Originally Posted by
cyccommute
From my experiences in the Appalachias, 8% is a gentle grade. I have the lung power (and thicker blood) that comes from living at altitude but those eroded stubs of mountains back east taught me a valuable lesson in respect. They may be short but they are mean.
Yep, I live in the Pittsburgh area, an Eastern suburb, and on my 3 mile ride to shopping and other errands I encounter 10%, 15% and if I want, 18-22% grades. My wife went riding with me on her new bike, she is from Thailand and rode a lot there, I showed her how to shift into the small ring up front and the large one in the back, saying she would need it on the hills most likely, and she responded that she didn't like having to spin so much. A quarter of a mile from home she had shifted into the granny gear, and then got off and walked. She is 28 and I am 48. I rode to the top of each hill and waited for her.
The grades here are many and steep. Appalachia is like that all over. It is beautiful but brutal, especially with a load.
Google "The Dirty Dozen" in Pittsburgh for more examples.