Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,717
Likes: 2,104
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
It is my understanding that some parts of the Appalachians can have very steep hills. My only experience in that area is GAP and C&O, those are fairly flat so I have no direct experience with the rest of the Appalachians.
That compares to Pacific Coast and the rockies where I have usually found max slopes in the 6 to 8 percent grade range.