How steep is "steep?"
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 10
From: Cobourg Ontario Canada
Bikes: ParleeZ5/Parlee Chebacco/Trek Farley/Cannondale Slice/Burley Tandem
Either I'm the weakest guy on this forum or there are some super doper... I mean duper riders on here. I've had 21% on screen for about 100yards I couldn't imagine seeing it for a mile, good god I'd fall over from lack of breathing ability.
#28
moth -----> flame


Joined: Dec 2007
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 18 Tarmac SL6, 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Didn'cha just know this was going to turn into another p*ssing contest. OP, well done for conquering that climb. Next time you do it, it'll get a little easier and before long, like a moth to a flame, you'll be looking for longer more insane climbs.
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BF, in a nutshell
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#29
Yes, 18% is very steep.
Funny this should come up- I rode the whole of Potrero Rd. today (going east) and just about had a heart attack several times. It's described as averaging 9.7%, with max grades of 15%, but I saw 17-18% a few times on the Garmin. Then, I had to climb Westlake/Decker back to Mulholland. That hurt.
I realized, though, that the sole purpose for riding grades above 10-12% is to make the 7-8% grades feel easy.
Funny this should come up- I rode the whole of Potrero Rd. today (going east) and just about had a heart attack several times. It's described as averaging 9.7%, with max grades of 15%, but I saw 17-18% a few times on the Garmin. Then, I had to climb Westlake/Decker back to Mulholland. That hurt.

I realized, though, that the sole purpose for riding grades above 10-12% is to make the 7-8% grades feel easy.
#31
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 25
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From: sunny socal
Bikes: colnago super, bianchi campione
#33
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
Yes, 18% is very steep.
Funny this should come up- I rode the whole of Potrero Rd. today (going east) and just about had a heart attack several times. It's described as averaging 9.7%, with max grades of 15%, but I saw 17-18% a few times on the Garmin. Then, I had to climb Westlake/Decker back to Mulholland. That hurt.
I realized, though, that the sole purpose for riding grades above 10-12% is to make the 7-8% grades feel easy.
Funny this should come up- I rode the whole of Potrero Rd. today (going east) and just about had a heart attack several times. It's described as averaging 9.7%, with max grades of 15%, but I saw 17-18% a few times on the Garmin. Then, I had to climb Westlake/Decker back to Mulholland. That hurt.

I realized, though, that the sole purpose for riding grades above 10-12% is to make the 7-8% grades feel easy.

It's only decker from the Malibu side. Decker ends at the intersection with mulholland highway.
How did you end up all the way out to potrero? Did you go around pt mugu?
I guess that means you did potrero and old potrero... I assume you are talking about the top of the first one before it turns into Lynn.
I was on potrero today also, but it was just the old potrero part that drops you into hidden valley.
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 495
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From: Kent, WA
Bikes: 2005 S-Works SR Equipped,1978 Tom Ritchie Road bike, Kuwahara Tandem
I live on a 15% hill and when going down the hill on our tandem allows for impressive speeds. After a long ride back, it again allows us some impressive speeds going up the hill. We have stripped a freehub once. Either way, I agree with the other post, when the auto pause is on, it is steep.
#36
moth -----> flame


Joined: Dec 2007
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 18 Tarmac SL6, 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Lots of factors are at play here I think. Speed numbers by GPS can be erratic, but the reading on the way up *can* be more accurate. Depending upon whether you've got your Garmin set on smart recording or every second recording, you'll sample more data points at lower speed, so I tend to believe the uphill numbers more than the downhill, just because there should be a more accurate picture of the climb due to a larger number of datapoints.
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BF, in a nutshell
BF, in a nutshell
#37
#38
It's only decker from the Malibu side. Decker ends at the intersection with mulholland highway.
How did you end up all the way out to potrero? Did you go around pt mugu?
I guess that means you did potrero and old potrero... I assume you are talking about the top of the first one before it turns into Lynn.
I was on potrero today also, but it was just the old potrero part that drops you into hidden valley.
How did you end up all the way out to potrero? Did you go around pt mugu?
I guess that means you did potrero and old potrero... I assume you are talking about the top of the first one before it turns into Lynn.
I was on potrero today also, but it was just the old potrero part that drops you into hidden valley.
It was rough, but I was able to push through. I doubt I couldhave done that a year or so ago. It's nice to see progress, but for me, climbing always shows me where my limitations are. You, on the other hand, just seem to be getting stronger and stronger. Nice!
Maybe I should go read the "genetics" thread, but I suspect it'll just confirm what I already know...
#39
There's one stretch of street in Sea-town that makes the 705 read 30% grade, consistently, but it's only a few blocks long.
But to answer the question I usually end up looking down to check the grade when it gets somewhere around 10% it seems.
But to answer the question I usually end up looking down to check the grade when it gets somewhere around 10% it seems.
#40
Over the hill

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 24,602
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: Pinarello Nytro, Momentum Transend
My VDO has been misreading speed lately, with it either coming up really low or saying zero. That made descending Piuma look cool since it thought I was going 4 mph instead of 30+. That made the computer think I was on a 30+ grade!
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#42
Full Member

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
there are three hills leading up to my place (only way in). all three are 18% for a mile, then 14% for another 3/4 of a mile, so it doesn't matter which i choose...i'm still boned. that last climb is a big reason why I don't commute to work most of the time. I'm perfectly fine on everything else, but that stretch kills me even on 34/25.
#43
Time for a change.

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
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From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Neither of these two are steep- I do steeper on my local hills with ease but do either of these and I am toast.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
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#45
Peloton Shelter Dog
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 90,508
Likes: 32
From: Chester, NY
Bikes: 2017 Scott Foil, 2016 Scott Addict SL, 2018 Santa Cruz Blur CC MTB
I slapped on one of these. My secret weapon. 20% - no problem. 

Well done.






