Fancy Gap

SHC, I disagree about the curve speed signs. When I was driving pneumatics, and that powder acts like a fluid, I did the curves at the speed on the sign without undue concern. In my Dodge Ram, I routinely run 15 mph over quite comfortably, thank you. 20 gets kinda sporty, tho....

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Yep, told ya. As long as you keep your head, and follow the suggested speeds you'll be fine. If you get to a descent that has a mandatory pull off first or graduated scale of speeds based on weight, it's because too many drivers have lost it and it would be wise to follow the speeds or lower. Stay safe.

 

I remember running Fancy Gap before I-77 was built.
US 52 was a winding 2 lane that was really fun going down the gap.
Many of trucks went off the mountain back in those days.My uncle lost the brakes on that road one night and it cost him his life.

The way it is now on I-77 no big deal.Just watch for fog about half way down.
It can go to zero visibility almost instantly.

Once you pass the 3 yard stick you can let her roll.....

 

fancy gap doesnt have the sharp curves like, say black mountain...I mean yea, top heavy is top heavy, but the curves on fancy gap are longer and wider..Ive always went down in 10th gear and no problems.

 

Well put. Like my dad told me when I started driving, you can take a mountain too slow as many times as you want, but you only take it too fast once . . .

 

I understand what you do, but the purpose of the sign does not change. It is the suggested speed for cars, not trucks. Pick-up any CDL training manual at the DMV and its right there. I was the head of our safety division for 3 years and we went over and over this every year with our drivers and newbies.

And on a side note, I run tankers an the USDOT guidelines for liquid tank trucks are a 10mph reduction in speed from the suggested speed for a curve.

 

Like everyone said drop a gear or two and you will be fine after a few times down it you will be able to run down without dropping a gear

 

I had a student a few years back,we came down Fancy Gap went up and over Black,did stop # and then down Saluda (past a truck that went "sightseeing") he was a nervous wreck in columbia that night LOL

 

When I first seen the post "Fancy Gap" that was the first thing I thought of was US52 and why the hell would someone wanna go down it in this day and age. Old Fancy Gap and Hawks Nest, WV are to hills I don't miss going over.