30% Plus climb

This topic has 18 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 3 months ago by Steve O.

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July 27, 2016 at 6:18 pm #918438

Mario20136
Participant

Hi,

I’m looking for a hill(s) that is at least ½ mile or greater long with a gradient of 30% or more climb. Are there places within a 25 mile radius of Fairfax?

No, I’m not riding the TDF, but want to find out from veterans from this group if such places or hills exist.

Thank you.

July 27, 2016 at 6:25 pm #1055719

Tim Kelley
Participant

@Mario20136 143587 wrote:

Hi,

I’m looking for a hill(s) that is at least ½ mile or greater long with a gradient of 30% or more climb. Are there places within a 25 mile radius of Fairfax?

No, I’m not riding the TDF, but want to find out from veterans from this group if such places or hills exist.

Thank you.

30%? Not likely. And half a mile at 30%, you’d be walking after the first minute or so if you can even manage that far. (here’s the math: http://www.wired.com/2013/03/whats-the-steepest-gradient-for-a-road-bike/)

If you want long, sharp, sustained climbs near Fairfax, check out the Bull Run Mountain Estates:

https://www.strava.com/segments/1411407

https://www.strava.com/segments/4994269

If you are up for traveling a bit further, check out Vesuvius and Wintergreen:

https://www.strava.com/segments/11952916

https://www.strava.com/segments/4010559

July 27, 2016 at 7:57 pm #1055732

jabberwocky
Participant

30% grade for any length more than a few dozen yards would be among the steepest roads in the country (possibly the world). The steepest road in the US (Canton Ave in Pittsburg) hits 35% or so but only for a few yards.

EDIT: And we can say for certain that there is no place within 25 miles of Fairfax with that sort of hill, just because half a mile (2,640 feet) at 30% is about an 800 foot gain. There isn’t anywhere near DC with that kind of elevation gain. I don’t think there’s even any land over 800 ft above sea level until you get the first mountains of the Appalachian range at the west edge of Loudoun.

July 27, 2016 at 10:07 pm #1055748

Raymo853
Participant

There may also be some confusion to what is 30%.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_%28slope%29?wprov=sfla1

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

July 28, 2016 at 12:24 am #1055750

LeprosyStudyGroup
Participant

Forget 30%.

Anybody here who can go up and down the 14% Glencaryln Wall 5 times in a row without taking a breather has rights to demand a beer/coffee from me at any of our get-togethers .

July 28, 2016 at 3:54 pm #1055772

Mario20136
Participant

Thank you for all for responding. I’m actually preparing for an upcoming race later this year and anticipate some of the climbs will have gradients ranging from 8, 17, 21, and possibly 30%. I have ridden the Catoctin Mountain, the foot hills of Western PA, and the Shenandoah Valley region; but from my personal experience the climbs were gradual and steady. I will make a special trip to Pittsburg to get a feel of the 30% climb. In the meantime, I will check out the Appalachian range West edge of Loudoun County.

@jabberwocky 143606 wrote:

30% grade for any length more than a few dozen yards would be among the steepest roads in the country (possibly the world). The steepest road in the US (Canton Ave in Pittsburg) hits 35% or so but only for a few yards.

EDIT: And we can say for certain that there is no place within 25 miles of Fairfax with that sort of hill, just because half a mile (2,640 feet) at 30% is about an 800 foot gain. There isn’t anywhere near DC with that kind of elevation gain. I don’t think there’s even any land over 800 ft above sea level until you get the first mountains of the Appalachian range at the west edge of Loudoun.

July 29, 2016 at 12:38 am #1055783

sethpo
Participant

There’s a road out of Fredrick that I rode once that hit 31%. It may not be as long as you are looking for but it sure felt like it at the time

Jackson Mt Rd.

https://www.strava.com/activities/193966837/segments/4560989305

July 29, 2016 at 5:18 pm #1055800

Mario20136
Participant

Hi –

What was your gearing like and the ratio when you climbed the 31% ascent.

-M

@sethpo 143661 wrote:

There’s a road out of Fredrick that I rode once that hit 31%. It may not be as long as you are looking for but it sure felt like it at the time

Jackson Mt Rd.

https://www.strava.com/activities/193966837/segments/4560989305

August 24, 2016 at 5:22 pm #1057928

Boo Boo
Participant

Canton Avenue:

It’s a brutal grade, but the cobbles/grass are what pushes it over the top. I found once I got my balance right, the grade itself was doable. But the back tire skidding out on the grass made me unable to complete it (I made it ~2/3 of the way on my best attempt).

I do want to go back. It’s an awesome challenge. And there are plenty of other great hills nearby to hit as well. I might try it in the late fall, though, when the grass won’t be as much of an issue.

August 24, 2016 at 5:53 pm #1057931

bentbike33
Participant

@Boo Boo 144823 wrote:

Canton Avenue:

But the back tire skidding out on the grass made me unable to complete it (I made it ~2/3 of the way on my best attempt).

I wonder if a studded rear tire would help?

August 24, 2016 at 9:40 pm #1057943

dkel
Participant

@bentbike33 144826 wrote:

I wonder if a studded rear tire would help?

Having ridden studs, my impression is that they are fantastically effective on ice, and anywhere from useless to a true hindrance on any other surface!

August 24, 2016 at 9:45 pm #1057945

KWL
Participant

@bentbike33 144826 wrote:

I wonder if a studded rear tire would help?

Maybe a Fatbike running 7psi?

August 24, 2016 at 10:12 pm #1057946

dkel
Participant

@KWL 144842 wrote:

Maybe a Fatbike running 7psi?

I’ve never ridden a fat bike (much to my dismay), but I understand it’s a lot of work pushing those massive tires. Would the grade make the task too awful or difficult?

August 24, 2016 at 10:50 pm #1057947

sethpo
Participant

@Mario20136 143682 wrote:

Hi –

What was your gearing like and the ratio when you climbed the 31% ascent.

-M

I was riding a road bike w/ standard compact 50/34 up front and 11-28 in the rear.

August 25, 2016 at 12:20 am #1057949

Boo Boo
Participant

@KWL 144842 wrote:

Maybe a Fatbike running 7psi?

I’ve ridden a fattie a few times – would definitely do the job for Canton Ave.
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