I went for a ride this morning 13 miles of hills. I hadn't rode in 2 weeks and had never ridden this loop. It starts off with 3/4 mile climb whitch I did fine on. It ends with a steep hill that is over a mile and does not let up just climb. That thing whooped my but. I rode it all the way but stoped twice. I think it was mental more than anything I just couldn't get past thinking it would never end. But like Arnold " Ill be back ". I won't stop till I whoop it. I can't. When a hill gets me like that it eats at me till I ride it non-stop. This may sound like rambling but I had to tell someone who would understand.

I went for a ride this morning 13 miles of hills. I hadn't rode in 2 weeks and had never ridden this loop. It starts off with 3/4 mile climb whitch I did fine on. It ends with a steep hill that is over a mile and does not let up just climb. That thing whooped my but. I rode it all the way but stoped twice. I think it was mental more than anything I just couldn't get past thinking it would never end. But like Arnold " Ill be back ". I won't stop till I whoop it. I can't. When a hill gets me like that it eats at me till I ride it non-stop. This may sound like rambling but I had to tell someone who would understand.

I give you six weeks, maybe less, before you climb that hill without stopping. You'll be amazed.

I went for a ride this morning 13 miles of hills. I hadn't rode in 2 weeks and had never ridden this loop. It starts off with 3/4 mile climb whitch I did fine on. It ends with a steep hill that is over a mile and does not let up just climb. That thing whooped my but. I rode it all the way but stoped twice. I think it was mental more than anything I just couldn't get past thinking it would never end. But like Arnold " Ill be back ". I won't stop till I whoop it. I can't. When a hill gets me like that it eats at me till I ride it non-stop. This may sound like rambling but I had to tell someone who would understand.

Hills are all mental. As soon as you get it into your head that you can't make it, you can't make it. The body follows where the mind leads.

I'm looking forward to your "I kicked this hill's *ss!" post.

Hills are all mental. As soon as you get it into your head that you can't make it, you can't make it. The body follows where the mind leads.

I'm looking forward to your "I kicked this hill's *ss!" post.

When I started riding- There were hills that I would never climb. In fact the first "Ride" I was ever taken on- Included two hills I walked. They are just pimples now.

Several things have made me able to climb hills. First is bike strength. That does not arrive fully till after a couple of years riding. Secondly is practice and there is only one way to get this. The third is gearing set up. I live in an area where if I want the better rides I have to do hills. May be as gentle as 7.5% or the 16% average one for 1 mile. Even the 5% hills are difficult on the wrong gearing so over the years I have set the bike up to climb. A triple is the ideal set up but a compact double with a 27 rear cog works just as well for me with the bike strength I now have and the amount of practice I have had.

Link below from the road forum of a bit more than a slope.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbvQqssD_jI&feature=related

I went for a ride this morning

You had me there.

With 2" of snow on the ground and 6 more expected today, I've got a few hours of trainer time to look forward to this weekend.

Yipee....:p

You're lucky to have such a challenging local route. It will make you a strong climber and open up a world of options for you. You will not be limited to flat rides like so many are.

When I started riding- There were hills that I would never climb. In fact the first "Ride" I was ever taken on- Included two hills I walked. They are just pimples now.

Several things have made me able to climb hills. First is bike strength. That does not arrive fully till after a couple of years riding. Secondly is practice and there is only one way to get this. The third is gearing set up. I live in an area where if I want the better rides I have to do hills. May be as gentle as 7.5% or the 16% average one for 1 mile. Even the 5% hills are difficult on the wrong gearing so over the years I have set the bike up to climb. A triple is the ideal set up but a compact double with a 27 rear cog works just as well for me with the bike strength I now have and the amount of practice I have had.

Link below from the road forum of a bit more than a slope.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbvQqssD_jI&feature=related


I have a 50/34 compact with 11-25. I didn't feel like I needed a lower gear but I am sure it would have been a help. At one point I shefted up 2 gears and could still ride. I felt like I would not make it before I started up. Started trying to think of a way around. When you think like that your beat before you start. I guess this is all part of learning and I have a lot to learn. I just started in July.

I went for a ride this morning 13 miles of hills. I hadn't rode in 2 weeks and had never ridden this loop. It starts off with 3/4 mile climb whitch I did fine on. It ends with a steep hill that is over a mile and does not let up just climb. That thing whooped my but. I rode it all the way but stoped twice. I think it was mental more than anything I just couldn't get past thinking it would never end. But like Arnold " Ill be back ". I won't stop till I whoop it. I can't. When a hill gets me like that it eats at me till I ride it non-stop. This may sound like rambling but I had to tell someone who would understand.

The same thing happened to me a little over a year ago. That hill was just bitting at me and the more I thought about it the taller it got. Anyway the wind was blowing to beat the band and I said to myself, this is not a good time to try this. I rode around the neighborhood for about 6 miles and kept thinking about that hill. I said the heck with it and headed for this giant hill. I couldn't believe it, I laughed at myself and when up and down this thing 4 times, before heading home. I must say I felt really good, even it it was just a small hill. Good luck and Merry Christmas.

I don't much like hills, but I can make it up any of them, including a couple of 15%ers I know. But I am SLOW! The bunch with whom I ride (all my age or older) go looking for hills, climb them with little effort (it seems) and chat all the way up. I have been riding with them 3 X a week for 2 months and don't feel I'm getting any better, even on the longer only slightly inclined roads. Is there a time when we just have to say, "This is as good as I am going to get." even it is at a semi-pitiful level?

I wish. The AM was quite sunny , 55 or so. Wife made me do Christmas stuff all AM. when got back. CLouds rolled in. About dusk we went out and picked some oranges off the tree. It actually snowed for about 30 minutes. Turned to rain. To be lousy weather until Wednesday. That means, no ride has been possible for almost a week. Ouch.