Jo'burg hill categorization / avg gradient %'s

[dracs]

Edman's link in the below post from the Dome to Dome thread got me wondering....

 

Detailed route map:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/36942152

 

The link includes a tab where climbs are categorised - with the final climb categorised as a Cat 3 and gradient at 4.1%. Now this surprised me in a way - mainly in that it is "only" a 4.1% gradient and I think most would agree that, in Joburg terms anyway, that is a tough climb. With this in mind, is the Race for Victory climb at Suikerbosrand really 8% avg maxing at 10% as claimed? If so what would this be categorised as?

 

How about some other lesser (but more familiar to me anyway) climbs - like the Dainfern drag on the return from the cradle into Broadacres? Or how about Suikerbossie or Chappies?

 

If Suikerbosrand is really so much steaper than some of these other climbs I am wondering if I will get up it with my current gearing (and legs)

Edited August 29, 2011 by dracs

[Minion]

I think the closest analogy to the Suikerbosrand climb in Joburg is going up Northcliff. I think I may have uploaded both to Mapmy ride, will have a look.

[Minion]

Here's last year's Race for Victory:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/46139016

 

A training route up two sides of Northcliff:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/43506098

 

All of Suikerbosrand:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/43505588

 

and Magoebaskloof in Tzaneen, the hardest road climb I've done:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/43504768

 

The average gradient is a bit misleading. The SBR climb is also about 4.3% average, but starts off slow and then get's very steep. Northcliff is steep at the beginning, levels out a bit and then gets steep again. Magoebaskloof consists of two 3-4km stretches at 9%, but because they are separated by a 900m stretch at 2-3%, it 'only' gets a 6.5% average.

 

I've got ride files for the Argus and the Dainfern drag on my other computer. I'll see what I can find this evening.

Edited August 29, 2011 by Edman

[ricochet_rabbit]

how does Suikerbosrand compare to Inchanga (comrades route) 2.5km long, 150m rise in altitude?

seeing you post above I guess it doesn't compare.

Edited August 29, 2011 by ricochet_rabbit

[Thug]

On the backside of Northcliff (Frederick/Hearn), there is one section that touches 17% for approx 50 metres or so.

[Minion]

On the backside of Northcliff (Frederick/Hearn), there is one section that touches 17% for approx 50 metres or so.

Going past the townhouses, that one's nasty

[Seeker911]

Anyone done Doreen road going up from Hendrik Potgieter towards Ontdekkers ? That is a pretty steep kicker. Definitely granny gear material.

[dracs]

Here's last year's Race for Victory:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/46139016

 

A training route up two sides of Northcliff:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/43506098

 

All of Suikerbosrand:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/43505588

 

and Magoebaskloof in Tzaneen, the hardest road climb I've done:

http://www.mapmyride...s/view/43504768

 

The average gradient is a bit misleading. The SBR climb is also about 4.3% average, but starts off slow and then get's very steep. Northcliff is steep at the beginning, levels out a bit and then gets steep again. Magoebaskloof consists of two 3-4km stretches at 9%, but because they are separated by a 900m stretch at 2-3%, it 'only' gets a 6.5% average.

 

I've got ride files for the Argus and the Dainfern drag on my other computer. I'll see what I can find this evening.

 

Very interesting data, thanks Edman... Think its time to upgrade from my humble little polar CS300!

Edited August 29, 2011 by dracs

[Minion]

Anyone done Doreen road going up from Hendrik Potgieter towards Ontdekkers ? That is a pretty steep kicker. Definitely granny gear material.

I've also got a file for that one.

 

It's not so bad - you spend more time fearing for your life in the traffic than worrying about the gradient

[I FLY]

My wife's roadie friends used to do a 5 hills training ride on road bikes.

 

1.Senior, Cliffview and Rockcliff - Northcliff then

 

2. Golf Club Terrace - Roodepoort

 

3. William Nicol - Roodepoort

 

4. Christaan de Wet - Roodepoort

 

5. Doreen - Roodepoort

 

I went along a few times. It was a very hard day for me

[andydude]

Ratings for climbs on Mapmyride is not the same as for example the Tour de France. On Mapmyride there are set categories for the different climbs, e.g. between 2 - 4km and between 4 - 6% = Cat 3. In the Tour de France they will taking into account that as well as the difficulty of the stage. E.g. the famous Alpe d'Huez will "only" qualify for a Cat1 on its own, but since it's always at the end of a difficult stage they rate it as HC.

[Minion]

I've got ride files for the Argus and the Dainfern drag on my other computer. I'll see what I can find this evening.

Mapmyride is currently causing me a major sense of humour failure, so no more uploads, I'm afraid.

Edited August 30, 2011 by Edman

[dracs]

Maymyride is currently causing me a major sense of humour failure, so no more uploads, I'm afraid.

No worries - thanks for the effort

[Slowbee]

joburg has hills ?

[dracs]

joburg has hills ?

 

Like I said, its all relative...

[Blokman]

Does anybody know the gradient of Comaro str. in Glenvista ?