Steep Inclines.......20 %

[j.nurse63]

if you can do 12% for 20 minutes, you can do 20% already, for shorter distances. keep climbing every day..
and what everyone else said.

maybe a very "newbie" question, but how do you guys determine the grade? Do the bike maps tell you? Curious...

[mimitabby]

I have a bike computer that figures the grade for me.
it's not so good on short grades though, because the meter is a bit slow.

There are also analog inclinometers, they are "faster" as they read instantly, being analog, but they are hard to keep leveled properly.

[j.nurse63]

thought that was the trick. my cyclometer is basic...all I need for now. thanks!

[mimitabby]

there IS software online too.
um, i've forgotten the name of it already. you can put in your route.
I'll try to track it down.

[mimitabby]

fooound it! VELOROUTES.org

[j.nurse63]

fooound it! VELOROUTES.org

THANK YOU!

[j.nurse63]

HA!!! I just mapped my typical 20 mile route...the max grade on the hill that I huff up was 8%!! And I sit...
Hmmmm....I have a lot of lung work to do! But, that said, the hill killed me weeks ago! We only get stronger, right!

[bperry86]

Today is the day I go pick up my bike. I don't know where, price range is between 150-250$ anyone have any ideas in portland where to find the right bike. I had a friend, who does not ride, tell me Wal Mart I did find that funny.
even though it's still winter in portland it's always fun to ride.

[divingbiker]

Thanks for the veloroutes website, Mimi! I just figured out that the hill at the end of my commute is 13% grade. I've been wondering about that for a long time.

[divingbiker]

Ok, I was playing with veloroutes some more and now it says the big hill at the end of my commute has a section that is 17%! No wonder it's so hard!

[clarson1178]

bperry86 walmart is the last place you should buy a bike let alone anything eles. i would try out craigslist-there seems to always be good used bikes on there each time i get on.

good luck and happy times ahead.

[joannofsonoma]

Just wanted to let eveyone know on TE that I road out and back the infamous "Coleman Valley Road" in Western Sonoma and made it !!! I was so STOKED!!!! Thank you to everyone who gave me tips as to how to attack a long steep incline!!!! A hill is a hill is a hill................although I have to say that my coach has had me doing grinders and personally I have been adding alot of hill work into my rides with DH....................A question........does DH mean "darling hubby"???? I hope so............that is how I used it. Anyway next week I have another steep long hill route called Sweetwater Springs. Sounds pretty but it has some nasty steep areas. Tomorrow thankfully is a 2 hour endurance day then a couple of strength building before next Friday and "THE RIDE".

[berkeley]

Wow! Good for you!

There's a hill around here at 20% and I was contemplating trying it today... but didn't.

[mimitabby]

DH = dear husband .. or whatever else you feel like calling him

[Bike Goddess]

Joan- Did you do BOTH sides of Coleman Valley?????????????????? (East to West and West to East.... OR ??)

That's one tough climb either way!