The climb starts at mile 30 and is 2.7 miles (topo) with a 7% average grade. The climb starts out at a steady 8% for the first mile followed by a quarter mile at 10%, easing back to less than 6% over the next mile and returning to 8% for the last half mile. It's one of the more pleasant climbs in the area, low traffic and not as steep as most.
There are plenty of rest stops, at miles 23, 35, 45 (closed Sundays), 58, and 63.
There's a reversed version of this ride that climbs the shorter and steeper Nat Mountain above Woodville at mile 16. This direction is shorter by three miles since the US-72 east shoulder into Woodville is wide enough to ride comfortably. However traveling west on US-72 to Gurley may be less pleasant now that a rumble strip has been added to the already narrow shoulder.
The Cove Park ballfields near Hampton Cove:
If traveling over Monte Sano on Highway 431 (east on Governors Drive): go 4.8 miles after passing Monte Sano Boulevard and turn Left at Old 431/Sutton Road. Travel 1.6 miles and turn right onto Old 431. The ballfields are on the right.
If traveling over Cecil Ashburn Drive: continue straight on Sutton Road for 0.7 miles and go straight across Highway 431. From the intersection go 1.6 miles and turn right onto Old 431. The ballfields are on the right.
