There are some locals from another thread that are getting together soon for a 12 miler that averages 7%, up Palomar. Floyd Landis has a camp going on and they’ve described this mountain climb as being “12 miles with an average grade of 12%…” which is complete crap. However, there must be some ridiculous roads like that *somewhere, *right? I’d like to know what the global community thinks is *the *toughest paved climb in the entire world. There must be one road that takes the cake, and I want to ride it someday. Please help. Hmmm…thinking about this a bit more I guess it is relative to one’s strengths, so if you must categorize, let’s say toughest between 5-10 miles, 10-20 miles, and longer than 20 miles.
I"m not too sure on the specifics, but L’Angliru in Spain has to be in the running. I’m not sure how long it is, or average grade, but the top section is 26%! All I have to say is, Roberto Heras used a triple, and David Millar quit in protest at the top. This has to be on the list somewhere.
I’ll add a category. Toughest 5k climb. Its Brasstown Bald in North Georgia. It was the final climb in one of the TdG stages last spring. A local rider barely beat Armstrong up the climb. (Armstrong was gaining on him but did not pass him.) And, the Lion King - Cippolini, had to get off his bike at one point.
OK, one vote for L’Angliru…
I read about the Mount Washington hill climb in New Hampshire and that one seemed just evil.
I thought there was some crazy-assed kiwi road (would have to be, really) that was widely accepted as the steepest paved road. Can anyone confirm/provide info? I know someone posted a pic of it before…
links to hill climbs
http://www.cycle2max.com/c2m/climbs.nsf
rating climbs
http://www.altimetrias.com/htm/ComoCoefUK.htm
COMPARATIVE TABLE
Our Coefficient/Mario Ruiz’s Coefficient/Pass
507
558 La Gamonal (l’Angliru)
496 479 Sierra Nevada (Veleta)
486 423 Galibier + Télégraphe
486 482 Mortirolo
444 411 Stelvio
443 449 De l’Agnello
406 379 Mont Ventoux
405 385 Tre Cime di Lavaredo
390 363 Larrau
380 349 Morredero
350 318 La Madeleine
312 292 Tourmalet (este)
296 271 Alpe d’Huez
292 270 Lagos de Covadonga
282 298 Turó de l’Home
280 243 Izoard
280 274 Envalira
278 255 Galibier
275 270 El Redondal
268 252 Col d’Aubisque
245 232 Lunada
230 225 Pajares
219 204 La Sía
212 195 Portalet
211 194 Cruz de la Demanda
210 203 Col de la Marie-Blanque
200 156 Xorret del Catí
199 191 El Escudo
180 182 Cerler
174 179 La Bonaigua
170 168 Serranillos (sur)
160 165 Arcalis
160 142 Navacerrada
159 149 Urkiola
147 140 Orduña
134 147 La Herrera
125 114 Morcuera
125 145 Abantos
114 105 Arrate (Usartza)
81 76 Naranco
more stuff:
- www.salite.ch The greatest database about European climbs. Very interesting
- www.altigraph.fr It´s the website of a publishing house of France (Altigraph), they have published a lot of books about TDF’s climbs. In this site you can read something about “The Altigraph Method”.
- www.ediciclo.it Similar to Altigraph (Ediciclo is an Italian editorial). You can see some profiles of Giro.
- www.ciclomaniac.com More profiles (Italy)
- www.salitomania.it A interesting website about Italian climbs (and others climbs of Europe)
- http://home-1.tiscali.nl/~edwinsel/index.htm Another interesting page
P.D. Sorry my English, but this subject is very difficult for me.
have fun…
I read about the Mount Washington hill climb in New Hampshire and that one seemed just evil.
Couldn’t find a profile, just this description… Just how steep is the course?
The Mount Washington Hill Climb is quickly becoming known as the toughest hill climb in the world and as Dick Devellian, past Race Director, says “This is the World Championship of hill climbing. If someone wants to say they are the best climber in the world then they need to prove it here on Mount Washington.” The Mt Washington Auto Road is 7.6 miles in length, has an average grade of 12% with extended sections of 18% and the last 50 yards is an amazing 22%!
actually this might be the best site for climbs:
http://home-1.tiscali.nl/~edwinsel/data_rankings.htm
I mean really is this necessary?
Kitzbüheler Horn 10.0 k at an average of 12.1%
or
Nebelhorn 7.8k at 14% with >25 max
I need a mountain bike…
Himalaya: Henry gives us this report: There are many passes over 17,000 feet along the entire Himalaya range, in India, Nepal and Tibet. I rode a mountain bike from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal a year and a half ago. Most of the riding on the Tibetan plateau was over 14,000 feet and we went over three 16,000+ ft. passes and three 17,000+ ft. passes. The roads are generally not paved. The descent off the Himalaya went from 17,000 ft. into a valley at 1500 ft. before climbing back up to Kathmandu at 3000? ft. The 15,000 ft. descent took a day and a half! The three 17,000+ ft. passes were: Jia Tsuo La, Pang La, Lalang Leh. There are many more 17,000+ ft. passes in India. The road from Leh to Minali has five 17,0000+ ft. passes. We also rode up to the North Everest Base Camp (17,000+ ft.). Unlike the Nepalese Base Camp, the North Base Camp has a road to it. These altitudes may sound like a fairy tale, but if you’re skeptical, check out a detailed map of the area. The trip took 3 weeks. I wish I would have done before and after hematocrit tests. Shaun Wallace told me natural EPO production goes up 200% at 14,000 ft.
I can only speak for Virginia; I think one of our toughest climbs is the Wintergreen Ascent and there is a race there in early May. I did it last year with a 53/39 up front and an 11/34 in the back (XT derailleur).
Check out the course at http://www.wintergreenresort.com/activities/wintergreen_ascent.asp
It claims a 15-20% grade and its 6-7 miles long, brutal!
Dave from VA
How about Mt. Evans, CO? 27 mi., 7,000’ of climbing, topping out at 14,130’ of altitude? Not that steep (avg. 5%) but how about thin air?
Mt Washington Auto Road in NH has got to be right up there. From the race FAQ: The Mt Washington Auto Road is 7.6 miles in length, has an average grade of 12% with extended sections of 18% and the last 50 yards is an amazing 22%! *Sprint that to the finish! *For more information on the Mt Washington Auto Road click here. Terminus 6288 ft. (1916.58 meters)
Base (Toll House) 1565 ft. (477 meters)
Elevation gain 4727 ft. (1440.79 meters)
Length 7.6 miles (12.23 kilometers)
Grade Avg.12%, extended 18%, final 100 yds. 22%
Road surface 65% paved, 35% packed gravel
Altrec.com lists these ten as the hardest hill climbs in the US: http://www.altrec.com/published/cycle/other/hillclimbs/
**<u>Mt. Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii</u>** **<u>Mt. Evans, Colorado</u>** **<u>Mt. Lemmon, Arizona</u>** **<u>Mt. Graham, Arizona</u>** **<u>Sandia Crest, New Mexico</u>**
Mt. Charleston, Nevada Mt. Baldy, California Mt. Palomar, California Mt. Washington, New Hampshire Mt. Hamilton, California
Lee Silverman
JackRabbit Sports
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Perhaps not the toughest in the world, but here are 2 in Washington State.
Mt. Constitution - Orcas Island - 2500 ft gain in 5 miles.
McNeil Canyon - just east of Chelan - 7 mile climb, 20% grade at the max. I did a century and this climb started at mile 80, after 4000 feet of climbing prior to reaching that point. Sick!
These are both lung/leg busters if done non-stop.
“It is never too late to fix your childhood!” Tom Robbins
Mt. Charleston, Nevada Mt. Baldy, California Mt. Palomar, California Mt. Washington, New Hampshire Mt. Hamilton, California
I think this is a load of crap. I love Palomar and all, but it’s not that big of a deal. I think Montezuma’s grade out of Borrego Springs is harder, it’s just not as popular.
Not longest/steepest but it is 155 miles:
RAMROD (race around Mt. Rainier one day)
L’Angliru has to be up there for certain. Interestingly enough, there are a couple of pretty tough, albeit short, climbs in the Kailua-Kona area. Just South of Keahou, off to the ocean side of the Highway, there are some local roads actually marked between 18 and 24%. They are pretty brutal.
One of my favorite rides, has over 12,000’ of climbing, and tops out at ~10,000ft in elevation. The route is located near Park City, UT, varies, depending on where you start, but is ~103 miles, averages ~8*, with a couple of 15-18* spots. We did this ride 4 times last year in preparation for IM Canada. The road is closed in the winter, but we have friends who ride it almost every week during the summer. I have a profile, but I can’t figure out how to post the jpg from my computer (I use a Mac, and apparently can’t post images to this forum). If anyone would like to see it, or can post it, send me an email, and I’ll pass it along.
Sandia Crest is more scary than hard. Narrow shoulders and lots of switchbacks plus lots of bad drivers in New Mexico. The course for the Cibola Du in Grants, NM was harder in my opinion.
Actually the lists are for “best” rides not toughest. The climb in Hawaii is a very gentle grade.
Styrrell
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