I took to this climb last Friday while I was passing through.
It starts out nice and flat as you ride in.
First few miles aren’t too steep. (the highest peak in the center of the frame is where you end up)
The day was a bit hazy and foggy in the valley, but eventually I got above most of the fog and clouds.
The avg grade is 6.3% I believe, but the first few miles bring down the avg of the last 3 which my Garmin was telling me was consistently 10-12%.
Pretty narrow towards the top. only wide enough for a bike and a car
Cresting the top (this would be an awesome finish to a race… that has only 15 riders. the top parking lot is pretty small!)
Amazing view at the top. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend it!
The ridge in this picture is what you ride up.
So now my actual question: this descent is very windy and steep. I was riding carbon clinchers and was thus worried about overheating them whilst braking. For a descent like this (narrow, steep, windy) whats the best technique? Modulate? Take risks? Stay slow so you don’t pick up too much speed?
1st make sure you are on a good carbon clincher not a Gigantex or similar wheel out of china. the generic wheels use epoxys that have lower Tg and are more susceptable to failure.
Then do like the F1 drivers do. Brake hard and late. the less time you are contacting pad to rim the less heat accumulates and moves into the rim itself. Surface temps get very hot, but the heat pretty much stays there. Don’t ride the brakes or temps will start to ‘melt’ the epoxy.
No idea on the CC failure part BUT I went to JMU (Harrisonburg) and went to Reddish Knob a time or two—that would be a great ride BUT with that road make sure to watch out for the college kids!!
We have a similar one here (~12.5 miles, ~6% grade) as well as some shorter (~3 miles) and steeper (~8-9%) climbs which I’ve ridden with carbon clinchers. I didn’t have any issues, but my approach was to modulate less than I would with an aluminum rim (i.e. don’t ride the brakes) and brake harder/later going into the turn to bleed speed. Not sure what you’re riding, but I’m on a Reynolds Strike/Assault set. So far so good (knock on wood)!
Brake hard before the corner and pick your line. Do not ride your brakes its the easiest way to overheat your rims. Carbon clinchers are dependent on the compound and brake pad you are using. But in general if you start to feel the brakes fade, just pull over. Its not like you’re in a race.
Boring but stop and let your brakes cool.
I dont know the grade here, but it is probably the safest bet. My rule is if I can’t hold my fingers to the braking surface, then wait.
