Mithrandir

You're biking and you come across a hill. There's 3 routes you can take:

1. A 1 mile road to the top with a 12% grade
2. A 3 mile road to the top with a 4% grade
3. A 9 mile road around the hill to the other side with a 0% grade

Which do you take, and why?

Edit: that's 633 feet of climbing for choices 1 and 2, by the way.

codyhmrck

I choose option 2. I get less tired out because It's not such a steep grade at one time. I don't like hills lol.

rumrunn6

if this visual accurate ...:

https://www.fatcyclist.com/2012/08/01...imbing-grades/

then I would not cycle up the 12% grade, certainly not for a mile, certainly not without a mountain bike

MattFoley

Well, it's really dependent on circumstances, but out on a "training" ride, I'll take the hardest route possible, just for the challenge. And 12% for a mile is tough, but not killer....for perspective, I looked at my Strava results for Mountains of Misery and the last 2.6 miles (so miles 99.2-101.7) averaged over 10%, and one of those miles averaged 12%.

iforgotmename

Is this a route you will repeat? If so I say mix it up...climbing makes you stronger so don't avoid it.

IBOHUNT

Training ride... Take choice 1 and repeat as many times as you can. Come back a week later and do it all over again.

IBOHUNT

That was a hoot wasn't it. Many folks were cross-training that last bit.

PhotoJoe 

Or if you're me, you ride as far up the 12% grade before you pass out. Regain consciousness and repeat.

I opted for option 2.

Black wallnut 

You worded the poll poorly. I read coming across a hill as to mean you have reached the top so which way do you descend. I think now you are asking which route I would take to go up. Up option 2 down option 1.

indyfabz

Certainly not No. 3. What gearing do I have? Am I carrying a load on my touring bike or riding my road bike? Which is more scenic? Am I in a hurry to get done? How many miles have I ridden? How many miles do I have left to go? What's the weather like? If I opt for No. 2 will I miss something I want to do see if I opted for No. 1, and vice versa?

TrojanHorse

Depends on if I'm looking for hills or not... but generally I'll head up the hill. Going down a 13% grade isn't as fun as it sounds though, I'd prefer a less nasty grade for descending (I've been up and down that example below several times)

Here's a fine example - the first part is sort of steep, the last half mile is stupid steep - I was seeing 13% on my garmin for most of it (don't believe the grade info on RWGPS, it never hit 22%). I *intentionally* put that particular road on my cue sheet when I'm riding through that area to get somewhere else.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3614246

IBOHUNT

Let me fix the subject line for you...

You come across your driveway...

TrojanHorse

My driveway is bad-ass I tell you!

WonderMonkey

I go for the biggest pain over the quickest time. I'm a "get it out of the way" kind of person.

Pamestique 

rather do short and steep then long and grindy... a hill is a hill and if there's a way to get it over sooner, that's my choice!

CommuteCommando

1, 2 or 3, depending on how I feel. Up until about 30 pounds ago It was usually #3 . One popular ride around here is Torrey Pines, and it has two options. Old State Route 1 is about 2 miles at 6-7%, or Older State Route 1 (which now goes through a state park) and is 1 mile at 8-9% and another mile at 3-4%. I usually do the "Outside" (6%), though do the "Inside" route more often lately.

MattFoley

If by "hoot" you mean "physical torment the likes of which I'll never subject myself to again", then yes....quite a hoot.

IBOHUNT

That was a fun 6 1/2 hours on the bike. What else you going to do on a long weekend eh?

Final climb was 6.4 miles at 6.4%... there went an hour

https://www.strava.com/segments/659554

look566 rider

Option two. I have never seen (on my bike) let alone tried to climb a 12% grade. I am a wimp when it comes to climbs.

Mithrandir

I was just curious. I'm planning to do some hill climbing now that my club has stopped riding for the season (I don't ride hills on club rides because then I'd just be riding alone, hours behind everyone else), and trying to figure out the best way to tackle some hills I've got my eye on.

I think what I've worked out in my mind is that it's better to do the shorter, higher grade path on the way up, and then take the longer shallower ride back down. Number one, wind becomes much less of a problem. Number two, the pain is over much quicker. Number three, no dangerous descents.

TrojanHorse

I doubt the pain will be over much more quickly but it depends on how fast you go up 12% grades and how that compares to 4%. They probably both have a place in your workout but I agree that going down the 4% will be more uh, pleasant.

PappaBear08

I'd rather take the long grind up a 3 mile 4% grade - as I am now! Back in my slimmer, fitter days (they did exist, honest!) I'd have gone for the 1 mile 12% for a relatively quick blast - as to why? well I think the longer grind would benefit my cardio better for maintaining a certain output although would be less fun than a quick blast up option 1!

jsigone

always take the hardest...even when legs are dead

mfowler95

Take the 1 mile route over the hill to the 9 mile route. At this point take the 9 mile route back to the start and then finish with the 3 mile road.

PhotoJoe 

jsigone is very humble. What he meant was