Steep Hill - Cyclists Dismount

[matticus]

Thinking of honister pass. You have to brake early after going over the top because your speed really builds up fast

If you think that's bad, try Hardknott! It's truly the only tarmac road that I've struggled to get down (with a lightly-loaded road bike). Twice - damp and dry.
That's around 25%? No blue warning sign at the top!

[EDIT: I'm talking about East-bound, as opposed to @Solocle pic above which I think is West-bound. No idea which is tricksier!

 

[Amanda P]

Meanwhile, in the Netherlands...

 

[cyberknight]

For a cattle grid it would need to be a kangaroo hop I think.

the one on weaver hills you can just about get across as its a fairly straight descent at speed , once i didnt have the stem tightend up enough and the bars swiveled down mid descent as i barelled across them

 

[Ming the Merciless]

For a cattle grid it would need to be a kangaroo hop I think.

You do a wheelie then hop the bike upright over the cattle grid?

 

[mustang1]

Mostly ride but on the odd occasion will walk up hills (in fact, I'll walk up hills, along flats, and even downhill just because i feel like walking and not necessarily due to the gradient).

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Did some alpine mtn biking in three valleys area. On some of the descents , if you applied the brakes the bikes just went sideways then started the slide down the hill with you on it.

 

[ColinJ]

I have bunny-/kangaroo-hopped this grid coming down from the Nick o' Pendle towards Sabden.

THIS is my gnarly steep cobbled descent. Note that the cobbles were in much worse condition when I did it - more broken up and not clean and dry.

The roads department probably exposed the cobbles to force drivers (and mad cyclists!) to slow down.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I've also voted for both because it all depends.

If it is just a simple steep hill, all on reasonable tarmac without much in the way of blind bends, then I'm sure I would ride it. But if it is very twisty, or also has a loose surface, or is icy, I would probably walk.

Agreed, but I think the presence of a sign telling me to dismount would nudge me towards not dismounting.

Cos I'm a webel.

 

[Ian H]

I've only ever seen the signs for downhills. I suspect they're a hangover from the early days of cycling & have just been replaced without review. The CTC at one time would place warning signs for descents.

There's one at the top of Countisbury Hill down into Lynmouth. I once overtook a coach descending it.

 

[nickyboy]

I have bunny-/kangaroo-hopped this grid coming down from the Nick o' Pendle towards Sabden.

View attachment 628276

THIS is my gnarly steep cobbled descent. Note that the cobbles were in much worse condition when I did it - more broken up and not clean and dry.

View attachment 628278



The roads department probably exposed the cobbles to force drivers (and mad cyclists!) to slow down.

Cycled up it a couple of times, never down it. Tough old climb isn't it @I like Skol ? The cafe in Ripponden made it worthwhile as I recall

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Thinking of honister pass. You have to brake early after going over the top because your speed really builds up fast

Main problem with Hardknott, particularly on the east side, is the sharp off camber bends. Okay in the dry but a bit dodgy in the wet.

 

[ColinJ]

Cycled up it a couple of times, never down it. Tough old climb isn't it @I like Skol ? The cafe in Ripponden made it worthwhile as I recall

I was just thinking that I will never ride down it again, but that I quite fancied riding up it!

 

[oldwheels]

One problem with cattle grids is that they vary so much. Unless you know one well it is best to be cautious as I have met some with bars missing as well as a variety of different bars depending on the local council area.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I'll offer this from Wentnor:

I think that if I considered dismounting for every hill of 12% I'd never ride anywhere in South Shropshire. Descents of the Burway or Asterton Bank are fun.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I'll offer this from Wentnor:
View attachment 628300

I think that if I considered dismounting for every hill of 12% I'd never ride anywhere in South Shropshire. Descending the Burway or Asterton Bank are fun.

A photo looking at the road on dangerous hill