Did We Finally Find the World’s Steepest Street?

[@seanstrachan]

New Mitch video😱

[@MitchBoyer]

New Sean video!

[@jadenngl]

Are u going pro? Are u racing for TMB Equator?

[@musclelessfitness2045]

@@MitchBoyer Which Chainring did you buy? Is it compatible with your SRAM crank?

[@MitchBoyer]

@@musclelessfitness2045 It was the Gravel 46t chainring, it was compatible, but I think it was over torqued a bit. James, the mechanic at Ritte was able to work some magic and get it off after I retuned home to LA

[@musclelessfitness2045]

@@MitchBoyer I see. You just changed the chainring because the cranks are compatible. Thx.

[@marcocasamassima389]

Hi Mitch, I'm Italian and I was curious and searched the sign on Google Maps. On street view the sign with the bike is not there, nevertheless there is a message written in Italian saying that the road is a private property. Having the denied access for bike doesn't make any sense when there is a generic "access denied" (that's obviously valid for bikes as well). This make me suspect these signals are made by people that do not know what they do. The general point here is that, despite the fact there is a private property, or access denied, these people cannot attack you. They could have called the police. Police could maybe give you a fine. That's it. What I suspect nevertheless is that, the sign they use for the private property is not authorized. Calling the police they could trigger a check for the authorization for those signals and they could be in trouble. In Italy is quite common that people use these "private property" signal illegally.

[@Secretlyanothername]

Yes, at that sign it does say private property, and there is a red sign above it that may forbid bicycles, but it is so old and blurry that it's not visible. It is Via della Posta Vecchia, Trentino-South Tyrol, for those who want to see

[@marcocasamassima389]

@@Secretlyanothername maps.app.goo.gl/AwQgcT4eMPQgWR3F8 Another thing that I can now read is that the access is denied due to "Lavori di cava". That means "quarry works". As far as I can see the quarry is not there or no longer active. This just reinforce my suspect about someone just speculating with unauthorized signalization. Just to make the access to "their" village private. I've seen cars going up. The signal is valid for them as well. Otherwise the signal should have an exception "Eccetto frontalieri e residenti" below the sign to allow the access to people living there. There's nothing like this. I would have called the police ... these people would have been in big troubles.

[@CKNZ161]

Ah, I did think it looked as though the !"no cycling" sign had been added after the others so, probably some locals guarding their privacy in the wake of the earlier videos. Pains me to say it but, I can actually see a valid argument for barring cyclists on this very rare occasion. Those who need to access their homes are only be going to able to do so with a motor vehicle. Adding bicycles on those hair pins puts both the descending cyclists and the driver swerving to avoid them, in danger.

[@tomfredrikblenning9054]

While the basic designs of the signs are standardized throughout Europe, their colors are not. In Norway, where I'm from, we would be required to have the signs in all black, if it was a private road, as opposed to the red rim, which is reserved for public roads. Is there a difference like that in Italy? I'm a bit conflicted over this whole thing, and I don't know the laws in Italy, but to me this is a both ways thing. I abhor drivers breaking the no motorized vehicle signs, so when I see a no cycling sign, my first thought is why is this there, but my second thought is that if I expect drivers to uphold the signs, we as cyclists better do the same.

[@Lightningchase1973]

It's "you are only allowed to drive here, when living here" in addition, there is "no cycling", so even the people living here must not use bikes.

[@kingofherdaz]

I really appreciate that final take

[@runmvp]

As an Italian you should have called the police. Thats straight up assaulting. Here if you break the law they need to call the cops, you can’t take matters in your own hands. They made you fall from the bike. Thats very dangerous behavior from them. You would have got a fine but them charges with assault which is very serious charge in Italy.

[@arnoldhau1]

But would some village police do something about it? Maybe in Italy, in Austria don't even try they would never do anything against the locals.

[@alexalex-wc7qs]

I agree, you're right, sir

[@runmvp]

@ locals or not. If you press charges it begins to be serious.

[@Stefanocolombo98]

I'm italian too, i was thinking the same thing. It's a shame for us all.

[@federicosbetta1368]

@@arnoldhau1 in Italy if you press charges they are required to start an investigation and give updates every certain times, also you can just go to a lawyer and then directly press charges to the prosecutor office.

[@roadcyclingacademy]

Shaking with adrenaline from a monstrous and scary effort only to be met by angry locals shortly afterwards bumping / speaking / yelling at you in another language! No wonder you needed some down time after that trip 😮 Well said at the end Mitch and overall amazing piece of content

[@damsh6408]

About other languages, you should probably try traveling less by plane especially if you can't try to learn some of the languages of where you're going. Especially in latin Europe, people are proud of their culture and language and deserve some respect not having american tourists say helle instead of bonjourno for example.

[@Paksusuoli95]

​@@damsh6408 European here, I am tetralingual (German, English, Polish, Norwegian). English is part of the school curriculum, if you can't speak it you're plebeian trash.

[@Jack-fw4mw]

@@damsh6408 Ah yes, that is what went wrong. He disrespected them by saying hello instead of bonjourno. 🙄

[@damsh6408]

@@Jack-fw4mw He mostly rode a forbidden street. But yeah not trying to even say one word in italian is quite disrespectful. Don't assume everyone should speak english.

[@CerberusHD]

@@damsh6408 Well english is an international language, and world wide more billion people are speaking it... It's not disrespectful, but next time for example someone asks me for directions I aswer in hungarian and won't even bat an eye that no one will understand jackshit... So there goes your disrespect... Oh and hello is understood, like everywhere... 99.9% of the world understands it. Why would you even learn a language just because you go there for a few days and probably like never again xD Yes you can learn something that's a plus, but if you don't that's not disrespectful and in this case I think it would've been just like throwing oil on the fire, but you do you.

[@desmoMarco91]

I'm italian and didnt know the climb was forbidden so i looked it up. It's been closed since 2009 for "safety reasons", the only legal way for non residents to go up is by walking. At the top of the climb there's actually a natural park reserve and it is SEVERELY forbidden to enter by bike or foot. I still think that physically confronting you was a bit much though, sad you had that experience. People not used to foreign strangers can be far from welcoming

[@Secretlyanothername]

Why is there no multilingual sign with the line through a bike? They have had 15 years to put up a sign - and to paint one in English, if the local municipality can't be bothered buying one

[@homoinspirus]

@@Secretlyanothername it's ITALY so signs are either in symbols for everyone to understand or in Italian. Get over it. Why are signs in US not in Italian? ;)

[@alessandrodallape8791]

@@Secretlyanothername if you travelled just a little out of your country you should know you have to know rules of the country you visit. This means that in Europe a rounded road sign with outside circle in red makes anything inside forbidden. We are so smart to use drawings instead of words so that even who cannot read, can understand...

[@Eikenhorst]

@@Secretlyanothername With a line through a bike???? For real? That sign is more than clear enough (in fact, the sign above it is already more than enough as it prohibits all traffic, including bikes). But when you are nearly dying with 190 bpm, you can just miss said sign. They should just put a barrier and give residents a key or a button to open the barrier for them, and maybe a 1 day a year event where everyone can try to ride this thing.

[@GoingNorthObv]

@@homoinspirus What? It's common all over the world that there's signs in atleast both that country's language and English. English are in the top 2 of the worlds most widely spoken language. Being a Norwegian, I fully understand why. I would expect English, but I would never expect Swedish, Norwegian or Danish, all of which I fully comprehend.

[@gscott5062]

A couple of years ago, I rode up to the base of the Scanuppia, took the corner just past the 45% sign, and made it about 10 meters up the climb. Took some pictures and headed back to town for a gelato.

[@jamesbancroft2418]

Great video, Mitch! Your ability to look back on the situation and articulate a valid viewpoint is worthy of some serious kudos. Not many people have that introspective view. Well done!

[@nicolabonomi1306]

I live very close to this climb, it's beautiful to see my homeland in some videos (I've already seen the GCN's ones). Very good video, really deserved a thumb up. Sorry for those rude people who stopped you. And good for both of you for completing the climb! Thank you!

[@damsh6408]

As americans and tourists, you should reconsider who is being rude. The italians stopping the cyclists or the american cyclists not reading the signs, not knowing a word of italian and not informing themselves about what they are doing before embarquing a plane?

[@bobbyellis5006]

@@damsh6408 the person you're responding to lives close to the climb.

[@damsh6408]

@@bobbyellis5006 My comment is a bit reactional but it's to show the point of the locals trying to stop the cyclists. Wrong audience though you're right

[@CerberusHD]

@@damsh6408 Obviously the people who attack you out of the blue. You know they are american but did the locals? I bet they didn't know jackshit.

[@alcapilit196]

@@damsh6408you keep saying over and over that it’s okay to assault someone for not understanding the rules and not speaking the language. What are you, a barbarian? I’m an American living in Europe. I don’t speak the language where I live currently. I mistakenly trespassed once while fishing. The farmer came over to tell me it was his private property in a firm voice. I apologized and packed up immediately. He then escorted me out of the area but gave me his number; he said I should give him a call next time I want to fish that section of the river. We had this civilized conversation in English. No one assaulted anyone, and he didn’t insist I speak his language. In fact, having lived and worked in three European countries for the past 12 years, no one has assaulted me nor demanded I spoke their language. I’m pretty sure defending one’s self from assault is also the law in Italy. For that reason, I think Mitch should have been more forceful in response. I would have.

[@Avioto]

I get you need to respect the locals and don't ride your bike where you're not allowed to. But that's not an excuse to act so obnoxious and make you fall off your bike. They could have just simply stopped you, informed you bikes are not allowed there and asked you to put that in the video. This was just crappy behavior and not how you treat people.

[@jvperrin]

Totally agreed. Even if the street was closed, that doesn't excuse their behavior. Maybe the language barrier made it tougher, but blocking someone in and essentially threatening them like that isn't something that should ever happen.

[@Avioto]

@@jvperrin They used phones to take pictures of Mitch. Could have just used Google Translate and calmly explain the situation.

[@mohelu86]

Absolutely horrific behaviour smh 🤦‍♂️… not acceptable at all regardless. The civil way in my opinion is to simply report to the police, for example, and let them deal with it. And then put more obvious signs to say NO CYCLISTS ALLOWED and FINES WILL APPLY and cyclists won’t come. This is just awful.

[@ozgurinsan]

if the road is closed to cyclists its not the job of locals to confront the cyclists. Call the police. Their behavior is disgusting

[@torashuPanda781]

Another aspect of this is if the street is public why should bikes be banned from it? What if a crazy local chose to commute by bike up and down the hill? If it's a private property, I completely understand.

[@randyonbass1]

This was one of your best videos. The storytelling was 100% on point. And your editing was done really well. It was a great video. It was great that you put in the final clip about the road being off limits and how that needs to be respected. Continue to do what you do, love your series and your KZbin channel. PS- shame about the crank not coming off!!

[@ballpowermdk]

Great video mitch. good work on the climb and big respect for your take at the end

[@-P-Z-]

You're both entertaining and wise person. Loved the video. Love the distance to yourself you display. Keep on bringing quality content. No matter how steep the road is.

[@benbranam8277]

Keep doing the videos! Don't let one bad interaction with someone change your goals, dreams, ambitions, or work. I love watching and they are inspiring me to become a better hill climber and cyclist.

[@damu6678]

Love these types of videos Mitch! One video idea: teach us the finer points of steep climb riding. e.g. where to put your weight, pull up on handlebars or push down? etc

[@Ghost12561]

Pulling up on handlebars while climbing is a huge mistake specially the very steep part, sit almost on the tip of the saddle forward to avoid the front end of the bike going up - you have to make sure you dont lose weight on the front wheel. Do alot of core exercise to improve stability.

[@nemure]

Only tip you really need is to get crazy power on you're legs. If you lack it, nothing else matters

[@Ghost12561]

@@nemure yup but if you still pull up on the handlebar, the bike will still end up on top of you no matter how much power you have on that legs.

[@nemure]

@Ghost12561 agree, but that's a problem for the future. First power 😂 Plus if you have the power you usually won't be pulling hard of the handle bar I think. That's a way to compensate when you're weak for thee task AFAIK

[@billstrachan476]

Thanks for the great video Mitch and thanks again for including Sean. Glad I got see it! And I loved your thoughtful and classy comments at the end. Can't wait for the next one.

[@gregormraz]

Another great ride and adventure Mitch! Thank you for bringing us along for the ride, and your honesty sharing the full experience of that day… @Sean, you remain a BEAST buddy 🙌🏻

[@DancingIK]

I love your videos because of the honest, humorous way you present them. Your conclusion to this video is awesome and marks you as a genuinely good human being. I admire your values and applaud you for sharing them (and a very negative experience) so openly. Bravo sir! ❤

[@jimtruscott4823]

Well said but just because you're local doesn't mean you get to assault people because of a road sign! Chapeau on the maximum effort!!

[@Jay-nt2ew]

rural Italians

[@Kefoo_]

- Yes, civility is warranted. Affective communication remains underdeveloped worldwide.

[@Kefoo_]

@@Jay-nt2ew - Marginalizing doesn't help.

[@brushylake4606]

Well, as a rural American, I can tell you that country folk are sick and tired of rich outsiders coming in and thinking they can just do whatever they want. They didn't assault him because of a road sign, they assaulted him because he was intruding on their way of life, intentionally ignorant of local laws, and endangering them and their families. It is difficult and dangerous to ride a bike up roads like that. It is also difficult and dangerous to drive up roads like that. Remember when Sean said he "stalled an automatic" when driving up that hill? Yeah, it's not easy even to drive up it. And then the country folk get the bad rap.

[@Jay-nt2ew]

@@brushylake4606so if you live somewhere rural, your allowed to assault people who don’t live in your neighborhood? cooooool

[@filipe.portes]

Awesome video! Loved how you gave the perspective on how those climbs are different are increasingly difficult

[@MrTpoppel]

Mitch, Your content is absolutely amazing. The amount of work and dedication you put into these videos is astonishing! It’s really unfortunate that this adventure had to end in such a way. I could feel your disappointment. Don’t be discouraged: shit happens,people suck,mistakes get made. You are amazing and I’m so grateful to get to enjoy what you’re doing.

[@the_lime_]

Been looking forward to this one🫡

[@flows_channel]

Great video - seeing the struggles brought me flashbacks to my own adventures this year (with accidental dismounts and all ^^) I respect what you said about unwanted attention and potential dangers of riding on closed roads - we have a few of such streets in our vacinity and it´s harsh at times. Keep the vids coming :)

[@pinkyfull]

sadly google maps doesn't seem to care whether a road is private or not, they just AI everything as a "public road" without much thought. My mother has a private road go around her farm and the number of times we have contacted Google to remove the road from google maps has to be once a year, every year, for more than 15 years. Its still there and people still ride on it as if its a public road when its not.

[@woozertoo]

Classy, mature way of handling that situation with the locals, “Tall Seb Vettel”! (Still pushing for that moniker to stick.)

[@baldman8112]

Preparing for finals has been stressful, but man your videos are getting me through it. Thank you Mitch!

[@connorparadis4804]

Classy, Mitch! I don't speak italian either. They might have been (aggressively) telling you to walk, not ride down. Glad everyone involved lives to tell the tale and hopefully laugh about it one day. Cheers!

[@homoinspirus]

this is actually a great shout, probably the best in terms of what they may have tried to say

[@DanielaAngulo]

Yoooo! Amazing video. Great to see Sean, big fan of the kid. Thanks for your honesty, Mitch.

[@adamweb]

7:00 According to Google, a sphere itself doesn't have a specific number of degrees, but when referring to the full surface of a sphere in terms of angular measurement, it is considered to have 41,253 square degrees. 😂

[@beter9541]

that final heart to heart was a sadly necessary thing to bring up. tourism is good to a point, and some places don’t want it. i appreciate the thought put into it

[@Secretlyanothername]

Some people are just assholes. There's no reason to make excuses for these people

[@Lightningchase1973]

There is evry reason, it's a private road, so you are not allowed there on car either, only when you live there, and bikes going downhill on such a road are dangerous. They had every right to be aggressive

[@rascalbiker]

Great video, Mitch! Really well done.

[@windscreen91]

Pro tip for stuck crank bolts (or DT Swiss EXP ratchet ring): cordless impact wrench. If you're traveling, hit a corner garage. Odds are they'll loosen it up for you for free with an impact.

[@SandSanta]

i think you just need to add additional criteria to the segment series: namely, the street must be opening to cycling. Its an otherwise great series.

[@leslie-fairuzabad-neagu6846]

thank you for this video, especially the ending. as a new cyclist, i really enjoy watching your videos-they’re so inspiring. for where it could go next, there’s a skier on youtube, cody townsend, who did a series on the 50 classic descents in backcountry skiing, inspired by the 50 classic ascents from climbing. i’d love to see something like that for the 50 classic climbs.

[@kidsafe]

Mitch is a hummingbird and Sean is the hummingestbird.

[@MitchBoyer]

😂😂

[@astrospeedcuber]

Sean coming back to ride the rest with you again was hilarious 🤣

[@cliffclermont]

Did this back in 2012 as I was obsessed with finding the hardest (paved)climbs on my vacations. Slightly different approach from Besenello. I took my MTB to Italy as it kept my options open even though our group was doing a road bike tour. It’s no joke. It has to be experienced. For more than a decade when Cookie Phil or GCN would do a video about a steep climb I’d be like Nope Scanuppia is harder. Also have ridden Baldwin which was no biggy. Great video you put together!!

[@TimR123]

You're right to take a responsible perspective on what roads to ride. But open roads are open roads. So You shouldn't shy away from those. Do the research, read the signs (doh!) and behave properly when there. Not much more you can do.

[@-Gothicgirl-]

Its not a open road! Its clear forbidden for any vehicle! Thats what the upper sign says. The text allow the people that live there. And the lower forbidden bicycle. The upper and lower sign are official road signs in europe. The only way is walking

[@Evankaspar]

Excited to see another video from you. I enjoy the stuff you put out. Biking up a road that is closed to biking is no excuse for boorish behavior like you experienced. But props for seeing the other side of it and resolving to respect it. Keep riding!

[@KelvinSuddith]

Sure, you missed the sign, but also, they assaulted you, Mitch. I agree that maybe you shouldn't have ridden it, and that's definitely something that is reasonable to be upset for, but what isn't upset is to knock you off your bike, scream at you, and chase you down. I'm sorry that everything went down that way. I've had multiple friends spend time in Italy for school and work, and they have said they didn't feel safe, and I feel like it was for misunderstandings like this, and overly aggressive reactions. Hope you feel better soon

[@Lightningchase1973]

No it's not overly aggressive, the people living there gave "no biking" there likely die to safety issues, i.e., cyclists going down fast... And so people are not happy, getting people riding there. It's a private street as it looks.

[@gurt00]

​​@@Lightningchase1973 Getting the biker to stop is definitely part of a solution but feel like they could've been a little more considerate of they way they went about it. The biking issue is very serious, but physical confrontation should be one of their last options imo.

[@pwol751]

Love the determination and commitment to find tough climbs, chapeau. I went to Madiera last month and found vertical roads all over the places. There was one road/segment that stuck with me, again automatic cars stalling and the strava segment (Ate Ganes!!!!!) registering at 42.2% for 120m, as part of a climb that was about 15km for 1500m of elevation. I imagine there are even more brutal segments on this island, but that felt like the hardest I came across.

[@antsmands]

Great video Mitch and a perfect synopsis at the end!

[@rcostheta]

Great perspective Mitch. I 100% agree with your final take on this. I appreciate that you care about the locals!

[@freshestmanonearth]

15:07 Love the subtle foreshadowing clip 😂😂😂

[@wikiwithme]

this steep-street deep-dive is brilliant, cheers :D

[@Killberty]

Thanks for this video! Must have required lots of courage to upload!

[@urouroniwa]

I think you are right. And, in fact, I was riding up a very steep (for me) road in my local area this fall that I will never be riding again. Actually, the ascent was fine, but on the descent, I noticed some cars having to negotiate a 30+% grade and pass each other. One of the cars just couldn't get traction and the other cars were having a lot of difficulty getting out of the way. I managed to stay out of their way, stopping just up the hill, but it occurred to me how dangerous that would be had I been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not just dangerous for me, but dangerous for the passengers of the cars too. The roads in my area are made for the farmers who grow tea at the top of the mountains. They aren't made for bicycles. There isn't any law that says that bicycles can't ride up there, but common sense says that it's not a good idea to make a dangerous place more dangerous just to have some fun. This is their livelihood, their homes and their farms. I'm just intentionally taking a difficult road to cycle. I shouldn't be there. Plus, I'm not going to lie. The descent was terrifying. I don't know. Going over 30% is somehow OK going up, but going down... Yikes. I've ridden a few in my area like that and I'm done.

[@ak4good]

I really appreciate the transparency and not planning to go back -- plenty of other steep streets all around where ppl don't mind you being there. Also plenty of steep gravel hills free of cars ;-)

[@U.s.e.r.3493]

EXCELLENT video. Ideal storytelling

[@Bananakid11]

thanks for you honesty! I think it's super important to respect every local environment, especially when you're a foreigner.

[@Kefoo_]

-- *_Thank you, Mitch Boyer!_* _Kudos for discussing ethics and respect regarding local bicycling restrictions!_

[@babyma14]

Great video! So sorry about what happened at the end. That is an unacceptable behavior. Hopefully some locals see this and report them. I hope you are ok!

[@jimhenderson57]

Another great video Mitch. Personally, I'm relieved that the road is closed to cyclists, now I have an excuse for never attempting this crazy wild ride. New Video idea: I'm traveling to CO to ride in the Triple Bypass this summer. I need a bike bag that is airline "safe"- what are your thoughts on trhe Scicon that you used in this video? You've been traveling a bit and I'm hoping you can share some tips for how to get your bike safely to a destination ride. I'm sure others would want to see a bike packing video. Bike Packing, not bikepacking lol. Keep up the great work.

[@jeropage95]

great as always mitch, really reasonable take at the end. absolutely harrowing climb.

[@Alex-hw2me]

Italians giving lessons on how to properly use a road makes me laugh, they're nothing more scary than italians on roads... dude wasn't pissed because he had to stop his car in the middle of a steep turn, he was pissed by your presence on His (in his mind) road.

[@daniel.s8126]

Reminds me of one of the stories from, I think it was Tyler Hamilton’s book, where they were training in Italy and some driver cut the peloton off before speeding away through the village. Lance took some backroads, caught up to the guy, and gave him an earful and maybe a few knuckles to the face IIRC.

[@pinkyfull]

its quite clearly signposted as a private road though with pedestrian only access to a hiking area at the top of the hill.

[@brandonguild1666]

You know whats wild is I asked myself this question while biking last week. I did not google it because I forgot, and low and behold this video gets recommended. Unbelievable.

[@eddierusset]

Great work, Italians. Really impressive the way you welcome others to your area

[@INTERpEST]

Great Film and i like the epilogue.

[@BelindaHazzz]

I am getting a GO 3S for my cat as a Christmas Gift!!!! the way you mount it on the puppy is so lovely 🥹

[@mortsaidmort]

You did the right thing here, and sounds like you'll do the right thing in the future. You're considerate of laws and others, and won't be back since it's forbidden. That's the best possible outcome - you're trying to push yourself but your rights end where others begin, and I appreciate your introspection and consideration. In the future do the same - go for the steepest roads that aren't restricted to your access.

[@JCZ0RR0]

The issue here is that these people will keep impeding on others' rights. That's how race tracks, music venues, dog parks, anything gets closed down. One complaint, enabled by nonsense local government, takes away enjoyment of so many. That principle in itself is not right, and assaulting people is even less right. Cyclists on a public road? What about sheep, or hikers (notice the assailant's hiking shoes?), or fallen rocks? "oooh I'm scared" is no reason to ban others.

[@aintnobodygottime4dat]

appreciate the show of respect 👍🏼👍🏼

[@shakrmaker]

Maybe the locals should do a 1 day a year hill climb, UCI organized, invite only - and feature the other cycling available in the region for tourism in the event coverage. Then they could highlight bikes aren't allowed the other 364 days of the year. I bet the Ultra running type crowd would love that climb though?.. then they'd probably ban walking up it also :)

[@AndersLberg-go1tp]

If you want a good compact climbing gear setup, go for Schlumpf Mountain Drive. Gears down 2,5:1 . That means you can use a 39 chain ring in the front, and get 16t in Mountain Drive mode.!

[@joshualancekemp]

Absolutely love you brother-man! Your humility is endearing. Maybe the definition worked out between you and Guinness is part of the answer. The climb you just did in Italy does not meet the definition? That's what I think. It seems you are on an amazing life journey and you will be led to your next challenges by the greater intelligence running the universe. Pedal On!

[@chrisogrady28]

I am living at how excited the NZ news woman was to drag you 😂

[@patcoston]

The road up to the top of Penang Hill in Penang Malaysia is quite long and steep. I lived in Malaysia for 2 years and I would take the tram to the top with my bike, and ride down. The downhill was so steep, that caliper brakes that rubbed on your rims would melt. I would make several stops to let my brakes cool. I attempted to ride non-stop with disc brakes but the heat made my front cable snap and rear brakes are not enough. With only rear brakes, you would pick up speed and launch yourself off a cliff at the next hair-pin turn. I touched my glove to the disc and it instantly vaporized the rubber. Another time, I had been off-roading, so I lowered my air-pressure. Later, when I proceeded down the road, I forgot to increase my air pressure. Both of my tires and tubes shifted backwards on the rims sheering off both air valves. It's one of my life goals to ride down this road non-stop. I'll need some high quality disc brakes with some amazing air cooling. The horrible squealing and scraping noises they make when they get red hot is like finger nails on a chalk board. I wonder if going slow heats up the brakes more than going fast. Going slow gives the brakes more time to heat up. Going fast shortens the time, and gives more air cooling but you'll generate more heat if the disc is moving faster, so I'm not sure if it even matters. I estimate it would take about 45 minutes to bike up this hill. I see a lot of people biking up it, but I don't know if any of them make it without stopping. Of course, they're all grinding in the lowest gear and they're all riding top-end bikes with front sprockets smaller than rear sprockets. The nice thing is that it's a well paved smooth road. Oh, watch out for the monkey's, turtles and snakes, especially when you're coming down fast.

[@hookenz]

The first time I went to Baldwin Street, I took the rental van to the top. I was too scared to turn around, concerned it could roll over. So my brave brother in law did it and we went back down. I was prepared to reverse but not do a 3 point turn.

[@QBNTO1]

You’re a class act. Love your videos.

[@HKRoad]

Amazing effort. Not an impressive way to complain. But you ride and learn. Well done Mitch.

[@seedmole]

Ever do Lachman in the Palisades? Gonna be a while before it's open for that again, but that was the pinnacle of what I ever accomplished biking on a road.. ~850 feet over 1.5 miles. It's even steeper than the fire roads up in the state park, pretty wild stuff.

[@Busaboy1955]

At 70 years old I haven't found a paved road yet that I couldn't climb. Mind you I do run a 22T chainring and a 51T on the cassette!😂

[@ACs946]

Dunedin needs the Baldwin St title because the Chocolate Factory closed down, and the local beer tastes like wee

[@Secretlyanothername]

And New Zealand needs to keep its record of most per capita records per capita so its people can feel okay about life

[@NeiyMaritz]

The worlds steepest street is probably somewhere in asia, around the tibet plataeu, but its probably only known to the locals

[@Stealthwealth1001]

A nice challenging climb in LA is Grandview Dr off of Topanga Canyon just before Fernwood Pacific. There are sections that have to be at least 35%-39%. It is where all the hippies live so you know the roads connecting their treehouses are pretty sketchy

[@faisal_al_saiful3838]

bro attacking people like a mad man can't be justified. That type of thing would take a big toll on me. Hope you are doing well now. Love the steep hill videos regardless. but do some research about the accessibility of the road for your own safety. they are mad man everywhere in the world.

[@raphaelcaceres9129]

They were with their car. I don't see how they could have known these people were hostile.

[@mikestunt77]

Yeah mate, I'm italian, that street is forbidden to bikes cause it's considered too dangerous, probably gcn asked a permission to try it as u figured and they give it to them cause andrew feather is almost a pro. Anyway in Italy there are a lot of short super steep climbs but none of them are located in cities. Great video, I really enjoyed it, thanks

[@Secretlyanothername]

If it's forbidden, then put up the universal "no cycling" sign with the line through a bike. It's very easy.

[@-Gothicgirl-]

​@@Secretlyanothernamethere are official road signs visible! The red ring means forbidden! The upper says every vehicle forbidden! The lower gives a extra hint bicycle forbidden. That are official road signs in europe. No need of a american no bike sign

[@Martionbg]

As a driver and a cyclist I can confidently say that such climbs should be regulated. For example, have it for cyclist on the weekends between such and such hour. Than have it for cars. The Mountain next to my city has this regulation. On the weekends cars can't go up between 11am and 4 pm. This is the time when only the bus lines are allowed to bring you up, along with the lifts. During this time cyclists can have the entire road for themselves, well, sharing it in places with the hikers. My point is, that a cycling tourist spot can be a great way to make money, if you know how to market and profit from it. I mean, if there was a small coffee shop at the top, or someone selling water, electrolytes, or bars towards the end, and they were ready to give it to you on the go, it will enhance your experience and you will pay more of being there. Thus, more taxes and more money to keep up the road in good shape. Chasing away cyclist is not the answer. Profiting from them is.

[@wookie-u5e]

I don't think that this idea is feasible in this case. Due to the fact that the locals only use small 4x4 cars, I'd guess that an ambulance could not make it up these gradients, therefore you would need helicopters for rescue services, which would quickly outweigh the income generated by taxes

[@e995a1ad]

You can't really do that when it's the only road and there are people that live there.

[@Martionbg]

​@@wookie-u5e I'm not familiar with the particular case, but in Bulgaria the mountain rescuer service has vehices that can get you down from places that are far more hostile than this gravel road. I mean medic choppers are not the only solution here.

[@Martionbg]

@@e995a1ad Yes, I understand that and it shouldn't be made despite the locals will. However, the locals can profit from such opportunity. I'm not saying, close it off twice a day every day. I'm saying it can be closed off every other saterday/sunday of 4-6 hours during the midday. Surely the locals can plan. Moreover, the locals may be allowed during the entire time, but to know there will be cyclists between 11- 15 o'clock this and this Saturday. It is A solution, not The solution. It requires sacrifices from both sides if they want it to work. If now. Well, I'm not going to ride there anyway, so I don't really care.

[@e995a1ad]

@@Martionbg Yeah, I'm sure you'd be delighted if the authorities confined you to your home with no possibility of going anywhere, for 4-6 hours every two weeks, just so that a couple of cyclists can come and challenge themselves at their convenience a few times a year. I'm a cyclist, but closing this particular road to cyclists seems perfectly justified and reasonable to me. What could be done maybe is organize a event one or a few times a year. That I could see.

[@HarrySinanian]

Place the crank on a raised gutter or block, the use the breaker in line with the crank and you will crank the bind

[@MrMidjol]

Nice and very responsible ending. Great video.

[@vincecaito6985]

Great video Mitch

[@nemure]

I've seen this road before. Gnc made it with Andrew feather using a gravel bike with a lot of gearing to do it.

[@MrTandtrollet]

Found an article in a local Italian newspaper that said that in 2009 the street is open to vehicles only to residents. Non-resitends can only access the street on foot.

[@MrTandtrollet]

So I guess it was the case even when GCN did their video. I guess being invited by just 1 local resident would allow you to cycle there though =)

[@SyLens1]

Would be really fun if you would go around the world to review climbs in terms of how hard they are. I can recommend Fendels in Austria. The segment only goes to the entry of the town. But you can go up way further. And if you’re on gravel you can go even up another 500-700m of elevation. The strava segment on the road only has an avg gradient of 12% but i dont think it ever drops under 11% either. And some bits over 20%. While being at altitude in the alps it really was one of the hardest climbs i have EVER done. I did it in summer at 30 degrees celcius so going about 8kph is super hot. Being a fairly fit rider myself this really is a big challenge. The KOM is set by pro’s since the finish of a Tour D’alps stage finished in the town in 2018 i think. While the rest is set by eMTB’s riding up it (theres crazy DH MTB descends from the top) You can ride up the gravel bit with your roadbike but i wouldnt recommend descending it, you can use a cable lift down for your own safety. Good luck if you ever try this segment!

[@Stealthwealth1001]

I saw something similar in Costa Rica where they didn’t list the gradient but you know it was steep because the signage shows 4x4 only and most people that go up these roads park their car at the bottom and ride a 4 wheeler to the top where the houses are

[@bobbyellis5006]

I am not a tough guy, I've been in one fight in my life and I lost it. But, I want to applaud you for your restraint because I can tell you from my experience that if someone was in my face like that and stopping me from leaving fists would have been thrown. And yeah, I would likely have gotten my ass kicked, but I just know what my fight or flight response would be in that moment. Props to you for being a better person, for not escalating a tense situation, and taking the time to figure out the proper way to handle it. I think you're right in what you said. A road like that just can't safely handle cyclists and cars for the exact reasons you said.

[@wakey.9711]

was waiting for this!!!!!!

[@rabidsminions2079]

Attunga st Double bay in Sydney Australia is steep. As is Edward st Double Bay. Attunga st was in a Newspaper article as being Sydney's steepest street. Attunga st is 250m long and most of it is 25% gradient.

[@nrazz9985]

Enjoyed the video and Sarasate's 8th spanish dance,

[@stefjonckers225]

im just getting fatiged watching this, cause i know what it feels like (maybe not that extreme 😅 loved the vid!

[@JahBushi]

I was about to say - i wonder how Feather would do, and then the Strava screen showed up! :D

[@mylivingsky]

Not until this moment, 18:45 , I don’t realize u probably need to modify your bike not only the gear but also an extending handle bar way further front to suit a 45deg climb. 🌟 Enjoy every bit of the video btw.

[@michaelkhalsa]

Would ride up Fargo street as kids with a 42 front 21 rear gear, my friend rode up it with a 42-19, but he was also a national time trial champ.

[@KNURKonesur]

Props for saying Strachan the correct (Scots) way, I've heard that name mispronounced too many times :D

[@Sfs678]

Nice Video ❣️, but dump question: was there no bikeshop?

[@cliffclermont]

Here is the thought. This is why riding off road is better for me. For every steep and long road climb there are 10 or more off road climbs without cars and even more challenges with significantly more variable surface conditions. Fewer tourist. Remote. Etc. Climbing big paved roads is just adorable. #sneakpeaks #alpesdivide #navad1000

[@rob-c.]

No good in England. Basically everywhere off a public road is privately owned, often by someone who doesn’t want you there.

[@lmt6600]

I would love to see you ride uphill on Kauai going up waimea canyon on the waimea side not kekaha! Sure like to see you take that on

[@Verycoolraces]

I had an interaction with locals in the mountains in my county here in Pennsylvania. I was cresting a steep and long climb on my bike and pulled over in the entrance of a long driveway to check my phone messages. Ok, really I just wanted to rest. Anyway, BAMM! A gunshot went off right by my head. It was a local mountain man who fired a .357 Magnum right past my ear. (Think squeal like a pig character from Deliverance). It scared the shit out of me. My ears were ringing. Then he muttered almost unintelligibly, "This is private property." I was two feet off the road on the entrance of a driveway that was so long I couldn't see a building or cabin at the other end. Having done a fair amount of back-country backpacking I can attest mountain people are a breed apart.

[@micahkotler1482]

Nice work, bummer of an interaction. maybe the next series could be steepest grandmas driveways

[@MitchBoyer]

😂😂 grandmas steepest driveways would be epic

[@rident]

Maybe you should do a series on the top climbs from the new PJAMM PDI index. They have both road and gravel divisions.

[@timtaylor9590]

I think they wanted you to walk down but you kept getting on your bike lol

[@fredEVOIX]

did a 47% 200m ascent but had to use an emtb and it's not a street but dirt and gravel, very impressive effort people who don't live near mountains cannot understand how difficult what you did is steep slopes are "okay" as long as they are short like the 32m one but that climb not only is very long but it gets worse and worse, you need serious strength of will to continue bravo, vertical KV runs are in the 50% you're not far off and that's extremely steep, stairs basically