markwebb

Is a 400 foot climb over less than a mile a challenging climb? On this hill I don't think it's a steady rise - there are 2 or 3 switchbacks at the start that are a lot steeper than the top sections. How difficult should this be - and what would the average " % grade" be if it was a steady climb?

my58vw

Average grade = Approx 7.5%

How hard difficult - Depends on how well you climb hills, I have several simular hills in the area (6 - 8 percent for 1 - 1.5 miles) and they get your attention and can be hard. The switchbacks are always fun but they only way to answer this question is to ride it.

BTW I hill interval train on the type of hill you discribe. About the 4th time up you really start feeling it

climbo

over less than a mile? how much less, that makes the grade calc very different. If it is around 8%, that's fairly average for a good rider, not a very long climb, not unusually steep but it will give you a good workout. How hard it is depends on how fit you are.

markwebb

Yes - it's the switchbacks that get me. They are about twice the grade of the other stretches of the climb.

'nother

Yeah, % grade is not always the best indicator of difficulty, especially when the actual pitch varies over the climb. You also have to consider exposure (to the sun/elements and/or other hazards like 1500' dropoffs or heavy auto traffic), what preceded the climb (is it at the beginning, middle, or end of the route?), and other factors.

my58vw has it though: you'll really have to ride it (or tell us the name/location of it, maybe someone has specific info) in order to know for sure! Good luck.

my58vw

I can remember when the "little" climb that I do for interval training was so hard that I could barily go over it in the granny gear... now I can "fly" up it at 12 - 13 MPH.

Read the How steep is steep... with pics thread, that is my talking about a 14 percent lip that I had trouble with... it is all about the motor.

TheKillerPenguin

That shouldn't be too hard at all. If the switchbacks concern you, just try to stick to the outside of them and you'll be fine.

Dutchy

It depends on how often a person rides in the hills. For me it wouldn't be a challenge but for others it could be almost impossible. It's all relative to where you ride.

I find anything that is 10% or more and longer than a mile to be a challenge.

CHEERS.

Mark

jeff800

Well if it goes up 1 foot in 4,881 feet then rises 399 feet in the last 399 feet it could be very difficult.