The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike) is the ultimate guide to cycling climbing and the most difficult hill climbs in the United States. Included in its 224 pages are sections on training for climbing, memorable climbing performances and other climbing resources. The most difficult U.S. climbs are described in great detail including: - Easy to read directions with maps - Accurate climb information including total elevation gain, length and average/maximum grade - Appendices include multiple climb rankings (most difficult, highest altitude attained, greatest elevation gained, steepest, etc) and profiles of the 100 most difficult American hill climbs. This book contains everything cyclists need to know to locate and tackle the toughest climbs in the U.S.
| ||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
So if you are that dude or dudette who is seeking to climb some of the craziest passes in the United States and don't know how to go about it, then you need this book. Consider it the Bible if you will, because it has all the major road climbs and details about each from Lincoln Gap to Brasstown Bald. All the details are there: total elevation, average gradient, length and category. A few scenic shots are included as well as a map of the surrounding area so you can actually find the road. It's a cool book that should be kept in your glovebox, or in your back pocket if you are that crazy to seek each one by bike. Mmm...Not a bod idea! --Road Magazine
I enjoyed your book and will use it during my USA travels - Chris Carmichael, personal coach of 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
Just as fishermen like to discuss their last be catch, so road cyclists love to talk about their last big climb. Inevitably, the conversation turns to the longest, steepest and most difficult, with experts often comparing their local leg bender with L'Alpe d'Huez. But these discussions inevitably end inconclusively - unless you have a copy of...The Complete Buide to Climbing (By Bike) - John Wilcockson, Velonews --Chris Carmichael
This book is a must for any cyclist. It contains so much great information on the epic climbs that we can find in our own backyard, there is almost no need to ever go to France to ride. I highly recommend this book - Bicycle.net.
Have you ever wondered what are the toughest paved climbs in America? The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike)...is a must read for anyone aspiring to ride the biggest and hardest climbs in the US - Bruck Hildenbrand, Bikeradar.com.
Let me start by saying, if you love climbing you must have this book. All in all a long awaited resource book for any passionate cyclist, and if you fancied yourself as a climber, or that is what you hope to be, then you must have this book - George Chester, USA Cycling Coach.
Author John Summerson has written a must read book for climbing aficionados, race directors and those that aspire to test themselves on the biggest climbs in the U.S. - DailyPeloton.com --DailyPeloton.com
I enjoyed your book and will use it during my USA travels - Chris Carmichael, personal coach of 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
Just as fishermen like to discuss their last be catch, so road cyclists love to talk about their last big climb. Inevitably, the conversation turns to the longest, steepest and most difficult, with experts often comparing their local leg bender with L'Alpe d'Huez. But these discussions inevitably end inconclusively - unless you have a copy of...The Complete Buide to Climbing (By Bike) - John Wilcockson, Velonews --Chris Carmichael
This book is a must for any cyclist. It contains so much great information on the epic climbs that we can find in our own backyard, there is almost no need to ever go to France to ride. I highly recommend this book - Bicycle.net.
Have you ever wondered what are the toughest paved climbs in America? The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike)...is a must read for anyone aspiring to ride the biggest and hardest climbs in the US - Bruck Hildenbrand, Bikeradar.com.
Let me start by saying, if you love climbing you must have this book. All in all a long awaited resource book for any passionate cyclist, and if you fancied yourself as a climber, or that is what you hope to be, then you must have this book - George Chester, USA Cycling Coach.
Author John Summerson has written a must read book for climbing aficionados, race directors and those that aspire to test themselves on the biggest climbs in the U.S. - DailyPeloton.com --DailyPeloton.com
About the Author
In addition to an avid cyclist, the author is a research associate and exercise physiologist at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Perfect Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
So many times I had to look online to find out the grade of tough climbs and wonder if the answer was exaggerated, or the author knew what they were talking about. So many times I heard people say a climb was tougher than "Ventoux" or similar. This book takes the best climbs in the US and compares many to the climbs of the Tour and breaks them down into toughest 1 mile, 2 mile and 5 mile sections. I have climbed many of these including Old Priest Grade and was happily surprised to know my suffering was for a reason as it is one of the steepest in the US. This book is great. Fun to read and makes you dream of a 6 month road trip where you would climb each and every single one.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Bike Man
Format:Perfect Paperback
The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike is a guide to cycling climbing and a unique review of the most difficult hill climbs in the U.S. This data has not been available previously in one place which is a big help. Its introduction and following sections lead the reader into why climbing is the most important (and perhaps most diffcult) aspect of the sport. The sections on training, while brief, really gets to the truely important aspects of how to improve one's climbing ability. The climbing perfomances section, which include many unknown exploits, can inspire even bike flatlanders to take on America's toughest hills.
Most of the book is devoted to the most challenging climbs in the U.S. Each is described in detail including the total elevation gained, length, average and maximum grade and a rating. Maps and directions will lead you right to each climb and a short description of each lets the reader know what to expect on the way up. Appendices contain what must be the most complete cycling climbing database and includes multiple climb rankings in varous categories and climb profiles which I think will appeal to cyclists.
Overall this is an excellent resource for cyclists and contains very detailed statistics on Americ's most difficult climbs. A good read and database.
Most of the book is devoted to the most challenging climbs in the U.S. Each is described in detail including the total elevation gained, length, average and maximum grade and a rating. Maps and directions will lead you right to each climb and a short description of each lets the reader know what to expect on the way up. Appendices contain what must be the most complete cycling climbing database and includes multiple climb rankings in varous categories and climb profiles which I think will appeal to cyclists.
Overall this is an excellent resource for cyclists and contains very detailed statistics on Americ's most difficult climbs. A good read and database.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Aaron Manka
Format:Perfect Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was a little disappointed when I received this book because the focus of this book is really the west coast. If, like me, you live east of the Mississippi, don't expect to find many climbs within hundreds of miles of you. The sub-title should have been most difficult climbs in Western US with a few thrown in for the east-coasters.
The number of climbs in states are: MA-2; NH-1; NY-1; VT-5; GA-1; NC-6 and these 16 rides are it east of the MS. For the western states: AZ-5; CA-72; CO-14; HI-5; NV-6; NM-2; OR-3; UT-12; WA-2; and WY-7. Even in the Hill Climb Races section, the Core States bike race in Philly that includes the (in)famous Manayunk Wall isn't mentioned. I know the hills are where they are and not evenly distributed, but it would be nice if Summerson would have included some hills from other states for broader interest. It's entertaining to read about far-away hills, but not as much fun if it's not practical to visit them and challenge yourself against them.
The number of climbs in states are: MA-2; NH-1; NY-1; VT-5; GA-1; NC-6 and these 16 rides are it east of the MS. For the western states: AZ-5; CA-72; CO-14; HI-5; NV-6; NM-2; OR-3; UT-12; WA-2; and WY-7. Even in the Hill Climb Races section, the Core States bike race in Philly that includes the (in)famous Manayunk Wall isn't mentioned. I know the hills are where they are and not evenly distributed, but it would be nice if Summerson would have included some hills from other states for broader interest. It's entertaining to read about far-away hills, but not as much fun if it's not practical to visit them and challenge yourself against them.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book - cycling bible!
this is a very thoroughly researched book, our club (and other cyclists) has been using it to investigate most difficult climbs. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Oleg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Climbing by bike
I've been cycling for many years and have always loved climbing. We take many vacations to the Rockies and I love doing the high passes there. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Garry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bucket List of Great Rides
I'm really enjoying this book! I've already got several rides dogeared, and my plan will be to systmatically knock off as many of them as I can. Read more
Published on March 2, 2010 by Douglas M. Haltom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great resource!!!
An absolute must have for anyone interested in riding their bike up hills in the US! This book has it all - descriptions of tough climbs, category ratings, distance covered, max... Read more
Published on February 23, 2010 by Carl Hansen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Climbing database
This book was recently recommended to me and I would highly recommend it. While it contains climbing training tips and other climbing related resources, what sets the book apart... Read more
Published on February 8, 2010 by EdwardJames
3.0 out of 5 stars
I don't know about those ratings
The book is wrong. He rates the most difficult climbs as follows:
1) Mount Washington, NH
2) Mauna Loa, HI
3) Haleakala, HI
4) Mauna Kea, HI... Read more
1) Mount Washington, NH
2) Mauna Loa, HI
3) Haleakala, HI
4) Mauna Kea, HI... Read more
Published on January 27, 2010 by D. Ho
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good list of great climbs
Just a short note about this fine little book. I have climbed a dozen of the described climbs so far, spread from California to North Carolina (another dozen to come this year). Read more
Published on March 9, 2009 by Mark Manner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vertical junkies Guide
If you enjoy the challenge of going vertical on your bike then this book is a must have in your cycling library. Read more
Published on November 12, 2008 by K. Cole
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review for Westerville Bicycle Club
John Summerson's book Complete Guide to CLIMBING (By Bike): A Guide to cycling climbing and the most difficult hill climbs in the United States (Extreme Press, Winston-Salem, NC:... Read more
Published on August 22, 2008 by Sharon Heinrich
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Welcome Book
It's about time someone finally got on the road on their bike all over the country, then sat down writing about the great roads in the United States that are a challenge to go up. Read more
Published on August 2, 2008 by snowleopard
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
|
|
