Originally Posted by
banerjek
This would be my concern. I used to make it a point to downshift anytime my cadence dipped below 100. However, climbing up some inclines (we're talking miles, not just a few hundred yards) with a cadence of 90 even in your lowest gear just isn't sustainable unless you are really strong.
This is a decent pace, but 340 feet in a mile is nothing -- that's just a little over 6%. There are grades much greater than that that go for miles. Your favorite climb will only take a few minutes, and maintaining that kind of output for hours or all day is another problem entirely.
I realize that a mile is not long. I work with what I have. There just aren't many longer grades here than that. If they are longer, then they are not as steep, and those are boring. There are some that are shorter and 300 feet or so, but I can just go up a little, then stand up and power over. I have no doubt that a longer, steep climb would put a hurt on me. There just aren't any here.