Diablo Ride - Sat. Dec. 8

[Bike Goddess]

You can tell I don't know much about gradients! 11% when I think about it seems a bit high since the last pitch is (I understand) 17%. So my thinking is the program I saw at REI the other day didn't calculate the straight areas and the slight inclines very well. It pretty much skipped that part which, as I see now, would make the climb much less steep.

Tomorrow we'll see what the average is for the S Side to the Junction.

[jobob]

I got 5% average for the south side, from the Hole in the Wall to the Junction

[SadieKate]

Way easier! Why even bother?

Let's do repeats up Pilot Butt instead.

[maillotpois]

I was thinking about this more.

Alpe d'Huez is 11% average, I believe. (They do their roads differently, so the switchbacks are dead flat and the part in between is scary steep, but I digress.) Anyway, when I rode that back in 2003, I remember thinking it was the hardest ride I had ever done, after the 2002 Death Ride.

So 11% is pretty scary steep average.

[jobob]

Pilot Butte averages out to about 9%.

Happily, it's only about a mile long.
But you're almost 4000 ft above sea level.

Do a few repeats of that and you'll be tres studly, SK !

----

This gradient tabulating thing is fun, in a geeky sort of way.

I'll see if I can dig up the gradient data for Sierra Road - I think I managed to do the entire climb once or twice. Don't know if I saved it, tho.

Welch Creek, however, ain't happening.
V, I'd be glad to lend you my computer and you can slog up it as a Public Service.

[SadieKate]

Do a few repeats of that and you'll be tres studly, SK !

Or just ride it without your bottom 3 gears and on knobby tires.

[Veronica]

I'll look at my data on Welch Creek when I get home and report back.

V.