The Steepest Street In The World
There’s been lots of talk about Baldwin Street, Dunedin, NZ, being the steepest street in the world. It has been a hotly contested competition. The title has changed twice in the last 2 years. For an age it was always suggested that Baldwin street should wear the crown of ‘The World’s Steepest Street’, that was, until Ffordd pen Llech stole the crown, albeit for a fairly short time. It was disputed by Dunedin as Baldwin street was 35% and Ffordd Pen Llech topped out at a staggering 37.5%. The problem being, Baldwin Street was straight, and they measure the average gradient of Ffordd pen Llaech through the steepest parts of the hairpins.
It has now been decided that the steepness be measured through the central axis. This dropped Ffordd Pen Llech down to 28.6%, and Baldwin Street to 34.8%. Baldwin Street took back the crown, and is widely recognised as the steepest street in the world.
Well, that is until now. For Auckland cyclists know of an even steeper street. Not to piss on Dunedin’s bonfire, but may as well, Te Aute Ridge Road is the steepest street. What constitutes a street? And why isn’t Te Aute Ride Road heralded as the ‘World’s Steepest Street’?
By definition ‘a street is a public thoroughfare in a built environment. It is a public parcel of land adjoining buildings in an urban context, on which people may freely assemble, interact, and move about.’
Another definition of a Street: a public road that connects two points, but also has buildings on both sides of it; these typically run perpendicular to avenues. Avenue: public way that also has buildings and/or trees on both sides; these run perpendicular to streets and are traditionally wider.
So this would make Te Aute Ridge Road a street. For there are multiple dwellings on the both sides, it’s urban’ish, and allows people to freely assemble, interact, and move about. The fact that it’s nearly three times as long as the other two makes it even harder to climb. It also takes four times as long to cycle up as Baldwin Street, and five times longer than Ffordd pen Llech. It’s an absolute monster.
If you manage to find yourself out near the Te Henga fire station, make sure you turn left!
