Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => On The Road => Topic started by: RideHard on 12 January, 2014, 11:07:55 am
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What Audax event has the steepest climb ???
The new London-Oxford-London (LOL) 200 includes a hill with a 32.8% gradient.. (there is a fast flat alternate route)
Is this the steepest road in UK :thumbsup:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/407447882722214/
www.steamride.co.uk 9th Mar 2014
https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=79018
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I think Hardknott pass goes up to 37% - that's on the Pendle 600.
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Sorry ONLY 29.8% http://www.brentacol.com/h/hardknott_west ;D
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Surely it would be more accurate if you used the same software/website to compare different climbs?
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I've been on one, can't remember what it was, that used a cafe on the front at Robin Hood's Bay. That's a steeper climb than Hardknott I reckon, though short and straight which helps. Hardknott it depends on whether you can use the whole road on the bends.
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Surely it would be more accurate if you used the same software/website to compare different climbs?
Garmin BaseCamp - graph - elevation (move cursor along route to monitor gradient)
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Surely it would be more accurate if you used the same software/website to compare different climbs?
Garmin BaseCamp - graph - elevation (move cursor along route to monitor gradient)
But that's not how you've chosen to measure the gradient on the Hardknott Pass. For any comparison to be valid you have to use identical measurement techniques for all.
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These things are always a bit dodgy anyway, not sure I'd trust basecamp either. It also depends upon where you measure the gradient, how the measurement was made (satellite is probably well dodgy). The steepest bits are usually the inside bend of a hairpin which of course you can avoid by going around the outside.
If you think that climb is anywhere near as hard as Hardknot, Wrynose, Bwlch y Groes etc. I suspect most would beg to differ.
I'm sure it's a great workout anyway and an excellent ride :-)
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Idiot english question:
When folks reference "Bwlch y Groes", are they mainly referring to
the climb from the south (with 12 chevrons in 2.4km), or
the Easterly approach from Lake Vrynwy(sp?), which is 2 chevrons over about 5km!
I've only ridden the latter (on MC1k). Which other audaxen feature either version?
(from a quick play with bikehike, ByG(S) is vvvv similar to Hardknott in stats terms. )
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The Bwlch y Groes is the steep bit from Dina's Mawddwy, the other way from Vyrnwy has some steep bits too. I do it every month, it doesn't get easier!
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What Audax event has the steepest climb ???
Dunno, just looked at a bit of the VoR route (Lynmouth to Lynton) which seemed steep to me and that was > 40%
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The Flatlands (grabs bike and leaves...)
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The Flatlands (grabs bike and leaves...)
Not as daft as you might think. That cobbled descent in Lincoln was pretty steep!
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The Flatlands (grabs bike and leaves...)
Not as daft as you might think. That cobbled descent in Lincoln was pretty steep!
the aptly named "Steep Hill". (http://goo.gl/maps/yXuC6) ;)
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Steepest over what distance?
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There are lots of little spikey bits on climbs I've done that felt steeper than the steep bits of Hardknott. Even on the Pendle, the descent of Rosedale felt steeper in places than the climb of Hardknott. The thing about Harknott is that it stays steep for a long time. You can't rush the steep bits in the way you can some other climbs (eg Park Rash and the Coal Road).
Steepness doesn't really matter much to me - 34/28 gets me up anything, albeit slowly. I find climbing Otley Chevin on fixed much harder than riding up Hardknott on gears. Props to the guys that rode the Pendle on fixed. Greenhow on fixed is deth for me, and they dispatched that before breakfast on the Pendle.
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Someone just needs to put us all out of our misery and invent an audax that involves the 40%er in Harlech and have done with it.
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Someone just needs to put us all out of our misery and invent an audax that involves the 40%er in Harlech and have done with it.
The BCM passes by within a couple of hundred metres.
There's nothing ( much! ) to stop you detouring and taking it in.
I did consider it, but decided against it!
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Misery is an event which twists and turns, with infos everywhere, just to take in the hills.
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Steepest over what distance?
Nail on head. I saw a sportive claiming a 33% climb in the New Forest once. The New Forest is flat as a pancake- I haven't ridden there but it wouldn't surprise me if you could get some speed up in advance and sail up it without pedalling ;)
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I rode up a curb once on an audax. That would be close to a vertical gradient. It was hard work.
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I need my old mountain bike for that sort of thing ;)
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Steepest over what distance?
Nail on head. I saw a sportive claiming a 33% climb in the New Forest once. The New Forest is flat as a pancake- I haven't ridden there but it wouldn't surprise me if you could get some speed up in advance and sail up it without pedalling ;)
I can only assume they mean Blissford Hill which is steep but short - it's a seated climb because otherwise your front wheel defies gravity... I have done it so it can,t be too bad.
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Interesting - I find the front wheel lifting is peculiar to being seated. Mind you, I've never ridden in the New Forest.
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It's not a proper climb until the front wheel is defying gravity and the rear wheel is losing grip and skidding round as you grind ;D
Of course this is normally the point at which moi gets off or falls off :facepalm:
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'cording to the File of the Slopes of Europe (http://www.zanibike.net/motore.aspx?lingua=eng&da=az), the toughest climbs in the British Isles are (in ascending order of difficulty):
- Bwlch-y-Groes
- Great Dunn Fell from Dufton (HardKnott is about 90% of Bwlch)
- Bealach na Ba from Tomapress
- Mount Leinster from Bunclody
- Mount Leinster from Borris (as difficult as Alpe d'Huez from Rochetaillée)
But there's about 1,200 European climbs that are tougher! :o
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'cording to the File of the Slopes of Europe (http://www.zanibike.net/motore.aspx?lingua=eng&da=az), the toughest climbs in the British Isles are (in ascending order of difficulty):
- Bwlch-y-Groes
- Great Dunn Fell from Dufton (HardKnott is about 90% of Bwlch)
- Bealach na Ba from Tomapress
- Mount Leinster from Bunclody
- Mount Leinster from Borris (as difficult as Alpe d'Huez from Rochetaillée)
But there's about 1,200 European climbs that are tougher! :o
BUT as with other comments how are the gradients measured ? Went up and over Bwlch Y groes from llanuwchllyn to Dinas on Saturday; Garmin Etrex showed about 12% sustained section near Craig yr Ogof on ascent, and on descent at least 500m @ 26-28% ---neither of these sections shows up on above database gradients:(
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On an event in the Midlands, at the First control, there is an incline which can be optionally negotiated that is 45 degrees. It has a rounded top and a 45 deg descent on the other side.
It doubles as a device to slow motorized traffic.
;D
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BUT as with other comments how are the gradients measured ? Went up and over Bwlch Y groes from llanuwchllyn to Dinas on Saturday; Garmin Etrex showed about 12% sustained section near Craig yr Ogof on ascent, and on descent at least 500m @ 26-28% ---neither of these sections shows up on above database gradients:(
It seems they measure height difference over a kilometre. I don't think you can expect greater precision than that. It is frustrating though: I know of several short local slopes up to 20%, but MapMyRide tells me there's nothing worse than around 3%! ::-)
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Strava tells me there is a grade 4 climb along the Cardiff Bay Barrage. ;D
It's quite typical isn't it, building slopes into piers, barrages and other stone/metal/woodwork to protect the calm waters of a bay? ::-)
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Interesting - I find the front wheel lifting is peculiar to being seated. Mind you, I've never ridden in the New Forest.
Front wheel lifting is related to frame geometry and weight distribution.
As a heavy-hipped, light-shouldered girlie, using a bike with a short stem, it could be a problem almost anywhere if I didn't use low-rider front panniers.
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Strava tells me there is a grade 4 climb along the Cardiff Bay Barrage. ;D
It's quite typical isn't it, building slopes into piers, barrages and other stone/metal/woodwork to protect the calm waters of a bay? ::-)
Strava is prone to reporting duff gradients recorded by crappy GPS recordings. There's one near me that was recorded as 75%! I reported it and they erased that segment, which allowed it to be re-entered from a decent recording (it was about 10%). Some of the less good GPSs (probably older smartphones) record a flat road as a series of significant but short climbs and descents.
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BUT as with other comments how are the gradients measured ? Went up and over Bwlch Y groes from llanuwchllyn to Dinas on Saturday; Garmin Etrex showed about 12% sustained section near Craig yr Ogof on ascent, and on descent at least 500m @ 26-28% ---neither of these sections shows up on above database gradients:(
It seems they measure height difference over a kilometre. I don't think you can expect greater precision than that. It is frustrating though: I know of several short local slopes up to 20%, but MapMyRide tells me there's nothing worse than around 3%! ::-)
Yes I think that`s how they do; GPS also ---for me---gives reproducibly different gradients depending on whetehr I`m going up or down the same hill; I think that`s due to GPS doing timed sampling of current height / distance and then calculating gardient from the two---downhill is LESS steep than UPHILL presumably as at a lower speed GPS will have more time to sample steeper short sections and represent them whilst faster downhill it will average it....I think :facepalm:
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Misery is an event which twists and turns, with infos everywhere, just to take in the hills.
On the whole, I'd agree, but the Invicta Grimpeur does just that and it's a fantastic 100. It includes York's Hill, which ramps up to a mere 25%, iirc, but the biggest problem with York's is not so much the gradient as the road surface - it's more a gully than a road, and you can easily lose traction up there on a grisly Sunday in March.
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The ultimate steepness does not matter. As everyone who climbs knows, if you are climbing moderately steeply the effects of the earlier hills build up in your legs. So a climb like Penheol Ely Road up onto Mynydd Eglwysilan past Pontypridd golf course is rideable by most people by itself. At the end of the 100km super grimpeur Trefil Travail many people fail to get up the steepest section at the top. At the end of Rode 'Round Rhondda 200km AAA 4.75 nearly everybody found it too much.
[Ride 'Round Rhondda is no longer run. It was too difficult. If people don't care to ride it I will not organise it.]
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Misery is an event which twists and turns, with infos everywhere, just to take in the hills.
On the whole, I'd agree, but the Invicta Grimpeur does just that and it's a fantastic 100. It includes York's Hill, which ramps up to a mere 25%, iirc, but the biggest problem with York's is not so much the gradient as the road surface - it's more a gully than a road, and you can easily lose traction up there on a grisly Sunday in March.
There was a certain amount of tongue-in-cheek. I regularly rode the Kidderminster Killer, which zigged and zagged across the Quantocks. It usually included Triscombe Hill (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=316070&Y=135690&A=Y&Z=115), which doesn't even have tarmac.
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Triscombe Hill (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=316070&Y=135690&A=Y&Z=115), which doesn't even have tarmac.
:sick:
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The ultimate steepness does not matter. As everyone who climbs knows, if you are climbing moderately steeply the effects of the earlier hills build up in your legs. So a climb like Penheol Ely Road up onto Mynydd Eglwysilan past Pontypridd golf course is rideable by most people by itself. At the end of the 100km super grimpeur Trefil Travail many people fail to get up the steepest section at the top. At the end of Rode 'Round Rhondda 200km AAA 4.75 nearly everybody found it too much.
[Ride 'Round Rhondda is no longer run. It was too difficult. If people don't care to ride it I will not organise it.]
I have yet to manage Penheol Ely Road even when fresh :( Soon time to give in another go though...
I wonder if the original poster is regretting starting this thread. :/ Far better to say what a nice ride it is for me. A ride from London to Oxfordshire is never going to compete with the super grimpeurs in the tough climbing stakes. Although I bet you could still make it well tough with a treasure hunt like info-control fest to go up all the hills available.
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The ultimate steepness does not matter. As everyone who climbs knows, if you are climbing moderately steeply the effects of the earlier hills build up in your legs. So a climb like Penheol Ely Road up onto Mynydd Eglwysilan past Pontypridd golf course is rideable by most people by itself. At the end of the 100km super grimpeur Trefil Travail many people fail to get up the steepest section at the top. At the end of Rode 'Round Rhondda 200km AAA 4.75 nearly everybody found it too much.
[Ride 'Round Rhondda is no longer run. It was too difficult. If people don't care to ride it I will not organise it.]
It`s not only that what you`ve done before the `hill`----having ridden both Devils Staircase and the unnamed climb out of Pont Rhyd Y Groes on numerous occasions on same ride I have often found Pont climb HARDER than Devils Staircase---DS is short very steep, Pont climb for me is a relentless 12+% 2km grind with no let up :(
This now opens an entirely new type debate on how hard is a hill which is not same as how steep is a hill..........
Going Continental Tre Cime de Lavaredo ( http://www.climbbybike.com/profile.asp?Climbprofile=Tre-Cime-di-Lavaredo&MountainID=3753 ) is IMO vastly harder than Devils Staircase / Bwlch Y Groes ( http://www.climbbybike.com/profile.asp?Climbprofile=Bwlch---y---Groes&MountainID=7527 )as it is 4km avg 12% with a 500m @ 17-20% included--it is also above 2000m so effect lower air pressure felt too---whereas despite 25% + on both UK climbs they are so much shorter
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Triscombe Hill (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=316070&Y=135690&A=Y&Z=115), which doesn't even have tarmac.
I note the fire signal pit on the map. When are they going to get the Internet around there?
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Triscombe Hill (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=316070&Y=135690&A=Y&Z=115), which doesn't even have tarmac.
I note the fire signal pit on the map. When are they going to get the Internet around there?
Well, on the one side you have Exmoor and the frost-bitten remains of Sir Ranulph, and on the other the Levels, which are under water. In the middle there's only deer, so what would you need it for?
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Can this be true ... 41 replies, and no mention of OCD (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=79004.0)?!?
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RideHard is Kid (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=75856.msg1558773)sCan (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=50609.msg1019109#msg1019109) and ICMFP ;D.
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RideHard is Kid (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=75856.msg1558773)sCan (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=50609.msg1019109#msg1019109) and ICMFP ;D.
:) :)
At least it's stealth marketing for a £5 proper Audax, so fair play in my book.
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I wonder if the original poster is regretting starting this thread. :/ Far better to say what a nice ride it is for me. A ride from London to Oxfordshire is never going to compete with the super grimpeurs in the tough climbing stakes. Although I bet you could still make it well tough with a treasure hunt like info-control fest to go up all the hills available.
[/quote]
Looks like I may have found some OCD 'ers :/, (my next challenge, after current FWC) :thumbsup:
I was also planning on organising a AAA ride, out of London (TheLondonGrimpeur) possibly for December... for AAA RRTY in the SE
AAA Century Award (http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/audaxaltitudeaward/page32.html) holder, on Mille Alba 2012 (Ben Lawers is the highest mountain in the southern part of the Scottish Highlands and the 10th highest mountain in Britain, ~4000ft) my biggest climb to date, had trouble keeping the front wheel on the ground at the beginning of the Ben Lawers ascent :D
I'm planning a trip over to French Alps, last challenge for the new ACP SUPER RANDONNEE (Randonneur 10000) award.
So training for the hillzzz..
I came into AUDAX from cycle-touring, so for me I like a ride with a destination and a theme.
In the meanwhile, it's nice feeling to give something back, not only to the CTC and AUDAX community..
but maybe more people will start gettin' on their bikes too, rather than using the Coach/Rail service Oxford to/from London :thumbsup:
I hope you enjoy the LOL 200 (be interesting to find out, how many 'rise' to the challenge and make the climb, on their bikes), as much as I'm enjoying organising it :)
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Steepest over what distance?
Good point.. I'm on Fixed Wheel this year and found climbing (42x16=72") a challenge.. Richmond Park clockwise, has a longish gradual climb which starts at 8%, and peaks at 12%.. so 1st attempt was the 1st drain, then gradually each week got further up the hill.. so now holds no challenge.
Ditto Bledlow Ridge after Chinnor, an even longer climb. Out of the saddle for the whole climb after rbt. the turn, is particularly steep.. but by a wide arc, can be easily (relatively) managed...
And so.. the LOL 33%, I'm thinking zig-zagging may hold the key.. :-\
And then there's the issue of duration/distance... the lactic-acid buildup over-time necessitates sitting in the saddle, at some-time...
so on the Dorset coast Abbotsbury 10% incline http://www.mapmyride.com/sc/victoria-english-river/abbotsbury-hill-only-route-4425694 after 1 km, you end-up sitting in the saddle to finish it... and of the 7km+ ascents in the Alpszzz, I think they are 7-8%... ???
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Interesting - I find the front wheel lifting is peculiar to being seated. Mind you, I've never ridden in the New Forest.
Front wheel lifting is related to frame geometry and weight distribution.
As a heavy-hipped, light-shouldered girlie, using a bike with a short stem, it could be a problem almost anywhere if I didn't use low-rider front panniers.
A few tips from a mate, you may like: ;D
Rode up a 23% gradient the other day; the fear that I would stall and fall over sideways still clipped in was much less than the terror that with every pedal stroke I was lifting the front wheel and could very easily summersault myself over backwards.
What's the consensus on the best way to climb silly gradients?
a) put your chin on the handlebars and sit so far forward on the saddle you are in danger of impalement
b) get out of the saddle and lean over the handlebars trying to rub your nose on the front tyre
c) fit low-loader front wheel panniers and fill them with sand
d) invest in a grappling hook to attach to a passing vehicle (hpv or motorised)
e) get a recumbent trike
f) get used to walking?
My tipzz..
g) Invest in a satellite-dish sized rear MTB casssette and long-caged mech O:-)
h) Get your smallest Granny, to sit upfront :o
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I know of several short local slopes up to 20%, but MapMyRide tells me there's nothing worse than around 3%! ::-)
I believe MMY is notorious for its gradients and climbing figures. Something to do with the algorithm they use. I know for me, it can differ surprising from other sites. I live in a rolling/lumpy region, no long climbs and in truth nothing too severe gradient wise (though I can find a few lumps that my Edge - itself not of renowned accuracy - measures at 18 - 20%). MMY always reports the lowest climbing figures on my rides... not that it matters. I ride what I ride, the numbers are just that.
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Do no audaxes go up Rosedale Chimney?
RideHard is Kid (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=75856.msg1558773)sCan (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=50609.msg1019109#msg1019109) and ICMFP ;D.
:) :)
At least it's stealth marketing for a £5 proper Audax, so fair play in my book.
Not especially stealth, is it?
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Posted by: clarion: Today at 11:25:29 AM
Do no audaxes go up Rosedale Chimney?
Not to my knowledge now, but there used to be one "the North Yorks Moors Grimpeur" organised by Keith Benton which went up many steep climbs in the North Yorks moors including Rosedale Chimney. It was this climb that persuaded me that a triple chainwheel was a necessity for my well being.
The Tour of Britain went up it at least once and many of the riders resorted to walking.
Nobody has mentioned the climb on the Yorks Moors and Wolds which goes from Staxton to Foxholes which I remember as a brute of a climb.
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Pendle 600 comes down the chimney. That is a terrifying descent, think I would rather go up it!
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Yeah, that descent was full on - felt like mountain biking. Didn't someone's tyre blow?
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I'd walk down that one.
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Bob Bialek - took a tumble when his tyre blew off the over-heated rim.
That really was one of the most terrifying descents I have ever done, despite probably never getting much above 25kph! Thank **** for SwissStop Greens!
I'd walk down that one.
The sign at the top recommends this course of action.
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There aren't many roads where I'd do that, but Todmorden Edge was one.
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I think now that I know how tricky it is, I would now dismount in rainy conditions for sure.
It was relatively dry (at that stage of the ride!) when we did it on the Pendle, but I think it would be very scary in the wet. As it was, even with most of my weight over the back it still felt like I was going to go over the bars on some of the hairpins.
The sign at the top of the Chimney:
(http://marcusjb.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/img_1608.jpg)
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Wise advice.
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I nearly bought an old farmhouse down a track about a third of the way up Rosedale Chimney. Needed a lot of work and the water was from a spring but it had stunning views. Practicality won out over romance in the end though.
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<...>
What's the consensus on the best way to climb silly gradients?
<...>
what works for me is getting in the lowest gear and pedaling in smooth circles whilst leaning forward
(if riding single speed - walk)
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<...>
What's the consensus on the best way to climb silly gradients?
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what works for me is getting in the lowest gear and pedaling in smooth circles whilst leaning forward
(if riding single speed - walk)
1) Don't.
2) If you have to a very low gear helps. I did the Cambrian 4C with a 27" gear (triple on the front and 12-30 10sp Centaur on the back) as the infamous Devil's Staircase is only the 3rd hardest hill on this ride and there are over 30 distinct sections with 14%+ gradients in its 434km.
3) Sit in the saddle in the very low gear until the steering becomes very light (for me that happens at about 16 - 18% - then stand on the pedals with the weight forward and pedal with an even cadence.
4) Zigzagging requires practice but Zigzag (as witnessed on Poor Student) is v.good at it.
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Bob Bialek - took a tumble when his tyre blew off the over-heated rim.
That really was one of the most terrifying descents I have ever done, despite probably never getting much above 25kph! Thank **** for SwissStop Greens!
I'd walk down that one.
The sign at the top recommends this course of action.
very good reasons for going to discs :)---I felt well in control down Bwlch Y Groes @ 25% descent @ 50-60 kph armed with discs ----and a dry road :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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There aren't many roads where I'd do that, but Todmorden Edge was one.
Do you mean the last drop towards the station, clarion? I've been up that a few times (Danial's Tod Loops STARTS with it!) but I haven't always succeeeded. Wet weather makes it very difficult - and it's pretty-well always wet!
If you mean the Cliviger end with the cattle grids and the tight beds, that really is hard work to descend.
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I've only ridden down Rosedale Chimney twice. Both on fixed wheel. The first time I only had a front brake. Never caused me any problems but I wouldn't say that it was "relaxing" ;D.
I found descending Hardknott in the rain (again on fixed) more tricky because the road is pretty rough. I did especially buy some grippier tyres and upgraded my brakes before I descended Hardknott. I just sat as far back as I could and took it very slowly.
My mountain bike with Hope hydraulic disk brakes would descend those hills very easily. I remember a very long 25% descent from a Welsh mountain when I was on a camping trip. It occurred to me that this very relaxing descent on my mountain bike would be pretty hairy on my road bike!
I stand up to climb silly steep hills to keep my front wheel on the ground. I did once fall off when my wheel span on wet pine leaves climbing the Devils Staircase. I fell forwards, so it wasn't far to fall and was more like leaning against a wall than actually falling over.
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I stand up to climb silly steep hills to keep my front wheel on the ground. I did once fall off when my wheel span on wet pine leaves climbing the Devils Staircase. I fell forwards, so it wasn't far to fall and was more like leaning against a wall than actually falling over.
It's a bit of an art, climbing steep hills whilst standing and a bit wet under-tyre.
I was climbing up to Holne from Ashburton on last years Dartmoor Devil and at the 25% bit on the B-road with smooth surface I got a massive amount of rear-wheelspin. It was the worst I've had and resulted in me landing on the saddle and pulling a massive wheelie whilst unclipping and almost doing the splits when I got feet on the ground...
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It's a bit of an art, climbing steep hills whilst standing and a bit wet under-tyre.
I was climbing up to Holne from Ashburton on last years Dartmoor Devil and at the 25% bit on the B-road with smooth surface I got a massive amount of rear-wheelspin. It was the worst I've had and resulted in me landing on the saddle and pulling a massive wheelie whilst unclipping and almost doing the splits when I got feet on the ground...
I think we should book you for the cabaret at the next AUK agm.
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Used to do the Moors 'illy Imperial , I believe it's not been run for a few years, sadly.
The 'Chimney' is reached after 100km of steep climbs and blasted heath. It was one of the rare hills I don't even attempt to pedal up, rather I buy an ice cream in the village and eat it as I walk the first, less steep bit. On the steep bits I can't eat the ice as I need both hands to push the bike up the hill. IIRC it was the last monster climb before heading back to York.
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I think we should book you for the cabaret at the next AUK agm.
???
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very good reasons for going to discs :-) ---I felt well in control down Bwlch Y Groes @ 25% descent @ 50-60 kph armed with discs ----and a dry road :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Bit of a health warning on discs though - I boiled the hydraulic fluid on mine on a fast descent once and blew the brakes entirely. Fortunately that descent was only a few hundred yards from home. Having no brakes at all for the rest of the ride would have been rather interesting otherwise.
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...I stand up to climb silly steep hills to keep my front wheel on the ground. ...
I tried to stay in the saddle in uber granny-gear up Small Dean lane (last FNRTTS) and noticed my bike almost doing it's best to tip over backwards...
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I think we should book you for the cabaret at the next AUK agm.
???
...pulling a massive wheelie whilst unclipping and almost doing the splits...
Sounds positively balletic. ;)
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Went to watch the RTTC National Hill Climb Championships on Rosedale Chimney. I think it was 1987 and won by a certain Daryl Webster of Manchester Wheelers.
Some of the riders were DNF as they simply couldnt get up it!
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It's not a proper climb until the front wheel is defying gravity and the rear wheel is losing grip and skidding round as you grind ;D
Of course this is normally the point at which moi gets off or falls off :facepalm:
That happens on Winnats pass. Have had to dodge falling riders which doesn't help! It's best not to stop as it is very hard to remount. However, not an exceptionally steep climb, I would say although motorists can struggle to get their cars up it. Gear selection problem!