<VV> Grades

[Padgett]

>The Rockies are so steep that the roads have switchbacks, which lessen the 
>grade. Back here in Ohio and probably where Dale is talking about in 
>Michigan, the roads go straight up the hill, without switchbacks, meaning 
>a steeper grade.

Any place you cross a mountain range there are going to be steep grades. 
Typically 6-7% is the most you will see on an Interstate (think there is a 
design limit). What you need is a long, sustained grade and the hardest I 
know of is the climb out of Needles headed East on I-40: long, hot, and 
brutal on a car.

That said there are long steep grades many places other than the Rockies, 
some are even used for hill climbs (e.g. Mt.Washington in NH.) or famed in 
song (Monteagle pass in Tennessee).

>  Padgett