When is a hill a hill?

[GrumpyGregry]

or merely a climb, or a slope?

What level of elevation over what sort of distance constitutes are real hill?

The unit of measure we could use to describe hills is the "Beacon" which is equivalent to a climb of roughly 150m over 1.5 km....

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Using the standard OS map chevrons? One chevron = A hill (14% to 20%) Two chevrons = A climb (20% +) ??

 

[colly]

Difficult, maybe it depends on the local terrain.
In the flatlands around York/Hull a hump back bridge will seem like a hill.
OTOH If you go on one of Colinj's rides out of Hebden Bridge anything less than 1k at 14% you would barely notice. Almost.

 

[rich p]

I'm inclined to agree Greg

 

[HLaB]

A hill is a hill when you want it to be, some may say a slight rise is a hill, let them

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

If pedalling is optional in one direction then it's a hill. Unless it's a fixed wheel, of course.

 

[qwiksilver]

any incline you would have noticably lean forward to walk up

 

[Deleted member 1258]

If it slows progress then its a hill.

 

[Cush]

If you puff and pant to get up it, it is a hill, if you have to stop half way up, it is a mountain. It is a fact that as you get older you find far more mountains and hills.

 

[numbnuts]

To me every slope is a hill and every hill is a mountain – don't get old

 

[2wd]

I have to go up a really steep hill to get out of where I live,its only short but I power up it no problem

About 1/2 way round my "keep fit route" there is a long straight road about 3/4 mile long that you would think was flat but has a slight incline from start to finish and I hate that road as I'm knackered at the end of it

So for me a hill is anything with an incline above flat

 

[ColinJ]

To me every slope is a hill and every hill is a mountain – don't get old

Sorry to hear that numbnuts, but it isn't getting old that does it, it's getting ill. I know someone well into his 70s who still races (and wins).

(Admittedly, the older you get, the more likely it is that you will get ill.)

 

[Arch]

If it slows progress then its a hill.

This.

On my bike, Walmgate is level. On the Maximus, unladen, it's pretty level. On the Maximus fully laden, it's uphill going out of town.

In that case 'slows progress' = down to walking pace for me!

 

[Pennine-Paul]

Everythings a hill round here
Flattest bit of tarmac is Asda car park

 

[Flying Dodo]

or merely a climb, or a slope?

What level of elevation over what sort of distance constitutes are real hill?

The unit of measure we could use to describe hills is the "Beacon" which is equivalent to a climb of roughly 150m over 1.5 km....

Although I'd say Ditchling is a bit of an awkward shape for comparing hills, what with the umpteen switchbacks, altering gradients and false summits. The other week, I'd suggested to his mightiness Sir Dellzeqq, that Turner's Hill is a better yardstick for an SI unit (or 1.6 kilometrestick to be more accurate).