Jump to content

Jo'burg hill categorization / avg gradient %'s


dracs

Recommended Posts

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

 

 

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) :unsure:

Edited by dracs
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 85
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by Edman
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by ricochet_rabbit
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 huh.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by dracs
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 sad.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 :blush:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by Edman
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

No worries - thanks for the effort

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout