% Gradient Virginia Lane, Falls Church VA

[Mario20136]

My afternoon commute from Capitol Hill to Reston, VA via W&OD includes a short climb on Virginia Lane/Falls Church VA.

Based on Google Map stats:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.8900611,-77.2055285/38.8914701,-77.2111849/@38.8900868,-77.2094414,18z/data=!4m20!4m19!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-77.206453!2d38.8898652!3s0x89b64b3a05855e37:0x9613aacf3bf38f10!3m4!1m2!1d-77.2096821!2d38.8904602!3s0x89b64b3bcfc2e705:0x3b2c39c2b97b8fc7!3m4!1m2!1d-77.2104192!2d38.8909525!3s0x89b64b3beb1f7fad:0x2073f4419ec4aa84!1m0!3e1!4e1

The run is about 3/10 mile and the rise is 410 feet. So if my math is correct the Virginia Lane climb (Westbound) is about 26%.

Thank you.

Topic

[LhasaCM]

@Mario20136 187779 wrote:

My afternoon commute from Capitol Hill to Reston, VA via W&OD includes a short climb on Virginia Lane/Falls Church VA.

Based on Google Map stats:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.8900611,-77.2055285/38.8914701,-77.2111849/@38.8900868,-77.2094414,18z/data=!4m20!4m19!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d-77.206453!2d38.8898652!3s0x89b64b3a05855e37:0x9613aacf3bf38f10!3m4!1m2!1d-77.2096821!2d38.8904602!3s0x89b64b3bcfc2e705:0x3b2c39c2b97b8fc7!3m4!1m2!1d-77.2104192!2d38.8909525!3s0x89b64b3beb1f7fad:0x2073f4419ec4aa84!1m0!3e1!4e1

The run is about 3/10 mile and the rise is 410 feet. So if my math is correct the Virginia Lane climb (Westbound) is about 26%.

Thank you.

This link shows that the rise is from 410 feet to 466 feet in elevation, so “only” a climb of 56 feet. (So you’re off by a factor of 7.)

[trailrunner]

According to the google map link that you provided, the elevation rises from 410 feet to 466 feet, for a net elevation gain of 56 feet.

[dkel]

I ride that one all the time. Strava tells me it’s 4%.

[zsionakides]

If Virginia Ln was a 26% grade, hardly anybody would be riding on it. Heck, a lot of vehicles would have a challenging time getting up that grade.

As others noted, it’s about 4% and not too hard to climb as long as you’re in decent physical shape. The eastbound side going up to Virginia Ln is actually more challenging as it’s probably around a 10% grade.

[dkel]

@zsionakides 187783 wrote:

As others noted, it’s about 4% and not too hard to climb as long as you’re in decent physical shape. The eastbound side going up to Virginia Ln is actually more challenging as it’s probably around a 10% grade.

The eastbound climb from the bottom of the park to the top averages 5%, but the short steep part to the top is about 10%. It seems like most folks attack the lower section and then totally bonk on the final climb; it’s much more rewarding to measure your effort and then drop everyone in the last bit! 😎

[TwoWheelsDC]

Strava says 3% average, but that all depends on where you stop/start the segment. Oddly, my PR for that segment was on a fixed gear…

[dkel]

@TwoWheelsDC 187785 wrote:

Oddly, my PR for that segment was on a fixed gear…

I don’t think it’s surprising at all: hammer that tall gear or else walk!

[headphase]

This was the first hill that gave me trouble when I got back into biking this June. I had to rest near the bridge because I was too winded. Now I can do it seated with the upper front gear in place.

[Author]

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