In the resourse section of this site there are reginal hill grades listed for the Bronx. There is a hill listed on Riverside Ave, from 230th to 239th. I cannot find Riverside Ave on the map. Can someone help me?
Bronx Hills
Sat, 02/12/2005 - 8:18pm
Sat, 02/12/2005 - 8:40pm
#1
Its Riverdale...
Sat, 02/12/2005 - 8:44pm
#2
I think there must be a typo on the website...
Sun, 02/13/2005 - 6:51am
#3
Mea Culpa, my typo error, Riverdale Avenue (nm)
Sun, 02/13/2005 - 7:27am
#4
I know where that is!
That is one block from my house. I am just looking for options for Hill repeats in my area.
Any idea on the info going up the hill from Riverdale and 230th in the other direction? Up to Johnson and Kappock? I am not really sure how to get the ino from my Polar 720, but I think it is .6 miles at 115' change. How do I figure out the percentage? I knew I should have paid attention in school! My guess is 3.6 percent.
Sun, 02/13/2005 - 9:39am
#5
The math
I am not sure where you end on this hill as there are a few options. But let's use your figures.
0.6 mile = 3168'
115/3168 = 3.6% You had it.
If you click the red button on the start and finish of the hillclimb, when you download the information the %grade will show up on the interval information on your S720.
You are also near Bennett to Overlook in Manhattan.
Sun, 02/13/2005 - 12:26pm
#6
My results from today
http://home.earthlink.net/~nycapartment/Hills.jpg
I used my Polar 720i. I set each Hill as a new lap. I was not as accurate as I could have been in setting the laps, which would explain the differences in numbers.
Totals: 3.63 miles of climbing. 1005 Rise. 5.2% grade.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to climb for 8 miles at a 10% grade.
Sun, 02/13/2005 - 8:16pm
#7
If you have the gearing, it is just an aerobic endeavor.
Mon, 02/14/2005 - 7:33am
#8
... and of patience.
Mon, 02/14/2005 - 11:54am
#9
Patience
Patience (and a high power-weight ratio) is in fact the key to climbing. Too many start too hard, blow up then suffer for the climb's remainder. Good climbers start easy, then go harder and harder as the climb progresses. If you are not going harder at the top than at the bottom, then you did something wrong.
Mon, 02/14/2005 - 12:23pm
#10
Imagining 8 miles @ 10%
"I have been certified as historically the club's single worst climber and I, using somewhat different language than do Hank and April, and having climbed all but two paved Alp passes over 2000 m., and done so as a geriatric, state--and, in fact, insist it be understood--all it takes to go up ANY hill is: the will, the time, and a low enough gear.
That is one of only two wise things I've ever had to say about cycling. The other is related, even as it pertains to packing for bike trips.
""The only thing dumber than riding uphill with clean underwear is riding uphill with dirty underwear.""
As for Heath looking for that 8 mile climb at ten percent, he'll find precisely that on the Mortirolo (with pitches up to 17%)--well, maybe seven miles.
And while you're in the area, climb the Stelvio (the third highest paved Alp pass with 47 hairpin turns from the Prato side), and, even more, be sure and visit the Madonna del Ghisallo, above Bellagio, overlooking Lake Como, to offer up your prayer of thanks that you did it."
Mon, 02/14/2005 - 12:40pm
#11
I gotta know, Richard, which two passes haven't you bagged?
And did you do the Fedaia from Caprile (westbound) or Canazei (eastbound)?
I was thinking that Heiligenblut to Hochtor on the southside of the Grossglockner Hochalpstrasse provides steady 10% grades for about 10 miles, if you ignore the 1 mile of flattish descent between Kasereck and Guttal.
- Christian
Mon, 02/14/2005 - 4:40pm
#12
Answering Christian
Christian:
I'd write you off-line, but I suspect your posted e-address, xx&xxx.com, may not be a real one.
Before answering you, let me state, my scariest day on a bike, and the most formidable ride I've ever taken was the first of the two times I rode the Gavia. (First in 1985, second in 1994 or '95). 1985 was before it was paved. Pretty much throughout it I had in mind going over the side. It was steep (16% at one point.) It was shrouded in fog...until the fog gave way to wet snow. It was largely unpaved. Largely rutted. Gullies where the water ran off the narrow road and over the side grabbed your wheel and threatened to do the same to you. The guard rails—where there were guard rails—wouldn't have retained you. See:
http://members.fortunecity.com/djconnel/gavia_1985.html
I began the day I crossed the Fedaia in Dobbiaco (which, mindful of your note, was two days after the Hochtor [obviously ridden north to south]. The Fedaia day --I recall riding especially unwell on the Giau--ended in Canazei. The rain and fog that day were such that, even as I rode past it, I never did see the Marmolada.
It was some years later, during my winter scouring of maps looking for passes, that I came across the two minor passes I referred to. As it happens, they are a short distance from the Marmolada and would have been an easy diversion from my route: Cavallazza (on the N. 50), just north of San Martino di Castrozza, and the Passo di Valles (2033 m.), a short distance north of that. In fact, as I look now at Cavallazza, I'm not sure it's on the road. The Passo di Rolle (1970 m.) may be the nearest paved pass.
Near Sestriere is an unpaved road with two passes above 2000 m.—the Colle delle Assietta (2472 m) and the Colle delle Finestre (2176 m.)—that would make a neat ride from Briançon to Turin. I'm hopeful this road will be paved in conjunction with the Turin Olympics next winter. But, I'm told, until it is paved, it's no place for a thin, high-pressured tire, and is best done on a 4-WD.
There are two characteristics of my rides: I have no itinerary, no reservations, and no idea where I'll begin and end a day.
The other is I'm wholly self-supporting. In the course of eighteen bike trips to Europe I have so mastered the art of packing that the only bag I take is a Kirtland saddle wedge. It contains off-the-bike (dinner and airline) shoes and clothes, jacket, toiletries, tools, spare tubes, camera, film, passport, money, maps. Total weight, incl. bag: 4.5 lbs.! (Refer back to my underwear reference.) This represents my only development as a cyclist as I started in 1980 (at the age of 40) with two panniers, a handlebar bag, and a tent sack.
The other point I make over and over without, alas, so much as a scintilla of false modesty, is I am a truly terrible, a really awful rider as anyone on my rides can testify from watching me struggle up the mildest incline, e.g. potholes, curbs, and driveways.
One last thing: Vogel's note on a thread about training in Europe should be held in mind. As much as I do truly love riding the Alps, riding in Europe is no big deal... especially in consideration of his (and others) having ridden in such places as China, Vietnam, Thailand, Latin America, eastern Europe, et al. One other thing, for those who are mistakenly awed by biking the Alps: the Rockies are higher, much higher.
Mon, 02/14/2005 - 6:26pm
#13
Richard,
You may climb slowly, but you don't climb _that_ slowly if you rode Dobbiaco - Misurina - Tre Croci - Cortina - Giau - Caprile - Fedaia - Canazei in one day. That's really the rough way to do Tre Croci and Fedaia. The western approaches are easier, I think. Don't tell me you decided to do a little loop up the Lavaredo too.
Oh, and here's the Marmolada, since it was foggy on the day you rode. This photo is from the western approach to the Pso Falzarego. http://www.ivyandchristian.com/dolomites/2004_07_14/106_0652_r1.jpg
And lastly, the Pso di Valles is defintitely a pass, but Cavallazza looks to me like the 2325m peak to the west of No. 50. I don't think that's a pass, at least not on my TCI map. But the road to the Rifugio looks fun...
- Christian
Tue, 02/15/2005 - 5:05am
#14
I over-stated that day's ride.
I would reply directly but do so publicly lest my leaving my statement of this ride uncorrected, I put forward a feat of prowess that is misleading of my ability.
Upon recollection, I now recall I didn't leave Dobbiaco until 1 PM, took a flatter route to Cortina (No. 51) than the more scenic, and doubtlessly more challenging one you write (No. 48), possibly because I didn't and don't see any 2000 m. elevations along it. But today I would take that road. I spent the night just before the Giau and the next evening in Canazei, after stopping for the day uncharacteristically early, in mid-afternoon, welcoming the appearance of the sun and the stopping of the rain.
I think it was the following evening that was the memorable experience of finding lodging, in an otherwise completely sold out small village, in a Catholic retreat. This was just past the Tonale.
Tue, 02/15/2005 - 6:05am
#15
The other point I make over and over without, alas, so much as a scintilla of false modesty, is I am a truly terrible, a really awful rider as anyone on my rides can testify from watching me struggle up the mildest incline, e.g. potholes, curbs, and driveways
I have had this discussion with Richard previousely. He is not a terrible climber. In fact he's an excellent climber, just a terrible bike handler.:-)
Tue, 02/15/2005 - 11:14am
#16
The formula that yields me as the worst uphiller ever in NYCC
Yes, I'm slow and utterly lacking in form as I shimmy and sway and heave and lumber side-to-side struggling uphill. But that isn't enough to give me the distinction of being the all-time worst uphiller in the club. Nor is being the last up a hill enough to earn that distinction. In fact, I acknowledge I occasionally do beat an occasional person up an incline. But that's isn't enough to deny me the distinction.
Here's the formula by which I determine myself to be the worst: the ratio of speed uphill divided by speed on the flats. It's the proportion that yields this unwanted distinction.
It's not that I'm so swift on the flats, because I'm not, but if I should beat someone uphill who is also slower on the flats, that doesn't count. But I beat NO ONE uphill with whom I ride even on the flats. And there are an awful lot of people I ride faster than on the flats who dust me uphill.
Someone told me I'm slow uphill because I have a mental block. Bull... I'm slow uphill because...because... because...hell, I don't know why. Yes, I'm old. Yes, I'm heavy. Yes, I don't train. None of that matters. I simply can't ride uphill.
And now, if this is read by those who rode with me late last October, I will now reveal the private joke behind my asking each of you to pull over just before the top of any one hill of your choosing and wait for me to pass you.
It was my 65th birthday and my unspoken birthday gift to myself was to be able to say at the end of the ride: I passed everyone on the hills. I'll grant you your kindly waiting for me to pass you might color this a bit but in my dotage, which is, I think, due next week, I'm sure I'll forget that part of the outing.
Tue, 02/15/2005 - 5:15pm
#17
Closer to Home
"One need not leave Ndew York State to find a difficult climb. Whiteface. Acually, the race route is 8 miles, 8.4%. The is a way to ride the climb such that on the average it is identical to Alpe d'Huez in length and average grade."
Tue, 02/15/2005 - 5:26pm
#18
John,
Can one ride Whiteface on days other than the race or is it like Mt. Washington and Pikes Peak?
- Christian
Tue, 02/15/2005 - 5:58pm
#19
Yes!
When the toll road is closed, bicycles are allowed. Evenings are best, as every once in a while they will turn riders away in the morning if they think you can't get up and down before the toll road opens.
Tue, 02/15/2005 - 6:24pm
#20
Nice. I'd be up for a weekend roadtrip there and/or Ascutney if anyone is interested.
- Christian
Wed, 02/16/2005 - 8:13pm
#21
Memorial Day
I am going there Memorial Day weekend, as I have done for the last 5 years. Any earlier than that, can be iffy, and in years past there has been snow on the toll road's upper sections as late as May 15.
Last year on May 21, its snowed, although it did not accumulate.
Wed, 04/13/2005 - 5:23am
#22
"Here is a nice area for hill repeats, just south of the Bronx. My favorites are Fort George Hill, Fort Washington Avenue, Bennett Avenue and Fairhaven Avenue.
For additional self-flagellation, try the pave on 10th Avenue under the ""el.""
(see mapquest.com results for Fairhaven Avenue and Broadway, New York NY, viewed April 13, 2005)
Gary
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&address=fairview+avenue+and+broadway&city=New+York&state=NY&zipcode="
