On: 4WD vs. AWD. What's the Difference?

[anexprogrammer]

That doesn't seem that bad for normal traffic, conditions permitting - unless the steeper gradients are markedly so. I'm sure they have their reasons for 4wd only though - picking too many tourists out of the ditches or whatever.

There's quite a few roads in the UK with 1:4 gradient, and one just down the road from me at 1:3 whose only restriction is no trucks and vans. Going downhill on the motorbike makes it feel like you're falling off! :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardknott_Pass

[beachy → anexprogrammer]

Here in New Zealand we lay claim to the steepest street in the world at 1:2.86 gradient https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldwin_Street.

There's an annual charity event that involves the rolling of over 30,000 Jaffas (spherical confectionery-coated chocolate confectionery) down the hill.

[markdown → beachy]

How have I not heard of this event? Sounds similar to (and less dangerous than) cheese rolling.

[Doctor_Fegg → anexprogrammer]

There are roads in Spain with 1:4 gradient, too. 200 of the world's best cyclists rode up some of them in today's stage of the Vuelta a Espana. I'm no slouch cycling up hills but my jaw dropped seeing today's footage...