I would consider the entire ride ...or at least to the 32.5 mile mark. I calculate approx. 3K feet of climbing for the first 32.5 miles of the ride.

I think that's a moderate amount of climbing for that distance and elevation. If you were to sustain that profile for a century ride, then I would say it's a moderately difficult ride.

But that's not a very inclusive analysis. There are so many things that could make that ride very, very difficult. When you start adding things like cadence, wind, gearing, load, experience, health, age, (and so on) into the equation, you could come up with an entirely different profile of degree of difficulty.

especially down hill

mabee sum speling clases.

Many years ago we had a bike polo club, kinda fun!! I'm guessing it would be similar to hockey, without the body checks.

Yesterday, I climbed a hill that climbed 187 feet over a distance of 1135 feet. (187/1135)*100 = 16.47

The worst part was that on my initial descent, I got about half way down and the road was a deadend. Had to turn around and go back up and go another way.

The instantaneous grade in that program would be useful, if it were accurate. Sadly, it's not.

The only accurate way to measure grade over a short distance is to actually measure it in person with a gradiometer.

I always wonder if that's a maximum grade number - looking at a topographical map, that stretch of Fargo Road looks more like an average of about 22% - don't get me wrong, that's still really steep, and I haven't ridden it, but it looks like the elevation gain is about 155 feet in .15 miles.

JB

No.

So what is the vertical gain? It would be 250ft if it really was a 32% grade for the entire .15 mile. It just doesn't look like that on the map.

JB

Edit - Never mind - one of these days I'll learn to read a topo map. Looks like it's well ove 200 feet of vertical gain.

The 4% grade would probably not affect you over shorter distances, but if you're not used to climbing for 7 continuous miles, that's a different animal. Figure out how fast you would normally climb this grade over your normal climbs, subtract a little speed, and figure out how many minutes this is. Then decide if you're ready.

Shouldn't be that bad. You should try 6-Gap this year in Sept. I did it last year with a goal of finishing. Hogpen was killer. It rained about 80% of the day and this was still by far my favorite organized ride thus far. This year I have a goal of 7 hrs riding time. It's over 10,000' of climbing! (Ignore the Topo 5 climb elevation)

http://www.satillacycling.com/images/6_8x6.jpg

If Hogpen isn't bad enough for you, try this just a few miles down the road "Brasstown Bald". 14% avg for 3 miles! I road it during a 35 mile ride, close to the end. It's pretty rough. It's 20%+ in some places. I fell over on "The Wall" because I couldn't get my foot unclipped fast enough but I made it, lol. I can't say without weaving in several places though.

http://www.satillacycling.com/images/brasstown_l.jpg

If you do ride in this area, find "Craigs Gap". It's only a few miles and a few hundred feet of climbing, but the best example of some fine North Georgia scenery I have ever laid my eyes on.

http://www.satillacycling.com/images/tourdega/am/1.JPG

http://www.satillacycling.com/images/tourdega/am/2.JPG

http://www.satillacycling.com/images/tourdega/am/3.JPG

With the exception of anything over like 10%, climbs(and flats for that matter) are as hard as you make them. For example any cyclist in resonable shape can do a century but how fast depends on how hard you want to push, same for hills.

I can't help thinking how fortunate you are to have a long 4%'er to climb. Not too steep, good length, great views. Damn. Bet the traffic is light too.