Where is the biggest, meanest, longest and steepest hill in Jo'berg?

[GhostSixFour]

Are we gonna do this?

 

I suggest a hill that's not impossible for the average joe - but raceable for the top guys.

That way we all get a go :-)

 

Still on the cards - just gotten a little busy lately. Will update on thread though.

[Shangri la]

I see the Municipality has installed a new pipeline down Eastgate (South) the side of Linksfield ridge, about half way along the ridge. The interesting point being there is a 4x4 track running over the pipeline and it is steep!! Looks a good MTB tester!! Any thoughts?

[Gandalf]

There is a formula the guys in the know uses to judge a hill.

I have gathered some data wrt the local climbs in SA.

 

This is the chart: (Updated)

 

Anybody know where the one in Northcliff is?

[Gandalf]

Ok i know which hill it is, but not sure what routes the guys ride to get to the top - could someone tell me ? if its still possible, because i found this thread https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/111449-the-end-of-northcliff-for-hill-reps/page__st__16 and it seems to be closed off or are there different routes to ride?

[Tioga]

is this still on the cards? would support for sure!

[ynot-mtb]

Hi guys

 

How about Camaro st in the south- Bassonia area.

Nice straight road that just keeps Getting steeper.

Good for the spectators viewing as well.

 

Chow for now

Tony

[therealdavidn@gmail.com]

Agreed - good little climb.

 

But not anything close to the pull up to the watertower on Northcliff hill I reckon?

 

Kallenbach drive, The one just east of Sylvias pass.
The advantage is that It is relatively quiet. Cobble stones(bricks) and tar. Steepest right at the top.

Linksfield 1km 100m climb. cul de sac. Very nice.
Start in the school parking lot.

North cliff. nice and long by joburg standards.
Start in the shopping centre parking lot.

[Chris_]

Almost 7 years... yoh

[TNT1]

Almost 7 years... yoh

Some people ride slowly. Especially uphill.

[Kranswurm]

Westcliff Hotel bottom gate to the top gate.

[LongDonkey]

Add Snakebite at van Gaalens to that, MTB, but who cares it is rof! 172 m ascent over 1,970 m, the full climb includes a couple of other segment with about 60 to 70 m more ascent. 

[TheoG]

Agreed - good little climb.

 

But not anything close to the pull up to the watertower on Northcliff hill I reckon?

 

Hate to burst your bubble but you replied on a msg that was posted on -  7 Nov 2013

 

[Vetplant]

Necro thread, no doubt... 

 

But

 

I need to mention this pass whenever I get an opportunity. This is the closest we can get to the climbs they use in the TDF.

 

Mariepskop:

On the eastern side of the Drakensberg Escarpment, facing away from the Blyde River Canyon, is the Mariepskop complex - a mountain enclave and centre of endemism of unsurpassed beauty. You can ascend to the top where, at 1,945m above sea level, you can see the Indian Ocean and Maputo on a clear day. Mariepskop is the higest peak in the northern Drakensberg Escarpment. The view is one of the finest in all of South Africa, providing the mountain is free of cloud and mist.

 

This decisively steep pass is 13,7 km long and climbs 1100m to summit at 1942m ASL via 95 bends, corners and curves, producing an average gradient of 1:14  but some of the sections are seriously steep at 1:5. The pass rises from the Lowveld at Klaserie on the R40 and climbs up this spectacular ridge of the Drakensberg in a complex network of roads, both gravel and tarred, to give access to the towering Mariepskop (its African name is Mogologolo) which plays host to a number of government installations including an old SAAF Radar Station, a set of telecoms towers and forestry fire look-out points.

 

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/259714-Mariepskop-mountain-pass

 

HC climb

Strava KOM: 1h07

https://www.strava.com/segments/2938327

[TheoG]

Look awesome, will certainly go do it with my 4x4 next time I'm in the area.  Only way I do that on a bike is going down ...  

[Kranswurm]

 

Necro thread, no doubt... 

 

But

 

I need to mention this pass whenever I get an opportunity. This is the closest we can get to the climbs they use in the TDF.

 

Mariepskop:

On the eastern side of the Drakensberg Escarpment, facing away from the Blyde River Canyon, is the Mariepskop complex - a mountain enclave and centre of endemism of unsurpassed beauty. You can ascend to the top where, at 1,945m above sea level, you can see the Indian Ocean and Maputo on a clear day. Mariepskop is the higest peak in the northern Drakensberg Escarpment. The view is one of the finest in all of South Africa, providing the mountain is free of cloud and mist.

 

This decisively steep pass is 13,7 km long and climbs 1100m to summit at 1942m ASL via 95 bends, corners and curves, producing an average gradient of 1:14  but some of the sections are seriously steep at 1:5. The pass rises from the Lowveld at Klaserie on the R40 and climbs up this spectacular ridge of the Drakensberg in a complex network of roads, both gravel and tarred, to give access to the towering Mariepskop (its African name is Mogologolo) which plays host to a number of government installations including an old SAAF Radar Station, a set of telecoms towers and forestry fire look-out points.

 

https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/showthread.php/259714-Mariepskop-mountain-pass

 

HC climb

Strava KOM: 1h07

https://www.strava.com/segments/2938327

 

Never been there.Now on my list

[Frosty]

Never been there.Now on my list

Ditto. Here's some more data