How do you know the % rating of hills?

[Geoff Crowther]

Just curious really as a beginner.
I often see references in posts to the % of a hill. How do you know this? Does it, perhaps, come from a fancier bike computer than mine?
Cheers
Geoff

 

[ianrauk]

Maps and road signs.

On OS maps this >> indicated on a road means 20% gradient and steeper, > means 14-20% gradient.

perhaps @ColinJ will put up a picture road map of Hebden Bridge to show the gradient arrows as above.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks Ian. I knew about road signs and am very familiar with OS maps. Again, I knew about those arrow symbols but didn't know they had a numerical definition. And here's me with 27 years experience of mountain rescue. Shameful really. Mind you, we never did stick to the roads .
You really do live an' learn.
Many thanks.

 

[the_mikey]

As above, I usually find out from maps, signs and sites like map my ride which calculates the gradient of hills.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Cheers Mikey. I'll take a look at that.

 

[ColinJ]

Maps and road signs.

On OS maps this >> indicated on a road means 20% gradient and steeper, > means 14-20% gradient.

perhaps @ColinJ will put up a picture road map of Hebden Bridge to show the gradient arrows as above.

My fame (and CycleChat's) has spread to the extent that using Google image search for 'Hebden Bridge steep hills ColinJ' finds such a picture straight away!

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Yep, understood Colin. Many thanks. I know Hebden Bridge though haven't cycled there ... yet.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[fossyant]

My Garmin tells me the slope as well. I try not to look at it, as my legs usually tell me.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

I did wonder about that fossyant. I have a basic Cateye on my tourer and use a Satmap for more complex touring so am unlikely to be gettin' one o' them there Garmin thingummies (though I do use one on my highly-powered motorsickle and in my world-travellin' motorhomey thing).
Cheers
Geoff

 

[Hacienda71]

There are a few websites that analyse well known climbs. Climbbybike is one iirc.

 

[Kestevan]

Percentages are for soft southern shandy swilling jessies.
Real Men know how to rate a hill:

Still in the big ring: Flat
Bit out of breath at top: A slope
Legs burning: Decent slope
No more gears left: Steep slope
No more gears, standing up, thinking sweary words: Very Steep slope
Front wheel lifting up: Too Steep Slope
Sliding backwards on wet cobbles when brakes are on: Hebden Bridge

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Kestevan - just brilliant!
Made my day

 

[ColinJ]

I attempted this stretch of 25% in the wet ...

It is so steep, that I had to stand up to force the pedals round ...

Then the front of the bike lifted off the road and I had to lean forward to force it back down again ...

Then the back wheel slid out from under me ...

Then I gave up and walked the rest of the way!

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Oh dear!
So 25% = 1 in 4 yeah? Like Sutton Bank if I remember correctly?

 

[ianrauk]

I attempted this stretch of 25% in the wet ...

It is so steep, that I had to stand up to force the pedals round ...

Then the front of the bike lifted off the road and I had to lean forward to force it back down again ...

Then the back wheel slid out from under me ...

Then I gave up and walked the rest of the way!

We have one of those too, in a place called Cudham.
25%, on a camber, on a dog leg, with a road a joining from the right on the way up.
Nasty...most I have have done is 3 reps, after that... I was done...and I have walked it before now.