Steep climbs in San Antonio/Austin area?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am heading to San Antonio for officer basic course this summer, and I am wondering if you guys have suggestions for cycling routes around San Antonio/hill country/Austin areas. Coming from the Blue Ridge area of North Carolina, I would like to continue training on moderately steep routes (10-15%) and long ones if possible. I would love to hear of any recommendations (also what chain ring size/cassette combo do you use?)

Thank you,

Wei

2

moderately steep routes (10-15%)

Is a 10-15% grade really considered “moderate”? What’s “steep”?

3

Best bet for hills is Northwest of San Antonio in the Texas “Hill Country”. Nothing terribly long out there, but some good short steep climbs. Be sure to go to www.brittonbikes.com easily best bike shop in town. They have 2 locations, one in town and one out in Boerne, which is where the good group rides into the hill country start. They’re almost always good for a cold brew or two immediately post ride and if you’re lucky some good Texas BBQ. Boerne is just northwest of Camp Bullis on I-10. Have fun and tell Jim Britton Amy & Dan from Guam say hello.

4

Moderate steep is going to be my opinion of 10-15% grade of climb, can be another persons’ easy, stroll in the park, hard, or moderately steep climb…etc. I am already huffing and puffing on 10% grades, so if there are higher grades of climbs, I am going to have to order new cassettes. More importantly, I am just trying to get information of peoples’ favorite climbs around the area (and the % grade of those climbs if known).

Wei

6

Thank you very much for the information Hollidan and Tex. I’ll research more into those areas.

Thanks again,

Wei

7

Start in Bandera and ride west to Leakey. Return the same way or loop south through Utopia.

8

Moderate steep is going to be my opinion of 10-15% grade of climb, can be another persons’ easy, stroll in the park, hard, or moderately steep climb…etc.

It just dawned on me that you said 10-15 percent. In my head I was thinking 10-15 degrees. Oops.

Someone help me out with the math, here- assuming a constant grade, how do you translate the degree of inclination to percentage?