Daniel4

Then let's take a different approach. Can you walk or moderately jog up that incline? Take note of your cadence as you take steps. When you're on your bike shift into a high enough gear that gives you enough resistance and low enough so your legs can have the same cadence as a jog. You don't need your legs peddling at lightning speed.

AMusingFool

Cyclometer does track elevation, but I wouldn't terribly much trust it (I always begin and end rides in the same spot (give or take 20 yards), and it never gives me identical data for ascent and descent over a ride. Usually 1% or so more descent than ascent).

However, it can export to strava, whose elevation data I'd trust (since they get so much input from so many people). So, if you don't have a strava account, make one, do your ride, then look to see if there's a segment created there. If there isn't, you can make one, and it'll give you good data on elevation.

Not the simplest solution, but it should be quite accurate, as long as there are a significant number of people who ride over that spot.

dedhed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HU-sh9eui4

Machka 

Yes, you're probably right.

erig007

You can figure it out without the need of a 1 meter pole. You can make a pendulum on site. Just bring a small rope with you and attach it to your handlebar. Attach a weight to the other end of the rope (watch, shoe or sunglasses for instance) Check the angle from the rope before you start the incline and at the worst part of the incline. The angle should give you a rough estimate of what you're looking for. For the distance between the 2 measurements, number of footsteps or wheel revolutions.

Homebrew01

Follow Wilfred's advice. Be in the small chainring before the climb, but a harder rear cog, then shift as needed as the road gets steeper.