Cycling hill training in MA

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2012-04-27 3:10 PM

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Subject: Cycling hill training in MA

I'm trying to locate various hill (road) climbs in order to get some hill training in - basically going up and over a hill several times.  The only real good option I've found so far on my rides is Mount Wachusett - on the north side its about 1.7 miles (Mile Hill Rd)with a rise of about 500', for a grade of about 5.5% - plus/minus error by using gps vs barometric pressure.

Does anyone know of any other places with steeper grades - something in the 1-3 mile range?  I can certainly stand to gain a lot of fitness from a 5.5% grade, but variety can be nice sometimes.

2012-04-29 4:07 PM
in reply to: #4177329

Subject: RE: Cycling hill training in MA

I'd say stay in the big ring...if that doesn't do it, try running 80# tire pressure. That'll do it !!

 

2012-04-29 6:50 PM
in reply to: #4177329

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Subject: RE: Cycling hill training in MA
There are lots of hills in the Blackstone Valley. I dont know where you are in Mass but I live in Uxbridge. There is about a mile climb up West Hartford Ave that will get your HR up! You can go down Sutton street and repeat. You might also want to look at the Major Taylor Century route. This route goes through the Blackstone Valley, Northern RI and Thompson Connecticut. It has about 6K worth of climb. I have done it twice...if you want hills ...this is a good route. PM me if you have any questions.
2012-04-29 7:18 PM
in reply to: #4177329

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Subject: RE: Cycling hill training in MA

Another way to get hill workouts is hop on a mountain bike and head into the woods.

Otherwise, as Mav says there are definitely hills out there. Today we didn't go looking for hills and got 4,000+ in 60 miles (west of Hopkinton). As a rule of thumb, rides outside the I-495 belt - especially west and north-west are hilly. Things flatten out towards the Cape.

There's a hilly ride around Quabbin called the Kings Tour of The Quabbin... that's not an easy ride. See Seven Hills Wheelmen site. http://www.sevenhillswheelmen.org/index.php?a=centuries

Also, take a look at the Charles River Wheelmen rides. http://www.crw.org/

The hills... they are there!

 

 



Edited by FlyTheBlueSky 2012-04-29 7:21 PM
2012-05-01 4:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Cycling hill training in MA

Thanks, everyone - I'll check some of those out!

2012-05-05 12:52 PM
in reply to: #4177329

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Subject: RE: Cycling hill training in MA

Not sure where you live - but the best hill in my area is to the northwest of Northborough.  Head out of town on Howard and turn right onto Green Street.  It's a Cat 5 hill.  In all, you've got a 300 feet of elevation gain on a road with few cars...

Enjoy those hill repeats!

DQ

2012-05-27 8:44 PM
in reply to: #4177329

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Subject: RE: Cycling hill training in MA
We rode out to Mount Wachusett today. That's the highest elevation in MA east of the Connecticut River and has some good climbing in it. 4 repeats should give you about 5,000 ft of climbing. Is that enough? :-)
2012-05-28 10:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Cycling hill training in MA

I did Wachusett with a friend a few weeks ago after discovering it last year on a long ride.  Well, not discovering it - but realizing it was about as good as one would get around here.  Started at the DCR building half way up, went to the top, then all the way back down to the bottom and up again.  Did that a couple times.  You're right - it's about the best there is outside of going to NH or something. 

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