Steepest Grade you can climb on a bike

Cool article.  There is a spot with about 217' climbing in 0.52 miles (per BT's route tool) that I still haven't made all the way up.  I figured it wasn't worth it once my HR got above 190...

There is another spot where the climb is 70' in 0.13 miles (about 10% grade) and I have made it up that one, usually at the end of the ride. 

The real test of BT climbing mettle might be my driveway.  It is more than 30% for maybe 25 ft.  Since we paved the driveway two years ago, I have wondered how far I could get up it.  There isn't any flat at the bottom to build up speed.  I don't think I could actually climb it on a road bike.  It might be possible with a mountain bike.  I don't have one of those.

There is the challenge then.  Hill Climb at TW's House.  Bring your road bike, your 11-28, and your triple and see who can go the farthest.   You might want your mountain bike shoulder pads to cushion the fall when you tip over.

Here is a poor picture of the drive from the very bottom.  The concrete finishing was just finished so it was nearly dark.  This is the steepest part is in the dark at the top of drive.

I hope you're not somewhere where it snows/ices over.

This is on Norris Lake near La Follette, TN north of Knoxville.  It is very near the Kentucky line.  The elevation change from the road to the house is 75 feet.  There is another 120 foot change to the lake level at full pool.  The whole lot is about 30% grade.  Our driveway is not the steepest in the neighborhood by far.

We usually avoid staying at the lake when it is likely to be snowy but the snow in Tennessee doesn't last long when it infrequently comes.  It is not a problem.  Now that I am retired, I expect to challenge the elements and stay a few weeks in the winter.  The quiet is very nice.

TW

The street I live on is just a straight shot up a hill where the grade goes from 2% to over 20% in less than .2 miles.

I've not tried to ride up it yet, but we often get cyclists & runners doing hill work.

Haha. You are a better man than I.  I am a climbing sissy.  I am not looking for a bigger challenge.  Come with me and ride the Norris Lake Triathlon (my private event held randomly when I feel like it in the summer).  The hills are steep but short.  I gave myself a 12-27 cassette as a 60th birthday present to ease the pain.  The regular roads along the lakefront have many hills in the 16% plus range.  They are short though.

I advertised a Norris Lake Invitational Triathlon as a friendly, non-competitive BT get-together in the Tennessee forum but haven't had any takers so far.

Pitt, maybe you can help me find a video of a hill climb that shows riders attempting a short steep hill. Most of them just come to a stop and tip over on the way up.  A few actually make it.  It is very funny.  I think it may be held in Pittsburgh.  I thought if it when I saw this thread but I could not remember any thing specific enough about the event to google it successfully.

TW

We used to have a road race with a 22% grade, but after a couple of years, they've changed the course. And there's another climb around here that is about 23-25%. I ride up 18% grades often enough.

On the mountains with the mountain bike, there seems to be some steep grades, but I'm not sure how steep they are.

Is it this one? Savageman Triathlon Westernport Wall

Been there, done that. Made it up in training, fell over on race day.

ETA - Ha! Just found myself on youtube, but they caught me before I fell over... 2:32

Thanks, Jen.  It must be the same hill.  I remember "Wall" being part of the name.  The video I remember was from longer ago.  It looks like a killer hill.

TW

I'm 1 for 2 on race day.  Fortunately, I was able to unclip before falling over.  There might be some expletives on Youtube...

 edit to say:  See avatar for the successful climb...

You tried it twice? Once I knew I wasn't getting a brick I just kept going... up, up, up. The climbing after The Wall is the real work!

The Highlander Cycle Tour, for the win. 

Two hills stand out...Bopple, going up, at average 18 for 1.5 miles, max 23%, and on the other side, Slitter Hill, coming down, at 26%. 

Don't forget the bagpiper at the graveyard at the top of Bopple. It's friggin eerie. And awesome. Been up both in 11/23, by mistake.

Got the brick in '10, got cut off by a dude in a lime green onesie in '11.  

I failed miserably in training and it inspired me to get it right on race day.  I couldn't help but notice that I had to be one of the heaviest to get up that SOB.