Elevation Question

[Over50Newbie]

I am doing the Maine Lobster Ride and Roll next Saturday (July 26th). They have different routes that you can choose from and I have decided to go for the 50 mile route.

On their website, they state, "According to one regular Lobster Rider with a GPS unit, the 50-mile route has a little over 2,000 feet of climbing while the full 100-mile route has about 5,250 feet of climbing."

What exactly does this mean? Can you tell how hilly the route is by this statement? Does it mean that if I add up the elevation of all of the hills on the 50 mile route that they total 2,000 feet? Or do you subtract the lowest point of the ride from the highest point on the ride and that gives you 2,000 feet?

Is a little over 2000 feet of climbing a lot over 50 miles?

I'm definitely clueless... any help is appreciated.

Lynette

[maillotpois]

it means if you add up all of the hills on the course, the cumulative elevation gain is 2000 feet.

2000 feet in 50 miles is very mild climbing.

have fun!!

[Blueberry]

Usually, it's the total elevation gain over the ride. So, you go up - and it adds to the number. You go down, it doesn't subtract. For 50 miles, I'd say that's middle of the road.

CA

[HillSlugger]

For myself I consider any ride that averages 40-50 feet of climbing/mile to be mildly challenging, anything over 50 to be challenging. Your ride is 40ft/mi. That falls into my mildy challenging range. YMMV.

[SadieKate]

Yeah, but if it's a GPS-only unit that measured the climbing, rather than a barometric altimeter measurement, the numbers are high. I think MDHillSlug's ft per mile comparison is a good guideline.

[Over50Newbie]

Thanks so much ladies!!

It makes more sense now. I promise I will get back to you after the ride and let you know how it went.

I like the idea of "mildly challenging."

And I'm planning on having a blast, hilly or not!

Lynette

[Over50Newbie]

50 miles done! A really beautiful ride. I would highly recommend it.

And it wasn't too hilly. Mildly challenging was a good description. Lots of hills, but none of them "killer hills."

Now I will have a better idea of figuring out climbing grades for future rides.

Thanks again,

Lynette