Originally Posted by superdex
What kind of climbing are you doing in preparation?
I don't want to sound like a sourpuss --you are in excellent shape, afterall-- but Evans is a tough climb even without the elevation. Compare it to other Colorado climbs:
http://www.rmccrides.com/ClimbDB/climb_frame.html
No...I hear ya; that 'excellent shape' note came across a little cocky when it wasn't meant to be...I expect to struggle up the climb, no question.
But I'm distinguishing between "struggling up the climb" and "not being able to make it at all"...claiming that my fitness level leaves me to believe that I'll be able to make it up the climb (struggling all the way, to be expected). 10mph avg might be a little aggressive...I'll set aside any expectations in my mind, beyond just making it to the top and down again in one piece.
"Climbing Preparation"
I live out on the East Coast (NYC) best I can do are long rides up to a place called Bear Mountain...the climb is only about 4 miles long, but the route there and back is slightly over 100 miles and has some rolling hills along the way