Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Today Was My Turn To Kick Butt!

Well, changed my eating habits about 2 or 3 weeks ago, no junk. I'm down 4 lbs so I figured that I would do a climbing ride today. Off work at 1:30 am then couldn't sleep. Jeeze I hate that. I do Pop's yard on Friday morns since his diabetes has attacked his feet. He does the edging so he doesn't have to work too hard walking in the grass. Maybe I was excited cause he bought a new lawnmower, I dunno!:D

So I can't sleep till 5 am! Then up at 8:30 am to head to Pop's after 3 1/2 hours of sleep. Do the yard then go to eat breakfast after. Instead of wasting the rest of the day, I grab the bike and head up the mtn. Maybe the 4lbs helped cause the climb wasn't as bad as I had been expecting. Haven't done it in a while so must be a good sign that I'm headed in the right direction.

Didn't even need to stand on the steeps sections and I only felt like puking once. It's getting better!:D




http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/120508A.jpg
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/120508B.jpg

You da man.

Hills still slay me; I have trouble on 3% grades.

Hills still slay me; I have trouble on 3% grades.

When I started riding, other riders kept telling me I was too big to climb. A one mile 4% was so tough I required a nap after the ride. One day I woke up believing the skinny was trying to keep this big man down. Then it popped in my head, I can do it!:thumb:

It gets better!:D

Part of the deal is that where I am in Texas, there aren't a lot of hills.... 3% for a half mile is about the worst I see. However, I see it every day at the beginning of my commute home so at least I ride it regularly. The skinny guy in me is already mostly out... I've lost 20-something pounds this year and only need to lose maybe another 10 or 15... not gonna worry about that too much until after the holidays.

... I've lost 20-something pounds this year and only need to lose maybe another 10 or 15... not gonna worry about that too much until after the holidays.

Well, you're already more than on your way Cowboy!:D
Good job!:thumb:

Diabetes is eating my Dad's feet. A big reason I have to get out and ride. It's after me, and I'm fighting it off.

nice job, i'm so envious of the hills you have. In Miami the biggest climb is a bridge that is 3% for half a mile at Key Biscayne. I do a lap around the Island and climb the bridge twice, it seemed hard at first and it still is a bit of a challenge but I wonder what it would be like to do a long steady climb. My sis lives in colorado and my bike will be coming, or her friend that owns a bike shop may be cool enough to let me use a demo bike.

but I wonder what it would be like to do a long steady climb.

I'm sure that once you do one, you'll do another! IMO, it's much more enjoyable than the 1/4 climb on a ride. You never get a chance to warm up to the short hills, pure pain. I suffer on a short one, just push thru it hoping for the best. On a long climb, you find a rythm after acouple of miles. At mile one, I swear that I will not complete the 20 mile climbs. After 3, I warm up and find a groove. Then it's about keeping your pace and not getting restless. Take your time and get there, that's the point!:D

I really think riders make the mistake of being intimidated after the first mile. Gina samething. She wanted to puke after the first mile. I slowed her down then she completed 16 miles of pure climing once she found her groove. Still not fond of hills but she knows she can if she has to!:thumb:

I'm honestly not real fond either. I just know that once I start, there is a real sense of accomplishment. Like doing a first century. Then you stop and think about it and know not many others 'DO IT'! Then after you really get involved, you wonder WHY others don't 'DO IT'! It really is enjoyable, just need to get in the right frame of mind!:D..I'm trying to get back in!:p

Diabetes is eating my Dad's feet. A big reason I have to get out and ride. It's after me, and I'm fighting it off.


Aunts, uncles, father, mother, I don't think I have one senior relative that doesn't or didn't have it!:(

I had arthritis in my left ankle as a 12 yo kid (couldn't walk for 3 weeks). Doc said I'd be ok and outgrow it. Maybe that's a reason why I concern myself with staying strong and somewhat fit. I gotta be ready to kick some arse no matter what happens!:D

I'm sure that once you do one, you'll do another! IMO, it's much more enjoyable than the 1/4 climb on a ride. You never get a chance to warm up to the short hills, pure pain. I suffer on a short one, just push thru it hoping for the best. On a long climb, you find a rythm after acouple of miles. At mile one, I swear that I will not complete the 20 mile climbs. After 3, I warm up and find a groove. Then it's about keeping your pace and not getting restless. Take your time and get there, that's the point!+1,000,000

I actually do worse on short, steep climbs (and more worse on long, steep climbs! :D ) than on long, mid-grade climbs I can get a rhythm on.

But don't give up and don't be afraid...

Earlier this year, in prep for KOM, I would add a few climbs in the Santa Monicas after the Wed AM ride. The Wed AM Ride is a 20-mile hammer-fest (with re-groups) from Calabasas out to Westlake Village. From there, we usually go down to the beach and back to the start via Old Topanga--a tough little climb after 55+ miles of hard effort. Well, this one day, still trying to lose weight, I didn't fuel up at Westlake too much...just a PowerBar and some water. Then, our group went to PCH and back to Mulholland/Calabasas via Latigo.

(Latigo's not overly steep--5.3% avg--and it does have a few 11-12% pitches in corners, but its difficulty comes from its length: 9 miles! It covers 2,000 feet in the first 7 miles followed by a quick 1-mile descent and a final, 1.2 mile climb at 4.9%.)

Anyway, this one day, because I didn't refuel properly, I started to get the bonk: shakes, light-headedness, lack of energy, dizziness...etc... you name it. I finally got to the top, wolfed down some more food and was fine 15mins later.

But: I tackled the climb again last weekend and did fine: no bonk, fueled up fine, lots of fluids. Beat almost everybody up ('cept for Cassave, VMac, Cleave & one other--all local, ~140lb. mountain goats Beanz might know). It was not an intimidating climb at all. Got some good pictures, too.

Even the longest climb can be tackled. Pace yourself, and re-fuel before you need it :D

Beans, I need to ride with you. I like your attitude towards riding and kicking butt. Too bad we are a few thousand miles apart!!!!

Beans, I need to ride with you. I like your attitude towards riding and kicking butt. Too bad we are a few thousand miles apart!!!!

Heck, I wish I had clydes to train with around here. Not many local clydes will climb and I'm not a traveler.:p Heck, I was on my way down today while a couple of skinnies were on their way up. They looked at me as if to say,"what the heeeeeel is he doing up here?":D

Dude thats awesome. Seriously awesome. I am major impressed. Im learning to climb hills a little bit at a time. I have finally figured out what gears are for! :D They are to make fat people able to go up hills when they dont have the ability to do it themselves....YET!

Dude thats awesome. Seriously awesome. I am major impressed. Im learning to climb hills a little bit at a time. I have finally figured out what gears are for! :D They are to make fat people able to go up hills when they dont have the ability to do it themselves....YET!

Ahhh, this climb is just a little climb I do once or twice on weekdays when I start trying to get back into shape. Only 2,000 ft in 8 miles. Don't be impressed, of course I like compliments but more here to inform other clydes, climbing aint no big deal. More of just "go out and do it". I can't count the times I was told I can't climb cause I'm big. Now I know better and respond with a "GTF outta here!":D

Just keep at it! You'll find you get stronger and need fewer gears. But actually wise to use them!

Um, I can barely do an 80 foot climb in a 1/4 mile. Im a ways from capable but Im working on it.

If you are riding a triple do you ever use the smallest front ring? I live in FL and they told me I could get my bike faster if i ordered a triple ring. I live in FL so I was like hell no, was curious if you use it on hills like this?

Heck, I wish I had clydes to train with around here. Not many local clydes will climb and I'm not a traveler.:p Heck, I was on my way down today while a couple of skinnies were on their way up. They looked at me as if to say,"what the heeeeeel is he doing up here?":D

I wish I could find someone to train with period. It is me out here in nowhere Iowa with cornfields and coyotes. :-)

I found an ironman triathlete that I am trying to get on her bicycle schedule come spring. She will kick my butt, but that is what I need.

If you are riding a triple do you ever use the smallest front ring? I live in FL and they told me I could get my bike faster if i ordered a triple ring. I live in FL so I was like hell no, was curious if you use it on hills like this?

Funny! I have 2 bikes, a triple and a double. he double is better for climbing since it's so stiff, it's a Cannondale. It has a standard double 53/39 in front and a 12/25 in the back. I use it on climbing centuries that have 10,000-12,000 ft of climbing with no problem.

But the Lemond is my training/beater bike. It has triple since I figure I might do double centuries someday and may need it if I encounter a huge hill at mile 175!:D...I do use the triple on flat rides because the middle ring was a 42 and great sicne I didn't have to swithc gears at all up front.

But on rides like this training climb, I do use the front ring but I don't use the 3 biggest gears in the rear (easiest gears).

SOme people are fooled by thinking going into the small gear up front is a sissy thing to do! Not true because it's all about gear inches. There are charts that show the meauserment of each gear combination.

SO, riding my small gear on the triple up front 32 and a 21 in the rear is equal to the small gear on my double which is a 39 and a 25 in the rear. Not sure of the exact combo without the chart but both combinations equal to the same amount of gear inches.

triple gears 32 + 21 is equal to 55 gear inches
double gears 39 + 25 is also equal to 55 gear inches...(just an example and not exact since I;d have to look it up on the chart)

SO riding the small on the triple doesn't mean that it's easier then the small on a double if you ride a bigger gear in the rear while riding the small ring on the triple!:D

Nothing UN Macho about riding a triple. I did a ride with a double century rider that talked a big story wiht his superlite carbon fiber million dollar machine. I rode my triple on a century we did together. I waited at the top of a canyon for him, maybe 10 minutes. He was stunned that I was riding a triple. I'm shocked that he thoght it would matter since it's more about he gear inch combo a rider can push. Because you have a really easy gear doesn't mean you ride it all the time!:p

If I ride a 4% grade, I use my small ring. But ride a bigger gear in the rear. If I use my double, I use the second ring but use a smaller gear in the rear.

If I ride flats, I use the middle ring and never have to switch gears up front.

I wish I could find someone to train with period. It is me out here in nowhere Iowa with cornfields and coyotes. :-)

I found an ironman triathlete that I am trying to get on her bicycle schedule come spring. She will kick my butt, but that is what I need.


That will do it! When I did my best times on big rides, I trained in the mtns with some 150 lb mtn goats and double century riders. I got closer and closer on the training rides. I thought I'd never beat one of my partners but one day on a big climbing ride (organized), I passed him! He drafte me for a bit on a flat section, then I dropped him on the climb:thumb:....Then I knew I had improved!:D

Good for you Beanz! I'm working on learning to climb. I typically charge up them too hard early and burn out before I finish. Been making a big effort to start looking for that rhythm at the bottom and keep the pace easy. I've been improving as a climber. Tomorrow is a small hill (800 feet) from both sides. My wife has been itchin to climb it again.

Good for you Beanz! I'm working on learning to climb. I typically charge up them too hard early and burn out before I finish. Been making a big effort to start looking for that rhythm at the bottom and keep the pace easy. I've been improving as a climber. Tomorrow is a small hill (800 feet) from both sides. My wife has been itchin to climb it again.

Great! Keep at it, it gets better. I have buds tha stand and crank at the start of a hill. I pace myself then usually pass them at midhill, then blow by them at the top of one milers. On long hills, just find that rythm!:D

Heck, I wish I had clydes to train with around here. Not many local clydes will climb and I'm not a traveler.:p Heck, I was on my way down today while a couple of skinnies were on their way up. They looked at me as if to say,"what the heeeeeel is he doing up here?":D

You apparently don't know how skinnies think. They were probably thinking look at that guy. He got a ride to the top and now is coasting downhill and is going to call that his ride:roflmao2:

For me it does make a difference if I am warmed up. I have short steep hill, just out my front door that can kill me if I attack it too hard. But, the same hill later in the ride isn't such a killer.

Ok, double vs triple? Im guessing this means 3 gears vs 2 gears up front? Mines a 3, but I only seem to use the outer two, what would i use the inner one for?

The inner one, referred to as the "Granny Gear" or "Granny Ring" is used for really steep roads, ones where you are pedaling so slow that you think you're going backward.

One of the objectives when riding is to maintain a consistently high cadence (how fast your feet go around in circles on the pedals). This is measured in revolutions per minute/rpm's...or "cadence".

Not that there is a magic number, but 90rpms is pretty close. If you can ride at 90rpms or higher, it will save your knees, and allow your cardiovascular system to take the work load off your leg muscles, which don't have nearly as much endurance as your heart & lungs, thus allowing you to ride faster and for longer distances.

The granny ring--all gears, in fact--allows you to keep your cadence at an optimum level by providing a nice small gear to use on steep(er) roads.

There. Have I confused you? :D

You apparently don't know how skinnies think. They were probably thinking look at that guy. He got a ride to the top and now is coasting downhill and is going to call that his rideOn my June "Assault on Mt. Mitchell" ride, I stayed with the leaders to the 70-mile point. As you can see, it was somewhat easy for me as these were relatively flat-ish miles (only about 4,000 feet of climbing to that point). Then the climbing would begin: about 6,000 feet over the next 25-miles.

About 2-miles in to the climbing, I had a guy catch up to me, and ask, "Did you ride all the way from Spartanburg [the start]?" Apparently, some people must jump in on the course and cheat the ride, and he must have thought I did the same, being all fatter than him and all. Surely, that was the only way I could have beaten his skinny butt to this point--82 miles--in the ride.

In between breaths, I answered, "Yeah."

"Good job" he responded with wide eyes.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2577197290_0a193ebb91.jpg?v=0

There. Have I confused you? :D
No you have cleared up the front gears for me.

Here are the gearing teeth for my bike (08 Fuji Absolute 4)

Front: 28/38/48 teeth

Back: 7-speed, 14 - 34 teeth

I have mostly been on the 38, and adjusting the rears based on flat vs uphill. Should I be changing this strategy? Basically Ive been in gears 3-4 in the rear for the most part, with shifts to 2 or 1 depending on the hill.

Also, I was told at the bike co-op not to use the little gear up front and in back at the same time.

I was alwas bustin' my hump trying to climb on my trek. Even on the granny ring on my triple.
I finally looked at the cassette...it's a 11X19. :eek:Yikes! No wonder!
My large self (360 lbs) needs a few more gears to get over the top.
I just keep on imagining how freakishly strong I'll be once I get down into the 200's. :lol:

Just got a new cassette yesterday 12X32 from Nashbar, (yeah I know...but it's all I could find in a new 7 spd) and now the progression is not as smooth, but climbing doesn't seem to be much of a problem anymore.
Only sacrificed a bit of speed that I wasn't using anyway.
I was only pushing the big ring on downhill runs and sometimes on the flat.:p

Hey doohickey! You had some nice hills to climb at the Turkey Roll before Thanksgiving, though!

Just got a new cassette yesterday 12X32 from Nashbar, (yeah I know...but it's all I could find in a new 7 spd) and now the progression is not as smooth, but climbing doesn't seem to be much of a problem anymore.

It matches your components, right? Derailleur, chain, etc...? Shimano w/Shimano, Campy w/Campy, etc...

It's SRAM I was told that it will work with my Shimano RSX RD.
Used it today and shifting went better than the one I replaced.
RD has plenty of clearance for the 32 cog.

No you have cleared up the front gears for me.Oh, good.


I have mostly been on the 38...That's a good place to start. As you ride more and get stronger, you'll start using the 48 more...on the flats & downhills, and maybe even on short hills. :D


and adjusting the rears based on flat vs uphill. Should I be changing this strategy?Yeah: change strategy (see my previous post). It's all about cadence. Change your gears based on keeping your cadence at about 90rpm or higher. If it falls below 90, change gears so you can spin faster. If it you're going too fast and you start bouncing on the saddle, change gears to a harder gear to slow your spin down. Of course, this will automatically take into account whether you're on a hill, downhill, or flat. But it will also account for wind, or drafting other riders...etc...

If you don't have one, a nice little bike computer can tell you what your cadence is. I'm sure you can find 'em cheap, definitely less than $50, probably $20-30. Others here can fill you in better on costs.


Basically Ive been in gears 3-4 in the rear for the most part, with shifts to 2 or 1 depending on the hill.Try to name the gears based on the # of teeth they are--it's more specific. Referring to them as gear #3 or gear #4 doesn't tell me anything. F'r instance: which direction are you counting in? Is "first gear" the easiest or hardest? (I know, I know...should be easiest, but it depends on local customs.) Smallest cog or biggest? And how hard exactly is gear #3? These are all unknowns with an arbitrary number (#3) assigned to them that has no meaning for me or others. But if you tell me you're on your 17-tooth cog with a 38 up front (shorthand it would be: 38x17), well now, that tells me something (58-inch gear) and I can compare my own efforts with yours.

As for shifting, again...it all goes back to cadence. Keep it at 90rpm.


Also, I was told at the bike co-op not to use the little gear up front and in back at the same time.Yeah, this is called "cross-chaining". It means putting the chain at an extreme angle (in-out or out-in). This reduces chain life and cassette life and can adversely effect derailleurs and cables. You can do it, but over the long term, it's best not to make a habit out of it as these items can get expensive. Cycling is already expensive enough.

--

Cycling is fun, and it has alot of information. If this is too much, just say so. I know from first-hand that it can be overwhelming sometimes.

It's SRAM I was told that it will work with my Shimano RSX RD.
Used it today and shifting went better than the one I replaced.
RD has plenty of clearance for the 30 cog.

Good. I've been told SRAM works well with Shimano (no first-hand experience).

....
As for shifting, again...it all goes back to cadence. Keep it at 90rpm.

....[/QUOTE]

I wonder if it is possible or desirable to make a blanket recommendation for such a high cadence? The point of keeping a good brisk cadence is well-taken but I don't see 90 as realistic for very many people... and certainly not for beginning riders. Just my opinion though.

Ahhh, this climb is just a little climb I do once or twice on weekdays when I start trying to get back into shape. Only 2,000 ft in 8 miles. Don't be impressed, of course I like compliments but more here to inform other clydes, climbing aint no big deal. More of just "go out and do it". I can't count the times I was told I can't climb cause I'm big. Now I know better and respond with a "GTF outta here!":D

Just keep at it! You'll find you get stronger and need fewer gears. But actually wise to use them!

I'm still trying to get to half of where you are. Did my longest ride ever at 56 miles today. We have not hills but grades here in Florida but I heard an interesting comment from one of the out of state riders at lunch today. He said in Georgia where they have mountains some times you're riding up then sometimes you're coasting down but in Florida you're pedaling constantly. Never thought about that before.:)

Ok, double vs triple? Im guessing this means 3 gears vs 2 gears up front? Mines a 3, but I only seem to use the outer two, what would i use the inner one for?


2 reasons!
1) Protect your equipment
2) Comfort


1) Using the inner ring would keep you from crosschaing which is NOT good for your drivetrain. Triples had a longer BB spindle which puts the chain at extreme angles, tougher on gear teeth. Look at Mark's 'splaination above.

2) The middle ring has certain combos as far as gear inches. Of the top of my head as an example. Combos may equyal 65,62,60,55. SO you use the combo that equals 60 on the middle front ring.

Maybe on the small front ring, you may find the combo that equals 57 that is a little more comfy pushing up a hill. Then again, you'll find a more comfy gear that is better on your drivetrain and your legs!

Another example. You may like the middle ring 65 more than the 62 but just not quite right. But on the small ring, you just may find the 63 that is just right like the Goldielocks story!:D

I heard an interesting comment from one of the out of state riders at lunch today. He said in Georgia where they have mountains some times you're riding up then sometimes you're coasting down but in Florida you're pedaling constantly. Never thought about that before.:)

Oh yeah! I had a double century rider tell me that our trail was a sissy course. His was windy and hilly so it was much tougher. SO we did a century on my flat trail. About 70 miles into the ride, he almost fainted. Best thing to do is flats to keep the legs moving and hills to train on the climbs.

Not that there is a magic number, but 90rpms is pretty close. If you can ride at 90rpms or higher, it will save your knees, and allow your cardiovascular system to take the work load off your leg muscles, which don't have nearly as much endurance as your heart & lungs, thus allowing you to ride faster and for longer distances.


I wonder if it is possible or desirable to make a blanket recommendation for such a high cadence?Barring medical issues...yes, I--and many professional coaches in books and online articles--believe it is.


The point of keeping a good brisk cadence is well-taken but I don't see 90 as realistic for very many people...I'm afraid I cannot agree with you here. 95%+ of the cyclists I ride with have a nice "brisk" cadence around 90. The vast majority of cycling wisdom espouses a high cadence--90 is just a starting point (as I said above). I also said that if Poster is bouncing on his saddle, to back off to a lower cadence.


and certainly not for beginning riders. Beginning riders are the ones who need correct instruction. Teach 'em when they're young, so to speak. Granted, Poster isn't a young'en, but if my 12-year old can maintain 95 cadence no problem, and this ex-320-pounder can too...


Just my opinion though.Certainly. Mine too.

I will agree 100% that riding around a 90 cadence will make it much easier for you to ride for longer distances and ride at a faster pace for longer distances. I used to mash, but once I started riding again I did some reading and did some of my own trial and error work. I also used my heart rate monitor to see what I was doing in comparison.

A higher cadence does not always mean a higher heart rate. If I am mashing too hard of a gear my heart rate will increase quickly. But if I go from 5th gear to 3rd gear and increase my cadence, my heart rate will drop.

Riding at an 80 cadence is perfect for some people in their minds, but I actually feel comfortable in my rides around a 90 cadence. On a 40 mile ride, my average according to my Garmin 305 is usually 89-92, depending upon the day on the same route. That is not a flat ride, because there are times I am at a 110 or higher cadence and sometimes I am at an 80 cadence. I am not always at a perfectly steady cadence. But I try different cadences on different parts of my rides. Sometime I will try a 6th gear downhill at 110 cadence, and then the next ride I will do the same thing in 8th gear at a 80-85 cadence. Then I will compare heart rates at the same point in the ride.

Oh yeah! I had a double century rider tell me that our trail was a sissy course. His was windy and hilly so it was much tougher. SO we did a century on my flat trail. About 70 miles into the ride, he almost fainted. Best thing to do is flats to keep the legs moving and hills to train on the climbs.

You have a trail that is 100 mile car free? That sounds like bike heaven unless I'm misunderstanding. Is it normal in CA or america in general to have so much car free road routes? If so I'm emigrating tomorrow and I'll be there to kick your ass on the trail.

I'm sure that once you do one, you'll do another! IMO, it's much more enjoyable than the 1/4 climb on a ride. You never get a chance to warm up to the short hills, pure pain. I suffer on a short one, just push thru it hoping for the best. On a long climb, you find a rythm after acouple of miles. At mile one, I swear that I will not complete the 20 mile climbs. After 3, I warm up and find a groove. Then it's about keeping your pace and not getting restless. Take your time and get there, that's the point!:D

I really think riders make the mistake of being intimidated after the first mile. Gina samething. She wanted to puke after the first mile. I slowed her down then she completed 16 miles of pure climing once she found her groove. Still not fond of hills but she knows she can if she has to!:thumb:

I'm honestly not real fond either. I just know that once I start, there is a real sense of accomplishment. Like doing a first century. Then you stop and think about it and know not many others 'DO IT'! Then after you really get involved, you wonder WHY others don't 'DO IT'! It really is enjoyable, just need to get in the right frame of mind!:D..I'm trying to get back in!:p

Do you ride a double or a triple?

I myself ride a compact, just to make things more confusing. A lot more riders in my area are leaning towards the compact for various reasons. We have no mountains per say but I can take you on a ride will have a total of 6500 feet of elevation gain in about 75k. That's not all at once of coase but over all. One section we call the "three sisters from hell" it 2.5k of climbing with a series of hills that have false flats in between they look like a flat but you are always climbing. Grad wise they start at 8% then the next is 11% then after about 800yards of false flat it kicks up to 15% for the last 700yards. Believe me you use every gear you have on this hill and heh if you fell good after that we'll head over to the killer it's got 90* turns while going up fun!!! Clydes all tend to be climbers here but a lot of them do ride triples. I find it's all a matter of recovery, when you know the hills coming make sure you are near the front if in a group that way the climbers have to get by you and you can suck their wheel for just a little if you train hills a lot you should be hanging on by the time you get to the top, then blast them on the decent and taunt them on the flats:) Another good reason for the compact "50-34 x 11-26+" is flat out speed my next bike will have an 11-28 on the back. Do the math you have a faster gear than a standard with 53-39 x 12-25. Sorry for being long winded but I kinda pride myself on my climbing abilities especially for being such a big guy.

That's funny....I am originally from Maine and right outside Portland in Westbrook there used to be a killer Mountain bike trail. Good strong singletrack for about 10-15 miles with lots of outs and alternate routes. One of those routes included 3 steep climbs right after another...finish one you get a downhill on the other side and then right back up the next.

We affectionately named them the "3 *****es." :notamused:

I'm sure that once you do one, you'll do another! IMO, it's much more enjoyable than the 1/4 climb on a ride. You never get a chance to warm up to the short hills, pure pain. I suffer on a short one, just push thru it hoping for the best. On a long climb, you find a rythm after acouple of miles. At mile one, I swear that I will not complete the 20 mile climbs. After 3, I warm up and find a groove. Then it's about keeping your pace and not getting restless. Take your time and get there, that's the point!:D


This is very true. I moved out to Denver this year from Ohio and so far I've only done Lookout Mountain. But I found it wasn't that bad once I got into a rhythm. I honestly think sometimes the hills on my commute to work in eastern Aurora take more out of me than Lookout Mountain did. Maybe I power through them more or something.

Do you ride a double or a triple?

My climbing bike is a standard double (53 39crank-12/25 cassette)

That's on 10,000-12,000 ft climbs and the toughest grade being 22% on Forest Falls!:eek:

Stiff Canni CAAD3
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Canni.jpg
12,000ft century (high point 8400 ft elevation Onyx Summit near Big Bear)
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/ba6.jpg

90 cadence? You guys pedal slow! I typically pedal 105 to 110 on the flats. Hills are a different matter. I think my cadence while climbing today was around 50 (39/26, 14% grade).

Today's ride was 51 miles, 2500 feet of climbing. Grades up to 14%. Fun ride. Heart rate only got up to 173. Last time I think I hit 190 on this ride. Woot!