Originally Posted by
Tom Bombadil
The comparison is even worse if you take time into consideration. Let's say a ride is 8 miles uphill, 4 miles down, and then 8 miles uphill again. So 80% of the distance is uphill. I guarantee that well over 80% of the time is spent going uphill.
I do a 10 mile ride down to the coast. I start 60 metres-(200ft) above sea level and it is a gentle drop down to the beach.
So why is it I do 300ft of climbing on a downhill ride?
And on the reverse ride back home I do about 400ft of climbing.
And Back to the OP. Forget your Dad- I started cycling 18 years ago. I can still remember that first serious ride that my later ride partner took me on. I only had an old bike that did not have "Hill" gearing and that ride hurt. First hill and I was walking about halfway up. Then up a long slope of about 5% for 2 miles to the top of Beachy Head. I still hate that slope- but I even walked a good part of that hill.
Now- admittedly on better bikes- but These two hills are done in the big ring. I must have been a wimp when I started riding.