The climb up to Wintergreen
03-23-13, 11:28 AM
#1
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 435
Bikes: 2 x 2012 GT Series 1, 2012 P2C
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The climb up to Wintergreen
I went skiing earlier this year at Wintergreen Resort in VA. The climb looked pretty brutal. Anyone done it?
03-23-13, 12:36 PM
#2
Senior Member
Yes, they have a time trial up the side of Wintergreen every spring. I did it 2 years ago with a standard crank and it was brutal. I now have a compact and am looking forward to attempting it again this year.
03-23-13, 04:25 PM
#5
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 435
Bikes: 2 x 2012 GT Series 1, 2012 P2C
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
No. As far as Wintergreen, I'd like to try it, but not in a TT. Maybe I'll solo it this year and try the TT next.
03-23-13, 04:44 PM
#6
Senior Member
Yes I did Mountain Mama several years ago as well. I was riding it with a buddy of mine who wasn't in top form at the time, so I didnt really push too hard. It does have a lot of climbing though, and would be extremely difficult at more aggressive pace. The beautiful thing about it, though, was that it was 95 degrees in DC that weekend but up in the mountains it was a beautiful 70 degrees.
03-23-13, 04:54 PM
#7
Falls Downalot
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: DC
Posts: 3,103
Bikes: Now I Got Two
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mountain Mama route on RideWithGPS looks tough indeed. Anybody finishing that on a standard crank is a MUCH better man than me...
...but the approach at the end of this route looks even tougher...
...but the approach at the end of this route looks even tougher...
Last edited by gc3; 03-23-13 at 04:57 PM.
03-23-13, 04:57 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,448
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 406 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times
in
138 Posts
Originally Posted by Dominae
Yes I did Mountain Mama several years ago as well. I was riding it with a buddy of mine who wasn't in top form at the time, so I didnt really push too hard. It does have a lot of climbing though, and would be extremely difficult at more aggressive pace. The beautiful thing about it, though, was that it was 95 degrees in DC that weekend but up in the mountains it was a beautiful 70 degrees.
03-23-13, 05:52 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 392
Bikes: 2018 Giant Stance 1, 2011 Trek Madone 3.1, 2004 LeMond Nevada City, 1980 Peugeot Course single speed, 1978 Peugeot AO-8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Here's the Strava segment. A few guys from our club in Richmond go out there and ride it. I hope to try it sometime.
https://app.strava.com/segments/683356
https://app.strava.com/segments/683356
03-24-13, 01:19 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 2,654
Bikes: 2008 Trek Madone 5.5, 2009 Cervelo R3SL tdf edition, Cervelo R5 with Di2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Here's me at the top:
There are fairly long stretches of 15% grades. I wouldn't have made it with a standard crank. I used a compact with 11/28 cassette.
Mountain Mama is a great ride. I've done it three times. I think it's harder than Mountains of Misery, because the climbs just keep coming.
There are fairly long stretches of 15% grades. I wouldn't have made it with a standard crank. I used a compact with 11/28 cassette.
Mountain Mama is a great ride. I've done it three times. I think it's harder than Mountains of Misery, because the climbs just keep coming.
03-24-13, 07:23 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,448
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 406 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times
in
138 Posts
Great shot! Maybe we should see who registers for the mama this year and say hello/start together (I wouldn't subject anyone to riding with me for any period of time I'm a plodder
03-26-13, 12:23 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 2,654
Bikes: 2008 Trek Madone 5.5, 2009 Cervelo R3SL tdf edition, Cervelo R5 with Di2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm slow too, but I usually get there eventually
03-26-13, 12:32 PM
#15
hmm..
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RVA
Posts: 305
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I too am attempting the Time Trial this year. They haven't posted the event at pre-reg.com and am eagerly awaiting it.
I actually do hill climb training around Roseland, VA (5 miles East) so I can give it a few tries before the TT.
I actually do hill climb training around Roseland, VA (5 miles East) so I can give it a few tries before the TT.
Last edited by Smiziley; 03-26-13 at 12:36 PM.
03-26-13, 12:37 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 116
Bikes: 2012 Cannondale Syanpse 5 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why is it that standard cranks would be more difficult? I would have thought the lower the gears you have available the better off you'd be, minus the weight penalty.
03-26-13, 12:47 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 182
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
10 Posts
That hill's a beast. The other side (up from Love Road) is shorter but steeper. 20 minutes of pure sweet bliss. If you really want to knock your teeth loose go do Route 56 up to the Blue Ridge Parkway from 151. Less steep than Wintergreen but way longer and no rhythm to it at all. The detour to go gawk at the falls WILL ruin your Strava time but is well worth it. The drop down 56 to the west is just insane. Never climbed it though. Tons of awesome riding all around there, road and mtb.
03-26-13, 12:53 PM
#18
hmm..
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RVA
Posts: 305
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by NMBuff
Why is it that standard cranks would be more difficult? I would have thought the lower the gears you have available the better off you'd be, minus the weight penalty.
39-25 ratio = 41 gear inches
34-25 ratio = 36 gear gear inches
Last edited by Smiziley; 03-26-13 at 01:01 PM.
03-26-13, 01:41 PM
#19
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 30,873
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1210 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
184 Posts
Originally Posted by CrankAndYank
Well, assuming you finished the climb on the 39, you, sir, are a MACHINE!
I did it with a 39/23 back then, when I went down to watch a stage. Wasn't the ideal gearing, but I made it up.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-26-13, 01:45 PM
#20
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 30,873
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1210 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
184 Posts
Originally Posted by JimF22003
There are fairly long stretches of 15% grades. .
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-26-13, 01:53 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 182
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
10 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
According to the Strava file it touches 15% for a few feet. Around half a mile total at 10% or above. Average grade 7.6%
03-26-13, 08:56 PM
#22
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 30,873
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1210 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
184 Posts
Originally Posted by November Dave
All of the steepness happens above the resort gate. It's a glorified false flat from 151 to the resort. 39/23 must have stung a little bit.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-27-13, 11:40 AM
#23
Cycling Apparel
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Florida and Virginia
Posts: 167
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Don't let the Average Grade fool you! My car has never made it to the top without letting me know the climb was tough for it as well!!
03-27-13, 02:03 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 334
Bikes: 1981 Bianchi Limited 650B conversion (sold), 1985(?) Guerciotti retro-roadie, 2018 Specialized Allez Sprint, 2012 Specialized Crux, mid 80's Focus MB-400
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This is the first I've heard of the Mountain Mama, it looks fun, I'll try to make it this year.
03-29-13, 06:24 PM
#25
Je pose, donc je suis.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Back. Here.
Posts: 2,898
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by November Dave
That hill's a beast. The other side (up from Love Road) is shorter but steeper. 20 minutes of pure sweet bliss. If you really want to knock your teeth loose go do Route 56 up to the Blue Ridge Parkway from 151. Less steep than Wintergreen but way longer and no rhythm to it at all. The detour to go gawk at the falls WILL ruin your Strava time but is well worth it. The drop down 56 to the west is just insane. Never climbed it though. Tons of awesome riding all around there, road and mtb.
Ouch.
