Originally Posted by
I_Like_Bike
Okay, at the bottom of the steep section the time is 1:18:23, elevation is 851ft, distance is 21.22 miles
and at the top of the steep section the time is 1:19:39, elevation is 975ft, distance is 21.46 miles
Now I said already that I am going down hill before hand and start the hill at 34 MPH.
I used a calculator and it says the grade is 14.5687645687645%. Using a smaller portion of the hill it list it as 15.15%. So, in conclusion I didn't say that it averaged 27% I said that my Garmin listed it as 27% when I quickly glanced down at it (it is hard to watch as you go up a hill that steep) and I now know that it is more like 14.5% average in the section I am talking about. Please forgive my naiveness umd.
Now, I guess for about .01 of a mile it could be 27% or Garmin is trying to boost my confidence artificially, either way I was wrong.
It is still the steepest hill that I have ever ridden a bike over.
I wouldn't take this discussion too personal. I think we've all done the same thing, at some time. We get fascibnated by the dancin numbers. And if, just for an instant, we see godlike performance, it make the hurt seem worthwhile.
These GPS units in particular have real-life issues in what they report.
And
given some fairly tough gradient its inevitable that there are very small sections which might have crazy numbers, often its the inside of a switchback. But even a slow momentum will carry most of us through it.
umd is just focusing us on what is likely happening.
Ultimately the numbers really don't mean anything. If its hard, its hard. Brasstown Bald, whatever.
If we're trying to 'measure' personal progress, then bottom to top time for something you climb somewhat frequently, can tell you that.
Its easy to overstate, we've ALL done it. For what purpose? Interweb fame?
Reality is, when any of us rides with others, and there's a competitive edge to it, it's not about numbers, its first to the top.
WE'd all like to throw 'The Look' and then motor off... reality usually not that obliging.
It's actually easy to do a climb, and a lot more fun, if you forget the numbers and get your head around the hill. Cycling and especially climbing are way too much fun to let it get mired in numbers. And as much as I can enjoy a good climb, all my most favorite climbs also happen to give some rippin descents. Yin Yang.
...sittin here and watchin Stage 9 of the Vuelta with 5 rated climbs...