Starting Up that Steep Hill

[OakLeaf]

Even standing?

[Skippyak]

What is the actual grade? I Never stand and I am always happy to use my lowest gear in any hill (compact front, 12-28 back). I think steep for me is about 16% plus though, that might be lame, I dunno. The canyon here with a 22% is just not on my wish list, but I can climb all day on more reasonable grades.

[rebeccaC]

What is the actual grade? I Never stand and I am always happy to use my lowest gear in any hill (compact front, 12-28 back). I think steep for me is about 16% plus though, that might be lame, I dunno. The canyon here with a 22% is just not on my wish list, but I can climb all day on more reasonable grades.

16% isn't lame for me I do steeper short sections in the Santa Monica mountains though. I'll come off the saddle to crest a really steep climb or 20%+ short sections but most likely I'll stay seated, use my gears and conserve my energy as much as possible for a long steep climb.

[OakLeaf]

What is the actual grade? I Never stand and I am always happy to use my lowest gear in any hill (compact front, 12-28 back). I think steep for me is about 16% plus though, that might be lame, I dunno. The canyon here with a 22% is just not on my wish list, but I can climb all day on more reasonable grades.

The numbers she quoted say 11% overall, and over 6/100s of a mile, it's unlikely to have much steeper segments. I would normally spin up 11% too, from a riding start (not, for example, from changing a flat or dropping a chain in the middle of an 11% grade) and I have the combination of leg strength and low gears to do it. But, since the OP isn't able to get over the hump that way ... and since she's already out of the saddle for the stop sign ... and since the bump is apparently very short (though she didn't confirm that impression) - I still say the best way over is just not to get back in the saddle once she's across the cross street. Use body weight for that extra assist, it isn't long enough to run out of lung, and eventually she'll develop confidence and the leg strength to spin up it if that's her preferred way to climb.

[kajero]

Whew. Now I have to figure out how to stand. I am so scared of losing my balance!
It isn't that I really want to ride up the hill that much, it's just the another way to enter a trail I like to ride. There are two other entrances that are hilly but not as steep.
It's also the only hill I haven't been able to climb within 3 miles of my house! But maybe I am not meant to climb all the hills in my neighborhood.

[ny biker]

What kind of bike are you riding and are your feet attached to the pedals (with cleats, toe clips, etc)?

[kajero]

Feet are not attached to the pedals. I am leaning toward toe clips.
2012 Specialized Ruby Elite size 44. No modifications have been to the original bike.

[Cyclingfun]

I've recently been persuaded to stay cleated when going up every hill, and have learnt (I think!) how to uncleat and get off at the last moment if my energy runs out before the top. Learning how to sit down and spin smoothly (i.e. pulling up efficiently so I'm pedalling in circles), however slowly, has been like a light-switch coming on. I'm not speedy up hills, but I just don't want to have to get off and push, unless I have to.
The other matter, about the road junction at the start of the climb... If I don't feel I've the technical skill yet to handle such a junction, I get off and walk across it and start from the other side, a few yards beyond the junction so cars coming round the corner get a good sight of me and have time to take avoiding action if I'm wobbling. Am I a bit of a coward? Maybe, but it stops me having any anxiety.
I've got a couple of local hills that used to get me off the bike... but it now gives me pleasure to see how much easier they feel, thanks to increased fitness and better technique (plus changing to a 30t on the Ruby & 34t on the Genesis!) Good luck! x

[OakLeaf]

Whew. Now I have to figure out how to stand. I am so scared of losing my balance!

From a dead stop is the easiest way, because you're already doing it! You just don't sit back down once you've got the momentum.

Nybiker is right, you do NOT need clips or cleats, but you DO need secure contact. No slippery shoes, no sandals that might pull off your feet. I stand to climb bridges, in street shoes on the OEM cheap flat pedals on my hybrid all the time.