How steep are the climbs in S.F.?

JMac930

So I was checking out the forums today and saw some pics of the Grand Prix of San Fran. How steep is the climb they do the Master of the Mountains climb on? Jason McCartney won it for Discovery. Although short (compared to some in France) it looks almost straight up.

JRMDC

I did a bit of poking around on the web a few days ago but I don't remember the exact details. There are two climbs on the route, one or both are 600m, one was something like average 10%, maximum 18%. Something like that - do a search for the details.

Road Toad

I just visited SF a month ago for the first time and I was absolutely amazed at how steep the hills are. I cant see how a city was built on them.

Virenque

There was the webpage ( http://www.sfvisitor.org/travelmedia/html/sfdizzy.html ) with the steepest climbs in SF but it doesn`t exist anymore.
Here is a photo of Filbert street, which is the steepest, but the race didn`t go there, of course..

2zanzibar

WOW! that image was pure VERTIGO!

and lets not forget that SF is the birthplace of the Bicycle Messenger! a few years back when I was in SF and I got talking to few messengers, as I was a messenger in London for a year I couldn't believe that they had to traverse its topography day in day out...and they all seemed quite chilled out about it!

DiabloScott

KOM #1:
Fillmore St.
Length: 0.6 km/ .37 miles
Elevation Gain: 58 meters / 190.29 feet
Average Grade: 10 %
Maximum Grade: 18%

KOM #2:
Columbus Ave. & Taylor St.
Length: 0.7 km / .43 miles
Elevation Gain: 38 meters/ 124.67 feet
Average Grade: 5 %
Maximum Grade: 16%


They were going to use this course for the Olympic Road Race if San Francisco got the bid. I've been to all five SFGPs with my daughter.

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Virenque

What`s the total elevation gain? There is no altimetry or facts on race`s official site. I think it must be very cruel because almost 170 km is a lot for a street race. It`s one of the best and most atractive races no doubt about that..sad we can`t watch it here.

roundsquare1

Filmore is about 18 % Talyor is a tad underthat.

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jhuskey

That's all ...wow, I thought they were steep.

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DiabloScott

The average gradient figure is misleading because these climbs are several blocks long and they level out at the street crossings - so they're like stairs with flat spots. Essentially you have a block of maximum gradient, 40 feet of level, and then another block of maximum gradient, etc. Also, they used Columbus Ave for KOM #2 which isn't really part of the proper climb so that drags the average down also.

These streets are steep city streets but they're not goat paths.

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Nick H.

It's not difficult to find a 20% grade in San Francisco - and there are a couple at more than 30%, e.g. Filbert. A number of the steepest climbs have steps cut into the sidewalk.

There's a very good cyclists' map with colour-coded grades for those who like to go around the hills rather than over them.

There's a road in Trondheim with a bicycle lift. It's a little like a ski lift and it drags you up by your foot. But you can't get a grip on it if you're wearing stiff racing shoes, so I had to cycle - with a 39x26 and no bags I only just made it - most of it seems to be about 20%.

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SquadraOvest

The average grade is very misleading since there's 3 pancake flat sections, one inbetween each climb. The 18% stays pretty consistent on the actual climb part. My team does the Fillmore climb in training every Wed. just for kicks. It's a bruiser and definitely not nice for your drivetrain. You pretty much have to fight to get your bike up that thing. I can't imagine doing that thing 12 times at race pace.

roundsquare1

check this out....this will give you an idea

http://www.russianhillroulette.com/

DiabloScott

That was fun!

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