General Cycling Discussion - Am I ascending or descending?

Do any of you all ever run into the scenario that it looks like you are descending, but you are actually ascending, or vice-versa? Obviously I know which one I am doing by the resistance on my legs.

I just wanted to know this because I had brain surgery ten years ago and some of my senses were affected and I don't know if it is just me or if you all get the same feeling sometimes.

Yes, the senses can be fooled, not only on a bike but in a motor vehicle as well. I have a couple of places on my commute that appear as hills but are, in reality, flat and also places that look flat but are really hills.

'bent Brian

Do any of you all ever run into the scenario that it looks like you are descending, but you are actually ascending, or vice-versa? Obviously I know which one I am doing by the resistance on my legs.

I just wanted to know this because I had brain surgery ten years ago and some of my senses were affected and I don't know if it is just me or if you all get the same feeling sometimes.

interesting that you bring this up. there's a part in my ride which is about 3/4 miles long that i cannot determine if it slopes upward, downward, or stays even. i'm tired by the time i reach it just coming off a few climbs, so i don't know if my legs are accurate or not.

One of my routes has a slight uphill that feels like a downhill due to the prevailing tailwind. Very odd.

I have a few of those... there is one the defintiely looks like a downslope.. but I always have to gear down to ride it... when you first hit it, it is like riding on flat tires... weird sensation...

on the other side of that.. I live half way up a big hill (like 8% grade).. but the first half of that is less steep, but tstill an uphill.. but an uphill I can hit 22-24 mph going up... so clearly not a real uphil.. weird

jeff

Thanks for that info. I am glad to know that I am not the only one with that feeling. I was concerned a little that it may have been associated with my brain surgery. Thanks again.

There's a section of road here that feels like you're going downhill, no matter which direction you're traveling.

I've never understood it.

I noticed this on a ride about a week ago. It was a hilly ride, and later in the ride my mind was telling me that I was about to climb, when in fact the downhill slope just changed to being less severe.