I also wanted to mention the riding in Vermont. Linda & I spent our wedding anniversary in June at a resort/spa near Stowe, VT called the Topnotch Resort @ www.topnotchresort.com. A nice place nestled at the foot of Mt. Mansfield. I took my bike and rode a local 50-mile route that took me over Smugglers' Notch. Now that is one steep climb. Near the top the grades exceed 20%. I will admit...I climbed the notch twice, and both times I had to get off my bike and walk the last few yards to the top. It was just too darn steep for the smallest gear ratio on the bike I was using that weekend. I plan to go back some day and conquer that beast with my special-built climbing bike with a smaller gear ratio. Fortunately this is also the bike I plan to take to France. Here's a pic of the road up to Smugglers'...it's a quiet, scenic park road with sharp bends and very steep corners just up the road....
next time I'm in VT let's give this a go :-) What was the gearing you tried it on? What gearing are you taking across the pond?
ReplyDeleteHave fun in France. As of 1/2 way through today's stage (10) Contador has dropped out :-(
I'm up for it if you are. Smugglers' is one steep mother, saw 25% grade on my garmin before I blacked out. I was using a 34 (front) x 25 (back) small gear that day. In France I will have my triple -- with a 30 (front) x 28 (back) small gear. I've climbed 'bout 20 passes in Colorado with this bad-boy and it works just fine for me. P
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