Originally Posted by
Hermes
I think the double / triple threads are pretty funny. It is almost religion. I like the one going on in the road forum. There is a guy from NorCal who rides several 1/2 mile long 20% grades with his triple. Maybe you know more climbs than I do but the only survey confirmed 20% grade that I am aware of is the top of Mount Diablo which is only 200 meters. Even Sierra Road tops at 15%. Although, there are some grades in SF that are steeper but generally short.
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Yep, true dat, Rich. 1/2 mile @ 20% is pretty nasty... We (you & I) generally ride the same areas, so if the last bit to the upper lot @ Diablo is the 20% benchmark, the only comparable climbs that I can equate to that kind of grade would be places like Bohlman/On Orbit, parts of Redwood Gulch, parts of Hicks, parts of Metcalf, and a couple places like Welch Creek and Mix Canyon that I haven't ridden (yet). My criteria for steepness ranges from 1) am I falling over, yet? 2) is it time to tack? 3) am I going to see a previously eaten meal, again? 4) damn, 'forgot my cleat covers again! Fortunately I haven't done #4 in a while.
It's pretty rare for pros to rock a triple, although a few years back before compacts (which I thought were around from waaay long ago in the form of TA c-rings that could be set up in what are today's 50-36 or 50-34 combos) some of the guys racing the Vuelta went up the Angliru w/ triples? Spain's pretty hilly, so I would imagine if there was someplace to race a triple, that'd be a good place to start.
BD, what's middle GA like? Any 1/2 mile 20% grades for us to try out?