nice thing is that after playing on the tough climbs of western and northern New Jersey, almost any famous climb elsewhere is doable.

Sure let's try to get together some mid-week day to try some climbs -- just send me a private message with a phone number or two, maybe an email.

Ken

I'm going to New Paltz with a friend in a few weeks
The climbs around New Paltz NY are more spectacular than most I can think of in New Jersey. Well worth traveling up to New York state to ride them.

But when you get back, I suggest riding some roads in the farmland in west NJ around Stewartsville and Asbury in the valley, around the Musconetcong and Pohatcong mountains -- compare with the valley terrain around New Paltz.
Then try some of the climbs on Musconetcong Mt (and Montana to the north). Not as spectacular, but much tougher than around New Paltz, and rather interesting.

Ken

Ken (or anyone else who cares to reply),

I am a newly addicted hill-climber living in Bridgewater, Somerset County. I'm hoping for some advice on what hill(s) I should tackle next.

My hardest regular climbs in Bridgeater are Chimney Rock Road (south from the brook to Mountaintop Road) and Timberline Road (snaking northward from Washington Valley Road to the cul-de-sac). I'm not sure I've calculated them right, but I have both pegged as being climbs of 8-9% and 200-220 vertical feet.

At the beginning of the year I had to tack to get up either of these, but now I can do them straight up. This morning, I did both climbs in the same ride for the first time (using every bit of my 28/32 set-up!). I will continue to work on getting up these climbs with taller gears, but I'm also looking for the next I-can't-quite-do-it challenge.

I drive up Warrenville Road and Mt. Horeb Road with some regularity, but they both look to be a bit too much (especially considering the traffic and blind corners). Any advice on other safer options that are a slight upgrade from what I'm already doing?

Thanks in advance.

You should try the climb off Mountain Ave that starts with the rt 22 overpass. Take the first left at Middlebrook rd and then the first right up Washington Ave., which will bring you to Hillcrest. If you are coming from Washington Valley Rd. you would go down Vossellar and make a left on Brookside Drive then up Strangle this will bring you down it. There are parts on it that are 15%.

Also , you could try the Ravine Lake area off 202. Douglas to Mountaintop is one of the longer climbs I have found in this area. Douglas Rd is pretty torn up but the nice thing is there are hardly any cars on the ones I mentioned.

http//bizzness7890.blogspot.com/

You should try the climb off Mountain Ave that starts with the rt 22 overpass. Take the first left at Middlebrook rd and then the first right up Washington Ave., which will bring you to Hillcrest. If you are coming from Washington Valley Rd. you would go down Vossellar and make a left on Brookside Drive then up Strangle this will bring you down it. There are parts on it that are 15%.

I don't know why I didn't think of that climb. My son has a friend who lives on Washington Avenue, right at the switchback. That's about 8-10 miles from my house, so I could get there and back in about 70-90 minutes, including a walk up to the top the first few times. :-)

I imagine it'd get a bit hairy if a car were to approach right at that switchback. Otherwise, this seems like a reasonably safe climb.


Also , you could try the Ravine Lake area off 202. Douglas to Mountaintop is one of the longer climbs I have found in this area. Douglas Rd is pretty torn up but the nice thing is there are hardly any cars on the ones I mentioned.

I'm not familiar with this area -- will have to check it out. Thanks for the tips.

Toughest climb in Morris county -- found one I hadn't heard of before:
Four Bridges Rd (north from Bartley Rd which goes southwest from Flanders) - see on map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Flanders,+NJ&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.188995,60.732422&ie=UTF8&ll=40.82011,-74.73587&spn=0.03475,0.059309&z=14&iwloc=A)
has 250 vertical feet at steepness around 13-14% (or more)

Seemed pretty quiet road. Near some other climbs . . . connects with Drakestown Rd (2nd toughest in Morris county?) near Tinc + Naughright.
Here's my list for Morris county (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/u/nj/hills/bycounty/index.htm#Morris_county)

Ken

Toughest climb in Morris county -- found one I hadn't heard of before:
Four Bridges Rd (north from Bartley Rd which goes southwest from Flanders) - see on map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Flanders,+NJ&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.188995,60.732422&ie=UTF8&ll=40.82011,-74.73587&spn=0.03475,0.059309&z=14&iwloc=A)
has 250 vertical feet at steepness around 13-14% (or more)

Seemed pretty quiet road. Near some other climbs . . . connects with Drakestown Rd (2nd toughest in Morris county?) near Tinc + Naughright.
Here's my list for Morris county (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/u/nj/hills/bycounty/index.htm#Morris_county)

Ken

That's my neighborhood. Interesting that North Four Bridges has a steeper section; both Drakestown and Tinc seem more challenging to me (on my 30/29).

Flanders Drakestown is very short, but fairly steep. Pavement is a bit rough going up, and traffic is heavy (relative to the area) with a blind curve. Stephens Mill Road is also right there. Not as steep, but much longer than some climbs in the area.

You might also try Drakestown Road from the West. It crosses 46 at a sorta circle, so not too tough to navigate. I rode the section just south of 46 once long ago, and it seemed steep, but I've since improved my conditioning. Again, a bit scary with traffic (but usually fairly quiet midday) and blind curves as there's a development at the top of the hill.

Not too far away, there's also Firetower Road with a decent climb, left on Lozier, right on Budd Lake Heights Road, becomes Crease which is a steady low grade climb until the end with a fairly steep climb, but probably not top tier.

nice "review" of the climbs in that area -- somebody who lives nearby will find it very helpful - (I don't know when I'll be up around there again)

I think Drakestown does have one short section which is steeper than anything on Four Bridges -- so if you burn out your leg muscles on that section, then the rest of Drakestown would feel pretty hard. (the other possibility is that my measurements of Four Bridges are off -- so make your own).

Anyway someone pointed out that I was wrong: Mt Lebanon Rd is tougher than either Four Bridges or Drakestown. I'd forgotten about Mt Lebanon because it's way down in the southwest corner of Morris county, almost in Hunterdon county -- see on map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Mt+Lebanon+Rd,+New+Jersey&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.188995,60.732422&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FS0ZbgIdv4CJ-w&split=0&ll=40.784961,-74.871526&spn=0.017384,0.029655&z=15).

Ken

Also , you could try the Ravine Lake area off 202. Douglas to Mountaintop is one of the longer climbs I have found in this area. Douglas Rd is pretty torn up but the nice thing is there are hardly any cars on the ones I mentioned.

Thanks for the tip! I went up there today, and really enjoyed the ride. I only rode Douglas Avenue itself (not Douglas Road, btw, which is also in the area but is much flatter). Douglas was about all I could handle, partly because it was my 3d climb of the day (excuses, excuses...). The 340 ft elev. gain was the most I've ever done in one climb, but I made it without toooo much trouble.

Your suggestion was to continue on to Mountaintop, which would require a right turn onto Post Kernel Road. Going that way, the total elevation gain would be 530 ft. over 2.3 miles. I think I could have made it, but I had to get home before the storm came in.

Another option would be to start on Douglas Avenue then Post Kernel Road, but turn off at Boulderwood
Drive. If you go that way, based on the maps, it looks like it would be 590 ft over 2.3 miles.

I have a new goal! Thanks again.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of gearing do all of you who climb NJ hills use? Triple, double, compact, etc.

You might also try Drakestown Road from the West. It crosses 46 at a sorta circle, so not too tough to navigate. I rode the section just south of 46 once long ago, and it seemed steep, but I've since improved my conditioning. Again, a bit scary with traffic (but usually fairly quiet midday) and blind curves as there's a development at the top of the hill.

Update: I tried this again today, and I doubt there's even a 10% grade on any section of it. The steepest part is coming from Mine Hill Road on the north side of 46. It is a decent climb, but I was able to ride it on 42/26 combo, with some standing. Many of the steeper hills have me dropping into my granny.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of gearing do all of you who climb NJ hills use? Triple, double, compact, etc.

I ride a triple because I like going longer distances and I like my knees. I'm generally not a masher unless I go on a shorter ride, and I don't really do typical fitness training rides.

I'm at about 1000 feet elevation, and I'll often descend into valleys that are about 200 ft elevation. When I return home after 50+ miles, I want the granny up the steepest grades.

Hey Ken - I thought this might be good to put on your website regarding Vista Maria Rd. I was just down it yesterday and upon making a left onto Clark rd I found the road surface to be Chip Seal, which continued all the way onto Hansburg Rd to Rt 52. Considering the turns and grades on these roads it was quite the experience to hit that surface.

fresh gravel on steep hills:

Fiddlers Elbow
got fresh stone in the last couple of weeks -- so you might want to avoid it for a month or so until the car traffic packs it down -- unless you want to add the special challenge of skidding on loose stones to the climb (or imagine it would be even more exciting on descent).

Not sure if it was done before or after the Hillier Than Thou event -- I'm guessing after.
The new stone is pretty coarse (not surprising for such a steep hill) - so I think Fiddlers Elbow will be even harder to climb up for the next few years.

Kain Rd
just north across the border into NY state by 17A (one of the few NY hills worthy of mention with the steep NJ hills) - got fresh gravel a couple of months ago, seems fairly well packed now. I was going to ride it a couple of weeks ago, but I was too thrashed pushing it on Hidden Valley and Breakneck.

Vista Maria
the one I know by that name is nowhere near New Jersey. I'm not putting a note on very steep NY hills (http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/r/m/climbs/steep/index.htm) on Bike Hudson Valley because first, I'll guess in a month or so I'd have to change it to a different note. Second, because riders just have to know that going down a very steep hill you have to expect the unexpected -- fresh gravel is only one of the hazards. Try handling a deer or even a healthy ground hog running in front of your wheel when you're going 38 mph down a hill. Or a fallen log around a curve. Or wet leaves.

My purpose in making lists and descriptions of very steep hill is so people can ride up them, not down them.

Ken

A friend of mine just did the Hillier Than Thou ride. He blogged it here (http://www.southorangevillage.com/vc/comments.php?DiscussionID=27726&page=10#Item_25). In that blog, someone mentions you, Ken.

fresh gravel on steep hills:

Fiddlers Elbow
got fresh stone in the last couple of weeks --

Not sure if it was done before or after the Hillier Than Thou event -- I'm guessing after.
Ken

It was done before. They eliminated Fiddlers from HTT this year. We didn't find out until the morning of the event, though I don't know when the organizers found out. The ride was painful enough as it was.

A friend of mine just did the Hillier Than Thou ride. He blogged it here (http://www.southorangevillage.com/vc/comments.php?DiscussionID=27726&page=10#Item_25). In that blog, someone mentions you, Ken.

Great read. Thanks for posting it.

Vista Maria
the one I know by that name is nowhere near New Jersey. I'm not putting a note on very steep NY hills (http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/r/m/climbs/steep/index.htm) on Bike Hudson Valley because first, I'll guess in a month or so I'd have to change it to a different note. Second, because riders just have to know that going down a very steep hill you have to expect the unexpected -- fresh gravel is only one of the hazards. Try handling a deer or even a healthy ground hog running in front of your wheel when you're going 38 mph down a hill. Or a fallen log around a curve. Or wet leaves.

My purpose in making lists and descriptions of very steep hill is so people can ride up them, not down them.

Ken

I think fresh chip seal is a bit more permanent than the hazards you just listed. The only reason I mention it is because you asked for (http://www.roberts-1.com/bikehudson/s/send_report_a/index.htm) road condition reports on your website. Considering the chip seal extends down a double digit grade onto a 55 mph road, I just thought people might want to know. And yeah, Vista Maria is not fun to descend and I wish I'd taken another route. I prefer high-speed corners, not 90 degree plus death zones.

Over the past month or so (with a break in the middle because I was sick), I've been trying to tick off some of the climbs Ken Roberts recommends for Somerset County. Here's my take on them:


Clark fr Campbell, NE fr Lake Rd N fr 202 by Far Hills This is a great ride -- well-maintained streets -- quiet, back-woods atmosphere -- varying steepness ranging from nearly flat for short stretches to 10+% for stretches.


Peachcroft fr Campbell, NE fr Lake Rd N fr 202 by Far Hills The first half of this is the same as Clark fr Campbell, above. The second half is very similar, and ends up at the same spot, but this route is a tiny bit tougher because the steepest section is steeper.


more possibilities . . .
which I calculated from topo software but don't know anything about in reality . . .
on Mine Mountain, north of Far Hills:

? Douglass Rd (N fr 202 NE fr Far Hills): total 510 including 480 around 6% with steeper sections ?
This would be a nice climb for variety's sake because, unlike the other climbs in the area, it maintains a steady grade of roughly 6% for most of its length. Unfortunately, it hasn't been repaved in forever, and there are countless gouges, potholes, etc. Not worth the pounding, so I won't ride it again until it gets repaved. Descent would be next to impossible.


Penn Brook Rd, Mine Mt, N fr 202 betw Bernardsville + Far Hills Next on my list. This goes up the same hill as Campbell / Clark / Peachcroft, but from a different angle.

Note -- Clark and Penn Brook both start from Lake Road, which runs along a beautiful lake created by a dam on the river (North Branch of Raritan River, I think). Coming up the road from the south, you pass the dam/waterfall first, then you ride alongside the lake. It is very picturesque, and itself worth the trip to the area.

I like riding with other people, but my strategy + style tends not to fit. For several reasons:

* for people who like riding steep hills, I'm kinda slow, like 80% of climbers climb faster than me. (so be prepared to wait at the top, or do the upper section again if get bored).

* I decide on very short notice when and where to climb hills, based on when I can get free mid-week, what the weather is, how my legs feel.

* On weekends I only ride with Sharon on our tandem, and then we don't do super-steep hills, and almost nobody who rides as long distance as we do would be willing to go as slow as us.

But if you want to try for something on short notice mid-week, send me a private message with email + phone number.

One idea would be to get together and do some of the short steep hills around Maplewood. (If you're seeking out steep hills in other parts of NJ, I assume you're comfortable doing repeats on Mountain Av.)


Usually I can find them just by doing a search on Google Maps. Sometimes just give the name of the road followed by the state, like Search Maps on "Holland Mountain Rd, NJ" or "Kain Rd, NY" Sometimes have to give the town also, like "Breakneck Rd, Vernon, NJ". Or sometimes a nearby road (which I often give in a description).

this page of New Jersey hills (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/u/nj/hills)
has some links to maps of climbs.

best "gangs" of climbs . . .

* around Vernon (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115487569681665383360.000458dcb1d58027d57a5&ll=41.217662,-74.464645&spn=0.123702,0.22625&z=12)

* Montana + Musconetcong Mt around Washington (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=40.723844,-75.06546&spn=0.263833,0.391388&z=11&msid=115487569681665383360.00044ee5b6b712f717722)

* links to maps of more climbs (with connecting roads) on Musconetcong Mt (http://www.roberts-1.com/b/v/u/09b/index.htm#Beyond_Hillier_Than_09jun)

Ken

I find your site very useful.

To the poster who lives in Bridgewater, there are quite a few climbs close to you to keep you busy.

In the Mountainville area try Bissell Road, not awfull in terms of steep but a sustained climb

Also look for Philower Road or Longview Road (which I haven't gone up yet.) Coming down Longview it felt like the rear wheel was going to lift off.

Finally off of Rockaway is Still Hollow Road. A left if you are going up Rockaway, gets you near the top of Bissell.

Over at Pottersville you can try climbing Hollow Brook from Fairmont to Old Turnpike Road or
from Pottersville climb Black River Road. Both are low traffic and "interesting"

If you have tried Douglas move on up 202 and try Mt Harmony Road. The switchback at the begining is sweet and there is a pitch at the end next to the church you will enjoy. I believe the church provides services for cyclists who die trying.

These combinations are fun and you can cobble together significant climbing without traveling too far.

My buddies and I regularly ride these, look for the "FATMEN" out of Scotch Plains, easily recognized red jerseys with a distinctive logo.

To the poster who lives in Bridgewater, there are quite a few climbs close to you to keep you busy.

In the Mountainville area try Bissell Road, not awfull in terms of steep but a sustained climb

Also look for Philower Road or Longview Road (which I haven't gone up yet.) Coming down Longview it felt like the rear wheel was going to lift off.

Finally off of Rockaway is Still Hollow Road. A left if you are going up Rockaway, gets you near the top of Bissell.
I wasn't aware of that area, but it does look good on the map. Another good hill in the area appears to be Parsonage Lot Road. Do you know anything about that one?


Over at Pottersville you can try climbing Hollow Brook from Fairmont to Old Turnpike Road or
from Pottersville climb Black River Road. Both are low traffic and "interesting" These don't look quite as tough as the first ones, but have the distinct advantage of being closer to me. :-D


If you have tried Douglas move on up 202 and try Mt Harmony Road. The switchback at the begining is sweet and there is a pitch at the end next to the church you will enjoy. I believe the church provides services for cyclists who die trying.I just went climbed in that area this morning, and went down Mt. Harmony. I was thinking it seemed tougher than the other ways up Mine Mtn., and your comments seem to bear that out. Given that I have to use my granny to get up the other routes, I think I'll save Mt Harmony Rd for a later date.


My buddies and I regularly ride these, look for the "FATMEN" out of Scotch Plains, easily recognized red jerseys with a distinctive logo.

I'll keep my eyes open for you guys.

Thanks for the scoop.

Douglas Road has been paved. Of course this removes all the charm in this climb, no more picking your way around the various potholes but the decent is SWEET. Smooth pavement all the way to 202. Try it before the gas company tears it up.

Douglas Road has been paved.

Thanks for the heads up. The weather looks promising for this Saturday, and I was thinking of riding up that way to hit Douglas after reading about it here.