The Toughest Road Climbs in NJ

I think it's time to quantify them.

1. Length
2. Vertical
3. Average grade

And of course, time to climb. I'm going to try and climb as many of these as I can. Unfortunately I didn't hit the lap button on any of the hills Saturday, so I'll have to go out and hit them again for the sake of science 🙂

I may go and try to hit Schoolys Mountain tomorrow, if I think I can get out there and back. If not, maybe Schoolhouse, which isn't really one of the big boys but it's close. I could also hit Warrenville, Vossler, and Washington Rock in the same ride I think.
 
Hardest climb I've done in NJ starts just off 94 in Warwick NY heading up Barrett Road. It ends in New Milford NJ, still on Barrett Rd.

According to my Garmin...

1. Length = 1.7 miles
2. Vertical = 844 feet
3. Average grade = 9.5%. Note there are sections of high teen/low twenty percent grades...check the profile from Garmin Training Center...

I did this about a year ago and it took me a over 20 minutes to get up it...I dunno' how this compares to all the other climbs mentioned thus far, but damn, this one hurt this ol' fat boy....
 

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I think Thompson/ Chimney Rock Rd to Mt Horeb might be a challenge. My question is, what gear combo are you guys using for Warrenville Rd?
 
One of the toughest climbs I've ever done is up Cherry Street in Lebanon to the top of Round Valley Resevoir, then left on Rt. 629 all the way to Stanton General Store. It's just one rolling hill after another. Good fun though 🙄
 
poor iggy said:
I don't know if this is the steepest or longest climb(5.5 mi w/22% grade). It's the High Point TT held every year. I did it once and was the hardest effort I've ever put into a climb.http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nj/sussex/336840627155
Try to catch the guy in front of you and keep from getting caught from guy behind.
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5.5 miles with 1000 feet vertical is a little less than a 4% grade. Do you mean there are points with 22%?

The link that matty posted is something I found yesterday and has been a little bit of the impetus for this. I'll be interested to see how some of the local roads stack up. Kinda surprise North 3/4/whatever bridges is not on any list. That gets pretty stiff in spots. Maybe it's not all that long?
 
Funny no one mentioned Pickle Road... it's a good two mile climb that gets pretty steep.

Steele Gap, albeit not a long climb, the gradient does kick up to 19% in places.

If you want a steady climb, then a killer burn at the end, try riding up Mine Road... it may be short, but it will knock the wind out of you!
 
Pickle near Black River? I've never actually climbed that. Where are the others you mention?

Zellers and Bissel are also nice climbs.
 
Norm said:
Pickle near Black River? I've never actually climbed that. Where are the others you mention?

Zellers and Bissel are also nice climbs.
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Yup, you should try Pickle. It's a nice climb - I think you'll enjoy it if you like Iron Bridge...

Steele Gap can be reached from Foothill Road. If you know there the Newmans Lane lot is for CR, you're close. From the lot make a left and go up Newmans, and keep going straight. That will take you DOWN the climb and onto Foothill.

For Mine Road... look it up on NJbikemap.com. I'm having an issue with posting links tonight :hmmm:

And by the way folks! When planning trips into the great unknown roads of NJ, check out NJ bikemap in conjunction with your GPS maps. NJbikemap knows what roads are passable because Dustin, our head mechanic at Efingers, have been on all the COLORED roads with his bike. The roads in grey are ones he as seen, but has need been on. Really cool stuff, Dustin has spent years working on the map and is constantly updating it.
 
I'm a big fan of NJbikemap.com. But I don't think you can look up roads like that.

Looks like Black River is +420 and Pickle is +300. And it's not paved?

Bisel at 520 is nice but it's a little longer.
 
Pickle isn't a major road, but it is paved - just rough pavement.

And isn't that based on a comment I made on facebook? Man the internet is a small place.
 
MTBTyler said:
Anyone know how long and steep warrenville is?
Click to expand...

I believe the top of Warrenville around 20%...Believe it or not, the bottom of Washington Rock is steeper...Also King George has one stoopid steep section in it...

-Jim.
 
Millbrook rd is brutal. You can add insult to injury and make a loop out of it by climbing up the closed section of road that leads into the backside of Blue Marsh Lk. I think the closed section is also called fiddlers elbow, it nearly a road hike a bike broken rutted pavement with water running down the center of it. I'll try to find a link for it.
 
I'd gladly lead a hill road epic some weekend in the near future in the Sussex Warren co. locale
 
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