Mri G.

As some of you know, my partner, Rob, and I are training to go on our first cycling expedition at the end of March this year, which will take us from Las Vegas to somewhere in Canada. And given that neither of us have ridden a tandem bike before we bought one, we wanted to get in a bit of training first. So today, we went out to conquer our first mountain pass (1:4) and to put it lightly, we had our behinds handed to us very, very thoroughly.

So out of curiosity, what's the steepest hill you've guys have cycled? As in actually, made it up without having to stop more than once.

And does anyone know if the Rockies are going to be tougher than 1:4?

prathmann

Locally Mt. Diablo is a pretty good climb but most of it is around 1:12 or less. The last quarter mile to the summit is about 1:6 but is pretty hard after already having climbed 3500'.
Obviously the grades in the Rockies will depend on your specific route, but in general the grades are rather moderate - just very long. Most paved routes won't have grades over 1:10.

jefnvk

Fort Street on Mackinac Island. 62' of climbing in 384' of road, for a gradient of about 16% (1:6, I believe). You're not technically allowed to ride up or down, but people do go up it.

But, that's only for 384' of road, and only possible for me (well, at least last time I tried a few years back) in 22 gear inch gearing with the hopes that a gaggle of tourists isn't walking side by side halfway up the hill.

fietsbob

The Get Off and Push hills I dont Ride Up, in this Town.

There is another gem Fort Augustus to Foyers , north east bound, southern side of Loch Ness , Scotland, UK.


We already did the steepest street in the world game, last month, (its in New Zealand)

10 Wheels

22%

TimothyH

Brasstown Bald, Georgia. 17% max grade.

That is the steepest I am aware of. Might have done steeper without knowing it.

indyfabz

This^^^^.


OP: You shouldn't focus on the ruling (i.e., steepest) grade. Out west, on paved roads, anything severe is not likely to last long at all. It's the overall length of the climb and the average grade that will give you a better idea of what you are going to face.


This is the North Cascades Highway from Colonial Creek Campground to Washington Pass:


https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18434028


I did it twice on a fully loaded bike. Except for the first few miles, where the ruling grade is around 10%, the rest is relatively mild. But it's 32 miles long with absolutely no services along the way. It will take its toll, especially if it's cold and snowing.

bikemig 

East Burke mountain; 3.3 miles and averages 12.7% grade. There is at least one section on that climb which approaches a 20% grade. It is one tough climb.

Snuts

These guy's run all day up any hill you will encounter.
Better off riding 20 miles a day instead of worrying. I lived along the eastern slope of the Canadian Rockies 55yrs.
You will be fine, enjoy the scenery.



-Snuts-

markjenn

I doubt you were on a mountain pass with 25% grades. 6% is typical for paved routes.

- Mark

Mri G.

6% might be typical, but it wasn't what we did according to a sign at the bottom claiming 25%. It's honister pass on the lake district if you want to look it up and check. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honister_Pass the steep bit wasn't very long, but I think someone said it averages 10% for miles before the big climb.

Seattle Forrest

You're always telling everyone you're afraid of carbon fiber, right?

bulldog1935

The climb from Waring to Alamo Springs at the Guadalupe/Pedernales divide - very steep, and 18% in the final 200' elev

though it was more work to chase my friends on their tandem down it

Every time I ride from home, it's a 400' climb with the grade hitting 14% in 4 places to get back.

ClydeTim

A local mountain road has a 22% section for .7 miles (according to Strava segment search) but an overall 6% grade on the entire climb of 20 miles.

I did the entire 20 climb without stopping once. But that was on an organized century with 12,000 ft of gain.

As far as stopping on the hill??? That is a vague question in the OP. I stopped 4 times on the century I mention.

Mri G.

10% doesn't sound too bad as anymore, though I doubt I'd be still thinking that after a few good miles! However, atm it's such a relief to know its roads aren't just straight up like they seem to be here.

Though Mt. Diablo has a pretty off putting name if you ask me. You must have legs of steel to think that sounded like a dub idea! Haha. Where's it located though? Maybe we can set it as a challenge if it's on the way.

Mri G.

Wow that's a lot of uphill on the trail you linked. I think the most uphill we've done in a single trip was today and only like 1400' or something. How long have you been riding?

And noted about checking the length of time instead of just the steepest bit. Still new to this while touring thing so haven't experienced that yet!

Cyclist0108

This is one of the hardest (for me, anyway) in my 'hood: Alba Road.

caloso

I'm sure there are much steeper pitches in NorCal than Diablo's last 400m, but it's just such a slap in the face coming at the end of the slog.

Mri G.

Yeah, I'm a noob to the whole cycling scene so didn't realize that was vague until someone pointed out that length of time uphill matters more than the occasional steep bit. Just meant stopping on the biggest grade. For instance, the .7 miles section you mentioned in yours. I don't know how far our section was at 25% but I doubt we made it more than a couple hosted feet if that. Haha. That sounds like an amazing feat you did though. Very good going. (:

_ForceD_

There is a hill in my neighborhood that I'll frequently add to the end of my ride. The hill is only about 4 blocks long, but it's steep. The grade of first block is in the low-20s. Enough that if I'm in the saddle and don't lean forward my front wheel wants to come off the ground.

Dan

fietsbob

I like my Carbon Fiber Mandolin..

ClydeTim

This is a local climb right outside my front door. I'll admit it, I stopped twice on the way up. Few peaks of 20% and a whole lot of 12%-17% short sections.

indyfabz

It's a slog for sure. What sucks the most is the start. You come out of the campground, hang a right, immediately cross the lake and start climbing the steepest miles of the climb. The first year it was very cold. Some people in our group of 13 did laps around the campground (which is very big) to get warmed up.


I have been riding for sport as an adult since '86, but that climb was part of my first ever loaded tour. It was the sixth day of a cross country trip and the seventh day I had ridden a fully loaded bike. (Took one practice day ride a week before I took the train out to Seattle to start the trip. IIRC, it took me a shade under 4.5 hrs. of pedaling time to reach the second pass. That equates to an average of about 7 mph.

ClydeTim

Cool! Just to let you know, if you plan to spend time on "cycling" forums, the posters demand specifics ha ha!

Welcome to the cycling scene though, it is a great world out here!

prathmann

It's a very prominent landmark in the area east of Oakland/San Francisco and is very popular with the local cycling clubs. Great views of over 150 miles in all directions from the top on days with really clear air. Unfortunately New Year's Day was not one of those days as we had our traditional 1st ride of the year:
https://triptrack.org/6799