I've ridden Strawberry (2 Sundays ago) and Monte Cristo (yesterday). I thought M. Cristo was harder ... more relentless. Strawberry does have a false summit -- just when you think you should be coasting at 30-40 mph, you're straining to go 10-15 mph for another mile or two. Ditto Brent re the last couple miles of Salt River Pass. But, whether literally or figuratively, it's pretty much down hill from there. (Pray to the Goddess of the Skinny Wheel -- or was it the Spoke? -- for a tail wind.) john -------------- Original message --------------

Bill,

It's rolling at first then the grade is more constant as you get in to the National Forest area. Nothing steeper than 7% and those two areas are less than one mile in length. The climb is long however. Of the three climbs, the worst is the last 2 1/2 miles of Salt River Pass. That's a real grind for me.

Thanks!

Brent Chambers EPIC EVENTS / LOTOJA CLASSIC 801.546.0090 brent@lotojaclassic.com

On Aug 29, 2005, at 11:02 AM, Bill Wegesser wrote:

...

You guys (and gals) must be up to your elbows in final prep for "THE EVENT" My hats off to all of you. It was great last year.

I have one question... as though I made the new riders meeting last year, I could not attend the new riders clinic this year to discuss the course changes.

The one thing clawing in the back of my mind is just how steep is this Strawberry Pass? I know it goes on forever and the elevation profile looks worse than climbing Monte Cristo. Is there a max and avg % grade.

Thanks for taking a minute or two off to quell my fears. I'll pass the info on the rest of my group.

Bill

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