Steepest road routes

[Tigerbiten]

I think it goes like this.

10% = 1/10. or "one in ten" so altitude increases by one unit for every 10 units of road. So, using Pythagoras' Theorem, there is a right-angled triangle whose Opposite side (O) is 1, the Hypotenuse (H) is 10 and the Aajacent side (A) is the square root of 99 (10 squared minus 1 squared).

The sine of the angle of slope of the road is O/H. In this case sin (slope) is 0.1, so the slope is 5.7 degrees

Not quite correct.

A 1-in-10 is for every 10 units you go horizontal, you go up 1 unit vertical.
So you are working with O/A, which is the tan of the angle not the sine.
At low angles the difference is small, so an 11.5 degree slope is still a 20% hill.
But as the angle grow, the difference increases, a 30 degree slope is a 57% hill not 50%
and a 45 degree slope (a 1-in-1) is a 100% hill, not a 70% one.

 

[Matthames]

There is a road near me that would probably rate as a 4 on ticktockmy's grading system, it goes from Pett level to the village of Pett. As you approach it you will be faced with what I would describe as a wall with a road going up it. It may look like a really bad climb, but it is only steep and short as you would only be climbing 42m at a 25% gradient.

 

[ammwhite]

Get this book, only a fiver - he measures toughest climbs by gradient, length, quality of surface and predominant weather conditions. It's a useful starting point for a discussion as he misses some obvios ones near me on the edge ofthe pennines and I'm sure everybody can think of ones near them that should be included but aren't (unless you live in the Fens )

http://www.amazon.co...83710144&sr=1-1

I bought that book recently, but was disappointed by the lack of hills in Scotland it included.

For example the hill from Glendaruel over to Otter Ferry, which I did last week: http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.php?p=climbs&rid=5&page=1

Or the Duke's Pass from Aberfoyle: http://www.sportivecentral.com/index.php?p=climbs&rid=26&page=2

Another one I did recently was the Moor Road, from just south of Fairlie (climbs over 700ft in just under 2.5 miles at 5.7%)

 

[jamesxyz]

I bought that book recently, but was disappointed by the lack of hills in Scotland it included.

For example the hill from Glendaruel over to Otter Ferry, which I did last week: http://www.sportivec...bs&rid=5&page=1

Or the Duke's Pass from Aberfoyle: http://www.sportivec...s&rid=26&page=2

Another one I did recently was the Moor Road, from just south of Fairlie (climbs over 700ft in just under 2.5 miles at 5.7%)

Like I said, it don't include them all and misses a fair few near me in the Pennines. A good starting point tho'

 

[ACS]

The steepest hills are those who have to walk up. Simples. Cairn O'Mount is one that always manages to get me on my toes. Got as far as the car park once and a nice Dutch couple came out of their mobile home and offered me a cup of tea.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

wow all this tech stuff, fair makes my brain ache, I prefer to grade hills as:

1. ok
2. grrrrr
3. Bloody hell
4. where did that F**ker come from
5. FFS I am going to die if this goes on much longer

6. I'm going backwards, help!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

6. I'm going backwards, help!

7. Where the hell did that wall come from?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

7. Where the hell did that wall come from?

8. Where the hell did that tree come from?

 

[Ticktockmy]

I cannot believe this thread has resurrected after all these years.. Same old hills, just feels 4 more years steeper..LOL

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I cannot believe this thread has resurrected after all these years.. Same old hills, just feels 4 more years steeper..LOL

I blame @AdMaths for liking my post and reminding me of this thread!

 

[The Mighty Boosh]

I believe the steepest Road Hill in North Wales lies in Harlech at a massive 40 degrees or is it percent, and it would be a winner of all hills in the UK had the local council not made it a one way street, Down Hill only.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Just got back from a mini tour, 2 days 1 night. This section included 3 sections labelled 25%, I believe part of TdF route will use this road and my friend commented that when they do it we'll probably cry as they fly up the sections we granny geared our way up!

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...LgMdP6Hm_w&t=h&dirflg=b&mra=ltm&z=12&lci=bike

 

[Smurfy]

A long time ago I seem to recall a cyclist showing me a photo of a 1 in 2.5 gradient sign in Wales. That's 40% in modern terms! If anyone knows where this hill is, and if the sign still exists please let us know.

Edit: Should have read all the posts first, as it's quite possibly this one!

 

[DooDah]

I believe the steepest Road Hill in North Wales lies in Harlech at a massive 40 degrees or is it percent, and it would be a winner of all hills in the UK had the local council not made it a one way street, Down Hill only.

Now; that sounds like my kind of hill

 

[AdMaths]

I blame @AdMaths for liking my post and reminding me of this thread!

LOL... I'm about to tackle Carman Hill for the first time on 2nd Feb. If you see my lungs at the roadside PM me, I'd like them back.