Bellbird Hill

michaelten
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Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:02 pm

Hi everyone,

I am keen to give Bellbird Hill a try. The biggest rear sprocket I have is 25, it's got a 52/39 on the front.

Am I going to get up it with those or will I be needing a 28 on the rear or a compact front? I was thinking a 28 would be a nice cop out gear!

For those that have given it a go, what gears are you using?

Thanks

Michael

joomz
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby joomz » Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:16 pm

While you're at it, do the nearby Bowen Mountain :)

I've ridden them a few times with 39 on the front and 28 on the back. Depends on your riding style, if you're more of a grinder or a spinner. I err towards higher cadence, and I don't think I'd get up the hills too well with 25 on the front. But I've got mates that do hills like that with 25, so you might be fine.

I'm gonna get a compact crank sometime for these kind of hills.

michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:25 pm

I live not too far from there so I was going to do both of them, although one at a time first!

This is another steep one I've tried http://app.strava.com/segments/802454" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I did that with the 25 but that is a lot shorter although a bit steeper in points at a bit over 24%. I am thinking with the length of Bellbird I would need the 28 as cop out/resting gear rather than stopping.

trek52
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby trek52 » Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:14 pm

Depends how fit u are have ridden it in 53x21 for a bet once.

michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:24 pm

Wow! I'm certainly not that fit or strong!

I suppose I'll give it a go in the morning and see what happens.

Hergest
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby Hergest » Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:01 pm

michaelten wrote:Wow! I'm certainly not that fit or strong!

I suppose I'll give it a go in the morning and see what happens.

What happened? :D
13 LynskeyR230 01 Lemond BuenosAires

michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:04 pm

I didn't do it this morning, I went for a ride with my wife and dad instead. I just went for a drive over to Bowen Mountain, I think I will do that one first. It will be less traffic and a bit safer.

Thursday morning I'm going to do Bowen Mountain on the 25 cassette, that should give me an idea whether I'm ready to have a crack at Bellbird Hill or need to go to a 28 cassette.

rogan
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby rogan » Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:18 am

I first did Bowen with a low gear of 34x25 and was OK till that really steep bit through the houses, about 600m from the top. I struggled and almost had to stop but just kept it going.

I did it again a few weeks back (stronger, fitter and lighter, with a better bike) with a 39x25 and was fine.

Bellbird Hill looks like fun, but it's an 18 wheeler raceway, so no weaving around, and even turning around might be tricky too. Do it when traffic is light, Sunday morning maybe, or early on Anzac Day possibly. Do Bowen and other steep stuff first so you get a good feel for how hard you can push, before you take on Bellbird.
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trek52
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby trek52 » Mon Apr 22, 2013 11:09 am

When you get to the top turn left up warks rd, makes the climb even harder.

Seriously thought a 39*25 cog should be more than enough

michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:03 pm

First attempt at Bowen Mountain http://app.strava.com/activities/50049081" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Got off work early so I raced home and jumped on the bike. I'm pretty happy my first go at it and I've only been riding for a month. It felt like I was riding into a 20k head wind the whole way there, I was fairly buggered before I even got to Bowen Mountain!

rogan
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby rogan » Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:31 pm

Good on you - how did you feel with the gearing?
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michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:46 pm

I was on the 25 basically all the way up. I think with the 28 I would ride up on the 24 then change to the 28 for a rest. I ended up stopping twice, at Grandview pl for a bit over minute the again at the next intersection for about 30 seconds. Although, a few more attempts at it and I think I wouldn't need the 28, I am going to just stick with the 25 and man up!
I'll keep on trying Bowen Mountain, when I can get up it without even thinking about stopping with the 25 I'll give Bellbird Hill a go.
The descent was fun, 7th overall on that!

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TimW
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby TimW » Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:54 pm

That decent scares the living you know what outta me, just not comfortable at all. Tim
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eon
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby eon » Tue Apr 23, 2013 12:19 pm

TimW wrote:That decent scares the living you know what outta me, just not comfortable at all. Tim
Downhill is the fun bit tim.. =)

michaelten wrote:I was on the 25 basically all the way up. I think with the 28 I would ride up on the 24 then change to the 28 for a rest. I ended up stopping twice, at Grandview pl for a bit over minute the again at the next intersection for about 30 seconds. Although, a few more attempts at it and I think I wouldn't need the 28, I am going to just stick with the 25 and man up!
I'll keep on trying Bowen Mountain, when I can get up it without even thinking about stopping with the 25 I'll give Bellbird Hill a go.
The descent was fun, 7th overall on that!
nice work mate
I haven't been to bowen in a while, but every time i do get out there, its granny gear all the way.
that right hander about 600 to the top is an absolute b1tch.
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TimW
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby TimW » Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:22 pm

Downhill is the fun bit tim.. =)
Your a sick man Ehly :shock: :shock: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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vander
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby vander » Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:06 pm

michaelten wrote:I was on the 25 basically all the way up. I think with the 28 I would ride up on the 24 then change to the 28 for a rest. I ended up stopping twice, at Grandview pl for a bit over minute the again at the next intersection for about 30 seconds. Although, a few more attempts at it and I think I wouldn't need the 28, I am going to just stick with the 25 and man up!
I'll keep on trying Bowen Mountain, when I can get up it without even thinking about stopping with the 25 I'll give Bellbird Hill a go.
The descent was fun, 7th overall on that!
Make sure you can get up there without stopping before you even think about upping the gears. You will be surprised how much tougher it is. Also you are better off holding about 80RPM on the 28 then 60 or so on the 24 (or 25)

michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:30 pm

I certainly couldn't get anywhere near 80rpm on the 25, I was struggling with it! It was a slow grind all the way up, mostly standing as I couldn't pedal that gear sitting for too long.

rogan
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby rogan » Wed Apr 24, 2013 11:54 am

I'm not surprised! Even a 39x28 at 80 rpm would have you travelling at 14 km/h. Maintain that and the strava KOM would be yours. The reality is, low rpm is unavoidable up such steep climbs, 50s and 60s, almost whatever gear you are using. Lower gears will always be easier and more efficient, but you just aren't likely to be able to get the rhythm required to hold a normal cadence up such a climb.
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michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:34 pm

I bought and fitted an 11-28 cassette today. I'll give it a go tomorrow if I get a chance or on the weekend. I have something to compare it to so I'll see how much faster I am.

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leximack
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby leximack » Wed Apr 24, 2013 8:59 pm

why not whack a few of the hills in that area together in one hit for a bit more of a challenge.
Fun times if you like to suffer :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://app.strava.com/activities/23666169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/228863778" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:08 am

Baby steps first!

I'm thinking Hawkesbury Heights is next on the list to do, then Bellbird Hill. Once I've done them individually I will start trying to combine them

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TimW
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby TimW » Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:09 pm

michaelten wrote:Baby steps first!

I'm thinking Hawkesbury Heights is next on the list to do, then Bellbird Hill. Once I've done them individually I will start trying to combine them
Love that climb :mrgreen:
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michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Fri Apr 26, 2013 4:08 pm

I just gave the 28 a try up Cliftonville, it was much better than the 25.

http://app.strava.com/activities/50743993" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PR up from Lower Portland Ferry as well.

rogan
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby rogan » Sat Apr 27, 2013 12:58 pm

So, inspired by this, I went and did Bowen again, with a mate.

http://app.strava.com/activities/50863367
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michaelten
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Re: Bellbird Hill

Postby michaelten » Sat Apr 27, 2013 1:19 pm

Nice! Top 10.

I'm going to go tomorrow morning. I'm want to do Mill Rd, Crooked Lane/Slopes Rd and Bowen Mountain from the bottom at North Richmond and Tennyson Rd. Just need to work it into some sort of loop.

Anyone keen to come?

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