Elevation question?

[SadieKate]

Build yourself a little spreadsheet. Enter the distance in miles and the elevation gain for each segment.
I am SUCH a nerd! :rolleyes

What you didn't make a full spreadsheet already? I am SOOO disappointed. We may have to take a group vote tonight about your membership.

SK

Natheless - I've done this for other rides myself, like the Tour de Tahoe.

[Adventure Girl]

What you didn't make a full spreadsheet already? I am SOOO disappointed. We may have to take a group vote tonight about your membership.

uh.... actually, I did. And I bet you knew that I did! My membership status is safe.

[SadieKate]

Ah ha! Just didn't want to 'fess up! Yep, you can maintain your cool nerd status (and PC#1 and . . . )

[natheless]

Sorry you went through that much trouble - I could have sent you mine

Someday, I will look at these sorts of cue sheets and have an actual picture of the difficulty involved... I look forward to that day!

Until then, there is math.

[SadieKate]

Until then, there is math.

You get my vote to join the nerd society. Safety in numbers.

[Adventure Girl]

Until then, there is math.

Be aware that you are calculating the AVERAGE grade of each segment (or the entire ride). And a low average grade does not necessarily mean that there is no climbing.

Example:
1 mile ride with 10 feet of elevation gain.
Distance in feet is 5,280.
Start at sea level. End at 20 feet above sea level.
Elevation gain is 20 feet.
20 feet / 5,280 feet = 3.8% grade.

But that 1 mile segment could have a half mile climb of 15% (ouch), then a big descent. The average elevation gain of the segment would still be 3.8% grade.