10-25-2015, 09:16 PM
Another good rule of thumb is if the fully loaded 18 wheelers are going down a LONG STEEP grade slower than you are, you are probably going down too fast. Get into the truck lane and enjoy the ride. You really don't want to find out all the downsides of having to take a run away truck ramp because you overheated your service brakes or lost air due to pumping the brakes.
If there are multiple 10 mph switchbacks, you will need to slow down enough to get back into 1st gear in advance of those curves. Trying to slow down from 35 to 10 on an 8% grade is a big deal so slow down WELL in advance by letting the jake slow you. Going down a mountain too slow may annoy others but it will be safe. Going down a mountain too fast is a potential disaster.
If there are multiple 10 mph switchbacks, you will need to slow down enough to get back into 1st gear in advance of those curves. Trying to slow down from 35 to 10 on an 8% grade is a big deal so slow down WELL in advance by letting the jake slow you. Going down a mountain too slow may annoy others but it will be safe. Going down a mountain too fast is a potential disaster.