I ride WNC two weeks at a shot, 2 or 3 times a year, some steep roads up there. However I gear down to 42 x 20 for most, 42 x 23 for some, anywhere over 11-14 mph I am spun out. Not really an issue unless I need to get away from the occasional hunting dog.

I really can't tolerate anything more than that on some of the longer climbs, 9 miles of that near constant up hill just wears me out. The coasting down is very sweet. For those of you that know the area coming down the North side of Waterrock Knob is pretty nice, you don't
hit a lick for about 8 miles.

Climbing on the course the OP mentions using 52 x 18 would be a feat, my knees would be done is a flash.

I find a lot of joy riding a single speed, even under the stress of climbing it, part of it though is I run into cyclists on most of the roads all day long, especially at the pull offs, I have yet to run into a single speed rider though. Different is nice sometimes.