Originally Posted by
on the path
How far from your door to decent climbing? In other words, if you get on your bike at home how many miles do you have to ride to get to steeper and/or extended climbing?
It's pretty flat in my immediate vicinity. If I ride 10 miles to the west there is a 7 mile climb. That one has grades up to 7 and 8% and levels off and goes down few times. It's not a steady climb. I can go south about 15 miles and hit a much tougher climb. That one is about 4 miles and hits 14% grade several times and even 17% at one point (measured by my Garmin.) That one doesn't let up much. After reaching these 2 there is more climbing to do in the respective areas.
On one hand, I can get a nice 10-15 mile warmup before the real fun begins. On the other hand, if I want to get a decent amount of vertical feet in, I'm out for a minimum of 2 1/2 hours. Also, it makes it impossible, for all practical purposes, to climb squares from home. That's what I'm dealing with. Whatcha all got?
Upstate NY is a huge area. In my neighborhood I live at 200 FT above sea level. At 7 miles away, I can be 600 ft, 10 miles 850 ft with lots of little 1/2 mile climbs at 7-15%. Slightly southwest, at 11 miles I can start a climb at about 600 ft and reach 1900 ft within 5K, including several portions in the 15-18% grade. At the same spot, get a 5 mile climb to about 1200 ft. Both of these have additional routes with the added hills. Can keep going into southern Albany County, Green County and Schoharie County, within 25 miles and have all sorts of good options.