Anyone ridden the Mt Lemmon GG, either as a participant or perhaps just ridden the route? If so, what can you share about the route, especially road conditions for the climb/descent?
I have ridden part of the race route, just the part on the backside of Lemmon, not the descent. I am fairly new to gravel but I would describe it as pretty rough at points and there are some slight downhills on the way up so you will be going somewhat quickly through some of the rough spots, brief, rock garden type of things. It is a "jeep road" in my mind; a road but certainly at not for cars, again at points. The paved road to the finish, Webb Road, is a tough ~5 miles of uphill that rolls so parts are pretty steep. Loose surface for the most part. I think part of the decent leads to some sandy wash areas; sorry, again I don't have anything to offer there. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in..
I just rode the last 17 miles---mostly paved. Webb road is a pretty intense uphill---unrelenting with about 1500 ft gain in 5 miles. It was 89 degrees on my ride putting it in the ball buster catagory.
Part of the charm of Webb road is that it is not very consistent; it is generally about 5% but it has some steep pitches that a fairly long. It is difficult to find a climbing rhythm and it is just desert so it kind of plays with your mind. Lots to look forward to after climbing up a mountain!
