Fifty Plus (50+) - I just gotta say, I like hills...

I see so many off-hand comments about hating hills that I gotta say, I like hills. I actively search out rides with more hill. I like standing up and pumping up short hills, and sitting and grinding up long steep hills. I like the vistas that getting to the top often provides. Fast descents are fun too, unless they get tediously long. I dislike long flat rides. I also kinda like riding into stiff headwinds.

I know I'm not alone, as there are many group rides that feature climbs.

+1 on the hills

I'll sometimes cuss them while I'm climbing them, especially when they come late in a long ride, but I'd much rather do hilly rides than flat ones. But you can keep your headwinds. The only thing worse is a crosswind.

+1 on the hills

I'll sometimes cuss them while I'm climbing them, especially when they come late in a long ride, but I'd much rather do hilly rides than flat ones. But you can keep your headwinds. The only thing worse is a crosswind.

+1 I'm built like an NFL running back (5'9" & 190 lbs.) and I suck on the hills but for some reason I like the feeling of accomplishment when I crest the hill and still have enough left to pick up the pace for the flats.

I don't mind short hills. Long ones had better have a pretty good payoff. Headwinds and crosswinds? Piffle!

I'll choose a hill over a 20 MPH headwind any day.

Brad

They are both "H Factors": Hills, Headwinds and Heat. It's when they gang up on you that it really gets tough. Double H is hard; Triple H is brutal. As I get stronger, I'm starting to enjoy climbing more.

A few days ago I went out for a short 15 mi. ride. It was warm but windy in a sporadic way. I was having a great time for the first couple of miles and then made a right that put me at due west into a 20-25 mph wind. Good God that sucked. It was like that almost all the way home. The last mile felt like the last mile of a 50 mi. ride.

As they say, variety is the spice of life. I like hills but I don't like riding just hills where you spend all your time going up long ascents or coasting down the other side. As far as wind goes, I don't mind a head wind if I know I'm going to get rewarded with a tail wind the other way. Going into a head wind all day, particularly when you have to get somewhere by a certain time, is tough.

I can't imagine a ride without significant climbing. A flat ride to me is 50 ft per mile. It is nice once in a while to do a relatively flat ride for the change, though I have to travel to find it. Heat though kills me. Anything over 80º and I suffer badly. It's always been that way for me.

LOL, you all are my hero's, I'll think about you as I "avoid" the next big hill, if possible! ;) Have a most excellent day! :)

I love long climbs! GMR/GRR that starts with a 7.6 mile climb, Angeles Crest, Hwy 39, all the Long Climbs on the Knoxville Double . . . all very good and great fun.

My friend Laura calls it "the Zen of climbing." I don't know anything about Zen, but it does seem like a semi-meditative state when I'm climbing for hours on end. Sure, I love descents too, esp. the winding type with switchbacks; all good!

Rick / OCRR

I like hills, however, I wish I had a few miles of warm-up before starting on them.

Wind and the hills are our friends. They speed us along or they make us strong.

I ride a Mountain bike. Mountain is her first name. But since joining the old-geezer gang, I'm thinking more about doing mountain trails like they do in the summer season: Riding the chairlift up to the top and riding the bike down.

I didn't like snow skiing up the mountains either...

They are both "H Factors": Hills, Headwinds and Heat. It's when they gang up on you that it really gets tough. Double H is hard; Triple H is brutal. As I get stronger, I'm starting to enjoy climbing more.

Worse than hills, headwinds and heat; indoor trainers.

Im with ya bro, exept for stiff headwinds. When i was 12 i got into a stiff head wind in the SF bay area. I had a tackle box and fishing pole strapped to my ass and it was getting hard to move forward after fishing all day and being somewhat cold and wet. I kicked the front fork because i was an idiot! I missed and my foot went into the front wheel flipping me and all my junk. Wow, i have a lot more patience now. After racing as an intermediate and junior in the 70s i gained more patience. Now here we are on the 50plus side. I dig sprints up short hills, love decents with the wind in my face, screw a helmet! The vistas are awsome in the sierra foothills where i reside at the present time. A couple of bike riders die every summer in my local, they had helmets but it doesnt matter when a car creams you. Riding now is a sort of meditation that drugs never could beat! In 1999 did a climb with my father into the Austrian Alps. I had not been able to do much training before hand because of work. I cursed that climb all the way to the top! The decent was the most awsome decent i can remember in my cycling times. I got off the saddle and sat on the panier rack, got me a little lower and was more enjoyable to stretch out on the downhill cruise. I always distained tourists on bikes but that was an awsome trip. Keep on keeping on!

I like climbs , just wish there were more closer to me. I have hills but I want mountains so to speak. To get to the mountains is a 2 hour drive and I have done it once and want to again but just haven't yet.
Heat is okay with me too, just pace yourself and accept it.

And I am with BluesDawg with the crosswinds. I just in fact told my brother those exact words this morning, I don't mind a headwind but I hate a crosswind of the same mph. He agreed.

I see so many off-hand comments about hating hills that I gotta say, I like hills. I actively search out rides with more hill. I like standing up and pumping up short hills, and sitting and grinding up long steep hills. I like the vistas that getting to the top often provides. Fast descents are fun too, unless they get tediously long. I dislike long flat rides. I also kinda like riding into stiff headwinds.

I know I'm not alone, as there are many group rides that feature climbs.

Just curious how you'd define a long steep hill?

Just curious how you'd define a long steep hill?

:lol: I'd have to say that 3 miles at 12% at the end of the Mountains of Misery Century is pretty tough. :twitchy:

Just curious how you'd define a long steep hill?

Mont Ventoux and it was fantastic. Once in the rhythm- it wasn't that steep- wasn't that long- just took a long time to do.

I like hills as well, a flat ride is boring. I train for hills, doing hill repeats to build strength. Luckily there are a lot of really nice 1200' to 1800' climbs close to me and a nice 2700' mountain about a 45 minute drive.

I like riding up hills on my terms. I can enjoy riding up a long climb in an easy gear and develop that rhythm with just enough effort to move along nicely. At 6' and 185 lbs riding up hills in races usually isn't on my terms and they put a hurt into me. Hills lasting less than 2 or 3 minutes are my friend and I can beat up on other guys, any longer and we don't see eye to eye anymore.

I'm going to hill climbing camp in North Central PA the 2nd weekend of April for 3 days of hurt.

I'll take a 40 mph heawind over a long hill anyday. Figure at 6' 1 (230-240 lbs) it takes me 6 hours to get to the top of this thing. Big headwind won't ever last that long on a century.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/4164758814_c231c31bbf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/4164758814/)
Profile Bear (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/4164758814/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

Just curious how you'd define a long steep hill?

Reno to Tahoe. Circumnavigating Tahoe. Reno to Virgina City via Geiger Grade. To the top of Mission Peak in Fremont CA on a mountain bike. San Jose Ca to the top of Mount Hamilton (Lick Observatory). Nothing too epic. These are a few of my faves, which I miss dearly since moving to New England.

I used to regularly ride the trail along Alameda creek out into the SF Bay into steady 30 mph headwinds. You could really fly going the other way. Paddling a kayak into these winds duck hunting in the South Bay was a different kind of a workout.

I think it depends on where you are. Two years ago we spent the spring and summer in the Lake Placid NY area. I hated hills when I got there, but by the end of the summer I was right at home there and loved to do hills. Now that I am back in the Arizona desert the hills in my area are no match for the ones in Lake Placid. Most of my ridding is flatter and so hills have become more problematic.

I think it depends on where you are. Two years ago we spent the spring and summer in the Lake Placid NY area. I hated hills when I got there, but by the end of the summer I was right at home there and loved to do hills. Now that I am back in the Arizona desert the hills in my area are no match for the ones in Lake Placid. Most of my ridding is flatter and so hills have become more problematic.
Phil,

When I go up to Lake Placid it is usually for this ride: Downtown Wilmington to the top of Whiteface.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_2n6FkrWqcFk/TARVOy3PRVI/AAAAAAAAAU4/r7EbI_0ApTQ/s512/DSCF0228.jpg


And for Beanz's sake:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_2n6FkrWqcFk/TARVta08m4I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/N0vg-IyOdas/s512/My%20Activities%205-30-2010%2C%20Grade%20-%20Distance.jpg

:lol: I'd have to say that 3 miles at 12% at the end of the Mountains of Misery Century is pretty tough. :twitchy:
See you there the end of May, Andy? :D

See you there the end of May, Andy? :D

I need to register though I had better get in shape if I'm going to ride it! Neal and I are planning to be there, for better or worse. :twitchy:

I don't live too far from there. What kind of gearing are you useing to make it up? I've often thought of driving over and trying it early evening after they close the too road. You're my newest hero.

How many hills must one roadie climb
before they call him a roadie?

I'm hill deprived.

To climb steeper hills, I need to put the bike in the car and drive 4 hours to the counties west of Madison, WI. Once I'm there, I can climb 10,000 accumilative feet in short but steep sections. It takes a few dozen climbs, over 100 miles. Plenty of 15 to 22 percent hills.


I live for it.

I gotta have my hills. I have to travel quite a ways out of town to get any serious hillage, but luckily right in my neighborhood there are some really short, steep bits that hold the water from a local lake in place. Perfect for hill repeats. That's what I did last evening after work, when the thunderstorm that was predicted didn't come, and it was nearly 70 degrees... I was able to get in about 2400 ft of climbing over 18 miles. Perfect!

I'm doing Mountains of Misery again, too. This will be my third time. I plan to be in a lot better shape this year than I was last year, for sure!

I need to register though I had better get in shape if I'm going to ride it! Neal and I are planning to be there, for better or worse. :twitchy:

Great, hope we can meet up. I hope to have new ride by then.

Is there a difference between liking hills and liking to climb? Could one hate to climb, but like hills, or could one hate hills but like to climb?

I often like where hills take me, but don't always like the climb. Sometimes I like the climb because it challenges me or break the rythym of a ride. Somtimes I don't like either. Sometimes I like them both.

I just gotta say, I like hills...


You do realize that you can be replaced for making comments like this. Don't you?

I love hills too... even touring up them, with camping gear. At least I did - in my memory... I think that if I have done this, I can still do this...but my mind has to start talking to my knees!
Not only do you get such a rush from conquering the bump, you get to ride down the other side - a real adventure.

I like to tie a grand piano to my bike and haul it around.... preferably into a nice stiff wind. There's no fun like that! :D

Phil,

When I go up to Lake Placid it is usually for this ride: Downtown Wilmington to the top of Whiteface.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_2n6FkrWqcFk/TARVOy3PRVI/AAAAAAAAAU4/r7EbI_0ApTQ/s512/DSCF0228.jpg


And for Beanz's sake:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_2n6FkrWqcFk/TARVta08m4I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/N0vg-IyOdas/s512/My%20Activities%205-30-2010%2C%20Grade%20-%20Distance.jpg

We camped all summer in Wilmington at the North Pole Campground and I did Whiteface from there and from Bloomingdale too. The Ironman loop I did many times and lots of the surrounding towns too. I loved that area. I rode up above Plattsburg to Moors and over the bridge into Vermont and took a ferry back near Plattsburg again.

I don't live too far from there. What kind of gearing are you useing to make it up? I've often thought of driving over and trying it early evening after they close the too road. You're my newest hero.

If you are talking about Whiteface I had a triple with 11/27 cassette. I can't remember when they close the road to the top but that's a lousy ride from the guard shack to the top. The road heaves badly which makes it a real pain to clime and to come back too. I usually turn off on the road to Bloomindale and make that loop through Saranac Lake and back to Willimgton.

I can easily ride up the commonwealth ave hill, approaching Boston College, on my fixie. Long, but just the right angle for the entire distance. The next street over is Ward street. Same hill,
far less traffic passing you on the way up. Hills are great for building you up all over. (My opinion)

It is rather amusing / interesting to hear some people talk about how "I can't go that way, it's too hilly". Or, "I only ride here, because there aren't any hills." Hoo boy.

I'm fortunate to live on the edge of the knobstone escarpment. Outside my door it's flat, and north and east are miles of endless flats. 30 minutes southwest are endless short/steep hills. Despite being 6'3" 200#, I enjoy attacking the hills. A day in the flats can be a blast as well.

The only thing worse than a headwind, though, is a 5 mph tailwind up a long grinding climb on a 95 degree/90% humidity day under a baking sun.

If you are talking about Whiteface I had a triple with 11/27 cassette. I can't remember when they close the road to the top but that's a lousy ride from the guard shack to the top. The road heaves badly which makes it a real pain to clime and to come back too. I usually turn off on the road to Bloomindale and make that loop through Saranac Lake and back to Willimgton.

I ride a compact double so 34/25 is as low as I go. It is a chore for me to do many of the hills/mountains around here. Every year I'm a better cyclist but there's the age thing that keeps the challenge formidable. I've yet to do the Whiteface toll road ,haven't even driven it as I'd prefer to ski down the other side, but I need to do it this summer. I think I might switch my cassette to an 11/28 just for that little extra. You guys/girls are inspiring. One more challenge.........

I ride a compact double so 34/25 is as low as I go...

I have SRAM 34-50 compact double with 11-28 cogs.

Here's a slick graphical gearing calculator that lets you compare gearing setups:

http://www.gear-calculator.com/#KB=34,50&RZ=11,12,13,14,15,17,19,22,25,28&TF=85&UF=2099&SL=2

I'm fortunate to live on the edge of the knobstone escarpment. Outside my door it's flat, and north and east are miles of endless flats. 30 minutes southwest are endless short/steep hills. Despite being 6'3" 200#, I enjoy attacking the hills. A day in the flats can be a blast as well.

The only thing worse than a headwind, though, is a 5 mph tailwind up a long grinding climb on a 95 degree/90% humidity day under a baking sun.

I've really enjoyed the Grand Touring/CIBA ride starting in Columbus the last couple of Springs in "western Bartholomew County and eastern Brown County. This ride will meander through Grandview Lake, Pikes Peak, Hoosier National Forest and other Indiana back road delights" http://www.cibaride.org/images/stories/2011Non-RepeatingRidesApr-Jun.pdf
Yes, you do have a bunch of hills down your way, next to some flat stuff.

Since moving to one of the few un-glaciated areas of Illinois I have learned to enjoy hills. The views and relative lack of traffic make for pleasant rides. Long flat rides are boring, and I dislike headwinds. When you ride a lot of hills and curves the wind isn't so much of a factor. The only time I like long flat rides is if I have a destination.

I've really enjoyed the Grand Touring/CIBA ride starting in Columbus the last couple of Springs in "western Bartholomew County and eastern Brown County. This ride will meander through Grandview Lake, Pikes Peak, Hoosier National Forest and other Indiana back road delights" http://www.cibaride.org/images/stories/2011Non-RepeatingRidesApr-Jun.pdf
Yes, you do have a bunch of hills down your way, next to some flat stuff.

Well that's certainly my stomping ground. If you see a white V-Rex with a blue fork out there, that'd be me.

Well that's certainly my stomping ground. If you see a white V-Rex with a blue fork out there, that'd be me.

Hard to miss those funny-looking bikes.........the white ones, I mean. Mine's silver/yellow.

I see so many off-hand comments about hating hills that I gotta say, I like hills. I actively search out rides with more hill. I like standing up and pumping up short hills, and sitting and grinding up long steep hills. I like the vistas that getting to the top often provides. Fast descents are fun too, unless they get tediously long. I dislike long flat rides. I also kinda like riding into stiff headwinds.

I know I'm not alone, as there are many group rides that feature climbs.

I'm guessing you must be 145-155 lbs??

I'm guessing you must be 145-155 lbs??

Don't be bustin' us skinny guys...

Even some of us larger folks love the hills. Most of the places I have lived have flat roads full of carelessly driven cars and hilly roads that have much less traffic. I prefer the latter. Of course, I did live in the Sacramento Valley for twenty years where hills are so rare their value becomes enhanced. After so many years of having to ride ridiculous distances in order to get to some hills, it would be inappropriate to complain about them.