My First Scary Situation

the mountains of ny, pa , and wv

Out west here we call those hills!

Phil

When I was in Tennessee, I would always tell them if you can walk over it in a day it is NOT a mountain....

It's funny, there will always be the comparisons of the mountains out west vs the east. I've run both as many have but find some of the runs out east more challenging because of the quicker turns and switchbacks. Also, the east has some much steeper grades to deal with, especially when you get off on some of the state roads. I used to hear guys talk about the south run of Grapevine yet 68 has its tail end run that's almost 13 miles long, 6% grade at a max truck speed of 45, heck it's almost the same run but has a few more twists in it. You'll see more elevation out west but I think out east is more technical.

It's funny, there will always be the comparisons of the mountains out west vs the east. I've run both as many have but find some of the runs out east more challenging because of the quicker turns and switchbacks. Also, the east has some much steeper grades to deal with, especially when you get off on some of the state roads. I used to hear guys talk about the south run of Grapevine yet 68 has its tail end run that's almost 13 miles long, 6% grade at a max truck speed of 45, heck it's almost the same run but has a few more twists in it. You'll see more elevation out west but I think out east is more technical.

It's not the steepness of the grades, it is the elevation of the hills. I have been over passes that are higher than the highest peak in the Appalachian Foothill range. Heck just in Yellowstone I went over a hill that was 8500 feet in elevation and I think back east the highest elevation is 6600 feet and that is not on a road, that is the tallest peak. If I went east over McDonald pass or south to Butte I would have to crest over 6300 feet in elevation either way. Besides it's prettier here... LOL and back east there are WAAAAAAYYYYYY to many people. Out here we have 1 million people in the state and back east they have that many in a subdivision.

West is definately the prettier side of the country,truck stops everywhere,and heavy traffic,only in major cities. Roads are much better maintained,due to climate,and less traffic. This is where O/O have a great advantage..I would never go east of Chicago as a O /O.

Oh I hear ya, no argument about the scenery out west, it's amazing. Being in the Midwest, we chase the money like everyone else and it generally keeps me on the east coast and in new England. There are definitely some beautiful runs through here though, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing.