I tried to ride Trek’s new ebike up the steepest hill in Seattle — and it didn’t go as planned

Trek Verve+ 1 electric bike on a steep hill.

I love a good physical challenge, especially one I can attempt without traveling far from home. Fortunately, my hometown of Seattle, Washington is ripe with them, from epic hikes in the nearby Cascade Mountains to scenic bike rides around glacial lakes. 

Built on seven adjacent hills, the city also has its fair share of steep inclines to traverse. The steepest is a heart-pumping 26% grade. And before folks from Seattle’s foggy southern cousin snicker, I'll point out that San Francisco's famed Lombard Street is a 27% grade (though it's far from SF's steepest).