How Steep Is "Steep"?
- Thread starter classic33
- Start date
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hoopdriver
Guru
- Location
- East Sussex
That’s 108 feet of elevation gain by the look of it - but over what distance? There’s no scale. If it is 432 feet that would be an average gradient if 25% and unpleasantly steep. Like some of the gradients in the Lake District - The Struggle perhaps, or Wrynose, but not as steep as sections on Hardknott Pass
If it is 864 feet and by the look of things, that would be nearer the mark, it would be an average 12.5% and while steep, something that I would pedal up daily on my rides around here without getting too worked up about it at all.
If it is longer than that, and my guess is that it is, then the gradient is shallower still and no big deal.
Unless there is something there I’m just not seeing
My guess is whoever told you that doesn’t ride much
If it is 864 feet and by the look of things, that would be nearer the mark, it would be an average 12.5% and while steep, something that I would pedal up daily on my rides around here without getting too worked up about it at all.
If it is longer than that, and my guess is that it is, then the gradient is shallower still and no big deal.
Unless there is something there I’m just not seeing
My guess is whoever told you that doesn’t ride much
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classic33
Leg End Member
Google maps gives a distance of 375.9 metres, 1233 feet.
@hoopdriver, the person that said that hasn't rode a bike.
@hoopdriver, the person that said that hasn't rode a bike.
Shut Up Legs
Down Under Member
108/1233 is only about 8.5%, sounds only "slightly steep" to me, although if the gradient isn't uniform, then there could be some nasty bits in there. I take it that it's pure coincidence that the road section is shaped like The Grim Reaper's sickle?
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Ha, you beat me to it - I was just about to post this ...
About 7.7%, averaged over the whole distance. The steepest bit looks like 12.5% for 175 ft.
So, impossibly steep for many a non-cyclist (if they were to try it on a bike) but nothing to worry about for a reasonably fit cyclist who has a sensible bottom gear on his/her bike.
About 7.7%, averaged over the whole distance. The steepest bit looks like 12.5% for 175 ft.
So, impossibly steep for many a non-cyclist (if they were to try it on a bike) but nothing to worry about for a reasonably fit cyclist who has a sensible bottom gear on his/her bike.
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classic33
Leg End Member
Pure coincidence on that last part, predating the hospital, top left.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
At least the hospital is waiting at the top to receive all the cyclists who suffer heart attacks from the strain of their arduous ascent! 
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Right, you lot can keep the night shift ticking over - I'm off to bed! 
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classic33
Leg End Member
There's the funeral directors(white building on the left) before the hospital.At least the hospital is waiting at the top to receive all the cyclists who suffer heart attacks from the strain of their arduous ascent!
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Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
What's a serious cyclist? Never tells jokes? Perpetual frown?
gavroche
Getting old but not past it
- Location
- North Wales
One who never smiles.
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Like a jogger?
I'm surprised @ColinJ hasn't pitched in with some of his local steep challenges, with cobbles on!
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Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
The weaklings of Yorkshire get off and push at the first sight of a slight incline.
That's a warm up hill around here.
Slick
Guru
I'm not the strongest on hills, but round here they would describe that as a wee brae.At least the hospital is waiting at the top to receive all the cyclists who suffer heart attacks from the strain of their arduous ascent!
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