I think it must be about 15 years ago that Miami decided to build a hill. The tourism industry was moving toward monster ships and yachts. The bridge they built replaced the old one to Key Biscayne that allows these boats to pass without lifting any drawbridges. This one has a climb of about 1/3 of a mile up and it is not Tennessee steep but it does challenge one if you are determined to climb it fast. Guys in shape climb in 10-13 mph. Well trained athletes climb it in 13-18 mph, and monsters climb it at 19-22 steady to the top. I personally don't relish hills but I did come to enjoy them in San Francisco and in San Diego. I especially enjoyed that late night ride from Ocean Beach to Mission Hills in San Diego which involved two substantial hill climbs. One was very brief and very steep, (a block or so) and then a second steady climb of about a half a mile at a rather steep incline to Mission Hills. My problem was that I don't like the look of a big cluster in the rear. I think the prettiest freewheels are something like 13-23 or even smaller. Now that I live in Miami all my bikes have the pretty cluster and I even have one or two straight blocks that I use. Of course I admire someone who can spin up hills in Tennessee with a 42/24 front/rear combo, but that wouldn't be me.
Garth Libre in Miami Fl.