Thanks! It is definitely going to be an awesome experience!
The climb is paved the whole way up, and the road is in really good shape!
As far as pacing goes, I am 100% just going to follow the BBS plan on my bike computer. I am sure with starting the ride 8,000ft lower than where I have been training for the last two months, I would totally go way too hard at first and crack myself half way up.
I am working with an online site that ranks the hardest climbs around the world (They have La Muerte ranked as the #3 hardest climb in the world), and they are covering the cost of a support car to follow me up the road, so I will be all set on having layers for the weather. Check out their site if you want to read about some seriously insane rides!