Going on from another thread suggesting I'm unusual for not wanting gears as low as 18 inches or so, I wonder what others feel.
What it the hardest hill you've been up?
Was it the longest hill, or the steepest hill?
I've been up some rotters, in fact I live on the side of a valley with one of the worst hills on the JOGLE route, and regularly cycle up it and rarely think much of it. I leave the village in 3rd [30f 23r = 34 inches] and get most of the way up before going down to second [30f 26r = 30 inches], and then possibly bottom gear near the top [30f 29r = 27 inches]. I can tow my trailer up in that gear too.
The hill on the A390 goes from 60ft to 600ft in just over a mile, then on to 750ft a mile later.
I reckon that the hardest hills are the ones that go on and on and on. Not particularly steep, just endless!
Waddya reckon?
Hardest Hills
Hardest Hills
Mick F. Cornwall
This climb is the most intimidating I've come across, not that I've ever been anywhere near. It's 7.5km at 17.6% average, where Hardknott is only 15% measured on the same basis. Spot the 45% gradient sign 
I don't think pure length would be all that difficult unless you've got a schedule to keep or the steepness is over a personal threshold. You just settle into a rhythm and keep plugging away. The longest I've done was in Spain, climbing 2700m in 43km (6.3% average).
That hardest I've ever done was 22km at 5%. It was the little matter of a 30mph headwind, a gravel surface and no air to breathe (top was 5200m) that made it so hard.
Others that come to mind are Winnats, riding back to uni on a 5-speed imitation racer (I was just a utility cyclist at the time), and an occasion on some fairly nondescript climb just south of the source of the Loire, when a combination of the previous climbs, the temperature, and keeping up with skinny sods who were faster all caught up with me. I'd a new HRM at the time, and it was on 185 for the last 15 minutes - I've never had it as high since.
I don't think pure length would be all that difficult unless you've got a schedule to keep or the steepness is over a personal threshold. You just settle into a rhythm and keep plugging away. The longest I've done was in Spain, climbing 2700m in 43km (6.3% average).
That hardest I've ever done was 22km at 5%. It was the little matter of a 30mph headwind, a gravel surface and no air to breathe (top was 5200m) that made it so hard.
Others that come to mind are Winnats, riding back to uni on a 5-speed imitation racer (I was just a utility cyclist at the time), and an occasion on some fairly nondescript climb just south of the source of the Loire, when a combination of the previous climbs, the temperature, and keeping up with skinny sods who were faster all caught up with me. I'd a new HRM at the time, and it was on 185 for the last 15 minutes - I've never had it as high since.
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eileithyia
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The Marmolada, often used in the Giro. It is long, steady and predominantly straight.
It also seems to be victim of an optical illusion, it does not look particularly steep, possibly due to the steepness of the surrounding hills.
3 yr on tandem with touring = no fun. Even walking it was bloody hard for no apparent reason.
Then you realise that a ski lift is running parallel, and once further up at one of the bends it is obvious as you look back just how steep it really is.
Even the pros are out of the saddle and struggling when it is featured in the Giro.
It also seems to be victim of an optical illusion, it does not look particularly steep, possibly due to the steepness of the surrounding hills.
3 yr on tandem with touring = no fun. Even walking it was bloody hard for no apparent reason.
Then you realise that a ski lift is running parallel, and once further up at one of the bends it is obvious as you look back just how steep it really is.
Even the pros are out of the saddle and struggling when it is featured in the Giro.
I stand and rejoice everytime I see a woman ride by on a wheel the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood. HG Wells
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Richard Fairhurst
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Re: Hardest Hills
Mick F wrote:What it the hardest hill you've been up?
Out of Aberllefenni on Lon Las Cymru: http://www.waterscape.com/iframe_map?x=276130&y=311380
Hardknott and Winnatts are the two hardest climbs that I've done. Wrynose is up there as well.
There are some tough climbs in South Wales - The Tumble and Llanganidyr come to mind.
The longest climb i've done is the Col d'Iseran - it climbs for 50km from Bourg St Maurice, the first 30k up to Val d'Isere is quite gentle, but it steepens up near the top. I've also done the Cormet de Roseland, Lauteret, Galibier, Telegraphe, Glandon, Madelaine, Columbiere and Aravis.
There are some tough climbs in South Wales - The Tumble and Llanganidyr come to mind.
The longest climb i've done is the Col d'Iseran - it climbs for 50km from Bourg St Maurice, the first 30k up to Val d'Isere is quite gentle, but it steepens up near the top. I've also done the Cormet de Roseland, Lauteret, Galibier, Telegraphe, Glandon, Madelaine, Columbiere and Aravis.
Not picking on you MickF but you say
"...I live on the side of a valley with one of the worst hills on the JOGLE route, and regularly cycle up it and rarely think much of it. I leave the village in 3rd [30f 23r = 34 inches] and get most of the way up before going down to second [30f 26r = 30 inches], and then possibly bottom gear near the top [30f 29r = 27 inches]. I can tow my trailer up in that gear too. ..."
Which explains a lot
I'm just jealous thats all - I live in rolly Wiltshire, there are some climbs but not interesting and not terribly steep unless you ride up and down onto the ridgeway from the 'valley' and if Idont get out much on the bike then any hill is hard.......
"...I live on the side of a valley with one of the worst hills on the JOGLE route, and regularly cycle up it and rarely think much of it. I leave the village in 3rd [30f 23r = 34 inches] and get most of the way up before going down to second [30f 26r = 30 inches], and then possibly bottom gear near the top [30f 29r = 27 inches]. I can tow my trailer up in that gear too. ..."
Which explains a lot
I'm just jealous thats all - I live in rolly Wiltshire, there are some climbs but not interesting and not terribly steep unless you ride up and down onto the ridgeway from the 'valley' and if Idont get out much on the bike then any hill is hard.......All hills are hard when you're not used to them, I live in Warrington - I have trouble with humped back bridges.
When I wer yung and fitter I did break a frame trying to get over Billinge Hill, no idea how steep it was - but I couldn't get enough power down to move. And only a brave soul with new brake blocks descended it. Only a few hundred meters though.
Of course these days with tiny granny rings, wheel sized rear gears and dérailleurs that nearly touch the floor (along with proper brakes) I'm sure it's not half as daunting.
When I wer yung and fitter I did break a frame trying to get over Billinge Hill, no idea how steep it was - but I couldn't get enough power down to move. And only a brave soul with new brake blocks descended it. Only a few hundred meters though.
Of course these days with tiny granny rings, wheel sized rear gears and dérailleurs that nearly touch the floor (along with proper brakes) I'm sure it's not half as daunting.
The steepest hill I regularly encounter is very short, about 1 in 4 and has cobbles up the middle from the days horses needed grip to pull a cart. Most hills are rideable with a 30" gear if you're prepared to honk, aren't carrying much weight and you're feeling fresh. The problem with hills like the one I described is you can't stand on the pedals or your wheel spins, or even put down too much force especially in the wet.
It demands MTB type gearing, in the saddle, steady revolving leverage - not heave-ho.
It demands MTB type gearing, in the saddle, steady revolving leverage - not heave-ho.
andrew_s wrote:This climb is the most intimidating I've come across, not that I've ever been anywhere near. It's 7.5km at 17.6% average, where Hardknott is only 15% measured on the same basis. Spot the 45% gradient sign
I think you may have confused a concrete spill down a hillside with a road there. That's ridiculous!
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BlueMeldon
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Hard-est ?
The most loathesome for me must be the mental torture of the A9 climb north out of Helmsdale ......as you can see it ahead of you for miles and miles - make sure you stop at the top and look back !!
It's all a new road, so I wonder if previously it had a few more features that would make it less tedious ?
"And" theres another after that - further north on the A9 again, out of Berriedale....."pure evil" and with rear panniers I couldn't keep my front wheel steady...
They'll break you mentally or make you stronger
It's all a new road, so I wonder if previously it had a few more features that would make it less tedious ?
"And" theres another after that - further north on the A9 again, out of Berriedale....."pure evil" and with rear panniers I couldn't keep my front wheel steady...
They'll break you mentally or make you stronger
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mick skinner
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hardest (and longest) hill; col du galibier (french alps), lauteret side from bourge d'oisans i needed a 39-29 for it, i don't know what that translates to in inchs but i'm sure it's not anywhere near as low as 18 and i'm not a climber by any strech of the imagination. hardest in UK (and steepest); rowsley bar in derbyshire 39-23 used on that one, if memory serves me correctly. as i said befor on said thread; i agree with you mick f, i'll not bother going for rohloff....
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speedsixdave
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The climb back up to my flat through Mapperley Park after a long day on site and with two panniers full of shopping. Am always happy to reach the top of that one.
By no means the hardest, but the Galibier (going towards Briancon) is a superb climb - I think my favourite. Long drag up the valley alongside the river, then over the little bridge and straight into the steep hairpins. After a good bit of that it flattens out again and opens out into a rather lovely plateau. You can just about see the top from there, and so you think it's done. But there are about four more hairpins to go, and the ramps are right steep! That's where you want an 18" gear, Mick: knackered, 400m from the top of a Col. There's a sign at the top, a whole new view, and a cafe just over the other side, near the Henri Desgranges monument. Or is it Jacques Goddet?
Proper twisty alpine descent for the first 10 or 15k, then if you turn left at the Col de Lauteret there's a dead-straight main-road descent all the way down to Briancon. Pop it in yer top gear and pedal, 60kph all the way. Fantastic.
Looking back down the valley from the first hairpins. The long drag up the valley on the other side of the river is on the right. Then you cross the river and it goes a bit mental.
Looking back down the Galibier from near the top, over the plateau.
Now it's november in Blighty, dark, damp and dank. I know where I'd rather be.
Big T wrote:The longest climb i've done is the Col d'Iseran - it climbs for 50km from Bourg St Maurice, the first 30k up to Val d'Isere is quite gentle, but it steepens up near the top. I've also done the Cormet de Roseland, Lauteret, Galibier, Telegraphe, Glandon, Madelaine, Columbiere and Aravis.
By no means the hardest, but the Galibier (going towards Briancon) is a superb climb - I think my favourite. Long drag up the valley alongside the river, then over the little bridge and straight into the steep hairpins. After a good bit of that it flattens out again and opens out into a rather lovely plateau. You can just about see the top from there, and so you think it's done. But there are about four more hairpins to go, and the ramps are right steep! That's where you want an 18" gear, Mick: knackered, 400m from the top of a Col. There's a sign at the top, a whole new view, and a cafe just over the other side, near the Henri Desgranges monument. Or is it Jacques Goddet?
Proper twisty alpine descent for the first 10 or 15k, then if you turn left at the Col de Lauteret there's a dead-straight main-road descent all the way down to Briancon. Pop it in yer top gear and pedal, 60kph all the way. Fantastic.
Looking back down the valley from the first hairpins. The long drag up the valley on the other side of the river is on the right. Then you cross the river and it goes a bit mental.
Looking back down the Galibier from near the top, over the plateau.
Now it's november in Blighty, dark, damp and dank. I know where I'd rather be.
Big wheels good, small wheels better.
Two saddles best!
Two saddles best!