Hardy County is home to a number of significant climbs, but none more infamous than the paved ascent on the State Park Road / backside of Howard’s Lick up and over the Moorefield side of South Branch Mountain. This nearly 5 mile climb covers 2,000 feet of elevation at an average grade of over 8%, with a 1+ mile stretch in the middle averaging 11%. This is one of the most heavily ridden climbs in West Virginia owing much to Jay Moglia’s many route designs from the Lost River Barn/Raw Talent Ranch cycling vacation rental at the top of the mountain. Nearly 600 athletes have attempted the climb over the last 13+ years since people have been recording their rides on Strava. If West Virginia had a state championship climb to rival the Wintergreen Ascent in neighboring Virginia, this would be it. Perhaps it will be in the near future.

With spring team retreat season kicking off, I’ll be spicing the competition up this year. The fastest male and female rider for 2025 to ascent the segment by August 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM will get free entry into the Lost River Classic gravel bike race. Your ride must be public and uploaded to Strava to be eligible.

So far Total Civil Construction p/b Battley Harley-Davidson is the first team to ride the segment, on at least two occasions. Zach Racine leads the field by several seconds, 27:02, but may have been riding a gravel bike. There’s certainly room for improvement, as Zach’s time is good for 11th all time on the climb.

Who will catch Zach in the next four months?

No women have attempted the climb yet this year.