Originally Posted by
dwmckee
We have similar terrain here in WV, PA, KY. The agonizing Alleghenies. They are not two miles of 20% climbing like the Alps, but there are little hidden sections between all of the twists and turns that get you for maybe 20 - 50 yards at a time at 20%... Little patches that some of we OFs (Old Farts) want to keep pedaling on to get back to the relief of the 12 - 15% grade parts. These are the former deer paths that run from the creeks to the ridges here and have managed to escape the relentless eye of the paver..
Don and I are in the same area, and he speaks the truth. Add in that some of those 20%+ climbs are very loose and messy, sometimes muddy, and you've got a real challenge. The Funk Bottoms gravel race in Ohio has a long and steep climb within the first few miles....And this past year, it was muddy as hell, too. Riding in a super-low gear would've resulted in a lot of wheel spin.