Hills hills and more hills

Yes, me again, talking about the hills in my hometown. I've posted a few times with still shots of the 'dirty dozen' bike race in Pittsburgh. But this time it is with a TV show about it. The local PBS station aired an approximately 25 minute documentary that someone made about the race last night, and you can watch it online. Man, I would love to one day be a strong enough rider to even think of attempting this. :)

http://www.wqed.org/tv/its-pittsburgh/watch/

(that link will only be correct until the next episode of it's pittsburgh airs, I would imagine. just to forewarn anyone that sees this thread much later.)

That's awesome! I've seen seen footage before from the ride at Canton Hill, but I've never seen anything on the entire ride. We have some steep hills in southern Indiana, but I'm not aware of anything that's in the 30% percent range. It makes me kind of sick to my stomach to even think about.

OMG; I just read an interest bit of trivia on the ride's website. Danny Chew rode up Canton Hill 66 times in one day using a 42x24 gear. Ouch. Just ouch.

I sent the link from your earlier post about that to my former roommate from Pittsburgh. Her reaction: :eek: "What the heck is wrong with these people?! Why would you ride on some of those roads? I wouldn't drive on them!"

I'm inclined to agree...ouch!

6000 feet of gain in 61 miles. WOOHOO!
one hill has a 37% grade!!

I've got to go back and do that some day....

omg. That's all.

And I thought 23% grade hills were steep :eek:
I don't even want to think about a 37% grade hill!

6,000ft of elevation gain in 61 miles!? Wow. The Hilly Hundred this year was I think just over 5,000ft gain in the first day / first 50 miles and that was already more than enough! Just wow.

My legs were burning just watching that!

I will say that it looked like a really good group of people. I loved that they all pretty much stayed together (or regrouped for photos!). Looks fun and dreadful, all rolled into one. :eek:

I never realized this was going on for 28 years! I don't know if anyone has ever done a documentary like this on it before. I'm so glad the guy did. Very well done, I thought. I laugh at some of the hills that they ride on that aren't part of the "HILLS", but just part of the path from one hill to another. :)

The one where they had to go back to get the film, and they show the riders at the top of Boustead and Broadway - well Broadway was where I lived with my Mum and one sibling after my Dad died. So fun to see a bit of home!

We went for a hike this afternoon in central Florida.

The trail guide had me rolling on the ground. Among other things, it had the grade and cross slope of the trail. There was a 30% grade! (to the top of a mound two feet high) Of the two-mile trail, 44 feet of it had a grade between 5 and 11%! (I think that's + or -) :D :p

Great video...thanks for posting!

Nice!!!
That looks like one fun ride!
Makes me want to come visit... :D

Wow, what a challenge!! Not sure I could do them all in one day but it sure would be fun to try.

not sure I could do all of them EVER...!!!!!

That was an awesome video to watch. I think I began feeling light headed towards the end.

I have a ride called the Bloomin Metric in CT coming up in the beginning of May. I rode it years ago not knowing what to expect and although struggled on some hills, nothering compared to these I did ok. I think it was better not knowing what the hills were like. I gave it another try a few years ago and my chain dropped on a steep hill, fell over and hurt my ankle and could not complete the ride. As of now I get a stomach ache every time I think of the Bloomin Metric coming up. My biggest fear is running out of gears and falling over. Since I rode already, I am sure it is mind over matter.

Anyway... thank you for posting the video as it was really really fun and good.

I was born in Pittsburgh at Allegheny General Hospital on the North Side and grew up in the little town of Sharpsburg on the Allegheny River. And believe me Pittsburgh and it's surrounding area is indeed a very hilly town! The ride was like a trip down memory lane. I knew every town they went through and was familiar with all of the hills they climbed.

In the early 70s when I was in my early 20s I remember a bike ride I did. Leaving my house in Sharpsburg, going through Etna, then through Glenshaw heading towards North Park. It was a long fun day. I doubt I could do it today. Thanks for the link. Enjoyed the video and seeing my old hometown. :)

GO STEELERS! :D

Great video! I really enjoyed it and am so glad you posted it.........

Now I feel like I need to do a recovery drink:eek:

All I could do was feel the pain.
I have a couple of hills with 18% grades for a short bit. I can do those. Once it gets in the twenties, well, only twice have I been forced to walk. I actually think I could do one of the ones I walked, but the other... it was at least a mile of 18-25% grades, followed by a flat and then another 10-15% grade. I walked the 18-25% part, or at least part of it and did the second part of the hill. I could barely finish the rest of the 15 mile ride. I am used to steepish grades, but they are usually short.