Let’s Talk About Percent Grade and Climbs

Rented a bike from Daryll in Grenada in mid January 2013 for 10 days. Great way to see the island at bike speed. As Daryll says there are lots of hills to climb and descend in his paradise. The drivers are suprisingly generous to the few cyclists out there considering they careen around on their roads. Great service from Daryll. The bike was new and in great shape. Thanks. See you next time.

As for climbs at home in Canada, the one that comes to mind is in the Laurentians outside Weir, Quebec that I often ride. It’s an average 14%er for 800 meters and goes up to 20% (that’s the point at which I don’t look up at the road or it could defeat me). My cycling buddies call it “the bastard” as it comes often at the end of a 2 to 3 hour hilly ride. Personally I like the uphills better than the downhills. They concentrate your mind in a way that pushes everything else out.
Now back in Canada and looking forward to some spring riding
Bill

Nasty driveway I have to go back up a hill pretty much no matter which way I go. Shorter and low 20′s, medium in the 16% range or longer at about 12%. Tough to finish a long ride that way but you will be better for it in the end

Here in the Finger Lakes we have some truly brutal climbing. Average slopes of 15-20 % if you want them, and rather long, especially for mere hills. To get an idea, US Route 20 runs through my area, and has the most elevation loss and gain on that popular cross country by bike route of anywhere east of the rocky mtns. I regularly go on long routes that incorporate climb after climb after climb. I can also do a quick and difficult hill loop within a couple of miles of Marcellus, my little village. The roads are all impeccable, and empty too! My top speed without trying very hard is 60 mph.

I’ve never climbed anything over 18%, but I did climb a hill that was over 3 miles with an average of 10%. That was enough for me.

That’s real steep. The biggest hill I’ve ever climbed is 18% and it almost killed me.