Question about average speeds

[Eden]

OK, this is truly a stupid question. But what is the steepest grade road a person can actually ride?

There is a street in Pittsburgh called Canton Ave. that's been unofficially measured at 37% There is a race there called the "Dirty Dozen", which is 12 hill climbs (climb hill get a time, ride to the next hill, climb hill, etc. etc.) and Canton is on the route. There is some tounge and cheek rhetoric about the race not continuing until all riders make it to the top of Canton Ave.(judges reserve the right to go temporarily blind....), but at very least the winner always does - so I guess you can do 37% if you are fit enough! There is a hill around here that comes in at 26% - the last time I tried that one I was lifting my front wheel off of the ground and had to get off. Sometime I need to get out and try that one again with my new bike.

[Trekhawk]

There is a street in Pittsburgh called Canton Ave. that's been unofficially measured at 37% There is a race there called the "Dirty Dozen", which is 12 hill climbs (climb hill get a time, ride to the next hill, climb hill, etc. etc.) and Canton is on the route. There is some tounge and cheek rhetoric about the race not continuing until all riders make it to the top of Canton Ave.(judges reserve the right to go temporarily blind....), but at very least the winner always does - so I guess you can do 37% if you are fit enough! There is a hill around here that comes in at 26% - the last time I tried that one I was lifting my front wheel off of the ground and had to get off. Sometime I need to get out and try that one again with my new bike.

YIKES The one time my front wheel came off the ground on my road bike it scared the hell out of me. Ive decided when that happens its way too steep for this rider

[AllezGirl]

Hey, I know that one! Haven't been brave enough to ride it yet, but it is one of my long term goals... A friend of mine (Danny Chew), is one of the organizers and I don't think he's going to let me off the hook.

It's actually a baker's dozen (13 hills) including Canton Ave, which is really 36-37%! It's pretty cool. You can check his website www.dannychew.com for more details and pics. I think there are some videos form this years ride on youtube too.

sorry for the drift....

[Eden]

I grew up in Pittsburgh, but the race started long after I moved away...

in fact I used to think I was pretty alone out there - hardly ever saw other cyclists, but it seems like a pretty hopping scene these days - even weekday races down where they used to do the drivers tests down near the zoo

[AllezGirl]

Well, if you ever want to come back and ride it let me know.

I'll come out to cheer you on

[Batbike]

I grew up in Pittsburgh, but the race started long after I moved away...

in fact I used to think I was pretty alone out there - hardly ever saw other cyclists, but it seems like a pretty hopping scene these days - even weekday races down where they used to do the drivers tests down near the zoo

I grew up in Pittsburgh too! I was only 13 when I moved away, but I still remember riding my pink 10spd JC Penney bicycle all through the hills of Pittsburgh! Of course, NEVER went downtown and on Canton St. -- WHAT A HILL ... I can't even imagine TRYING to ride up it, let alone actually doing it!!! The grade itself makes it almost straight-up, then back before 2005or 2006, the road was cobblestone ... the whole idea of riding a bike up that hill makes my mind boggle!

[Eden]

boy its been a while (I guess I didn't quite move away before the dirty dozen started (left in '90), but seems like it was more just a small group of friends before the late 90's) My favorite ride was from my house in Carrick all of the way out to around Cheswick and back. I aways had S. 18th street to look forward to on my way home as my big climb.

[AllezGirl]

It's still cobblestone...at least as of November 06.

[Batbike]

WOW! still cobblestone ... obsolutely AMAZING that there are cyclist who can climb a 37% grade cobblestone road!!! I am in total AWE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trekhawk]

Hey, I know that one! Haven't been brave enough to ride it yet, but it is one of my long term goals... A friend of mine (Danny Chew), is one of the organizers and I don't think he's going to let me off the hook.

It's actually a baker's dozen (13 hills) including Canton Ave, which is really 36-37%! It's pretty cool. You can check his website www.dannychew.com for more details and pics. I think there are some videos form this years ride on youtube too.

sorry for the drift....

Yikes I just checked out the site and they have a pic of a couple walking up Canton with snow on it. That is just scary steep.

[AllezGirl]

I live in Philly...which has turned into a very cycling friendly city. Even having a Bike Philly event this year, modeled after the Five Boroughs tour...

I haven't ridden in Pittsburgh, but I know a boatload of cyclists from that area. Most are racers, and very strong hill climbers, go figure