How far from your door to decent climbing?
11-30-14, 09:00 PM
#127
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I'm on a hill, we're surrounded by three mountain ranges and about 15 HC Climbs, the highest being Onyx Summit at 8400 feet (40 miles away).
11-30-14, 10:53 PM
#128
Yeah, you betcha!
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Surely you could find some good climbing in the Upper Peninsula, southwest Wisconsin along the Mississippi (there's a reason a lot of Swiss settled there), or in Duluth and north along Lake Superior. Nothing like out west, or northeast U.S., but good steep rollers, one after another. Repeat.
11-30-14, 11:01 PM
#129
Yeah, you betcha!
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The Blue Mound climb is probably the toughest in the state. I think Rib Mountain at Wausau it is longer but not so steep. From the Mississippi to Madison their is some very hilly terrain, but it is all climbing in and out of the same valleys, typically maybe a mile at 8% but then you have to descend to do it again. Rides like the Dairyland Dare and HHH use this to get to ~10,000 feet per 100 miles. I do those rides (because it's all we've got), but it would be nice to have access to something sustained.
11-30-14, 11:12 PM
#130
Yeah, you betcha!
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I live near Dallas (Richardson). Doing a Strava segment lookup for Cat 2 climbs, the closest is Austin, about 200 miles, and the closest mountains are West Texas, about 500 miles.... Oh Well.
Climbs near Dallas, TX
Climbs near Dallas, TX
12-03-14, 12:03 PM
#131
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Awesome! I only did it via motorcycle, but Eugene was somewhat near, and I was wishing I was on a bike that day. Moderate grades sounds depressing, but the view while riding the crater rim is spectacular. Following the stream and the switches on a motorcycle was scenic, but too fast to see as much as you do from a bike. Thanks for the input!
12-03-14, 01:18 PM
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I live on top of a hill. It isn't big (200' in half a mile), but it is enough to make me question my housing choice at the end of a long ride. I am surrounded by hills, most of which are short and steep. Most of the hills don't go for more than a mile or two, but double digit grades are common. A typical ride for me has 80-100' of climbing/mile.
Last edited by happyscientist; 12-03-14 at 01:27 PM.
12-03-14, 01:19 PM
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2.5 miles to the start of the hills. Another 2.5 miles into the hills and I'm about 900 ft up. I'm learning that living along the Wasatch Front has its benefits besides the snow. 
12-04-14, 12:50 PM
#134
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Austin has some good hills, but anywhere north/northwest of Austin, anywhere north of San Antonio, and west to Bandera is going to give some good rides with rolling 200-300' hills. One after another. After another. After another. Remember, at some point you have to turn around and do it again. They call it the Texas Hill Country for a reason.
We resort to overpasses in Houston. Either that or drive to Austin.
12-04-14, 01:51 PM
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12 miles from my front door to Henry Hudson Drive which is 8 miles of rollers/hills; 800ft each way.. 42 mile round trip for 3700ft. I do repeats (usually 5-7) on a 1.2 mile hill know as Alpine/Ranger Station which is at the end of the 8 miles, it's good for 400ft @ 7%. That gives me 6400ft @ 60 miles with the round trip.
12-04-14, 07:44 PM
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12 miles from my front door to Henry Hudson Drive which is 8 miles of rollers/hills; 800ft each way.. 42 mile round trip for 3700ft. I do repeats (usually 5-7) on a 1.2 mile hill know as Alpine/Ranger Station which is at the end of the 8 miles, it's good for 400ft @ 7%. That gives me 6400ft @ 60 miles with the round trip.
