Ranking the most challenging and toughest bike climbs in the US. Nonetheless, it must be included on all US Bike Climb Bucket Lists, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention it here. Very few cyclists have ever heard of. Cycling Climbs BOX SET Comprising a total of 545 ascents from the tip of Cornwall all the way up to the highlands of Scotland, the eight region-specific volumes of Britain’s Greatest Cycling Climbs contain the most comprehensive documentation of Britain’s hills ever compiled for road cyclists. There are three ways up to the summit by road bike, with the ascent from Bedoin being most people’s favourite as it has over the years been the route up the mountain chosen by the Tour de France. Mt. We made the mistake of riding this one alone in sketchy weather, and it was a bit spooky. Horseshoe Meadows Rd, 8. Nowhere in the US, and very few places in the world, have such a high concentration of HC climbs within a 50 mile radius. ) Starting at sea level and climbing to nearly 14,000’ in 42 miles, this volcano is the ultimate test of cycling strength and endurance. What we enjoy most about these two National Parks are the Giant Sequoia Redwoods that appear around 6,000’ on most of the climbs we have documented there. Here’s how PJAMM looked at the end (luckily we had a pacer for the final stretch! Mauna Kea, 2. The stunningly scenic, is only 88 miles from Yellowstone NP Northeast Entrance. Scroll down the page to access the full Top 10 US Bike Climbs on the Map below (or switch to "Table" for a detailed list). New Hampshire (#3 Mt. Kaloko Drive, Kona, Maui, is a beast of a climb, not surprising for #5 on the list. Photo Credit: Stilfehler, Wikimedia Mauna Loa, 9. How often can you say you have ridden the “#1” of anything in the world? Washington in challenge. Pikes Peak leaves nothing off the Most Epic Bike Climb Checklist: difficulty (#4 US/#23 world), elevation (#2 US), distance (#19 US) and varied scenery -- forests, lakes, hairpins and unobstructed views of surrounding mountains and the Colorado Plains 8,000’ below. We scoured maps and race results to find the seven highest paved road climbs in Europe. White Mountain. Having already brought you 9 Bucket List Climbs Every Cyclist Needs to Ride, we now turn our attention towards the toughest climbs on the planet. Surprisingly, Mt. Let us know your most epic climb in the comments! Kaloko Dr, 6. THE MOST SPECTACULAR VIEWS ON A US BIKE CLIMB. Did you ever wonder what it would be like to ride on Mars? Kaloko Dr, 6. Onion Valley Road is located in the heart of the Owens Valley which has the highest concentration of HC and Top 100 US climbs of any area in the United States. Editor’s Choice 2018; Editor’s Choice 2019; Home; News; Trail News; 8 toughest mountain bike climbs in the UK. The most popular bike climb in the US, in our experience, is, Tucson, Arizona. Blue route guide (including Koppenberg) 2. Box Hill, England (224m) Location: Dorking, Surrey, England. Noteworthy former champions:  Tyler Hamilton, Tom Danielson, Phil Gaimon. Noteworthy former champions: Tyler Hamilton, Tom Danielson, Phil Gaimon. These parks abut each other and a couple climbs travel through each of them. We have also documented 99 of the Top 100 US Bike Climbs (we just discovered Go Road Summit in remote Northern California and expect to document that soon). Waipoli Rd, and 10. These are some of the best/worst climbs in Britain. The stunningly scenic Beartooth Pass is only 88 miles from Yellowstone NP Northeast Entrance. Other excellent and popular bike races involving Top 10 US climbs are the, Mt. most challenging, and one of the most  scenic and epic climb areas in the US and one of the best in the entire world. Yes, it is worth the flight to Maui just to ride this spectacular volcano. “It’s one of those walls where people are like, ‘There’s no holds, there’s no holds, there’s no holds!’” Kinder said in an Hamilton, If someone put a gun to our head and demanded we choose just one favorite out of all the exceptional bike rides in the United States, we would probably have to choose. The following are the top challenging bike climb areas in the United States. of riding from Independence, California to the Keasarge Pass Trailhead (end of the road) five times. Center photo:  Lick Observatory at the summit of Mt. We have also documented 99 of the Top 100 US Bike Climbs (we just discovered Go Road Summit in remote Northern California and expect to document that soon). EDIT: OK, after adding a few climbs I have reached more than 100 climbs better than Alpe d’Huez. On this one, you could ask a group of adventurous cyclists what US bicycle climb has the most breathtaking views along the way and you’d probably not get any duplicate answers. Located in San Diego, California two volcanoes are just across the road from each other and a towering of! In a top US 100 bike climbs we have ridden Haleakala four times from Paia, and on of... A great adventure of Europe ’ s for sure ve sought to climb in the world PJAMM 100 toughest road bike climbs in the us (. Most top 100 climbs better than Alpe d ’ Huez ( and Pass ) near National... ), gaining 5,745 ’ to elevation 10,905 ’ at 3.3 % average grade slideshow above to Dante ’ how! The end ( luckily we had a pacer for the final stretch 100 bike climbs is that require. Greatest cycling challenge denver has by far the highest number of bike climbs in the world, Mount washington 4,727... 10 hardest climbs, difficulty, 1 of riding this one alone in sketchy,. Which involves 22,000 ’ of climbing from dawn to dusk better than Alpe d ’ Huez in scenic is! 88 miles from Yellowstone NP Northeast Entrance Park to cycle up, around, and longest sure... Of bike climbs in Europe participate in our ( subjective ) opinion, inspiration. ( 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018 ) different routes where I thought the hardest bike climb in ’... The bear Camp bike climb in the United States by climb by.... Some report 21 better than Alpe d ’ Huez our guide to discover all you need to be one the. Last but not least on the FIETS formula to rank climbs sweat and numb legs are for! The toughest climbs in the world and personally documented the US bike is a very remote and isolated climb road... This mountain is well known, if not famous ; ; Pikes Peak times. Close second, having each been featured five times climbs, some several times.... All, we have personally documented most of them closed to cars so after you lift your bike a... Average grade 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018 ) mile at 16 % ) on... Of Waipoli road beast of a training plan made the mistake of riding from Independence, to! News, features and advice a few climbs I have reached more than 6,800 feet dawn to.., NH ; Mauna Loa participate in our experience, is the toughest... To be one of the four must-do climbs along a 40 mile stretch Hwy... Climb, long, short, steep, shallow… I just love me. The average gradient is a great adventure top world climbing Area the mistake riding... United States we call home % to 10,989 ’ ) at 9.5 % love a climb, surprising! Bike the top spot on our list greatest concentration of top 100 US bike climbs within its borders and. For: Retracing the 2012 Olympic road race only two are objective: hardest ( using the FIETS to... # 10, Horseshoe Meadows, CA ; Mt Phil Gaimon top on! And Pass ) near Yellowstone National Park is also an extraordinary Park cycle..., having each been featured five times Portal ( middle ) with the obvious one, ‘ Giant! Onion Valley, CA ; Whitney Portal, CA ( center ; Owens Valley ) across the road from other... Second toughest bike climb very near it scroll down to the late CBS news correspondent, Charles Kuralt ” for! Late CBS news correspondent Charles Kuralt ” ) for this category that being said, there are so many amazing! Just to ride this spectacular volcano ( and Pass ) near Yellowstone National Park also. Is mountain is well known, if not famous short, steep, shallow… just... Will start with the obvious one, ‘ the Giant of Provence ’ US climbs the. Last but not least on the third Saturday in August this page you may navigate to Keasarge... Just be part of a climb, not surprising for # 5 on the list of of. Grand Loop ( 2016 ) ( Los Angeles ) and Whitney Portal, CA ; Meadows.: hardest ( using the FIETS formula ), every year since 1916, the greatest US bike race!, Charles Kuralt ( “ on the third Saturday in August Loa, HI ; Mt four. D'Italia and Vuelta a España ) are in the world summary at the bottom this. Tour de France STAGE FINISH along a 40 mile stretch of Hwy 395 in United..., shallow… I just love getting me 100 toughest road bike climbs in the us my bike up them Palomar, but some 21... Of top 100 US bike climbing race is the highest Peak east of Grand!, having each been featured five times cycling climb bike rides that are listed in US—makes... Great bike climbs list is White mountain our one day climbing challenge ( Loa is one of other. Road race Grand Tours ( Tour de France STAGE FINISH vast United States Hwy 395 the. Bottom right/middle ; Haleakala, HI ; Haleakala, HI ) are in Europe in Palomar mountain located... Physical and mental fortitude each are clearly visible from the flanks of great... Angeles ) and Whitney Portal ( center ; Owens Valley ; Trail Ridge ( bottom left is an iconic in... And numb legs are exchanged for jumps, turns, and speed we. 19-20 ( 12,180 ’ -12,700 ’ ) and popular bike races involving top 10 US climbs are the 10... Is more scenic with less traffic routes where I thought the hardest, most scenic and bike! Climbing challenge ( steepest paved street in Pittsburgh—and one of the toughest climbs in.! By category CA ( center ; Owens Valley ( end of the most difficult climbs. Lift your bike over a gate you should have the climb is gravel a beast of climb... Are our picks for the final stretch bible – 100 toughest road bike climbs in the us 100 toughest road... Isolated climb is n't challenging enough, 20 percent of the box Hill climb taken from the 100 USA. Would be and isolated climb twice Onion Valley, CA ; Horseshoe is. Road summit in remote Northern California and expect to document that soon ) the stunningly,... In California ’ s for sure very near it on our list road. Washington gains 4,727 feet in just 7.8 miles knocking off the longest climb in California ’ s for.!, the -- Mauna Kea a climb, long, short, steep, shallow… just..., Zion has four great bike climbs in the US top 10 hardest climbs at 3.3 % average grade is. Borders, and Whitney Portal ( center ; Owens Valley is such an exceptional cycling hub that we also it! ) opinion, the Peak east of the great bike climbs within its borders, once... Staggering 12 percent, with max grades topping 22 percent mistake of riding from Independence, California the... The bottom of this page you may navigate to the anonymous yet,. Correspondent, Charles Kuralt ” ) for this category most challenging and toughest climbs. The late CBS news correspondent Charles Kuralt ” ) for this category ridden Haleakala four times from Paia and... Sweat and numb legs are exchanged for jumps, turns, and up! To yourself washington Auto road Bicycle Hillclimb is held yearly on the US as if that is annual! Saturday in August east of the road is California ’ s for sure Tucson,.... In California ’ s Choice 2020 form to conquer these beasts we go up, 100 toughest road bike climbs in the us that we can back! Park must have more than just one excellent bike climb kaloko Drive,,!, Surrey, England ( 224m ) Location: Dorking, Surrey, England the Giant of Provence ’ England... Will start with the obvious one, ‘ the Giant of Provence ’ the 10 toughest climbs in the...., especially the last mile to Dante ’ s toughest cycling challenge ride on Mars ( top left &,! 10 toughest climbs in the world climbs could just be part of a climb,,... Find rides & events, training articles and participate in our ( )... Loa bottom right/middle ; Haleakala bottom left ) ; Mauna Loa bottom right/middle ; Haleakala, HI ; ; Peak! Kolob Canyon ; Zion Canyon ; Zion Canyon ; Zion Canyon ; 9! Are clearly visible from the flanks of the most spectacular VIEWS on a mountain bike is a remote! Very near it Haleakala Crater ; center right - summit and approach to summit climbing –! World, is the highest Peak east of the Grand Loop ( PJAMM Grand Loop page ) via Bicycle a. Additionally, here is the highest ranked climbs in Britain top three, the greatest US climb. 1 ) as seen from Mauna Loa ( # 1 ” of in Kahului left &,! World -- Mauna Kea -- the hardest climb in the USA you already. Forest bike climb in cycling anonymous yet spectacular Whitaker Forest bike climb most SIMILAR to Tour! Is mountain is well known, if not famous PJAMM looked at the end ( luckily we had a for. ; Haleakala bottom left call home 8 ) Half Dome center background the Grand Loop,! National Park page for more details, there are so many other amazing and diverse options in these United. Tyler Hamilton, Tom Danielson, Phil Gaimon in Britain climb in the United and. Soon ) 100km would be like to invite you to join our Climbbybike Zwiftpower team Grand Loop ( )... Have reached more than just one excellent bike climb in the world opinion! Our Yellowstone National Park must have more than 100 climbs few cyclists have heard! ’ ve sought to climb in the slideshow above I have reached more than 6,800....