Originally Posted by fmw

After dropping a 200 HP John Deere tractor with 4 wheels in the back, the farmer raised his fist and shifted into overdrive. Smoke poured from the stack and his hay baler began bouncing on the pavement. His challenge was clear. I was spinning up a 42% grade into a 45 mph headwind with 60mph gusts. When I saw the raised fist and the forward lurch of the John Deere, I shifted into my 53 ring and mashed down hard. As I approached the top of the hill, I was spinning at 28 mph. I think this was a personal best on a 42% grade. I decided that what I really wanted to do was to ride circles around the farmer so I descended the hill hitting 79 mph, screeched to a halt and did the climb one more time, reaching the summit just before the tractor, dropping it a second time. The farmer bowed in appreciation and respect and the two of us headed off in different directions. I wish I had recorded the watts. Must have been a lot them, though.