I live in Va. and ride a bit in western Md. IMO the less common 50x36 with a 11x25 or if you can't push the 11 use a 12x25 gives the advantage of not having to shift the front derailuar so often. A 34x25 gear is pretty slow if your trying to make time in a race and I find that if you can climb it in the 34 you can do it in the 36