Newbie Bike-leg Elevation question

There is no such thing as a run of the mill Oly (or sprint, or HIM, or IM) course.  Every course depends on the terrain.  I'd look at reports and elevations for the tris you want to do and train accordingly.

Of course, more punishing hills never hurts (in the philosophical sense....)!

The elevation chart is from mapmyrun.com.

The x-axis is kind of messed-up, probably because I clicked the "out-and-back" calculator feature.

Essentially, the right hand side (+300ft.) is my turnaround-point (for those in the Bay Area and are familiar with Canada Rd, the first tall peak in the chart is the intersection of Ralston Ave./Hwy92 bike path entrance, and the far-right side of the chart is intersection of Canada Rd/Rte.84 Woodside Rd.).

The far right, x-axis, if it were legible should read something on the order of 12.25-mile (the turnaround point of my ride).

So, to answer your question Jim, from home to turnaround--left side of chart to right--its a +300ft. net gain, and then I reverse along the exact same course, for a -300ft. net descent.

Thanks, Jim.  I was afraid knew you were going say that.  More hills training it is.

BTW, is the forumula for determining grade as simple as: net elevation (ft) / distance (ft). Using your above example, 350ft/4mi = 350ft/21,120ft = 0.17 (rouned off) = 1.7% grade.