Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
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Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
How exposed is Hwy 82 westbound in the Independence Pass area? Google with the terrain turned on makes it look fairly exposed but who can really tell from that.
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Re: Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
There are some good drop offs on both sides.
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Re: Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
IMO the exposure is worse going eastbound but there are definitely some nervewracking parts going each way. Just go slow enough to feel comfortable and don't feel too bad if a couple people get stacked up behind you, they're probably going too fast anyway!
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Re: Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
The speed limit is 30mph for a majority of the pass, and there are many bicyclists to share the road with, so slow is by design. The only guardrail protection I saw was near the top, so if the view is going to distract you enough to wander your lane close to the edge, do it there...
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Re: Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
Got into a car race in a BMW M5 racing with a nissan z-car over independence pass back in the early 90s -- we hit speeds of > 120mph. No bikers back then and very little traffic, so I don't recommend it now. The narrow part on the west side (one lane with a double yellow stripe down the middle) was particularly dicey.
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Re: Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
I recall at least one switchback near the top goes at 10 mph. Most of other switchbacks are about 25 mph
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Re: Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
Going EB from the top, you'll be on the outside of the road as it cuts across that ledgy area, with lots of air to the right...for me, that's the only nerve-wrecking part. No guardrail so keep it slow and focus on the road.
WB from the top is easier IMO, but there are a few very narrow turns (they are signed) where two large vehicles can barely get by each other. The speed limits are signed as 5 mph at those locations I believe, and have guard rails.
Enjoy the ride, it's a great pass!
WB from the top is easier IMO, but there are a few very narrow turns (they are signed) where two large vehicles can barely get by each other. The speed limits are signed as 5 mph at those locations I believe, and have guard rails.
Enjoy the ride, it's a great pass!
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Re: Highway 82, Independence Pass - exposure?
I'd say the terrain is no more than class 2 but with the level of exposure a lot of people would bump it up to class 3, really depends what you are comfortable with.