[u:d6c0315dd2][b:d6c0315dd2]Grade & Effort Levels on extended climbs:[/b:d6c0315dd2][/u:d6c0315dd2]
0% Grade = Flat ground
2% Grade = Not very steep but substantially reduces forward momentum, uses 50%+- of your power output.
6% Grade = Cuts speed well under half & uses more than 80%+- of your power.
10% Grade = All but serious riders are off bikes walking.


[u:d6c0315dd2][b:d6c0315dd2]How to Calculate % Grade[/b:d6c0315dd2][/u:d6c0315dd2]
% Grade = ((highest elevation - lowest elevation) / (end distance - start distance)) x 100

Note: all units must be the same, i.e. if elevation is in feet and distance is in miles you must convert one or the other so that both units are in feet or both are in miles.

[u:d6c0315dd2][b:d6c0315dd2]Example:[/b:d6c0315dd2][/u:d6c0315dd2]
Average % Grade of Eastman Hill = ((1429 ft - 841 ft) / (1.18 miles - 0 miles)) x 100

Average % Grade of Eastman Hill = (588 ft / (1.18 miles x 5280 ft/mile)) x 100

Average % Grade of Eastman Hill = (588 ft / 6230.4 ft) x 100

Average % Grade of Eastman Hill = 0.0944 x 100

Average % Grade of Eastman Hill = 9.44

The catch 22 of this is that Eastman Hill from the Route 4 intersection to the highest point may have an average grade of 9.44% over the whole 1.18 miles however the 2nd third of a mile has an average grade of like 18%, so don't be fooled by the overall hill's average grade, Eastman Hill will rock your world if you think it is an even 9.44 % the whole way. It might just rock your world either way depending on how strong of a climber you are.

Ryan