Cycle Oregon Forum - A little bit of love for Bikes and Oregon

by **John A Campbell** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:00 pm

That section at the top of the first days long route was sooo steep. Someone told me that their bubble inclinometer read 14 degrees. I don't really trust those bubble inclinometers. Does anyone know how steep it really was at it's worst?

by **dougnlis** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:33 pm

It was so steep that my stoker hopped off, walked ahead and looked down from the summit shouting encouragement to me.

by **dougnlis** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:34 pm

It was so steep we passed a couple of pedestrians coming down the hill on rappel ropes.

by **dougnlis** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:35 pm

It was so steep I saw two recumbant riders loosening their helmets because all the blood had rushed to their heads so the straps were too tight.

by **dougnlis** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:38 pm

And really, it was so steep that I heard a couple other riders say their bubble gizmos read fourteen percent, as did an ambulance driver with a different sort of inclinometer in his rig.

I'd go with your fourteen unless you can come up with a story that makes it even steeper.

by **slv0700** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:16 pm

I have a computer and yes that was accurate ! I had to stand on a couple
of those slopes on Orchard Hts Rd. That was a bad hill !

by **John A Campbell** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:09 am

I had to push my recumbent up the worst parts of that hill. It had me worried about the 12% sections on this years week ride. I'm glad to find out that last weekends hill was even steeper. Hopefully by September I'll be able to ride up that 12% grade.

by **Lazlo** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:51 am

I'm so glad we did the middle route. My stoker might have walked to the top, but she would probably have thrown rocks at me. :shock:

by **mike spencer** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:57 am

My trip computer showed 17% max grade on the first days climb. Take heart, only a short 1/10th mile climb that is steeper on day 3 of this years week ride.

by **slv0700** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:00 pm

12% is tough, but that Orchard Hts was really steep. If the week ride is
steeper, no matter how far, it may be my first time in walking ! I could barely keep going while standing on Orchard Hts. the first day.

by **dougnlis** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:37 pm

slv0700 wrote:If the week ride is steeper, no matter how far, it may be my first time in walking ! I could barely keep going while standing on Orchard Hts. the first day.

Heard on CO 18, Boardman to Astoria, a ride that brought many of us to our feet: "Next time I go for a hike, I'm leaving my bike at home."

We do what we have to do and camp is always there waiting. You won't be first, you won't be last, and the fact that you do it at all remains something to be proud of. Just don't sacrifice that gram of weight to get the cycling shoes that leave you walking on the cleats.

by **riding2live** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:25 pm

It was so steep my recumbent flipped over backwards, so I rode in reverse the rest of the way to the top.

Cycle Oregon Forum - A little bit of love for Bikes and Oregon

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