Cyclists take on one of L.A.'s steepest hills

[Le breton]

25%

I used to live in Pittsburgh and can tell you that Canton Avenue is definitely steeper than the steepest streets in San Francisco...........
.............
Just an FYI, Boustead Street is right near Canton Avenue and is a much harder climb, even though it's maximum gradient is listed at 29%. Also, I cannot recall the street, but there is a road on the South Side which is by far the toughest of the super steep that I've encountered. It's about 5 or 6 blocks, with the stair-step sidewalks the whole way.

Thanks Upthe(steep)road

Ok, so, since Boustead is steeper, Canton might be in the neighbourhood of 25% for most of its length. You can certainly climb a 25% slope on a regular racing bike ( I believe Angliru's max is like 26%). Standing on the pedals is a bit tricky as you describe.

Cheers

 

[ihavenolimbs]

Assuming that to be true for a second, the total altitude gain would be 56 meters. It can be seen in the video mentioned earlier that the first guys climb it in 19 seconds, which means almost 3 meters/s, ie about 3 horsepower for 75 kg (man + bike), more than Zabel could ever muster and an impressive velocity of 30 km/h.

Then assuming a gear ratio of say 36:21, they would be spinning at over 135 rpm, definitely not the impression you get ( more like 60-80 rpm)

Anybody from Pittsburgh who can tells us a bit more?

I agree with Le Breton, the maths just doesn't work out for Canton Ave to be 38% . Baldwin St (apparently the "World's Steepest Street") is just down the road from where I live, and this area is littered with >20% climbs, and from what I've experienced, I'd be very surprised if that section of Canton Ave averaged >25% .

 

[UpTheRoad]

Thanks Upthe(steep)road

Ok, so, since Boustead is steeper, Canton might be in the neighbourhood of 25% for most of its length. You can certainly climb a 25% slope on a regular racing bike ( I believe Angliru's max is like 26%). Standing on the pedals is a bit tricky as you describe.

Cheers

Boustead is not steeper. It is longer and more difficult, especially since you have a 20% climb up Potomac until you turn onto Boustead. Just a tougher climb.

Canton is definitely steeper, and the 37% max gradient, with 35% average seems about right (given some of the other stated inclines...it is defintiely steeper than Filbert Street in SF). But, it is so short that you won't get bogged down if you just blast your way right from the start. You don't need to worry about blowing completely halfway up, like you would on Boustead or others. You just power through it, go completely anaerobic, and recover a few seconds later.

 

[UpTheRoad]

I agree with Le Breton, the maths just doesn't work out for Canton Ave to be 38% . Baldwin St (apparently the "World's Steepest Street") is just down the road from where I live, and this area is littered with >20% climbs, and from what I've experienced, I'd be very surprised if that section of Canton Ave averaged >25% .

That section of Canton is the whole street. The climb is basically it. OK, it has a flat section at the top for a half block or so (IIRC, it deadends past the half block flat after another 1/4 or 1/2 block), but it truly is one wall and that's it. The cobbles aren't very difficult, wither. Pittsburgh has some cobbled streets that are much more like a RVV climb.

 

[UpTheRoad]

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/27986547.jpg


The second one is from the top. You actually cannot see the steepest part, as it dips down a bit.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/27986556

Here is the photographer's measurement...I think his calibration might be off.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/27986535

 

[UpTheRoad]

OK, here is Canton Avenue by bike. As you can see, that is *all* there is to it. It is very steep, but very doable on racing gearing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RonzTzzsE1g

Here is Boustead Street. You actually have to climb this one, rather than just blast away:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbZz7wxsuq4&NR=1

EDIT: I guarantee that Baldwin Street is undoubtedly a tougher climb, maximum gradient or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYKUk0XVeTQ&feature=related

 

[Christian]

seriously, why do they give any time and creedance to the smoking boozer at the end of the article??

... meaning that, if you don't make it, you'll turn into a smoking alcoholic

 

[Ibanez]

That Dirty Dozen race must be tough.

 

[Black-Balled]

That Dirty Dozen race must be tough.

FOr those entrants, I bet! They have seatbags and backpacks...what kind of race is that? Those riders aren't the average 'racer' or even 'club rider'.

And the hill, while steep, is short. a 7%er that goes for a couple of k would be harder, IMO.