Hill Climbing - how to measure

[Kizibu]

Can I ask how you measure hill climbs? Both how you actually measure them and in what units?

I see references on here to feet - but I'm using the OS Explorer 4cm to 1km which gives heights in meters... and the contours are pretty tricky and small for old eyes to interpret. How does anyone else work out how much they climb?

I'm working up a database of all the high points on my various rides so I can work out total climb for any given route. Is there an easier way to do this kind of thing?

I'm new to cycling - and learning a lot. I naturally work in imperial measures (inches, feet, yards, miles etc). But am wondering if from the outset I should be working in metric. Does it matter?

 

[HLaB]

I refer to the max or average % of the climb but other people also refer to the, max gradient 1 in X or max climb (in both feet or metres), etc.
I use a gps to get a record of my climbs although you could do it cheaper (for free infact) and easily with something like www.bikely.com or www.bikehike.co.uk .

 

[jimboalee]

Measure it in kiloJoules.

 

[fossyant]

Use some of the on-line mapping programmes like mapmyride etc they all tell you the climbing on your mapped route.

 

[marinyork]

I use on-line mapping progs, google earth and my GPS to measure the climbs. Much easier to do than OS maps. Although I have used OS maps when out on long rides and not on a planned route. I measure because I do like to tackle hills for training, I have found that in terms of heart rate and speed hills seem to be the best way to improve my all round cycling.

I just use feet. I find 400ft+ climbs a lot harder than those under so pay attention to what I'm likely to encounter. I'm not so bothered about the gradient, but it does matter. If something has a double chevron or is over 12% I am likely to have problems but these are a bit rarer.

 

[The Jogger]

This is good, I just signed up and put todays route in, remember I'm new to all this. It was close to what my garmin said for elevation, City Chichester route Singleton East Dean Loop. on www.bikey.com
Cheers
Roy

 

[leveret]

Use some of the on-line mapping programmes like mapmyride etc they all tell you the climbing on your mapped route.

Yeh, mapmyride and mapmyrun.com. Spent many post cycle warm downs tracing my tracks on here. Great!!

 

[a_n_t]

If something has a double chevron

I'm there!

 

[Fab Foodie]

If I'm sinking my teeth into the bar-tape then I reckon it's a serious climb...

 

[elvisparsley]

I'm there!

Don't I know it! If I'm guessing right I have experience of your double chevron obsession a couple of weeks ago on the Holme Moss route! You know how to spot hills alright....

 

[a_n_t]

I have experience of your double chevron obsession a couple of weeks ago

yeah, that was me! that Gorsey brow is a bit of a brute eh? Well done for getting up it!

Looking like a cold one tomorrow.

 

[elvisparsley]

It really does- tomorrow I'm taking the missus on her first proper ride on her new road bike. Do you think Gorsey Brow is a bit cruel for your first hill?!!! I'll be back with the Wheelers again next weekend again hopefully

 

[a_n_t]

Do you think Gorsey Brow is a bit cruel for your first hill?!!!

nah! If she makes it up there nothing else round here should pose a problem!

I believe the ride today got cancelled. I did about 2 miles and came home, too cold, icey and foggy!

 

[jimboalee]

Weigh yourself and the bike etc, in kg.

Check the map or Nav software to count the metres climbed.

Multiply kg x g ( 9.81 ) = Newtons (N)

Multiply N x metres climbed = Joules.

Therefore, the heavier you are,,,, the MORE points you score !!

 

[Kizibu]

Thanks

Many thanks for all this excellent infor. Tried mapmyride and seems brilliant. Kilojoules next - once I've set up a spreadsheet to work them out for me.