Originally Posted by
Kostritzer
Anybody else do the training ride #2 on Saturday? I was there. First time on Howard Gap. It's brutal. I think it's only about 2 miles but the average grade is around 14% and it goes up to 20% max. In the last mile, I dont think it went lower than 15% on my computer. Total ride was 60 miles with close to 6000 ft elevation gain. I cant imagine what they have in store for #3 and 4.
I was there too, I had to walk up Howards Gap, saw two blow outs on the way down. Got caught in the rain up 176 and the hail on Greenville Rd out of Saluda. I think ride 3 is easier, the road up to Caesars Head is just long but not steep, about the same as the steeper parts of the Greenville watershed. There is one very short 22% grade, less than 1/4 mile if I recall correctly. I have not done the Marquis de Sade ride (#4) but I understand it is even harder than Mitchell, can't wait.
According to Garmin, just over 57 miles and only 5,400 feet of climbing.