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Climbing on of the hardest climbs in the country

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Old 08-01-20, 02:51 PM
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brunes83
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Climbing on of the hardest climbs in the country

Has anybody else tried the Guardsman Pass climb in Utah before? I was looking at a YT video of a guy climbing it. It looks pretty challenging. This makes me wonder what other climbs are out there?
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Old 08-01-20, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by brunes83
Has anybody else tried the Guardsman Pass climb in Utah before? I was looking at a YT video of a guy climbing it. It looks pretty challenging. This makes me wonder what other climbs are out there?
Try searching on climbbybike.com and salite.ch (the latter has more focus outside the US)
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Old 08-01-20, 05:15 PM
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Looks like a true grinder. Please share a ride report after you conquer it.

https://pjammcycling.com/climb/62.Gu...s-Pass-Cycling
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Old 08-01-20, 06:39 PM
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I've done this one in TN a couple of times. https://pjammcycling.com/climb/617.Roan%20Mt. It was a slog but very scenic. Quite exciting on the descent.
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Old 08-02-20, 07:09 AM
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Sy Reene
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Mt Lemmon is popular with cyclists out of Tucson.. brutally long. haven't ridden it, just drove it on a sightseeing visit.
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Old 08-02-20, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by brunes83
Has anybody else tried the Guardsman Pass climb in Utah before? I was looking at a YT video of a guy climbing it. It looks pretty challenging.
It's a nice ride, with a screaming' fast descent.
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Old 08-02-20, 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by brunes83
Has anybody else tried the Guardsman Pass climb in Utah before? I was looking at a YT video of a guy climbing it. It looks pretty challenging. This makes me wonder what other climbs are out there?
Starting at the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon and continuing up Guardsman makes for a nice challenge. The first 13 miles up Big Cottonwood aren't too bad, especially after the first 3 or 4 miles, but the road steepens after the left turn up Guardsman with a few 10-12% stretches. Be careful on the Guardsman descent. It is very easy to overcook a couple of the switchbacks. There was a nasty crash there a few years back in the Tour of Utah.

Last edited by OldGuy55; 08-02-20 at 10:23 PM.
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Old 08-05-20, 11:15 AM
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Be careful descending down Guardsman

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Old 08-05-20, 12:38 PM
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https://pjammcycling.com/climb/632.Chinook%20Pass

https://pjammcycling.com/climb/211.Mission%20Ridge

https://pjammcycling.com/climb/631.Mt.%20Baker

https://pjammcycling.com/climb/638.Sherman%20Pass

https://pjammcycling.com/climb/1165.Stevens-Pass-West

https://pjammcycling.com/climb/633.S...%2520Road%2520

Those are the ones I've done, that are listed on that site. I'm surprised they don't have Washington Pass.
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Old 08-05-20, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Sojodave
Be careful descending down Guardsman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRM3bFXlyNk
What the hell is that motorbike at 00:38 thinking?

Effectively in the middle of the only remaining road left any cyclist coming could take...
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Old 08-05-20, 06:31 PM
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That site has a great list, though I don't agree with the scores. A couple weeks ago friends and I got over 10k ft in 60mi on three climbs in the Catskills (up and over or backside, so 3 peaks, 6 climbs). Each was rated harder than Hells Kitchen, which is in the Tour of the Catskills, but IMO none of them are as quite as demoralizing and difficult. Contrast that with climbs like Greylock in western MA, which is long and more altitude, but ranks higher, I'd say I actually enjoy Greylock vs the hate I have for the tough Catskills climbs. I was also dismayed at how how Mt Evans is, esp vs Pikes Peak. But I have never ridden Pikes, as it was not paved when I was growing up in CO.

Great thread, BTW.
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Old 08-18-20, 01:20 PM
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So I finally rode Guardsman Pass from the Midway side, and it was tough. It's about 4000 ft of climbing in a little less than 9 miles. I was happy to hold about 250 watts (which is good for me), and it took about 1:15. I chose to go back down to the three-way stop and then up and over Empire Pass into Park City. I loved how quiet and peaceful it was. There are definitely some 15% and 18% grades. There may have even been a 20+% on one of the switchback hairpin turns. Overall, a great ride!
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Old 08-18-20, 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ZHVelo
What the hell is that motorbike at 00:38 thinking?

Effectively in the middle of the only remaining road left any cyclist coming could take...
Honestly the cyclists are coming in so hot, there was no absolutely line for them to take anyhow. If they didn't hit the motorcycle, they were already destined to drill the team car right behind it.

Reality is that this is failure on the part of the organizers to effectively INDICATE at the previous hairpin that this was an extremely steep section and to not come in hot.
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Old 08-18-20, 06:53 PM
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Mt Washington Auto Road in New Hampshire
7.6 miles
4,618' elevation gain
12% average grade
Extended sections at ~18%
22% at the top
Never gets lower than 6%-8%, nowhere to recover
https://www.climbbybike.com/climb/Mount-Washington/7704

Last edited by Dancing Skeleton; 08-18-20 at 06:56 PM.
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Old 08-18-20, 07:55 PM
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I wish climbs with minor descents midway didnt average that into the climb. Mitchell isn’t 4%. It has a 400+ ft descent midway.

I also argue this to the death about Zwift. It’s so cute thinking you can climb Ventoux or the Alpe at 150w and 90 rpm.

You all are posting good stuff!

I liked Paris mountain. Two sides, short enough to do repeats. Just enough grade to be a climb. I would risk police and once or twice do the tower finale. Shame kids ruined that tower finish with theft and vandalism. Now there’s a siren that detects people who ride up to the overlook.
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Old 08-18-20, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
Mt Lemmon is popular with cyclists out of Tucson.. brutally long. haven't ridden it, just drove it on a sightseeing visit.
I love climbing Mt. Lemmon. I wouldn't call it particularly hard, but it is a long climb(and water isn't available until 21 miles)..
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Old 08-18-20, 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Dancing Skeleton
Mt Washington Auto Road in New Hampshire
7.6 miles
4,618' elevation gain
12% average grade
Extended sections at ~18%
22% at the top
Never gets lower than 6%-8%, nowhere to recover
https://www.climbbybike.com/climb/Mount-Washington/7704
Harsh wind too.

Slate Peak doesn't have quite as impressive numbers, but the crux is 3,700' over 9.5 miles of gravel.
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