Notices
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

Is Walking a Sin?

Old 08-29-07, 08:50 PM
  #1  
Clydesquirrel
Thread Starter
 
FractalSquirrel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 33
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 1 Post
Is Walking a Sin?

I've been taking my mountain bike finally out on rocky, muddy, dirty trails as it was intended to ride on.

A while back, I was defeated by a paved, bicycle pathed hill and decided to stop to rest rather then walk up it. Something inside was nagging me about riding rather then walking, maybe it's cardio related, though of course walking would be better then stopping I guess.

After that though, I experienced the second wind, the feeling I could go on forever. It was the first time in my life I felt anything other then increasing pain and burning during physical activity.

I found a good excuse to walk it on a muddy incline a little later, physically I couldn't climb any more, the rear wheel just spun. If I tried to stand up on the pedals it just made things worse as my weight was even more off of the rear wheels. I guess that's just a limitation of being a clyde. I've seen skinnies ride up that trail. After that I found that the rear tire spun in relation to the rim, even though I was at maximum pressure. I had to flatten the tire and re-fill so the valve would be orthogonal to the rim.

Today I rode the longest ever, a nice long paved bike path that ends where the trails begin. A very big hill defeated me, causing me to walk it. And a moderate hill on the way back.

Should I try to avoid walking the bike at all costs? When I have been defeated, my heart rate was off the charts, my sides cramped, and I was very dizzy.
FractalSquirrel is offline  
Old 08-29-07, 09:26 PM
  #2  
AKA Nathan
 
Dr_Robert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 514
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Every once in a while, you come to an obstacle that requires you to dismount to traverse it. Hell, if these guys can walk their bikes up a hill, then I think we're excused.



Seriously though, I spin up hills when I can, and walk them when I can't. There's no shame in it. As I get in better shape, I find myself walking less and less - the last two times a hill beat me, it was only because my chain came off.

-DR
__________________
'08 Bianchi San Jose
'06 Giant OCR C3
'04 Specialized Hardrock Comp
Dr_Robert is offline  
Old 08-29-07, 09:26 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
BeckyW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 461

Bikes: 2007 Raleigh Venture 4.0

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If I can't spin up a hill, I walk up it. Hurt my knees trying to keep on mashing up.
BeckyW is offline  
Old 08-29-07, 09:34 PM
  #4  
Sleeper
 
JeeperTim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kearney Mo
Posts: 153

Bikes: A 15 year old Pacific Nitron.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I ride a mountain bike with pretty low gears - I just keep dropping gears and spinning no matter how steep. On some hills it would probably be faster to walk, but I just keep pedaling and crawling along. It's just one of my personal benchmarks - and besides, I hate walking.
JeeperTim is offline  
Old 08-29-07, 09:40 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Utah
Posts: 189

Bikes: Road & Mountain

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
there is nothing wrong with walking up a hill, I've been riding for 12 years (mostly MTB) and there are still hills that whip my butt, also there is nothing wrong without walking down a hill either.
UtRacerDad is offline  
Old 08-29-07, 09:59 PM
  #6  
Mad Dog
 
kpshearer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Redding CA.
Posts: 24

Bikes: 2005 Giant OCR C1, Early model Kinesis s/u as my commuter, 2000 Specialized FSR Rockhopper

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
There's nothing wrong with walking IMHO. It sure beats sitting on the couch not doing anything at all
kpshearer is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 12:49 AM
  #7  
Clyde Racer.
 
.Cole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 102
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I just get into one of my easier gears and just try and stand up and sprint. My easier gears aren't very easy though. Standard double with a straight block cassette. (11-21) So when I drop down to my climbing gear 39-16 and I can make it up nearly any hill I have ever ridden.

I walked more climbs when I was on my fixie all the time (47-16) But I haven't walked a hill since I got my Tarmac a few weeks back.
.Cole is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 12:56 AM
  #8  
del dot
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santa Cruz CA
Posts: 211

Bikes: Tour Easy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
I don't enjoy walking the bike -- at Tim said, it's more fun to ride, even at a snail's pace in a tiny gear -- but if I do have to walk, it doesn't detract from the accomplishment of making it up the hill. If my bike and I are both at the top of a mountain, and I provided the power to get us there, then that's victory...whether or not I had to push the bike over the worst grades.
divergence is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 12:56 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'll proudly walk up anyhill, and vow silently to one day conquer the hill... I have a few of these on some of my planned rides, and I have to walk them. But I'm usually not the only one walking.
Conveyor Belt is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 06:19 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Caincando1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Dodge Center, MN
Posts: 820

Bikes: Trek Pilot 1.0

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by .Cole
I just get into one of my easier gears and just try and stand up and sprint. My easier gears aren't very easy though. Standard double with a straight block cassette. (11-21) So when I drop down to my climbing gear 39-16 and I can make it up nearly any hill I have ever ridden.

I walked more climbs when I was on my fixie all the time (47-16) But I haven't walked a hill since I got my Tarmac a few weeks back.
You're an animal! I can't climb with my 30-26 granny gear so I'm going to try and swap out the rear cassette for something with a 32 or 34 on it.
Caincando1 is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 06:21 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
neilfein's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Highland Park, NJ, USA
Posts: 3,798

Bikes: "Hildy", a Novara Randonee touring bike; a 16-speed Bike Friday Tikit; and a Specialized Stumpjumper frame-based built-up MTB, now serving as the kid-carrier, grocery-getter.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
No shame at all, do what you have to do. You'll find you can do a little more of that hill each time, so just keep trying.
__________________
Tour Journals, Blog, ride pix

My bands:
neilfein is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 06:21 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
lil brown bat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Boston (sort of)
Posts: 3,878

Bikes: 1 road, 1 Urban Assault Vehicle

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by FractalSquirrel
Should I try to avoid walking the bike at all costs? When I have been defeated, my heart rate was off the charts, my sides cramped, and I was very dizzy.
Apologies if this sounds rude, but...why do you even need to ask this question? Isn't this a matter of common sense? Think about what "at all costs" implies, for heaven's sake.
lil brown bat is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 07:24 AM
  #13  
Shredding Grandma!
 
Pamestique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,803

Bikes: I don't own any bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have this thing... I never walk on a road bike. If I have to stop for a moment so be it, but then I keep riding.

I love to MTB and I had to get over my thing about walking. There are just times walking makes more sense - that's why the shoes are so comfortable and the cleat recess - so you can walk! The fact that you keep moving is the key, doesn't matter if you are riding or walking, you are moving. Even the most hardcore will get off and walk if a section taxes his or her skill or endurance. 'sides think of the exercise of pushing a 30 pound bike up a steep hill. Builds up the arms and leg muscles!!!

Of course, there is no shame in trying to ride something first. The key to riding up a steep hill? Know your limits. Don't try and muscle or power your way up. Get into a low comfrotable gear and work on a steady, cadence and take the steep hill as a opportunity to rest and go easy. Once I stopped trying to power up I was amazed how much better my climbing got!
Pamestique is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 08:27 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Terrierman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SWMO
Posts: 3,185
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1400 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Walking MTB Off Road = not a sin.

Walking Road Bike = sin
__________________
It's all downhill from here. Except the parts that are uphill.
Terrierman is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 08:58 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
piper_chuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 562
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FractalSquirrel
Should I try to avoid walking the bike at all costs? When I have been defeated, my heart rate was off the charts, my sides cramped, and I was very dizzy.
This says it all. The primary reason I wear a heart rate monitor is because it tells me when I'm working harder than I should. All your symptoms were telling you to ease off. If walking is what's needed, do it. There's no shame in walking your bike up a hill, think of all the couch potatoes who are doing nothing at all.
piper_chuck is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 09:42 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SW Wisconsin
Posts: 194

Bikes: 2005 Scattante R-550,Cannondale tandem,Raleigh Pre, Fuji Discovery

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The only shame in walking is for the guys who swap out the triple for a double and then can't make the hill. In my opinion riding the triple beats pushing the double.
cminter is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 10:07 AM
  #17  
Opus
 
PATH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: North of City
Posts: 223

Bikes: Bianchi Cross Concept, Bianchi Axis, Specialized Crosstrail, Specialized Roubaix, Miyata Sportsrunner, Trek T1 Track Bike, Specialized CrossTrail Expert, Specialized Tricross Comp Triple

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I love the triple. No shame in walking or carrying the bike. It is what it is! Cycling is joyous and the moment I have to worry or feel shame is the day I put the bikes away. Being outside and having fun is what it is all about.

Go out and enjoy!
__________________
Go raibh an chóir ghaoithe i gcónaí liom!

2007 Specialized Tricross Comp Triple, 2007 Trek T1, 2006 Specialized Roubaix
2006 Bianchi Cross Concept, 1989 Miyata Sportrunner, 2006 Bianchi Axis, 2008 Specialized Crosstrail Expert







Lullaby Of Foo

Now I lay me down to sleep
Keep my bike safe from the bicycle thief
Keep my tootsies toasty warm
keep my carbon from any harm

Good Night Road Bike
Good Night Moutain Bike
Good night all you Foosters
And good night Moon
PATH is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 10:25 AM
  #18  
Downtown Spanky Brown
 
bautieri's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Enola, Pennsyltucky
Posts: 2,108

Bikes: Motobecane Phantom Cross Pro Kona Lana'I

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Nope, no shame at all. Do what you have to do to get yourself up over the hill and on your way. Shame is turning back.

For your listening enjoyment I suggest a song by Kenny Rogers called "The Gambler"
bautieri is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 12:00 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
CliftonGK1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 11,375

Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
I'm having my LBS drop a 13-26 cassette on my resto project to replace the 11-21 stock cassette. Even so, I'm sure that with the 39/53 front, there will be some hills I encounter which will have me pushing the bike.
No shame in walking it. Just come back and keep attacking the hill over and over until one day you can ride all the way up.
__________________
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
CliftonGK1 is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 01:01 PM
  #20  
Do I use too many commas?
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central New York
Posts: 621

Bikes: Giant Yukon SE

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I walk every evening from my desk to the fridge to get a beer!
WillisB is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 01:07 PM
  #21  
del dot
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santa Cruz CA
Posts: 211

Bikes: Tour Easy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Terrierman
Walking Road Bike = sin
divergence = unrepentant sinner
divergence is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 04:18 PM
  #22  
This Space For Rent
 
Stujoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 657

Bikes: 2007 Specialized HardRock Sport, 1982 Schwinn Super Le Tour

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Considering I have an MTB (with MTB gearing) and mostly ride on roads and live in Illinois, I don't have a huge issue with hills. There have been times when I might have been able to walk almost as fast as I rode up a hill, though. lol
Stujoe is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 04:20 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
socalrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: La Verne CA
Posts: 5,049

Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
not finishing a ride is a sin, walking is not... all of us clydes have had issues with hills one time or another..
socalrider is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 04:50 PM
  #24  
Shredding Grandma!
 
Pamestique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,803

Bikes: I don't own any bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Stujoe
Considering I have an MTB (with MTB gearing) and mostly ride on roads and live in Illinois, I don't have a huge issue with hills. There have been times when I might have been able to walk almost as fast as I rode up a hill, though. lol
I have a friend who we all hate because he can walk faster than any of us can ride. Here I am grinding slowly up some gnarly, rutty, loose dirt trail and he comes walking by, pushing his bike, fresh and all talkative. What's up with that???
Pamestique is offline  
Old 08-30-07, 05:24 PM
  #25  
This Space For Rent
 
Stujoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern IL
Posts: 657

Bikes: 2007 Specialized HardRock Sport, 1982 Schwinn Super Le Tour

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I get mad when I am passed by a biker on a hill but the day I get passed by a walker, I think my head will explode!

I can't run because of back issues but one of my workouts at the gym is to get on the treadmill, set it at 15 degree incline and 3 to 3.5 mph and walk as long as I can. It is a heck of a work out for me.
Stujoe is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.