Crux of the Challenge: Warm Springs Mtn.
Experience the intensity of a Tour de France climb
The climb that Tour de France veterans Frankie Andreu, Steve Bauer and Chann McRae have compared to a Pyreneean mountain stage of 'Le Tour' is included in the Alleghany Gran Fondo.
These three cycling greats encountered the 3500' Warm Springs Mountain as team directors in the 2007 Tour of Virginia, and were suitably impressed. Several of the riders described the final climb on our 88-mile route as among the hardest climbs they'd ever raced up.
Of course we didn't want to make it too easy, so riders in July's Alleghany Gran Fondo doing the full 88 mi. gran fondo route will face this challenge about 100km (60 miles) into the route.
Starting in the town of Clifton Forge, the 4.2-mile climb with an elevation gain of 1777' ascends gradually for the first 2.5 miles on Virginia State Route 606, but then begins to bite shortly after the road passes under Interstate 64.
In his book, The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike) in the Southeast (2009:Extreme Press), author John Summerson writes:
"The east side of 606 is a real treat. Isolated and unknown to most, the grade is severe over much of the ascent. The first stretch is along a creek and soon the grade steepens as the road switchbacks up the ridge with double digit grade in places. A classic climb."
For the data geeks among us, Summerson provides some stats. for the climb:
Total Elevation Gain: 1,777ft.
Average Grade: 8.0%
Maximum Grade: 12.0%
Length: 4.2 mi.
Rating: Cat. 1
In the 2007 Tour of Virginia, which included this great climb, Colombian rider Javier Zapata (Team CAICO), a veteran of some of Europe's toughest races, used the steep slopes of Rt. 606 to launch himself to the stage victory, and in turn sealed his destiny as the overall winner of the race.
