Gladius, I haven’t ridden those sections. The part from the white rim is not sandy at all in that area.
Tue climb is a monster but i failed on the other side for 2 reasons.
1. I started the climb at 85 miles on a very very big day.
2. I left my lowest gear as 40x36 instead of 40x42 or even 32x36 or 42 for the ride. I had options I didn’t take prior and it got me.
Eliminate either and i’ve had made it. Fresh legs with my gearing, no sweat. Dead legs with super low, again i’d have done it.
Consider that it’ll be 3 weeks hotter when you get there and it was plenty warm for me.